I’m publishing a series for compositions as a follow up to my summer Camp North End post. This set of compositions where never processed until recently. For the best viewing experience, click to see a high resolution version. Hope you enjoy.
Cheers,
C. S.
As we transition into winter in the northern hemisphere, I wanted to share some fall foliage from several Japanese maples in my yard. These we taken just a few weeks ago, the trees are now bare.
For the best viewing experience, click on an image to view a high resolution version. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
C. S.
This old vernacular farmhouse, built in 1877, was quite common in the rural southern Appalachian Mountains. It’s close to the Watauga River, and near the locally famous Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, North Carolina, and is among the few remaining homes from this era.
As early as the late 18th century, settlers moved westward into the southern Appalachian Mountains acquiring fertile farmland along its rivers and tributaries. Simple log homes and farm structures, eventually gave way to larger hewn log structures later covered with basic weatherboard.
By the last quarter of the 19th century, increased farm production and the availability of mechanical sawn, turned and molded woodwork, had enabled successful farmers the means to build framed farmhouses similar to this one.
These homes were known for their straightforward, functional appearance, with a “T” or “L” floor plan, 1 ½ stories, and a gable roof. Porch brackets are often the only ornamentation. This house, and one in my previous post, features a two-story gable fronted porch centered on the front elevation and protecting entrances on each story.
I was unable to confirm who last lived in this house, but saw references suggesting it may have been someone from the Mast family. I should have asked when I stopped by the Mast General Store during this visit for a pair of wool hiking socks and ice cold bottle of root beer!
To really appreciate these compositions, click to view a high resolution version. Everyone please stay grounded and safe during the holiday season.
Season’s Greetings!
C. S.
This post features more backroad vignettes and landscapes from recent visits to Ashe County, North Carolina. First up is an old outhouse behind the Phipps General Store near Lansing. As the sign and door cuts suggest, this appears to have been a unisex outhouse. Folklorist would say the moon cut indicated “for females” and the star cut meant “for males”. While the horseshoe generally was used for good luck, I’m not sure of it’s use in this context.
The remaining captures are from various corners of the county obtained by just driving around exploring the county backroads. Sometimes those backroads change from asphalt to hard packed gravel, and back.
Thank you for visiting. For the best viewing experience, click on an image to see a high resolution version from my portfolio site.
Cheers,
C. S.
While visiting my younger sister and brother-in-law’s cabin in Ashe County, I was introduced to this picturesque little hollow, or holler as pronounced by folks in the Appalachian Mountains, along Buffalo Creek on Hwy 88. The holler was north of West Jefferson, and right below Warrensville. Later in October, I passed by to scout the sun position to determine the best time of day to photograph.
Luckily, there was an older gentleman carrying items in and out of the lower right shed. I walked across the bridge over Buffalo Creek up the hill to introduce myself and asked permission to take pictures on his property. He said yes, and introduced himself as Fred Stike.
I mentioned there were local artists which made paintings of his property. Fred acknowledged his property’s appreciation in the local art community and went on to explain he was born in the lower house and now lived solely on the property by himself. He noted local folk referred to his home as Stike’s Holler, and his sister had previously lived in the house further up on the right, but had moved to a home nearby on Buffalo Creek.
Later in the week, I returned in the morning with my camera, but Fred was either not up or not at home. I wish I had an opportunity to take his portrait. The hill leading up to the barn on the top left and sinking shed on the top right was a bit steeper than it appeared at the base. The stream in the center of the property had a slow trickle of water. I found it fascinating how the structures were built into the hillside.
While photographing the barn and sinking shed at the top of the hill, I could feel the ground was quite soft. Perhaps the rocky soil has over time allowed dirt to wash through causing the shed’s foundation to sink on the uphill side. I took a moment to image what this small mountain farm was like when Fred was a young boy.
I plan to drop some of these photos off the next time I visit Ashe Country and perhaps capture an outdoor portrait of Fred. Thank you for stopping by and Happy Thanksgiving to all especially all my good friends on WordPress! For the best viewing experience, click on an image to experience a high resolution version.
Cheers!
C. S.
With its high-country artsy shops, dining, and vacation attractions, Boone, NC is the well know seat of Watauga County. It’s also the home of Appalachian State University. During my 2021 fall foliage expedition, I was committed to exploring the lesser-known county back roads.
My first stop was this lovely red barn as I started my drive along Meat Camp Rd up to Elks Knob State Park. From the Elk Knob a parking lot, a 2 mile hike to the 5520 ft. summit offered gorgeous views of the surrounding landscapes. Grandfather Mountain is in the center left on the horizon line.
Later I explored Howard’s Creek Rd, over to Hwy 421, and then on to the far western parts of the county near the board with Tennessee. While exploring, you drive along in anticipation of your next photographic find!
For the color images in this post, I used Alien Skin’s Exposure 6 to create a blend of slide film emulations. I started with a base emulation of Kodachrome 25 and then blended an emulation of vintage 70’s era Kodachrome. I’m quite fond of the result which slightly narrows yellow tonality range in favor of a bit more orange. It also restrains overly saturated greens. A great look for fall colors!
Thank you for visiting! For the best viewing experience, click on an image to view a high resolution version.
Cheers,
C. S.
Six additional compositions from my 2021 fall foliage expedition on the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina. The first two compositions from Hawksbill Mountain represent my return to this location in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area. My previous visit was sometime in the mid 70s as a young teenager with my late father and Boy Scout troop.
At the start of the summit trail, I met and hiked to the top with another photographer Anthony Heflin from Kentucky. We hung out, talked photography shop, and shot the sunset and twilight from Hawksbill together. Wow, what a wonderful experience. As I later discovered, Anthony is an amazing photographer!! You must visit his portfolio site.
The reaming compositions are from various locations on the Parkway closer to Grandfather Mountain.
Thank you stopping by today. See more fall color from my Blue Ridge Parkway gallery site. I dedicate this post to the veterans world wide who serve to keep their country safe! Happy Veterans Day!
Cheers,
C. S.
I took the week of October 11th off to explore Ashe and Watauga Counties in North Carolina, including sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is the second in a series of posts from my 2021 fall color expedition. The first image vantage point of the Linn Cove Viaduct is one of the most photographed spots on the parkway. I was fortunate to have the help of these cyclists to get a unique shot.
Fortunately it was a weekday on the parkway, otherwise, it would have been way too crowded this time of year.
The Rough Ridge Overlook is little further away from the Linn Cove Viaduct and Grandfather Mountain. Its only a moderate 15 minute hike from the parkway and offers a spectacular view of both features. Other photographers and I were treated to amazing waves of clouds pushing through at sunset.
Thank you for taking time to visit, more fall color to come. For the best viewing experience, click on an image to see a high resolution version.
Cheers,
C. S.
C.S. Young Jr. Fine Art Photography 