Great Smoky Mountains!
Springtime at Great Smoky Mountain National Park!
I experienced the beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the first time last month. It seemed a little different then the Blue Ridge mountains I’m used to in Virginia…denser forests with an abundance of rivers and waterfalls, more like a rainforest. It seemed like everywhere I went I could hear the river flowing. I saw lots of black bears, turkeys, and deer and other wildlife while exploring the park. I’m so glad I invested in a longer telephoto lens before this trip because I was able photograph bear cubs that were snacking and resting high up in an oak tree! I can’t wait to go back again and stay a little longer.
A little more zoom
Wildlife at Huntley Meadows with the new telephoto lens!
I pulled the trigger on a super telephoto lens. After searching for a used Canon 100-400mm IS II lens for awhile I finally found a good copy! I rented this lens when I was in ABQ for a week to try it out and was hooked. I normally use a 70-200mm f4 which is my favorite lens, but there have been a lot of times lately when hiking where I would see some wildlife, intimate scene, or distant object and wanted a little more reach. I can’t wait to get to know this lens…there is a lot to learn! Here are a few images from the first time out with the new lens and a 1.4 extender. Enjoy! :)
Wood Duckling at Huntley Meadows Park.
Muskrat
Indigo Bunting
Handheld at 560mm (400mm and 1.4x extender) with a slight crop in post to 4:5
Blue Ridge Photo Exhibit!
Virginia mountain photography by Josh Stansfield
It was a great feeling to be back home in Virginia and see all of my new prints up on the wall at Red Dragon Brewery. The opening reception was a lot of fun! I was able to catch up with a lot of people I had not seen in awhile and share my stories behind the photographs and my recent travels around New Mexico. I sold a few pieces as well! Here are some pics of the work on the walls. I will be posting a digital gallery soon with each image and info on how it was printed. If you aren’t local and want to buy a piece I will be happy to ship it to you!
New Mexico First Impressions
Albuquerque, New Mexico photography.
This gallery is from recent adventures around Albuquerque and the surrounding area. I wanted to showcase the diversity and depth of this beautiful landscape - the Sandia mountains, bosque trails along the Rio Grande, and desert wilderness. There is so much to explore…I have not even begun to scratch the surface of this Land of Enchantment. I look forward to getting to know this place a little more over the next couple of weeks. I hope you enjoy the collection. I will posting more New Mexico photography in the near future. :)
Heat Lightning
I taught a workshop recently for the Perseid meteor shower at Stratford Hall. The forecast was supposed to be clear but unfortunately clouds and rain rolled in during the evening shortly after I arrived. The students were good sports though and we decided to wait it out. It never fully cleared up to see any meteors, but we were rewarded a show of heat lightning. After the workshop ended I sat by the edge of the field and watched for almost an hour as the storm slowly moved further away into the distance. What a beautiful sight.
Nice surprise
After a big storm the sun peaked out lighting up the horizon in bright orange. It was a beautiful contrast to the dark and stormy clouds blanketed the sky above.
More snow!
These photographs were taken along different backroads in the mountains and countryside near Waynesboro, Virginia earlier this week. We have been getting more snow than usual lately, which is exciting for photography and motivation to get out and explore. This snow and ice was a bit difficult to capture. Dense fog moved in at times and everything seemed to blend together. However, the rapidly changing weather conditions did present some opportunities that were incredible to witness. That is one of my favorite things about being in the mountains. You never know what you will find, and you may be in for a beautiful surprise.
