A Visit to Reelfoot Lake

Just south of the Kentucky Tennessee State Line, near Highway 78, is Tennessee's only natural lake, Reelfoot Lake. It was formed by a massive earthquake in the 1800's. It is a shallow lake that has great fishing and resembles a swamp because of the many cyprus trees around and in it near the shore. It is a large lake covering over forty square miles of land area.

In 1811 there was an earthquake the magnitude of 8.1 which changed the course of the Mississippi River and flooded and created Reelfoot Lake. It has as lot of rich history and was alledgely named after a native american chief that was known for a deformed foot, and walked with a rolling motion. It is a beautiful lake and a go to target for photographers. I visited it earlier this summer and here are a few shots.

This is one of the first places to approach the lake coming in form Tiptonville and Highway 78.

This is another view of the same location showing one of several boardwalks that line the lake.

The roots of the Cyprus Tree are unique very interesting to look at

Here is a new boardwalk that goes a long way out into the lake.

The greens are lush in the summer

Great reflections

From the nearby Town of Tiptonville TN

Great fishing I am told

I hope you have enjoyed my visit from these photos.

Pat Young; Memphis Photographer: Memphis Photographer Feature

Pat Young lives in Lucy TN, part of the rural area just Northeast of Memphis. She has lived in the Memphis area for forty-five years. She began photography at a very early age, mostly because she likes preserving memories. Her favorite subject matter is the landscape, and she especially loves to shoot the Hernando Desoto Bridge. Her colorful photos capture a real feel for the Memphis and Mid-South area. She captures the rural countryside with farms, and she also captures the colorful graffiti on commercial buildings. She sells her work and has her own Facebook photography page https://www.facebook.com/Photography-by-Pat-Young-954749111277736/ She sells postcards and prints and if you see something you like message her.

She captures the best of farm life with an interesting point of view

Here is the beauty of the bridge at night

She collects butterflies, photos that is

Gorgeous sunsets

The streets of Memphis

Angry skies

Beautiful Mornings

Graffiti

Skyline through the trees

From across the mighty Mississip'

And finally, one more look at the bridge

Oh, and when she travels she takes her camera with her!

Paul Hopkins: Memphis Street and Documentary Photographer: Memphis Photographer Feature

Paul Hopkins is a dedicated documentary, and street photographer. Paul thinks like a purist when it comes to his photography. He loves the naked mood of black and white photography that mostly comes straight out of his camera. He shows the stark reality of what his vision captures. He has spent many hours in the searing heat and the bitter cold of street life in Memphis Tennessee. Paul is a mid-south native. He was born in Southaven MS. and spent most of his life in Memphis TN. He has also lived in Dallas TX, and Portland Oregon. He has made Memphis his home and base of operations.

He began his interest in photos when he was five years old with his dads National Geographic Magazines. He started taking pictures of his friends and neighbors in 1998 after he bought his first DSLR. He never went to art school. Instead he spent a lot of time looking at magazines such as Life, National Geographic, and Playboy. It was there that he saw really high quality photography that piqued his interest in becoming a photographer. 

He loves capturing the world as it is with no sugar coating or high color saturation. His photos of Memphis are moving, showing all sides of street life in Memphis. He also spends a lot of time photographing New Orleans, and is published in a book about that city. He has sponsored several Photography Groups on Facebook such as Documentary Photographers and Monochrome Photography, and you can see more of his work on Viewbug. Click the link to see his work.

Here is a sample of his photos...

He documents movements in Memphis

He exposes the problems

And he celebrates the culture.

In the rain

street activities

The historical beauty and the tourists.

The enterprising during summer heat

People at work

And simple artistic beauty

I'm sure you agree that Paul is a talented photographer with a unique vision. You can spot his images easily as he has developed his own personal style. Thank you Paul for sharing with us!

Memphis, Mid-South Sunsets

I have been shooting a lot of sunsets lately. It seems that the clouds, atmosphere, and weather have been conducive to some spectacular sky shows. These are from the Mississippi River Front and the new and improved Shelby Farms.

 This was a long the river at the park in Harbor Town

Here is another location same evening

This time not directly at the sun, looking off to the left

Away from the direction of the sun the colors are a little more subtle

This is the brand new visitor's center at Shelby Farms

Spectacular sunset over the new enlarged lake at Shelby Farms Park

The more subtle skies away from direct sunlight, again Shelby Farms Park enlarged lake

Power walk anyone?

It's a family affair!

A look at the bridge and the marina

A Recent Trip to Nashville: Part One Murfreesboro

One of my favorite photography destinations is Nashville. We just got a little dog six months ago, a Yorkie named Zeke. He travels with us now and we could not stay at our usual spot, so I found a pet friendly Motel in Murfreesboro. What a lovely little town. I am so glad that Zeke forced us to stay there. It is quaint and photogenic, and nearby is the Stones River Civil War Battle Grounds and Cemetery. My hat is off to Murfreesboro TN... great hospitality.

This Building is iconic by Murfreesboro Standards. It had just rained this early evening visit and the rain and sky made the city that much more peaceful

Around the town square. Murfreesboro has a wonderful town square.

Artistic fire hydrants... they have several of these colorful gems around the square

On around the square and another hydrant

Small and quaint but yes, they do have one tower

Stones River Battlefield is a couple of miles out of Murfreesboro and it is a great historical site to visit.

You can almost feel the presence of the troops

While the canons don't thunder, they stand at the ready.

If you are staying in the Nashville area, why not stay in picturesque Murfreesboro?