Photography – Page 37 – Random Connections

Exploring Estatoe Creek

October 4, 2013 Tom 4 Comments

It was another beautiful October day, so I decided it was time to take one of the boats out for a solo paddle. I wanted a place fairly close that wasn’t a place I paddled frequently. At the last minute, I decided upon Lake Keowee, launching from Keowee-Toxaway State Park and paddling up the Estatoe Creek branch.

Keowee-Toxaway State Park is located on either side of Scenic Highway 11 on the western edge of Pickens County. The park borders two sections of Lake Keowee. Years ago Laura and I had taken my canoe on the southern part of the park, which borders the main body of the lake. I remember it as a typical South Carolina lake, full of motor boats, lined with houses, and generally not appealing to paddlers. Not long ago we stopped at the northern section. A dedicated canoe/kayak launch had been built, but directly across from the launch was the Cliffs golf course. Again, not too particularly appealing. However, I could see that from this location one could explore some more remote reaches, and that meant it had potential.

I arrived right about noon. One drives past the Jocassee Gorges Visitors Center on the way to the launch. The building that now houses the center is the former Holly Springs Baptist Church, donated to the state in the 1970s and restored. Since I wasn’t sure of my timeline, I didn’t stop this time.

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An Afternoon of Furman Time Lapse

October 4, 2013 Tom No Comments

Photography

Interesting how this retirement thing is working out. I was toying with several options this morning. I had some writing I needed to do, but as beautiful as the day was, I was also thinking about taking out a kayak. Laura suggested meeting at Furman for lunch, so I spent the morning writing, then headed up her way.

This was the first time I’d been to Furman since the student center was remodeled. I was impressed with the changes, which opened up more space for students to just hang out. It looked a bit weird – different, but it seemed like it would work.

We headed down to The Paddock, the new restaurant that serves beer and wine, a first on campus. The idea was to control access to students of age so that they aren’t drinking an driving. It’s an idea. Laura ordered nachos, and I got fish and chips.

Pickens Cemetery Ramble

September 29, 2013 Tom No Comments

History and Genealogy, Photography, Rambling

Oolenoy Baptist Church and Cemetery-017 — Oolenoy Baptist Cemetery

I really, really need to find another subject for photography. It seems that I’m stuck in “cemetery mode.” People ask me if I have some morbid fascination with death. Not really. I’m more interested in the historic nature of a cemetery – the lives of the people who lived and found their final resting place in this spot. I love the artwork on the old headstones, and the florid language of the older epitaphs. For old cemeteries no longer in use, or no longer associated with a church, I like to ponder on the communities that once existed, as well as the lives this locations represent.

Thursday was a beautiful day, so I decided to head out and take some photos. I gave my friend Keith a call, and we headed out in a typically random direction. From his house in Travelers Rest we headed across country, generally toward Pickens. Soon we found ourselves at Oolenoy Baptist Church, and its historic cemetery.

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Quick Watkinsville Ramble

September 24, 2013September 25, 2013 Tom 1 Comment

Family, Photography, Rambling

Houston and I still had some photos we needed to process from Lauren and Daniel’s wedding. We made arrangements to get together at his place in Watkinsville, Georgia. It had been awhile since I had been down that way, so Sunday morning I made the trek down I-85, through Athens, and down to his farm out in the middle of nowhere.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper ramble if we didn’t generate more photos along the way. So, before working on the wedding photos, we headed out to take some more.

The weather was perfect, so our first stop needed to be an outdoor venue. Just down from Houston’s farm is the Dyar Pasture Wetlands area. The wetlands are on the upper end of Lake Oconee, where the Oconee River enters the lake There is a boat ramp, and what looks like an excellent place to paddle. We took one of the trails out to an overlook for the wetlands, then walked out onto a dike.

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Wet Saturday Ramble

September 24, 2013 Tom No Comments

Photography, Rambling

Alan and I had planned to take our boats out for a quick Saturday morning paddle. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating, so we had to fall back to Plan B. Alan is as much of a rambler and photographer as I am, so we decided to hit a couple of places locally that he knew about. The quick trek to us to some interesting remnants of Greenville.

We started the morning discussion talking about hidden and forgotten cemeteries in town. That might be worthy of a blog post/exploration all on its own. Alan mentioned on just off of Haywood Road. We were able to find it in Google Maps, right next to the distinctive lavender building that houses The Trophy Club strip joint. I’m sure the original owners of the cemetery would be appalled at the disruption to eternal rest. 🙂 We decided to check it out (the cemetery, not the strip club.)

Finding the cemetery was easy. It’s not on a major traffic route, but it is right there in the middle of everything. It’s hard to miss if you’re looking in the right place. Unfortunately, the grounds were surrounded by chain-link fencing topped with barbed wire with locked gates. Any observing we were going to do would have to be done from outside.

Mountain Wedding Weekend

September 19, 2013February 1, 2020 Tom No Comments

Family, Photography

And so the day arrives…

Lauren and Daniel’s wedding weekend started with rehearsal on Friday. Laura and I drove up about mid-afternoon and checked into the lovely cottage Stephen had reserved for us near Hendersonville, then headed on over to Brevard for the rehearsal.

Lauren had selected Rainbow Lake as her wedding venue. The resort features several rustic cottages surrounding a small lake, in between Brevard and Rosman. There is a small island with a gazebo, obviously set up for the ceremony. A short white wooden bridge connects to the mainland. There is also a pavilion for receptions.

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Here Comes Uncle George and Uncle Bob

September 13, 2013September 29, 2013 Tom No Comments

Family, Photography

My niece is getting married tomorrow. We’re all happy for her, and this is an exciting time for our family, as well a wedding should be. There’s just one snag, though. She’s asked me and my brother to do the photography for her wedding. While, I’m thrilled she has confidence in our abilities, and I’m glad to be a part of the wedding, to say that I have a bit of trepidation about this would be an understatement. And with good reason.

Among professional wedding photographers (of which I am most definitely not), there is the legend of “Uncle George.” Sometimes he’s known as “Uncle Bob,” but it could just as easily be an “Aunt Betty.” Regardless of the form this character takes, the term refers to any relative that insists on taking all the photos along with the assigned photographer. Here’s a description from one website…

The bride’s Uncle George fancies himself as a better-than-average amateur photographer. In fact photography may be his hobby. He comes armed with the latest cameras and fancy lens. Empowered by digital cameras and a bag full of extra fully powered batteries, he is ready for action. His technique is to capture anything that moves, time and time again. Quantity not quality is his mantra. He trusts that his Photoshop software can dress up any image. – From http://timelessweddingmemories.com

To be fair, most of the references I’ve seen to “Uncle George” have been on websites for professional photographers, who would prefer that you use their services rather than a relative. Several have lists comparing their services to “Uncle George” in chart format. One photographer even lists an “Uncle George” package on his website…

The Uncle George Package … Here’s what it includes.

I will bring one camera, one battery and maybe 2 memory cards for my semi-high end camera that I kind of know how to use.

I will shoot by myself.

I’ll show up 30 minutes late.

I’ll rely upon the camera to decide exposures and focusing. I will call the out of focus shots “artistic”.

Since I’m a friend or relative I will visit with the other guests instead of concentrating on the photography.

I will plan on drinking and dancing.

I may get drunk (there’s $50 discount if I do).

If my battery holds out, I should get 100 to 150 shots.

I know very little about post production of images, so I won’t correct or Photoshop the images. So I’ll just give you the photos “as shot”, and it may be a couple of months before you see the those (along with my vacation shots I left on the card).

I would like to think that I’m a step up from George. I’ve taken multiple post-processing courses and courses in portraiture and other areas. Houston has even more experience than I do, having worked as a professional photographer for awhile. Even so, I don’t want to wind up like this…

Paddling Bear Creek Lake

September 8, 2013September 8, 2013 Tom 2 Comments

Paddling, Photography

I’ve been wanting to paddle Bear Creek Lake ever since I discovered its existence. I first heard of the lake when the Western Carolina Kayaking Meetup scheduled a trip up there. I couldn’t make that trip, but the missed opportunity nagged at me. This summer on one of my photo treks I stumbled upon the landing for Bear Creek Lake. Seeing it in person made me want to come up here even more. So, when WCKayaking announced another trip, I knew I had to go.

In the 1950’s the Nantahala Power and Light Company built four lakes along the Bear Creek Valley. Bear Creek Lake is the largest of these, and is just a bit larger than Lake Cunningham near Greer. Cliff Lake, Wolf Creek Lake, and Tamassee Creek Lake round out the quartet. Cliff Lake is downstream from Bear Creek Lake, and the other two were built on tributary creeks to Bear Creek. The entire watershed feeds into the Tuckaseegee River. The lakes are now controlled by Duke Power.

Unlike Lakes Glenville and Toxaway nearby, there is not much development along these lakes. The views of the high hills and rocks remain somewhat pristine. However, I’m afraid that will change. I don’t know if there are any easements or protections in place as there are at Lake Jocassee, but I saw signs for various realtors and development. I hope they don’t destroy the lake shores as they did at Toxaway and some of the South Carolina lakes like Keowee, Hartwell, Murray, and Greenwood.

The plan was to meet at the launch at 11:00 am, a reasonable time, in my opinion. It gave me plenty of time to get up there and explore a bit first. The drive up is spectacular, winding through the highlands of South Carolina then crossing up to Cashiers, then passing the much larger Glenville Lake. The lake itself is off of Highway 281, past a farming valley formed by the Tuckaseegee River and Bear Creek.

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The Kingdom of Stuff You Don’t Need

September 5, 2013September 5, 2013 Tom 2 Comments

Local, Photography, Rambling

Yep, I made another mid-week trek over to the Pickens Flea Market. It was a beautiful day, and I headed over there just because I could. I was curious as to how the place changes on a non-summer, non-holiday Wednesday.

According to their Facebook page, the flea market is open from 4:00 am until 2:00 pm every Wednesday. I can’t imagine being here before dawn, but I guess some of the vendors need that time to get set up. I have gotten here as early as 7:30, and the vendors were still setting up. I think the “sweet spot” as far as time is from 8:00 until 11:00. By 11:00 many of the vendors are already packing up for home.

Normally I park at one end and head west. Usually I run out of steam by the time I get to the other side, so this time I parked closer to the other end. It seemed much sparser at this end on this particular Wednesday. Much of the covered area wasn’t occupied, but there were still quite a few open-air vendors. Everything seemed more spread out, with little pockets of vendors in remote corners.

I think this is the newer section. A chain link fence runs down the middle of the market, dividing it in half. It’s possible that the two halves are managed separately, but I’m not sure about that. One must pass through a rather narrow, congested gate to get from one half to the other. That may just give them the ability to open only a part of the market if necessary. (Pure speculation here.)

In Search of Andersonville and a Retreat

September 2, 2013September 2, 2013 Tom 5 Comments

Photography, Rambling

Old Retreat Prebyterian Church and Cemetery-029 — Old Retreat Presbyterian Church
Oconee County, SC

Stephen and I had the day open on Friday, so we decided to do a bit of photo rambling. I’ve been wanting to explore the environs of Andersonville, one of the ghost towns on my list, and from there it would be one of our typical rambles, with multiple stops along the way.

Old Andersonville is now mostly under Lake Hartwell. There is a two mile island where some of the town had been located. We didn’t expect to see much of the ghost town on this trip, but were mainly scouting access points for a future kayak trip out to the island.

I picked up Stephen at his house in Easley, then we headed down 178 toward Anderson. As with all of our rambles something catches our eye, and we have to stop. In this case it was the community around Lebanon Baptist Church. A small country store, a couple of sheds, and an old school were located in the vicinity of the church.