Category Archives: Fall Smoky Mountain workshop
This Friday I will be heading to the Great Smoky Mountains for a couple of shooting days before the fall color workshop begins. It will be great visiting some of my favorite locations and checking out a few new shooting spots.

Mount LeConte-Great Smoky Mountains
I captured this image on a wet overcast day which helped to give me great saturated color. I enjoy a shooting on a beautiful sunny day and can capture great images but when it is raining I think ‘Let it Rain’ and Eric Clapton’s melodies start playing in my head. These are usually my best shooting days!
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Leave a comment | tags: Paul Christopher James, Smokey Mountain Photo Workshop, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Labs | posted in Autumn, Cades Cove, Fall Colors, Fall Smoky Mountain workshop, Lightroom, Mount LeConte, Smoky Mountain Photo Workshop, Smoky Mountains National Park, Topaz Clarity, Tremont
In the spring when the dogwoods are in bloom along the fast flowing rivers and stream the compositions are the best the Smokies have to offer. I used Topaz BW Effects 2 and then blended the image with the original image to give it the look of a hand painted B&W image.

Topaz BW Effects 2 blended with the original image
Which processed image do you like best. The Color image or the B&W with touches of color?

Image processed with Topaz Clarity
Which processed image do you like best. The
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Digital Photographic Workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Nik Software, Paul Christopher James, Rome photo workshop, Smoky Mountain Photo Workshop, Southwest Photo Workshop, Topaz BW Effects 2, Tuscany photo workshop, Venice Photo Workshop | posted in Cades Cove, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Dogwoods, Fall Colors, Fall Smoky Mountain photo workshop, Fall Smoky Mountain workshop, Greenbrier, Gregg-Cable house, Little River, Michigan photographic workshops, Paul Christopher James, Photographic Workshops, River time exposure, Rome Photgraphic Workshop, Slot Canyon Workshops, Smoky Mountain spring photo workshop, Smoky Mountains National Park, Southwest Photo Workshop, Venice Italy Photographic Workshop
After teaching last springs Charleston workshop Jonathan sent me a nice email and a few of the great images that he captured while we were on location.

Civil War Memorial
This infrared composition that Jonathan shot in a Charleston graveyard that we visited is amazing.

Old Charleston Church
Hi Paul, Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your workshop. I learned so much on this workshop that I am looking forward to going out with you to Las Vegas next year. I was really touched by the way you welcomed me and Gina into your group even though I was the only shooter you did not leave out the non shooters. It was a pleasure to meet you and learn from you. You are a very gifted photographer and teacher. Here are a couple of images I processed.Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and friendship.
Great Workshop!
Jonathan and Regina Davis
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Digital Photographic Workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Labs | posted in 2012 Magnolia Plantation and Gardens Photo Contest winners, Charleston Churches, Charleston Doorways, Charleston Graveyards, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Depth of field, Dogwood Tree, Edisto Beach, Fall Smoky Mountain workshop, Foley Beach Pier, Italian Photographic Workshop, Live Oak, Magnolia Plantation, Michigan Photographic Workshop, Nik software, Paul Christopher James, Photographic Workshops, Slave Cabins, Slot Canyon Photo Workshop, Slot Canyon Workshops, Smokey Mountain National Park, Southwest Photo Workshop, Topaz BW effects 2, Venice Italy Photographic Workshop
Spending time along the small streams and rivers capturing fall colors in the Smoky Mountains was a wonderful experience. By using neutral density filters I was able to slow down the water giving the image a fluid movement and not gust stopping the movement. This is balancing act waiting for the leaves to be still enough so that there is no movement in them as the water flows past the lens for several seconds. When you view the image your eye see the movement while still seeing everything you captured as crisp and sharp.

Still Waters processed with Lightroom and Topaz Clarity
Taking time out from our busy world is one of the great joys of photography. It gives me the opportunity to sit wait and watch the leaves to be still so I can capture the moment.
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Digital Photographic Workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Smoky Mountain Photo Workshop, Topaz Clarity, Tuscany photo workshop | posted in Cades Cove, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Dogwoods, Fall Colors, Fall Smoky Mountain photo workshop, Fall Smoky Mountain workshop, Greenbrier, Gregg Cabin, Little River, Photoshop CS6, Smoky Mountain Photo Workshop, Smoky Mountains National Park, Southwest Photographic Workshop Tour, Spring Photo Workshop, Topaz Clarity, Tremont, Venice Italy Photographic Workshop
During the Smoky Mountain workshop the colors were amazing and it was hard leaving the smoky mountains with the colors in their peak. On Saturday I display at a the Christmas craft show at Divine Child in Dearborn Michigan. The last couple of years I have been in Italy teaching in November and it will be good seeing old friends at the show.

Fall colors along Little River Road in the Smoky Mountains
The unprocessed image has nice color but it does not quite have the punch that I enjoyed that morning.

Unprocessed Fall colors along Little River Road in the Smoky Mountains
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2 Comments | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Digital Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Smoky Mountain Photo Workshop, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Labs | posted in Cades Cove, Dogwoods, Fall Colors, Fall Smoky Mountain workshop, Fog Bow, Greenbrier, Little River Road, Photoshop CS6, River time exposure, Smoky Mountain Photo Workshop, Smoky Mountains National Park, Topaz Clarity, Tremont