Take Better Photos This Fall

With crisp blue skies and a riot of colors in the treetops, fall in the Smokies is a photographer’s paradise. But with more than 800 square miles to chose from, where should an aspiring shutterbug start? Knoxville photographer Kristina Plaas, who works as a media volunteer for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, shares some of her favorite vantage points.

Go high: “During mid-October I love to go to high-elevation vista locations and admire the tapestry of color as it progresses down the slopes,” Plaas says. No hiking is required to take in the views at Clingmans Dome, the park’s highest point, but for those willing to take a walk, Newfound Gap, Charlies Bunion, Mount Le Conte, and the Chimney Tops trail are rewarding options. 

Get wet: Fall colors over water can make gorgeous shots. Plaas favors the Middle Prong at Tremont for late October and also likes Walker Camp Prong along Newfound Gap Road in mid-October. “Water shots are best captured on rainy, cloudy days, though skilled photographers can get away with dappled sunlight with the right gear,” she says. 

Honor history: Framing fall colors around historic buildings, such as those in Cades Cove and Cataloochee, allows for interesting composition. “Early morning or late afternoon offer the best light for photographing buildings, especially if the sun is reemerging after rain,” Plaas says.     

Weekly fall color reports are available at nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fallcolor.htm and on the park’s Facebook page.