“Photograph your Passion”

Anyone that has photographed with me knows that creeks and streams are a passion of mine! I can spend hours upon hours photographing the streams as it meanders over the rocks. More than half the time you’ll find me in the middle of the creek as I find that being in the middle allows me to capture a more dynamic image and perspective. Water is something that gives me spiritual refreshment. The sounds are very meditative and relaxing, and it helps me to find my harmony.

I think that’s one reason I truly enjoy working in the GSMNP because it has some of the most pristine streams with truly intimate settings.

www.edheaton.com

| OP/TECH USA| Singh-Ray Filters | Really Right Stuff | HoodmanUSA | DXO | Topazlabs |

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The Importance of Knowledge

I always hear the statement ”being in the right place at the right time is key” and let me tell you, I believe that to a certain extent. But being in the right place at the right time won’t do you any good if you’re not prepared with the knowledge and skill-set to capture what is in front of you. I’ve spent many years honing my craft and feel very comfortable when presented with an amazing scene! I pre-visualize my image and know exactly what camera settings I need to use to create that pre-visualization. I know what lens and tools I need to create my image.

So my parting words of wisdom are “knowledge is key”. Spend the time to truly lean the craft so when you are presented with an amazing gift you’ll know exactly how to capture it…

http://www.edheaton.com

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Best of Light,

Ed

“Learning to capture light will make extraordinary images from ordinary subjects”

“Life is Good”

I live a blessed life! I hear many people say “wow you’re living the dream” and let me tell you… they’re right! I’m fortunate to have a great family and friends that are always supportive.  My wife is awesome, my daughter lives up the street and I see her almost everyday. My stepdaughter and grand-kids visit often. I have a job that I love and I work with my son!  It really doesn’t get much better than that 😊

So the bottom line is “God is Good”…

www.edheaton.com

– Nikon D810
– Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8
– Exposure 10 sec
– Aperture f/16
– ISO 64
– Gitzo GT3542XLS SYSTEMATIC Series 3 carbon tripod
– Singh-Ray Filters LB Color Combo Polarizer
– OP/TECH USA Custom Classic Strap
– Lexar 1066x Professional 128gb
– HoodmanUSA
– Asolo
– Manfrotto

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“Sunflower Frenzy”

Well, it’s that time of year when almost all the local photographer I know are chasing sunflowers, and why not, they are a beautiful flower and always look happy. It’s funny because we all search high and low for that perfect field and whether we find it or not the search is all part of the magic and fun.

My all-time favorite was a 10 acre field on the Eastern shore we found several years ago. Last year a field in Jarrettsville, Maryland was high on my list of favorites. So far this year has provided other opportunities at different locations and maybe not quite as stellar as years past but still just as fun and beautiful.

www.edheaton.com

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Roan Mountain – Part 2

 

Roan Mountain  – Part 2

After a vigorous hike to the top of Jane Bald, we had hopes of catching a dramatic sunset. Upon reaching the summit we noticed a few storm clouds surrounding the mountain. With any mountain / high elevation weather can be very unpredictable but normally if you wait long enough things change and it can be very rewarding. However, that’s not always the case and after waiting for a good hour and a half it started to downpour. Our first thought was to wait it out and we would be rewarded (LOL), so we waited and waited and then waited some more and determined that the weather was not going to be in our favor so we started our trek down the mountain in the pouring rain. Sometimes you win and sometimes you don’t.

As with all outdoor or landscape photography there is an uncertainty that comes in the form of “will I have and capture good light, will I reach my destination on time”, this is all part of the allure and attraction.

While the week progressed and quite a few hikes up the mountain we honestly had nothing but great light and I’m very excited to say that I came home with images to prove it 🙂

Roan Mountain will certainly make the return list 😊

Best of light,

Ed

www.edheaton.com

– Nikon D810
– Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8
– Exposure 1/4 sec
– Aperture f/16
– ISO 64
– Gitzo GT3542XLS SYSTEMATIC Series 3 carbon tripod
– Singh-Ray Filters LB Color Combo Polarizer
– OP/TECH USA Custom Classic Strap
– Lexar 1066x Professional 128gb
– HoodmanUSA
– Asolo
– Manfrotto

#GitzoAmbassador | #ManfrottoAmbassador | #OPTECHUSAAmbassador | #MyTrustyGitzo | #ImageMaster | #Hoodman | #MasterofLight | #BestofLight | #NikonLove | #NikonNoFilter | #GitzoInspires |

Roan Mountain – Part #1

“Jane Bald”

It seems that this year has been a year of adventures and exploration allowing myself to reconnect and recharge the creative juices. We just returned from spending a week scouting for a new venue and future weekend summit at Roan Mountain.

My first impression of the area was quite breathtaking with the highland views and abundance of the rhododendrons. But of course, that was standing in the parking lot. (lol) Once we stated hiking and gained a little elevation the views were spectacular beyond words and rivaled the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains.

So, let’s back up a bit and let me tell you about our adventures as the week progressed.  Upon arrival, we met up with our longtime friend Kevin Reaves. Anyone that meets Kevin will quickly realize he’s a high-energy guy (putting it mildly lol).

We arrived Sunday evening and after gobbling down a quick dinner, we voyaged up the mountain to Carver’s Gap to catch sunset. Kevin said he’d follow us in our 4Runner since all of his gear was in his Tundra truck (Toyota guys). Being our first time here and not knowing the area we relied heavily on our GPS to get us there. As I’m sure you know, GPS’s can be a bit unpredictable when they feel like it.  Our first turn up the mountain was on “Heaton Creek Road” and besides having a super awesome name it was a nice windy road through the country. Of course, that was for the first portion of our drive. As we journeyed on the road went from bad to worse to no road at all and suddenly turned into a craggy trail. I’d like to say logging path but it wasn’t even that good (lol). Here’s where I thank Toyota for making some awesome 4 wheel drives!

After reaching the top and figuring out where we were we realized there was a nicely paved road that lead us directly up and down the mountain.

What’s life without a little adventure… take the road less traveled is my motto…

Stay tuned as I continue my story in my next post…

www.edheaton.com

– Nikon D810
– Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8
– Exposure 1/10 sec
– Aperture f/16
– ISO 64
– Gitzo GT3542XLS SYSTEMATIC Series 3 carbon tripod
– Singh-Ray Filters LB Color Combo Polarizer
– OP/TECH USA Custom Classic Strap
– Lexar 1066x Professional 128gb
– HoodmanUSA
– Asolo
– Manfrotto

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“Grassroots – Ramblings from the Smokies”

Good morning and happy Easter weekend,

Well, we finished up our much-anticipated and needed week in the great Smoky Mountains. We enjoyed our time and focused (no pun intended) on some of the most picturesque landscapes the Appalachians have to offer.

I titled this post “Grassroots” for a good reason because this is where I feel my photography career/passion started. Oh, don’t get me wrong I’ve been photographing since high school which in my case is quite some time now (lol). You know, back in the film days (early 70’s) before digital photography was actually invented.

We shot everything that was offered to us, amazing overlooks, extraordinary flowers and some of the most abundant and pristine creeks I’ve ever had the pleasure of shooting. As far as I’m concerned, the Great Smoky Mountains have some of the most diverse scenes a landscape photographer could ask for. We met up with some great friends and made a few new ones as well and I must say this was truly time well spent!  A special thanks to Kelly and Zach for joining me on this amazing adventure and spiritual journey.

Best of Light,

Ed
www.edheaton.com

– Nikon D810
– Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8
– Exposure 6 sec
– Aperture f/16
– ISO 64
– Gitzo GT3542XLS SYSTEMATIC Series 3 carbon tripod
– Singh-Ray Filters LB Color Combo Polarizer
– OP/TECH USA Custom Classic Strap
– Lexar 1066x Professional 128gb
– HoodmanUSA
– Columbia Sportswear
– Asolo
– Manfrotto Imagine More
– Fotodiox

#GitzoAmbassador | #ManfrottoAmbassador | #OPTECHUSAAmbassador | #MyTrustyGitzo | #ImageMaster | #Hoodman | #MasterofLight | #BestofLight | #NikonLove | #NikonNoFilter

“Invigorated – Ramblings from the Smokies”

Well, it’s been a great couple of days here in the Smokies.  Yesterday morning we explored the Cove and believe it or not we were the only ones on Spark’s Lane (I think that’s a first for me). A little early for the leaves but with these warm temps I’m sure it won’t be long. Then after a little downtime during the mid-day light we headed out to shoot along Little River road. We visited our favorite spots along the river and enjoyed chatting about life and how very blessed we are!

I’m very thankful for my family and friends and how the business has prospered. The photography business has been an incredible creative opportunity and I’m so thankful for all the amazing friends I’ve made along the way.

Before I sign-off I wanted to share some gear talk…  If you shoot as many creeks and streams as I do you will soon realize that a good pair of waders can be your best friend. Now, some of you may be curious as to what type of waders I actually use.  I have several different ones that I use, felt bottomed Chest Waders, and two different types of hip waders. The current ones that I have here in the Smokies are the Neos Overshoe Hip Waders. They are convenient and they slip over your hiking boot which helps to not have to remove your boots everytime. I hate to say it but they do weap a little water but not enough to get your feet soaked.  I think my favorites are felt bottom boot hip waders.  They are much more sure-footed with the felt soles but you do have to remove your boot to use them . But be mindful the felt soles are outlawed in some states.  I have to add a disclaimer – if you walk in the water with your gear there’s a chance that you will fall in and get everything wet, so be careful.

www.edheaton.com

– Nikon D810
– Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @36mm
– Exposure 2 sec
– Aperture f/16
– ISO 64
– Gitzo GT3542XLS SYSTEMATIC Series 3 carbon tripod
– Singh-Ray Filters LB Color Combo Polarizer
– OP/TECH USA Custom Classic Strap
– Lexar 1066x Professional 128gb
– HoodmanUSA
– Columbia Sportswear
– Asolo S.p.A.
– Manfrotto
– Fotodiox Inc..
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One Frame

I was asked by my friend Mark Carruthers to do a blog about one of my favorite images that I’ve captured over the years and I wanted to share here as well.

Over the span of my career I’ve been very fortunate and have had the opportunity to create a collection of images that are extraordinary, but one stands above the rest. I’m sure some of it may have to do with location (although I’ve been to many amazing locations throughout the United States) but I believe the majority of it has to do with the connection that I have with the landscape.

Let me back up and paint the backdrop and atmosphere for this image. As a full time professional landscape photographer, there’s something enlightening and personal about being able to spend time with Mother Nature. Now don’t get me wrong, we all love to capture pretty pictures but to truly have a connection with the landscape is when you are able to create remarkable images.

I’ve been visiting and teaching workshops in the Grand Teton National Park since 2005 and I have to admit that it never gets boring or mundane. There’s always something new and exciting to photograph and let’s be honest, who could get tired of looking at that landscape.

As a workshop instructor, you wouldn’t be doing a good job if you didn’t allow your clients to capture a few of the classic iconic images and an image of Oxbow Bend is certainly a classic. During our 2012 autumn workshop, I had taken the group to capture sunrise with amazing results. However, as the day progressed and the storm clouds rolled through the light started to really become wonderful and as we all know, “photography is all about the light” and being able to capture extraordinary light is truly the key to success.

When you have a lot of ground to cover and only so much time to do it we don’t normally visit the same place twice during a workshop but there are always exceptions to the rules. So, we headed back up to Oxbow Bend to see if we could capture a reflection with the storm clouds and I have to admit my hunch certainly paid off allowing me to capture this amazing image of Oxbow bend with the storm light. When you’re teaching a workshop you never seem to have much time to capture your own images because you’re busy helping and instructing others but here the light was so amazing that I couldn’t resist firing off a shot.

A lot of people will say “boy you got lucky with this one” but I believe a well-prepared photographer will make his own luck by knowing how to read the light and being in the right place at the right time with the knowledge to capture what is presented before you.

Best of Light,
Ed

The Importance and Effect of Negative Space

Negative space is the area which surrounds the main subject in your image (the main subject is known as the “positive space”). For example; the house and tree in this image form the positive space while the sky is the negative space.

Negative space can drastically change the mood and story of your image. Much of the time, negative space is the mood and emotion. It can create a sense of bleakness, desolation, spaciousness and it can strengthen the positive atmosphere in your image. In summary, depending on what story you want to tell, the use of negative space affects it all. It can either emphasize all of these aspects or take away from your main subject if used incorrectly!

Metadata:

• Nikon D810
• Nikkor Lens – 70-200mm f/2.8 @70mm
• Gitzo GT3542xls tripod
• Lexar CF Card
• Hoodman USA
• OP/TECH USA Classic Strap
• Nik Software
• Exposure – 1/20 seconds
• Aperture – f/122
• ISO – 64
• Manual Mode

Best of Light,

Ed