David Kepley  


Country Lane by David Kepley

May 2023 - Country Lane

About the Image(s)



I took this shot in Cade’s Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains NP at around dawn. I want you to travel down the lane on a cool spring morning and delight in the budding trees all around. I could have dehired it, but then it would interfere with the mood of early morning. What do you think?

Settings: Canon 7D, Mark II, on a tripod with a 70-200mm Tamron lens, shot at 70mm. 1/5 sec, f16, ISO 400. I make minimal adjustments in LRC


This round’s discussion is now closed!
3 comments posted




Alan Kiecker   Alan Kiecker
I like how the road takes us into the photo. And with a second look, the fence is doing the same thing. My first thought upon seeing the photo was to increase the contrast (dehaze), but upon reading your description that would have destroyed the mood that you were going for.

I decided to take your image into Lightroom and play with sliders and masks. My goal was to try to emphasize the morning fog as the scene receded into the distance. There are two masks. I used a large feathered brush on the foreground, then took the inverse. I reduced the exposure, contrast and highlights, increased the blacks a bit. I then made a second mask of the mountains in the background. Then raised the blue curve a bit.

Not sure if this works or not, but something you might try.   Posted: 05/10/2023 17:47:27
Comment Image



Jo-Ann Rolle   Jo-Ann Rolle
(Group 81)
I find myself truly captivated by David's exquisite image. This piece effortlessly marries technical precision with a deeply personal touch.

The winding path at the heart of the image serves as a powerful leading line, expertly guiding the viewer's eye deeper into the frame. This compositional choice, coupled with a shallow depth of field, creates a sense of intimacy that invites us to personally connect with the scene. The selective focus on the crisp grass and fence in the foreground demonstrates using depth to draw us into the photograph.

David's choice to use a pastel color palette gives the image a painting-like feel that evokes a sense of nostalgia and warmth. The soft, muted colors are achieved through a balance of exposure. This delicate treatment of color not only contributes to the overall mood of the piece but also highlights David's intended artistic vision.

In Alan's alternative version of the image, the addition of fog through skillful superimposition adds an atmospheric and ethereal touch. This creative choice speaks to the versatility of the original photograph and demonstrates the potential for artistic collaboration in the world of photography. The foggy overlay, achieved through layer blending and opacity adjustments, adds depth and intrigue to the scene, inviting us to ponder the story behind the image.

In summary, David's extraordinary photograph exemplifies the power of combining technical mastery with personal artistic vision. The result is an engaging, informative, and deeply personal work of art that invites us to embark on a serene journey through a pastel dreamscape. Kudos, David, for creating a photograph that resonates with both the mind and the heart -   Posted: 05/10/2023 18:47:59



Craig Callan   Craig Callan
Nice exposure of one of the most photographed roads in the country, shot at the right time of day. Cade's Cove turns into a traffic nightmare after 9 AM.
Here's one I did from the drive. I think your shot is in the center of mine.   Posted: 05/15/2023 09:12:35
Comment Image