About the Image

Nestled a mile into the woods within the Great Smoky Mountains, Spruce Falls offer a serene end to a tree-covered hike.

All was well as I made my way towards the falls during a late summer afternoon; the sky was perfectly overcast, and shadows were at bay. Unfortunately, however, thunder rumbled as I began to photograph the scene. Knowing rain was coming and concerned about the safety of hiking in the mountains during a thunderstorm while carrying a metal tripod, I briskly worked through several compositions. I was determined to get the shot, as I was leaving the area that evening. I worked through, captured the image I had envisioned, and made my way out of the woods. Sometimes that’s just the way it goes….