Autumn Stream HDR
(HDR image of a stream running through golden-colored autumn woods) The fall colors were already passing peak, but the woods blazed with gold (and a little green and orange). Standing next to the stream, I was looking due west; the warm sunset light backlit the fall colors in the woods, making the scene glow. The colors were impossibly vibrant and saturated. I decided to try an HDR capture.
End of the (VA Wine) Trail
(HDR image of a vineyard and woods beyond in full fall regalia.) We arrived at Mountainrose in late morning after a beautiful, scenic ascent through Virginia coal country, through gorgeous farmland and glorious fall foliage. The trees were already at their peak and the fresh mountain wind was already beginning to denude the colorful woods. It was mostly overcast up in the hill country that day; for much of the day we had a glowering, dramatic sky (threatening, but never actually raining on us) — but every once in a while the fresh wind would rip away the cloud cover to briefly reveal a brilliant blue sky.
Fincastle Fields HDR
(HDR image of fence and fields at sunset, in Fincastle VA.) Yesterday evening we found ourselves in Fincastle, Virginia, rolling up near closing time at Fincastle Vineyards and Winery (also a B&B). Nancy hurried into the tasting room, hoping we weren’t too late. I had to pause. The long rays of the sunset light brought extra warmth and glow to the early fall scene, turning the white picket fence a little yellow and emphasizing the occasional fall yellow or maroon reds (not yet at full glory, but just a little more dramatic for their sudden appearance in a landscape that is still mostly green).
Wine Grapes HDR
(HDR image of ripening grapes on the vine) We visited Pollak Vineyards on a bright, sunny day in late July. The grapes on the vines had just turned purple. In the bright sun I had a challenge to capture the light on the grapes and bringing out their color while managing the dark shadows and very bright highs of the sunlit vines. The HDR shot turned out best, giving truly the sense of how bright and vibrant those wine grapes were.
Visiting Wineries
Photo taken on the back porch outside the second-floor tasting room at Sharp Rock Vineyards on a very hot and bright day in July. I loved the wood tones inside the porch. The empty old porch was to my eye beautiful and contrasty as it as lit by the sunlight washing in through the open side that overlooked vineyards, but the bright sunlight glare from outside made getting the right exposure a challenge.
