Pamela Hoaglund
April 2026 - Little River
Original
About the Image(s)
This image was taken in 2021 on a photography workshop to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We went out in the evening to the Greenbrier area of the park and along the Middle Fork of the Little River. The leaf covered rocks were in the middle of the river. (No I did not place the leaves) Shot with my then Sony 7M2 and Sony 70-300mm lens at 253mm. ISO 100, at 1.3 sec and f/8 using a tripod. In post processing I did some tonal adjustments; increased contrast, decreased highlights, set black and white points and added structure and dehaze. Some dynamic contrast added along with sharpening and added a vignette. I have this as a metal print on my living room wall.
7 comments posted
Wonderful story of tenacity here. You captured the path and power of the flowing water. Little River in this image becomes a big raging river. Your perspective puts me right in the scene, clinging to a leaf on the moss-covered rock. Your wall is most fortunate to host this gem. Posted: 04/04/2026 16:05:49
Lovely image. I'm sure this looks fantastic in print. My only suggestion, purely a subjective taste thing, would be to reduce the blue in the water, which is not in the original. I might also paint in some clarity in a few areas of the water. However, it looks great as is so I'd just leave it on the wall and enjoy it. Posted: 04/07/2026 14:21:37
Wonderful capture. I like the velvet feel of the water and the contrasting colors of the rocks especially the moss covered rock with the colorful leaves resting on it.
Enjoy it on your wall, it is beautiful. Posted: 04/10/2026 20:40:24
Enjoy it on your wall, it is beautiful. Posted: 04/10/2026 20:40:24
The is beautiful. I love the tac-sharp mossy stone with the water rushing around. The contrast of the stillness of the rocks and the movement of the water is, for me, what makes this special. I can't suggest a change. Posted: 04/11/2026 17:54:09
I am inspired by your image - I am heading to Great Smokey Mt. this week. The water feels very impressionistic to me and contrasts with the sharp detail in the foremost rock and the leaves. Tthe water has a blue tint which I suspect is diue to white balance. You might try tweaking the WB slider to warm the scene up just a bit. I think it might also make the leaves pop a little more. Once I have something on my wall I usually do not re-edit the digital file. I am sure this made a lovely metal print. Posted: 04/12/2026 13:22:14
Thanks for the nice comments from everyone. My eye does not easily pick up on color casts. When it's pointed out to me then I recognize it, so thanks for the comment to correct the color balance. I watch Scot Kelby on The Grid when he does blind critiques and that is something he picks up on all the time. Posted: 04/12/2026 20:44:25
Beautiful image with great contrasting of the moving silky water and the dynamic moss covered rocks. Guessing it was Fall by the colour of the leaves adding to the story. Perfect as is and perfect for your wall. Posted: 04/15/2026 19:19:33