Roanoke Virginia

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Mountain Biking In Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains | Roanoke, VA

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Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains have it all when it comes to biking. The trails welcome riders of all levels and interests; paved greenways for beginners, expert-level mountain trails, black diamond single tracks, back country trails with hike a bike, kid-friendly trails, accessible trails for hand cycling, and gravel. For tonight’s shoot we chose Mill Mountain, a 1,300ft mountain situated directly over downtown Roanoke, VA.

Roanoke, Virginia has become known for their award-winning mountain biking trails, becoming one of just four states to have three IMBA-designated Ride Centers. Roanoke Ride Center has received a Silver Level Status, the only destination on the East Coast to achieve this ranking, and Richmond and Harrisonburg have both been recognized as Bronze Level mountain biking destinations.

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Blue Ridge Ironman - Roanoke, Virginia

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The 2022 Carilion Clinic Ironman 70.3 Virginia's Blue Ridge race marked the race’s second year in Roanoke, Virginia. The Ironman triathlon showed off both the Blue Ridge Mountains and southwest Virginia to people from around the world and around the country. Triathletes started at Carvin’s Cove with a swim, then biked along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and lastly ran throughout downtown Roanoke.

Photographing an Ironman

Today’s assignment really focussed on capturing the location of the race, and not so much the athletes themselves. My goal and purpose was to highlight the area’s unique mountains, the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, and the terrain. Throughout the day I walked, I hiked up hill sides to get unique vantage points, I hopped on a boat, and I road on the back of motorcycle all to successfully document the Roanoke Blue Ridge Ironman 70.3.

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Escatawba Farms Fly Fishing

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A great day trip fly fishing has to be at Virginia's best fly fishing stream, Escatawba Farms located just outside of Roanoke, Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Escatawba has streams stocked with trout and other fish species, which will test anglers of all skill levels.

Virginia’s Best Fly Fishing is in Roanoke, VA

Whether you’re a beginner going out with a guide or a skilled fishermen with many lores under your belt, Escatawba has something to offer everyone.

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Hay Rock Trail Hike - Appalachian Trail Roanoke, Virginia

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Quick Saturday morning hike just outside of Roanoke, Virginia to explore part of the Appalachian Trail. This section is referred to as the Hay Rock Trail. Hiking the Hay Rock Trail is 7.8 miles roundtrip from the parking lot and climbs 1500+ feet. The trail offers views overlooking Carvins Cove Natural Preserve and beyond to Roanoke City (Mill Mountain Star, Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, and downtown Roanoke).

Again we brought wonder dog Arya, a 1.5 year old standard sized Wire-haired Dachshund. This was Ary’s second hike of the week and she crushed it. At the end of the week Arya had conquered 18 miles of hiking and climbed over 2900ft.

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McAfee's Knob Sunrise Morning Hike

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An early morning sunrise hike on the Appalachian Trail just outside of Roanoke, Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains to capture the sunrise at McAfee's Knob. McAfee's Knob is the most photographed location on the Appalachian Trail. Hiking McAfee's Knob is not hard at all. The hike offers two ways up to the top; a fire road of compact dirt and small rocks, and a more rugged trail with roots, big stone steps, and some mud.

blue ridge mountains photography

Hiking with a camera takes some effort. You want to bring your best camera, all of your lenses, a filter or two, and a tripod, but then you realize your hike is 5,8,12,15 mile round trip hike. Packing light when hiking is key. When camping or hiking my outdoor camera setup consists of 1 camera body and 1 lens.

Hiking with a tripod

Although a tripod would’ve been nice on this early morning sunrise hike, it would’ve been heavy and cumbersome to carry. Instead of carrying a tripod for slow exposure shots I always:

  • Find a rock to balance my camera on

  • Increase my ISO

  • Photograph slightly under exposed and increase exposure or shadows in post production

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Sharp Top Trail - Blue Ridge Parkway Hiking

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The views atop Sharp Top are jaw dropping. If you’re a bit more daring, there are multiple boulders to climb, which allow for even more impressive and even more unobstructed views of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains.