This past week I had the pleasure of going on Fall Break, and I couldn’t have asked for a better break. I generally make breaks more busy than my everyday life, but doing things I really enjoy instead of doing the same old thing. Sometimes I enjoy catching up on rest and homework, but this break was not the time for that! The leaves are changing and as a photographer this is my favorite time of the year. You have to capitalize on all opportunities, especially when you can travel for a couple of hours and gain some amazing photo opportunities.

My week started taking portraits for my cousins who were in town from Kansas City, Italy, and close to home Ooltewah, TN. I recently purchased a new 50mm prime lens (Commonly known as a “Fast Fifty” or a “Nifty Fifty”. I decided to go with the Canon 50mm f/1.8 SMT lens. This lens is known for a sharp focus with a shallow depth of field which allows for a nice bokeh effect around the subject you’re shooting. This lens is also a bargain for the quality, coming in at $125.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE PHOTOS FROM THIS SESSION WITH MY COUSINS

Another great photo opportunity this past week required a 1.5 hour drive to one of my favorite places to visit: Rock Island State Park in Sparta, TN. Rock Island is not a very well known place in Chattanooga and I stumbled upon it one day on Pinterest and made the trip there the ensuing afternoon. The colors were beginning to change at the park which was beautiful to see, but the waterfalls at the park will always be my favorite park. These waterfalls are some of the largest East of the Mississippi.

FOR THIS SHOT I USED A LONG EXPOSURE AND HIGH F-STOP TO GIVE THE WATER A BLURRED AND MYSTIC LOOK.

THERE WAS ALSO AN AWESOME OLD RAILROAD BRIDGE THAT I TREKKED DOWN TO CAPTURE!

One last trip I made over break was to Cloudland Canyon in GA. This park is about 30 minutes from downtown Chattanooga and it features a nice overlook of the canyon as well as two waterfalls (Cherokee and Hemlock Falls). The trees at Cloudland were starting to change and boasted some bright fall color. It was nice having my f/1.8 lens because it allowed me to use a shallow depth of field on all my subjects and allowed plenty of light to enter in during fast shutters of the waterfall.

THE COLORS WERE INCREDIBLE!

CHEROKEE FALLS