Category Archives: Ashe County

Photographer’s Choice – Kelly Clampitt

Pickin’ and Fiddlin’ at Phipps Store

Kelly Clampitt - Phipps Store near Lansing

Kelly Clampitt - Phipps Store near Lansing

The images above and below are just two great examples of the work by Kelly, one of four ACC members, who recently participated in the “Lansing Project”, an attempt to capture the everyday life of area residents. A total of 36 large black and white images will be displayed at the old Lansing School during June with the proceeds to benefit the Greater Lansing Area Development program.
Instead of sticking with the tried and true approach, Kelly elected to move to the edge with a focal length of only 10mm for some extreme wide angle shots. As in most cases, these images show considerable distortion which, with the right subject matter, only adds to the interest. If you listen carefully, you can hear the mountain music in Phipps Store.
The photo below depicts James “Dawg” Wood, who volunteered to be a subject for the project, with two of his prized rare Crockett Plott hounds whose origins in North Carolina date back to the mid 1700’s. The setting, the signs and the two hounds tell the story of, as Kelly says, ” A vastly talented and unassuming man except when bowing his fiddle, Dawg thought it quite odd that he should be the subject of any documentary. He much prefers to be in the background, so I had challenges getting him “in” some of the shots. My experience working with Dawg gave me a deeper appreciation for the people and bounty of these mountains I now call home.” Quite a statement from an Oklahoma girl by way of California.

Kelly Clampitt - James "Dawg" Wood On His Front Stoop

Kelly Clampitt - James "Dawg" Wood On His Front Stoop

Photographer’s Choice – Shannon Scott

Peace in the Rising Fog

Shannon Scott - Grapevine in the Fog

Shannon Scott - Grapevine in the Fog

After a run along the river, Shannon returned to her car to walk and cool off. The soft early morning light, the rising fog from the cold river and the heavy dew on a nearby grapevine presented an irresistible photographic opportunity. She grabbed her camera and this is the result. The composition allows the various elements, from the foreground, the river, the mountain road and the vanishing hills to flow into a coherent, peaceful morning scene.
The scene is located on Daniel Hartzog Ford Rd just off Hwy 16.
Sony DSLR-A350
Focal Length 18mm
Shutter 1/60
Aperture f/7.1
ISO 100