I have been photographing for almost 70 years and have traveled extensively to capture images of beauty and interest.
In May, I made my first trip to the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, a destination I had long wanted to visit. My photographic goal of the trip was primarily to capture the Smokies in infrared, but early in the morning of the last day of my great six-day trip, I came upon this gorgeous view of a fenced-in meadow with the cloud-enveloped Smoky Mountains in the background and a water run-off gully, framed by wooden fenceposts in the foreground.
To my eye, the scene screamed visible spectrum color as it captured the Smokies’ distinctive blue haze that often hangs over the mountains and the lush greens and yellows of the fields and trees. The leading line provided by the gully perfectly brings the viewer into the scene with its lush greens and yellows, and the cloud-enveloped mountains in the distance.
I was primarily shooting in 720nm infrared with my full-spectrum infrared-converted Fujifilm X-T3, but had my wonderful Fujifilm X100VI at the ready and captured this beautiful color scene with it. The camera’s excellent image stabilization allowed me to shoot handheld at a relatively slow shutter speed. I used Maxel Haik’s “Every Day Velvia” film simulation recipe, which I have come to use extensively since I found it on a Goughie YouTube video in January. I also used a 10% diffusion filter to enhance the visual impact of the image.
I plan to return to the Smokies at some point in the fall season, as the foliage must be incredible.
What are the TWO most impactful features that make your image a good photograph? Don’t be shy!
The color palette and the leading line provided by the gully make the image.
If you could make this photo again, what would be the ONE thing you would like to do better or differently?
I would have left a little more space between the camera and the fence. I would have had the full fence on the left included in the image.
Herb Fixler shared this photograph with the FRAMES Facebook Group.
Photographer
Herb Fixler, New York City, USA
Equipment and settings
Fujifilm X-100VI with Cinebloom 10% diffusion filter
f/11, ss 1/80, ISO 125
Velvia Everyday film simulation.
FRAMES is a unique international photography community that combines the best of all worlds, bringing you print and digital publications, a global membership platform, access to live events, and a dedicated mobile application.
EXPAND YOUR PHOTOGRAPHIC VISION
JOIN FRAMES TODAY
