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High Altitude Humbling

I used to be one of those who wouldn't embrace change. I was a "Nikon Girl" and loved shooting a film SLR (basically a camera with interchangeable lenses). 

It only took one day with the man I dated at the time who used a digital camera to change my mind. After going out to shoot together, we went back to his place and were immediately able to not only look at the photos, but he could print them and give me one. 

I started looking into buying a DSLR (a digital SLR) not long afterward.

One of the main activities we did together was to go in the mountains. I had spent many, many vacations in the Smoky Mountains and I loved hiking. Add photography and going with a fellow photographer, and I was in heaven.

That relationship lasted long enough for me to really fall back in love with being in the woods but one day, it ended. At first, I couldn't imagine going by myself, even if I just stayed in the car-accessible areas. But as time went on, I grew stronger and decided that I would try it by myself.

Many in the South flock to the Smoky Mountains in the autumn due to the beautiful colors when the leaves change. However, it's a guessing game on what week the leaves will peak - and just how vibrant they will be. If it's a really dry year, they turn brown and/or fall off before you really get to see their colors. There has to be the right balance of moisture to dryness and cool to warm temperatures to get the best color. 

The altitude also plays a part, as the higher altitudes peak in color first, gradually moving down the mountains. 

This year, in early October, the leaves weren't cooperating. The hike I decided to attempt was at a lower altitude than where the trees' colors had already peaked, but I hoped to find a good vantage point on my trail to get photos of other, higher-altitude, and thus hopefully more colorful, mountains.

Now this next part is incredibly embarrassing to admit, but you need to know why this photo is so special. I will never forget what I noticed on this hike...

... the leaves don't change color all at once. They change gradually.

How I never realized this, I have no idea. Well, the main theory I have is that the fall is incredibly busy. The only time I usually take to see the beauty of the fall leaves is from my moving car. I just had never really paid attention. When I saw leaves that were both green and another color in my yard or on the ground, I guess I just never thought about it.

I walked around a bend and saw this tree with most of its leaves in various levels of mottled green and red. The sun was shining through the leaves (which probably was one reason I noticed it). I was amazed and practically blushed with embarrassment - even though I was alone. 

But at the same time, it was so beautiful! I, of course, took several photos while admiring the intricacies of each leaf. 

I've never looked at an autumn leaf or a tree full of them the same since.

 (All images by Tracy Riggs Frontz)



All of the images above are available to order as custom prints, fulfilled by a professional lab, at https://NovelPhotos.Instaproofs.com.

If you don’t have time to order today, feel free to take a business card and order later using the middle QR code. The photos will be under “Trussville Library Gallery.”

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If you want any hand-signed, get in touch with us before ordering. We can direct you to a gallery that doesn't have our digital signatures on them and we can work out what works best for you to get the signature you want.

To order a signed copy of Tracy’s book: Behind the Lens of a Storyteller – My Journey as a Photographer/Writer, go to https://NovelPhotos.instaproofs.com/BehindtheLens Note that shipping is included – be sure to use the coupon code “SHIPPINGINCLUDED.”

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