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Originally uploaded by codymc

Sunday night my friend Kir and I drove up the Foothills Parkway to catch a sunset from the smokey mountains. We found an overlook that had spots on either side of the road — one looking down into a fairly unpopulated valley, and the other over Maryville, TN.

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Originally uploaded by codymc

This is probably my favorite shot from the road trip. We were just about to get off of Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia (we were pretty close to D.C. at this point) right before the drive entered a tunnel. It was a beautiful spot.

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Originally uploaded by codymc

We we setting out on a scenic drive from Gatlinburg, TN. We got about a quarter-mile out side town when we came across a group of cars pulled to the side of the road.

There were forest rangers all around — directing traffic, people and reminding us to be careful — etc.

There were about 8 bears in the the area — I saw at least 5 distint individual bears — these pictures are the three that were around the most.

Red leaf

Originally uploaded by codymc

I saw this brightlly colored leaf laying in my yard. I picked it up and put in on the bench of deck — where that acorn just happened to be rolling around.

I have a borrowed 70-200mm f2.8 IS lens that I used to take this — i think the results are pretty good.

Toadstool

Originally uploaded by codymc

I noticed this on my way to the car for work this morning. I really like how it turned out — especially that leave with the dark stripe in the middle.

Green pumpkin

Originally uploaded by codymc

Yesterday a group of friends and I trekked north to Burt’s Pumpkin farm and Amicola State Park. I had the new camera and dutiflly snapped off around 300 photos. I posted the best 50 or so to Flickr.

So far I’m in love with the new camera. The bigger screen, the shutter sound, the better ISO adjustibility all make the 40D a huge improvement over the Rebel. Don’t get me wrong — I loved the Rebel and wish it would have lasted a little longer — but I don’t regret buying the 40D one bit.

Cat’s eye

Originally uploaded by codymc

As soon as the battery charged on the new 40d. I subjected the cats to a photo shoot. I played some with my macro lens. I must say the larger view finder is great! I’m still getting used to the live view mode — it’s interesting, and would probably work better if hooked up to a bigger screen — although the new LCD is pretty gigantic.

More here<.a)

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Originally uploaded by codymc

I might have just done something a little rash. My trusty Rebel XT seems to have given up the ghost (won’t come on after inserting a brand new battery and clock battery). So I decided it was time for an upgrade.

(this photo was taken with my phone so no judging!)

I just got the official word that I’m accepted for the Candler Park Fall Fest!  The festival will take place in Candler Park (corner of Candler Park Drive and McLendon ) Saturday the 13 and Sunday the 14th.

I’m terribly excited about this festival.  It’s one of the biggest of the year AND I’ll be neighbors with my friends from Supercute.  We’re even considering setting up our own mini-bazaar by combining both our spaces (in the end we’ll do what shows off everyone’s stuff the best so come by and see what we come up with).

I’ll have lots of the 5×7 sets, as well as the 4×6 sets (2 for $20!), some of the larger prints and my newly added 8×10’s in mats!  The girls will have all sorts of hand-crafted goodies — sparkly jewelry, cozy hats, scarves and sweater and bento sets so you can take your lunch with you in style!!

In addition to all our amazing things there will be live entertainment, delicious food and special activities for the ankle-biters.

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Originally uploaded by codymc
I’m not usually terrible fond of my portrait/people shots (they move around too much, and don’t let me take 1000 pictures until I have exactly what I want) — but recently I took some on the sly photos in a super casual setting (there was no pressure) and I think they turned out great. Clearly all I need is more practice!

There’s more from that day here

And here’s one I took recently at the North Ga State Fair of my friend Rob being incredibly silly. I’m not sure who dared him to get his face painted, but it was definitely in the spirit of the night. I was running around wacked out on sugar (crazy sweet lemonade, a funnel cake with chocolate <b>and</b> caramel, a fried Oreo and other assorted goodies) just like a 5 year old. It was a great time. I’ll probably post some more photos from there later.