Smoky Mountains Sunrise

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Landscape Photography Print

A stunning early morning sunrise print captured in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the Oconaluftee Overlook along US-441 near Newfound Gap between Gatlinburg TN and Cherokee NC. This popular overlook is the classic Great Smoky Mountains landscape scene that has been enjoyed by visitors to the National Park for generations, offering layers of mountain ridges towering over deep valleys that stretch into the distance towards Cherokee and the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina.

I used a long exposure for this picture to smooth out the movement and fine details in the sunrise sky, allowing the clouds to take on that soft flowing effect which nicely contrasts against the sharp details of bright spring greens in the foreground foliage and distant mountain peaks. I felt this approach helped to convey the feeling I had standing there under the rapidly moving skies that morning, where the sense of movement was a notable part of the experience as the clouds flew by overhead. Wherever you are right now, I hope this picture can take you there for a moment to experience this incredible location, enjoy the view!

Tags: great smoky mountains, national park, tennessee, tn, sunrise, landscape photography, scenic, oconaluftee valley, spring, gatlinburg, cherokee, pictures, prints, fine art, canvas, nature, overlook