This event has been added to satisfy the overwhelming response for the Sunrise and Fall Foliage event which has exceeded its registration limit, and it is now closed.  This additional event on the same day will offer a similar experience.  Both locations are excellent photographic view points.

Leader:  Brad Cottrell
E-mail:  cottrelb@bellsouth.net
Phone:  (865) 235-8350
Meeting place:  See Driving Directions below

Location description: 
The Foothills Parkway is a great place to view the ridge line of the Great Smoky Mountains.  Combined with a beautiful sunrise, the view can be spectacular.  Layers of blue mountains laced with drifting chains of mist lead the eye to the radiant orange and magenta of the twilight sky.  On the slopes just below the overlook, the foreground is warmed by hardwoods decorated with fall color.  There is potential here for great photographs.

When the sunrise shoot is completed, we may decide to move to the Middle Prong, upstream from the Tremont Environmental Education Center.  Many lively cascades tumble through the boulders in the Middle Prong as they hurry toward the quieter waters of the Little River.  Layers of fallen foliage should add colorful accents to your compositions.

Recommended equipment:
Lenses in the normal to telephoto range will be most useful for making large images of the rising sun.  Wide angle lenses work better for making starburst images.  Single focal length wide angles (as opposed to wide angle zooms) are best for starbursts.  A split neutral density filter can help you get good exposure on the sky and the foreground in the same shot.   A polarizing filter will reduce glare and produce more saturated colors.  Tripod and remote shutter release are essential for the sharpest images.

Driving directions:
From Maryville, take U.S. Hwy 321 (Lamar Alexander Parkway) about 10 miles to the Foothills Parkway.  The Parkway intersection is about ½ mile beyond the Walland Post Office.  Turn right (west) onto the Foothills Parkway, and drive approximately 2 miles to the first overlook.  Sunrise will be at 7:50am, so plan to arrive by 7:20am so you won't miss the dramatic skies that sometimes occur before sunrise.

Due to Covid-19, carpooling is not recommended.   We will practice social distancing and masking.  

Registration:
If you plan to go, please click the Register button on the web page, or click the Yes button on the email announcement.