Picture of the Day - October 25, 2009

"Fall and the Fury"

Photo and narrative by Gordon Brugman.                 (Click on the photo for a larger view) Sometimes you go looking for one thing and end up captivated by another! Today's foray into the Great Smoky Mountains began as a search for Fall color, which we found in abundance. But the ominous storm clouds that threatened to dampen our day were so dramatic they captured my attention. The towering storm clouds, brightly lit by the sun, cast their shadows across the Mountains. The contrast between the clouds and the muted Fall colors below them were a photographic challenge. Using my tripod-mounted Nikon D40, I took four exposures ranging from one stop over-exposed to two stops under-exposed. Combining them into a single HDR (High Dynamic Range) image in Photomatix Pro, I "tweaked" the final image in Photoshop CS4. By the way, despite all the threatening and bluster, the storm clouds kept their distance for several hours, allowing my wife and I to capture images at six different locations. As we turned for home, the first raindrops pelted our windshield! Visit my online gallery to see more of my photographs.     Visitor Comments... Name: Rick Rouse Town: Abingdon, VA As you said Gordon, there are some awesome contrasts in this image. Your HDR skills must be exceptional because you managed to capture the beauty in all of them, to the max.     Name: Phyllis Helton Town: Bristol, VA God's beautiful coloring book!     Name: Micah Thompson Town: Amarillo, TX I'd love it if we could see scenes like this in my neck of the woods. Come to think of it, we can - by visiting TodaysPhoto.org! Great job Mr. Brugman! And thanks also to Mr. Rouse for bringing these wonderful images into our homes every morning.     Name: Ed Morrison Town: Dunwoody, GA Outstanding job on the HDR Mr. Brugman. If I were in your area I would gladly pay you to give me a comprehensive lesson. Fine, fine work!!!     Name: Adrianne Church Town: Laramie, WY Gorgeous!     Name: Robert Schwarztrauber Town: Buffalo, NY From top to bottom, side to side, a beautiful fall scene by Mr. Brugman. It is our good fortune that he shares his skills in photography and technology here with us at Todaysphoto.org.     Name: Margaret Walton Town: Olympia, WA This is one of the most beautiful images ever Mr. Brugman. I love it!     Name: Ron Trees Town: Spokane, WA Another beautiful photo Gordon of the beautiful country that you live in!! The colors are just breathtaking and I really like the detail in the mountains. You really did a great job with the HDR here!! Comment on today's picture      View previous "Pictures Of The Day"  |  Submit a photo | Why I publish the "Picture Of The Day"