nature – Mid Tn Outdoors

Capturing the Magic of Tennessee Tech Tree Glow

Picture this: tall trees wrapped in twinkling lights, casting a soft glow over the quiet Tennessee Tech campus. The Tree Glow event turns the night into a fairy tale, with branches sparkling like stars brought down to earth. If you’re a photographer, this annual spectacle at TTU is your chance to snap shots that wow everyone. In this guide, you’ll get step-by-step tips to nail those low-light photos and turn your camera into a magic wand.

The Tree Glow lights up the campus each winter, drawing folks for its cozy vibe. But for photos, it’s not just pretty—it’s a puzzle. You need to handle the mix of bright spots and deep shadows to make your images shine.

Shooting at the Tennessee Tech Tree Glow means dealing with tricky light. The trees glow in warm colors, but the sky stays pitch black, creating huge contrasts. This setup plays with your camera’s sensors, often washing out details or adding unwanted noise.

Unlike sunny day shots, ambient light here is low. Street lamps and distant buildings add faint glows that can muddy your focus. To capture great photos at TTU Tree Glow, think about exposing for the lights while keeping shadows rich—it’s like balancing fireflies in a dark forest.

Crowds might bring phone flashes, which scatter light everywhere. Plan to avoid peak times if you want clean, dramatic results. With practice, these challenges become your secret to unique night shots.

Head to the heart of campus for the best views during Tree Glow. The main quad near the Derryberry Hall offers wide shots of multiple lit trees against old brick buildings. Walk the paths by the library for close-ups that frame the glow with stone steps.

Don’t miss the spot by the clock tower—its silhouette adds depth to your Tennessee Tech Tree Glow photography. If you scout ahead, note how fences or benches create natural borders. These areas pack the most visual punch and help your photos tell the campus story.

For variety, try the edges near the pond. Reflections in the water double the magic, especially on clear nights. Pick spots with less foot traffic to set up without hassle.

Conclusion: Illuminating Your Photographic Journey

Mastering Tennessee Tech Tree Glow photography boils down to prep, a steady tripod, and smart settings. You’ve got the tools now—from scouting spots to editing tweaks—to create images that capture the event’s spark. Revisit each year; it’s prime practice for low-light skills.

Grab your gear and head out this December. Share your best shots online—tag TTU and inspire others. Your photos could light up more than just the trees.

Wings Up!!

Capturing Unforgettable Moments: How I Photographed My Daughter’s Senior Prom Pictures Using My Canon 5D Mark II

Prom night is one of those special moments in life. It’s full of excitement, nerves, and happy tears. For many parents, these memories matter just as much as their child’s. I wanted to capture every smile, dance move, and emotional hug on my own camera. Choosing to photograph my daughter’s senior prom instead of hiring a pro was a big decision, but it paid off. The Canon 5D Mark II turned out to be the perfect tool for creating stunning images that will be treasured forever.

Camera Selection: Why the Canon 5D Mark II is Ideal

The Canon 5D Mark II is a workhorse for capturing clear, detailed photos. Its full-frame sensor produces sharp images with rich colors. That sensor also performs well in low light — perfect for outdoor dances or dimly lit venues. The camera’s advanced ISO capabilities let me shoot with little noise, even in darker settings. Compared to other cameras in the same class, this model strikes a great balance of quality, affordability, and ease of use. So, for prom photos, it’s a top choice.

Timing and Light Considerations

Timing is everything. The best natural light comes during golden hour — just before sunset. We timed our outdoor shoot then for warm, flattering photos. Indoor shots needed careful use of camera settings to avoid grainy images. If possible, I scheduled some time when the lighting would be ideal, reducing the need for heavy editing later.

Setting Realistic Expectations

Not every shot has to be perfect. I aimed for a mix of candid moments and posed photos. Sometimes, raw, spontaneous laughter makes the best memory. It’s all about capturing genuine happiness, not just looking perfect.

Conclusion

Taking prom photos with the Canon 5D Mark II gave me creative control and beautiful results. With good planning, understanding camera settings, and some post-processing, I created images my daughter will cherish forever. It’s a rewarding experience to capture these milestones yourself. If you’re thinking about doing the same, don’t be afraid to try. Your camera can turn fleeting moments into lasting memories — all it takes is a little preparation and patience. Start planning your own prom shoot today, and make memories that last a lifetime.

Duck Hunting with my Canon 5D MarkII

Duck hunting can be an exciting and challenging activity, and capturing the moment can be just as rewarding as the hunt itself. With the Canon 5D Mark II camera, you can capture stunning images that showcase the beauty and power of these waterfowl.

The Canon 5D Mark II is a professional-grade camera that features a full-frame CMOS sensor, which produces high-quality images with exceptional detail and clarity. Its advanced autofocus system allows you to track moving subjects, such as ducks in flight, with ease. Additionally, the camera’s high ISO capabilities enable you to shoot in low-light conditions, making it ideal for early morning or late evening hunts.

When using the Canon 5D Mark II for duck hunting, it’s important to take into account the environment and lighting conditions. Shooting in RAW format can give you greater flexibility in post-processing, allowing you to adjust exposure and color balance to achieve the desired result. It’s also recommended to use a telephoto lens to capture close-up shots of the ducks in flight, while maintaining a safe distance from the birds.

Overall, the Canon 5D Mark II is an excellent choice for capturing the excitement and beauty of duck hunting. With its advanced features and capabilities, you can create stunning images that will be cherished for years to come.

Winter Prep For Spring Camping

Winter may seem like an unlikely time to think about camping, but it can actually be a great opportunity to prepare for your springtime outdoor adventures. There are a few things you can do during the winter months to ensure that you’re ready for your next camping trip.

Firstly, you can use the winter months to research potential camping locations. Look for campgrounds that are open in the spring and summer months, and read reviews from other campers to get an idea of what to expect. You can also research hiking trails and other outdoor activities in the area to plan your itinerary.

Secondly, use the winter months to check and repair your camping gear. Inspect your tent, sleeping bags, and other camping equipment for any signs of wear and tear, and make any necessary repairs. This will ensure that your gear is in good condition and ready to use when you head out into the wilderness.

Finally, you can use the winter months to plan out your meals and snacks for your camping trip. Research easy camping recipes that you can make ahead of time and pack with you, and stock up on non-perishable snacks like trail mix, granola bars, and dried fruit.

By taking these steps during the winter months, you’ll be well-prepared for your spring camping trip and can enjoy the great outdoors with ease and comfort.

Make sure you check out my links and sponsors on this page to help support future adventures.

First Trip to Blue Ridge Mountains

So we are headed for the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia, never been there before so don’t know what to expect. what I do know is that they are apart of the Smoky Mountain chain. I will be scouting out for future adventures to this area so stay tuned for that.

MTO Productions

What is MTO Productions you might ask, well short answer is it is my production company I am starting. One of the things I love to do is edit video and photography. The second thing I love to do is play with tech and gear for filming and photography. I also like buying older tech and making it work in todays world of more advanced gear out there. I also like going over what myself as a one man crew uses to capture my adventures. So come check out what I have going on over there and let me know what you think. Link will be below.

Who is MTO Productions

About to get Busy

As I write this we are on the road headed to Georgia for a quick trip. With that said there are some big trips coming. One of which will put me into South Carolina.

This trip my turn into way more as I am still planing it out. Thinking out loud here may come back through Georgia and possibly camp in GA while here. That would put me camping in two different states that I have never camped before. That would also put me camping for four days and three nights.

I look at this being my true shot at taking this full time sooner than later. This will test my determination at becoming a full time YouTuber and social media influencer. Maybe it is time to turn my focus to more about what my goal is, but only faith and time will tell. Thanks for reading this and following along with me.

Chattanooga

Well as this trip comes to a close, I want to post some pictures and let you know there will be a video coming soon. While on this trip we also hit a milestone on YouTube. We are now sitting 1700 subscribers. Getting close to that 2K. So here are the pictures from the trip.