Smoky Mountain Monet is a favorite year after year in my gallery and at art fairs. This picture is an example of how I like to use an intimate landscape to create a mood or reflect an emotion. This picture was taken in the Tremont section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s interpretation of autumn is very much Impressionism in style.
The actual scene in the woods was quite ordinary … just a small pool, barely more than a puddle. But it caught my attention in the way that it was reflecting the fall canopy overhead, while at the same time having some leaves floating on the surface of the pool. I’m not sure if I consciously thought of it as “Monet-like” at the time, but I set up the camera and tripod and took over a dozen images using different exposure times. I knew that the gentle movement of the water would create a neat effect, but wasn’t sure how much movement would be the most pleasing. The alternate picture below shows how a small change in the exposure time makes a big difference in the result.
These images are from a digital camera (I think the original Canon 1ds), and when I worked on the dozen or so in Photoshop, the one above immediately was my favorite because of it’s obvious Monet-like qualities. I also liked the one below, which makes me think more of a stained glass effect. Often a customer will buy both images as a set. Details of sizes and pricing can be found on the How to Buy page. You can also purchase framed or unframed versions of this image from my online store
Please stop in and visit me to see the complete display of Smoky Mountains Photos at the William Britten Gallery in Gatlinburg, TN.
