Sunrise at Clingman's Dome

[tbird]

Here's a sunrise photo (1st of 6....please scroll down to see others) taken at Clingman's Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains. The "smoke" , actually a cloud-like condensation which acts somewhat like a wispy fog, was rolling this early morning and gives a great color dispersion from the sunrise. This is an excellent example of where this most-visited national park got its name. -Tom

[monkey_wrench]

very mysterious

[Vetteography]

FIRE! Run for your lives....

Oh wait....

Seriously, it does look like the California hills when they are on fire...

[sparker1]

That's a great shot, tbird. Unfortunately, those sunrises are gone by the time I rise (around 8 am). I'll have to settle for sunsets.

[tbird]

That's a great shot, tbird. Unfortunately, those sunrises are gone by the time I rise (around 8 am). I'll have to settle for sunsets.

That's OK Stan, I like your other shots.....especially your recent church (wires). Here's another pre-sunrise shot on a clear morning without the "smoke". Colors are so muted early that, in spite of color, it looks almost painted.

[sparker1]

Absolutely gorgeous.

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Woah, that's so cool! I love it!

[tbird]

Here is another pre-sunrise photo of Smokies from Clingman's Dome. Because it was very low light I used a time exposure of about 20 seconds to catch this "dark" shot that shows a "river of fog" coursing between the ranges. I thought this gave an amazing representation of a constantly changing panorama depending on (within minutes) when you shoot. -Tom

[Michaelmjc]

All are AWESOME shots! I really like the second one.

[RockOne]

Wow.Nice. The first one really does look like its alight. !

[Titus213]

Great shots, I like them all but number one is the winner. Awsome photo. I love the trees in the foreground. And it does show where they got the name. The Smokeys are beautiful. I managed a short trip thru them with the family years ago.

[sparker1]

tbird, the third shot is as good as the first two. How do you manage to get to Clingman's dome before sunrise? It's at least an hour from anywhere. Also, would you mind if I shared your photos with some friends, giving attribution, of course? I sure haven't been able to capture the Smokies as you have.

[Lamplight]

Fantastic shots of a great place. The path to it kill me though. :lol:

[tbird]

tbird, the third shot is as good as the first two. How do you manage to get to Clingman's dome before sunrise? It's at least an hour from anywhere. Also, would you mind if I shared your photos with some friends, giving attribution, of course? I sure haven't been able to capture the Smokies as you have.

Stan, these shots were made in the fall when sunrise was late. Left motel in Gatlinburg about 5:15 in the morning to go to Clingman's Dome. You will be surprised to know that many people beat me there. I shot from the base of the Dome in the parking lot....I didn't climb it. That would be daunting to me at any time of the day. Had plenty of time to wait for the sun to come up.

As far as showing the pics, these are just a reflection of what is there in our great national park on any given day. Feel free to show anyone, but thanks for asking permission. I am honored that you like my shots.

Here is one last photo. Hope you like it as well.

[BottomBracket]

Those are great pictures! I love the sfumato effect in the first pic. And the second is just so cool, I really like the reverse-chiaroscuro effect (dark foreground to light background). If I would like to explain to a deaf person what a fugue is, I'd show him the second picture. I think I'd better go sleep now, it's past my bedtime and my head is swimming with terms I learned long ago in an art class.

[tbird]

Those are great pictures! I love the sfumato effect in the first pic. And the second is just so cool, I really like the reverse-chiaroscuro effect (dark foreground to light background). If I would like to explain to a deaf person what a fugue is, I'd show him the second picture. I think I'd better go sleep now, it's past my bedtime and my head is swimming with terms I learned long ago in an art class.

Somehow, BottomBracket, I never thought I would take a photograph that would rate huge words that I didn't understand. Think I'll look them up. Thanks, I think. - Tom

[sparker1]

Tom, thanks for permission to use your great photos. I have to say it is not as easy as you modestly state. These are very special, and I'll reluctantly share them with a few close friends. Reluctantly because they will see how real photographers do it. Looking forward to more of your work.

[weemannie]

These are really beautiful - thanks for sharing

[tbird]

Thank you all for your kind comments.

[RbnDave]

Tbird,

Wow, a fantasic set of photos. I can't pic a favorite. they are all great in there own way. It's amazing how many different colors are produced at sunrise.

There is one problem with your photos... They just might ruin my social life here in Charlotte. I'm going to be running up to the mountains every weekend till I can get some good weather on Clingmans dome.

thanks for posting these. They're truely inspiring.

[theman]

these are superb photos, they are the best of that place they call "clingmans dome" i've ever seen! What s/stop did you use? And was your apature at 1/200 or 1/400? If i was there I would have used an shutter speed of 2.8. Sorry, I am new to this photo "form" stuff, would love the input. Again, great photos. :)

[flyfisher]

They are Beautiful shots. The color in the first and second one are Amazing . Where is Clingman's Dome? It looks like a great place to take photo"s.

[Mannytkd]

What great shots they are "WOW".....we want more.....we want more.....!!!!

No, really jokeing aside they are some of the best sunrise shots i've seen fo a long long time, if your in the right place at the right time these are the results......?

:D :D

Stan, these shots were made in the fall when sunrise was late. Left motel in Gatlinburg about 5:15 in the morning to go to Clingman's Dome. You will be surprised to know that many people beat me there. I shot from the base of the Dome in the parking lot....I didn't climb it. That would be daunting to me at any time of the day. Had plenty of time to wait for the sun to come up.

As far as showing the pics, these are just a reflection of what is there in our great national park on any given day. Feel free to show anyone, but thanks for asking permission. I am honored that you like my shots.

Here is one last photo. Hope you like it as well.

[tbird]

They are Beautiful shots. The color in the first and second one are Amazing . Where is Clingman's Dome? It looks like a great place to take photo"s.

At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's highest point. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the second highest point east of the Mississippi. The Appalachian Trail crosses Clingmans Dome, marking the highest point along its 2,144 mile journey. - Tom

[tbird]

What great shots they are "WOW".....we want more.....we want more.....!!!!

No, really jokeing aside they are some of the best sunrise shots i've seen fo a long long time, if your in the right place at the right time these are the results......?

OK, you talked me into it.....Here's one more.

[roanjohn]

OMG!!! You were rewarded for waking up that early........those shots are DRAMATIC and SPECTACULAR!!!

Ro1

[Ballen Photo]

What an interesting explanation of why they are called The Smoky Mountains. I didn't know this, and your photos illustrate the rising mist effect quite well. :D
These photos are superb, and I especially like the first one. ;)
Thanks for sharing these.
-Bruce

[Ballen Photo]

OK, you talked me into it.....Here's one more.

FIGURES! Just as I said the first shot was my Fave, you go and post this one. :cool:
Very, Very, VERY nice! :D
-Bruce

[sixshot]

I wsih I were not so lazy and could get up at that time. At little longer for me to get there though!! All of the above are great shots and get two (sorry two's all I've got!!) thumbs up from me. Great work.

[rssfhs]

The early tbird gets the smoke!

[guitarman3]

Those are really superb photographs. Mind sharing with us what equipment you used? (Especially lens). How long have you been photographing? Good job!

[tbird]

Those are really superb photographs. Mind sharing with us what equipment you used? (Especially lens). How long have you been photographing? Good job!

Guitarman3, greetings from the South to the Pacific NW. My equipment is listed below. Shots were mostly taken in RAW mode with minimal PS processing.

Strictly an amateur photographer, I'm keeping my day job. I started with a Kodak brownie when I was about 12 and worked my way up to present equipment. My first Canon was the A-1 about 25 years ago. I went through the other major brands over the years including Minolta, Olympus, and Nikon, but have come full circle back to my Canon. I'm happy. Thanks for the kind comments. -Tom

[BobL]

That second one really tickles my fancy. Living in the worlds flattest state in the worlds flattest continent I kinda crave that layered hilly landscape effect with colours fading ligher as one goes further into the background. I found those conditions once somewhere in Utah in November 1989 - I still have the negs somewhere. I must dig them out and scan them in and play some.

[tbird]

Here is another photo from a slightly different perspective........still maintains vivid color dispersion through the misty "smoke" but the sun is up enough to light up foreground grasses.

[stanc30]

Tbird, I just logged into the "forums" site (stanc30), and Sharilyn (scraddock) has too. Thanks for your advice she looking forward to posting some work as she has time. It's been a blur since we returned home, people at Sharilyns work and mine have seen some of her work from the Trek and are asking her to shot photo's for them. Yee-haw!:lol: Best wishes, we'll be looking for your work! Stanley & Sharilyn Craddock

[Ballen Photo]

Here is another photo from a slightly different perspective........still maintains vivid color dispersion through the misty "smoke" but the sun is up enough to light up foreground grasses.
Well, THIS shot is smply GORGEOUS! What a range of color. :D
-Bruce

[ANP]

Hello i am new to the East Tn area where is Clingmands dome and where di you photograph from ?
Thanks
Aaron

[tbird]

Clingman's dome is the highest point in the Smoky Mountains. It is in the National Park. Picture was taken from the parking lot atop the mountain.

[sparker1]

Tom, what a coincidence this thread got resurrected now. I am currently in East Tennessee, with plans to be in GSMNP in about a week. Your photos give me inspiration to get up early, but that is a tough change for me. We'll see. I still appreciate the wonderful shots you posted back then.

[Robbie K]

I am so glad this thread was resurrected...Awesome shots tbird! I've always wanted to visit the Smokeys and now I just might have to plan a trip. :D

[Bill Pham]

wow very beautiful colors in your photos. thanks for sharing.


Bill

[Avi]

wow...tbird...amazing shots...amazing scenary....and very well composed shots...
just 1 request...post all the images together...I dont think all of them will read the complete post to view all of them...

thanks for sharing the amazing series...

Avi

[shybull]

Looks like we were standing in the same place. These were taken Labor Day weekend from the parking lot.

[shybull]

A couple more. We go to Gatlinburg every Labor Day with my wifes family. This year there were 25 of us. They've been doing this for over 30 years.

[tbird]

Wow, shybull, that first one is out of this world....great job. Love the colors and the light. Thanks for adding your work to the thread.