Image and narrative by Gordon Brugman.

One of the things I love about a photographic outing is the fact you never know for sure what the end results will be. Sometimes you come away with a wonderful image, other times the images can lead to encounters that are special in other ways.

While shooting images at the Noah “Bud” Ogle homestead in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park I met Ruth Barber and Keith Watson, who form the Old Time Music duo known hereabouts as Boogertown Gap. They were picking and grinning on the porch of the old log cabin for the entertainment of visitors. As they sang and played authentic mountain tunes, some of which go back hundreds of years, I snapped some shots. Later we chatted, and they learned of my “world’s smallest recording studio”.

Long story short, they eventually contacted me and we produced their latest CD, Smoky Mountain Ballads, in my studio. Images I shot when we met ended up on the cover and CD. I had the pleasure of working with two wonderful people who are doing a lot to keep our old time mountain music heritage alive. I treasure the images I shot that day, but not as much as I treasure the friendships that began that day.

If you’d like to hear samples of old time mountain music the way it used to be, visit Boogertown Gap’s website at www.boogertowngap.com.

Click here for a larger view                         Photo and narrative by Ron E. Trees.

In the last few weeks, I have had a couple of my eagle photos featured here. This photo was taken on my last trip out to the lake to view the eagles for the last time this winter. This scene took place at the end of a day that had been one of the most enjoyable days of photography I have ever had. The end of the day seemed very fitting to me. I hope that you will enjoy the beauty that our Creator made just for you and me.

The camera and settings used to capture this image:

Camera: Sony a700
Lens: 18-250mm zoom
Focal length: 80mm
Shutter speed: 1/200 second
Aperture: f/9
ISO: 200

I invite you to visit my online gallery where you’ll find many of the photographs I have taken over the years.

Click here for a larger view                     Photo courtesy of Bonnie Reynolds.

Winter can present some challenges for sure, but it also offers some absolutely wonderful photo opportunities for those who are simply willing to get out and about in the snow and look for them. Photographer Bonnie Reynolds photographed this beautiful scene in the mountains of western North Carolina, and she offers these words about the experience:

“Above 5000 ft on the Cherohala Skyway in North Carolina the sun was glancing
off the icy trees making them glow against the bright blue sky. Winter truly is
a beautiful season.”    –Bonnie Reynolds

Here are the camera and settings used to capture this image:

Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS
Focal length: 18mm
Shutter speed: 1/400 second
Aperture: f/11
ISO: 200

Have you ever wished you could purchase a digital camera that bridges the gap between a point and shoot and a DSLR? Well, now you can.

The new Olympus PEN E-PL1 offers a lot of the functionality of a DLSR in a much smaller size. Although the PEN E-PL1 has no mirror, its body utilizes interchangeable lenses, a large 12.3 megapixel DLSR class image sensor, a powerful pop-up flash, in-camera image stabilization and a simplified user interface that makes capturing great images fast and easy.

The kit comes with an outstanding Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 digital zoom lens, but a good selection of other high-quality lenses is also available.

If you’re looking for a great camera that is easy to carry and handle, yet produces professional quality images, you owe it to yourself to check out the Olympus PEN E-PL1. Click here for more information and detailed specs on this great little camera.

Sunset is typically the most colorful time of the day, and the sunset featured in today’s picture is simply magnificent. Every color of the rainbow is represented here, in all their God-given glory. Our Creator sure can paint some stunning pictures with His masterful hand, and I fell in love with this photograph the moment I saw it!

Here are the camera and settings used to capture this image:

Camera: Canon EOS 350D
Focal length: 31mm
Shutter speed: 1/60 second
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 400

Note: The photographer who captured this striking image wishes to remain anonymous.

Click here for a larger view                   Photo and narrative by Rick Ellis.

On the evening of January 29, 2010 the Moon was full. It was also at the closest point to the Earth in its orbit. Astronomers call it Perigee. This celestial geometry offered a larger, brighter full Moon than normal.

Using a concrete bridge as a tripod and two coins to obtain the correct angle I managed to get this image of the phenomenon as it appeared above the rooftops on that very cold evening. Even at ISO 80 the surface features are washed out and it resembles more a filtered Sun than rising full Moon.