Re: Visitor from California - help needed to plan foliage viewing starting from NEK then going south
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2021 8:59 am
Prabal: A couple of thoughts:
1. One of your locations is labeled Barton Road Farm. Maybe just a typo, but to avoid confusion, while it is in Barton, the road is actually Burton (with a "u") Road .
2. You have East Orange on your list (I see a lot of locations covered in our book, and bet that is why you want to see this spot). I think you should scratch it from your ambitious list. I just yesterday learned that the view from the road above where the photo of the village was made from, is completely grown in. I think it will be disappointing - photographically - and its a pretty good drive from your place and was best made in the late afternoon. That, of course, will make you think about the other locations close to there. East Corinth is pretty, but you will need to get an early start, as this is best lit very early in the morning. There are so many places closer to you worth looking at, that I would think about this one. If you do go, note that East Corinth is early morning and Waits River is mid-late afternoon. You'll need a plan for between times . And, if you didn't know this, that Waits River scene you always see - is full of overhead power lines, signs, and utility risers. I spent more post-processing time cleaning up my Waits River images than any other single photo I have ever made. Not to discourage - its a great shot. Just be aware.
3. Likewise, Blueberry Lake. That is a very long drive for just one image. There is a lot of good imagery to be had in and around Waitsfield and if you were going to spend a whole day in that area, I would consider it. The Common Road and the Bragg Hill Road loops are early to mid-morning locations, mostly, which again means a pretty good poke of a drive to be there on location for the early light. Blueberry Lake, otoh, will be lit by the late afternoon sun. I was there early in the afternoon and it was much too bright. As far as a photographic "highlight" spot, although there are those that will strongly disagree with me, I don't get very excited about it. Certainly not enough to drive a couple hours for just that image.
4. Jenne Farm: Your best photo op (although I have seen it shot from all times of the day) is going to be early in the morning. I have never been there - I am planning to shoot it this year. I will be in White River Junction the night before and I still will give myself a minimum of 1 hour to get there (about 30 miles from WRJ). It is my understanding from others who have been there that even if you arrive in the pre-dawn, you will be looking for a spot to park and set up your tripod - among the others already there. For me, it will be a Saturday morning - which will probably be even worse. But my point is, that, again, is a long way to go to be there at sunrise, from where you are staying. Just some food for thought.
5. Martins Pond/Hillside Acres: as long as you are there, consider stopping in Peacham. It is worth it!
Lots of shooting ops very close to where you are. Think about Darling Hill. Note that Bean Pond is a tiny pond along the highway and you might miss it if you Blink. If there is fog very early in the a.m., it is absolutely worth doing. It would be my first stop one morning.
Good luck, and please do report back here with findings and images!!
1. One of your locations is labeled Barton Road Farm. Maybe just a typo, but to avoid confusion, while it is in Barton, the road is actually Burton (with a "u") Road .
2. You have East Orange on your list (I see a lot of locations covered in our book, and bet that is why you want to see this spot). I think you should scratch it from your ambitious list. I just yesterday learned that the view from the road above where the photo of the village was made from, is completely grown in. I think it will be disappointing - photographically - and its a pretty good drive from your place and was best made in the late afternoon. That, of course, will make you think about the other locations close to there. East Corinth is pretty, but you will need to get an early start, as this is best lit very early in the morning. There are so many places closer to you worth looking at, that I would think about this one. If you do go, note that East Corinth is early morning and Waits River is mid-late afternoon. You'll need a plan for between times . And, if you didn't know this, that Waits River scene you always see - is full of overhead power lines, signs, and utility risers. I spent more post-processing time cleaning up my Waits River images than any other single photo I have ever made. Not to discourage - its a great shot. Just be aware.
3. Likewise, Blueberry Lake. That is a very long drive for just one image. There is a lot of good imagery to be had in and around Waitsfield and if you were going to spend a whole day in that area, I would consider it. The Common Road and the Bragg Hill Road loops are early to mid-morning locations, mostly, which again means a pretty good poke of a drive to be there on location for the early light. Blueberry Lake, otoh, will be lit by the late afternoon sun. I was there early in the afternoon and it was much too bright. As far as a photographic "highlight" spot, although there are those that will strongly disagree with me, I don't get very excited about it. Certainly not enough to drive a couple hours for just that image.
4. Jenne Farm: Your best photo op (although I have seen it shot from all times of the day) is going to be early in the morning. I have never been there - I am planning to shoot it this year. I will be in White River Junction the night before and I still will give myself a minimum of 1 hour to get there (about 30 miles from WRJ). It is my understanding from others who have been there that even if you arrive in the pre-dawn, you will be looking for a spot to park and set up your tripod - among the others already there. For me, it will be a Saturday morning - which will probably be even worse. But my point is, that, again, is a long way to go to be there at sunrise, from where you are staying. Just some food for thought.
5. Martins Pond/Hillside Acres: as long as you are there, consider stopping in Peacham. It is worth it!
Lots of shooting ops very close to where you are. Think about Darling Hill. Note that Bean Pond is a tiny pond along the highway and you might miss it if you Blink. If there is fog very early in the a.m., it is absolutely worth doing. It would be my first stop one morning.
Good luck, and please do report back here with findings and images!!