Best From the Profile Trail? – Jay Wild

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A Quintessential Mountain Stream

Green Ridge Branch - Jay Wild

Green Ridge Branch – Jay Wild

On April 21, a few members braved the chilly weather and overcast skies to visit The Profile Trail on the western side of Grandfather Mountain. The focus was to be wildflowers but Jay captured a winner with this lovely image of the rocks and flowing waters of Green Ridge Branch. Each year thousands visit the more majestic, named waterfalls but these mini-falls when viewed up close may be even more rewarding with their gentle sounds and tranquil meanderings from spring head to the rivers below. They may even be described as soul healing.
The soft light is perfect for the scene, sun filtered through high clouds with a natural color balance and no harsh shadows or washed out highlights. Jay made all the right decisions, including:
– The use of a tripod to allow careful composition, sharp focus and a slow shutter speed
– An aperture of f/22 to allow sharpness from the foreground to the background
– A slow shutter of 6.0 sec to blend the water’s flow
– No attempt to include the sky which would have been featurless and overblown
– A low ISO of 100 for minimum noise
– Bracketed exposure to assure the best for the scene would be obtained
– Choosing to include only the elements essential to the scene without clutter to confuse the viewer

All Profile Trail photos submitted may be view here:

7 thoughts on “Best From the Profile Trail? – Jay Wild”

  2. Lori Tucker

    Beautiful photo Jay. I like the composure of the water framed by the rocks. Good job.

  3. Jay Wild

    One more note, Pete Benda, the waterfall on US 221 at the Watauga/ Caldwell line is best shot early in the AM. (Before 10AM). It is below the road on the right going toward Grandfather.

  4. Jay Wild

    Thanks Pete Benda and others. Pete, you need to get out to US 221 below grandfather and catch some of those great streams and waterfalls as soon as you can!! Take US 221 from Moses Cone to the junction with the Parkway near Grandfather Mountain. The falls at the Watauga/ Caldwell line is the best!! Look forward to seeing you two back!!

  5. Pete Benda

    Jay, your photo makes us homesick for the beauty and serenity of the mountains. We’ll be heading back up soon.

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