Chasing the Last Light: Autumn Footsteps on Cherokee Lake
Fall brings a change in rhythm. A shift in light, in temperature, in the cadence of leaves rustling beneath your feet. Here in the Morristown/Newport corridor, nestled between the ridge‑and‑valley folds of East Tennessee and the broad waters of Cherokee Lake, the season invites more than just scenery—it invites movement.
I parked at the lakeshore just after golden hour began. I swapped my climbing shoes for my gym boots. Why? Because I wanted the body in motion to mirror the place in transition. I walked into the leaf‑cover toward the water’s edge. The camera followed, lens open to capture the crunch, the reflection, the interplay of leather tread and autumn color.
Here are three lessons I took away:
Motion adds narrative. A static shot of boots on leaves is fine. But boots in stride, tossing a leaf, kicking off toward the water—it tells a story.
Foreground texture matters. The leaves in the near frame, sharp and detailed, anchor the viewer. The lake becomes background depth, giving context.
Light transforms tone. That short window of golden hour changes everything. Leather warms; leaves glow; water reflects a palette you rarely see midday.
If you’re carrying a camera today, consider a dual role: photographer and storyteller in motion. Set your lens toward what you’re doing—rather than just what you’re seeing. Because the best images sometimes come from the step you take intothe light.
