Sunrise Sunset
Scroll down to view photos in this collection.
While viewing my Sunrise Sunset collection, consider these keys for capturing awesome photographs.
Arise before daylight.
Gladly climb hills and cross streams.
Arrive at the right place a half hour before the right time.
Linger after the sun sets.
Get lucky.
Words to live by: Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.
SSS50H Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
This stylized image features a Roan Highlands sunset viewed from Round Bald less than a mile along the Appalachian Trail from Carver’s Gap.
SSS49H Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
This sunset image features Roan Mountain as seen from Round Bald less than a mile along the Appalachian Trail from Carver’s Gap.
SSS45H Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
My early morning walk to our South Knoxville post office featured this eastern sky spectacle.
Bill paying was never so enjoyable!
SSS44H Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
Low lying fog enhanced this sunrise image captured in Rockford TN near McGhee Tyson Airport.
SSS41H Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
An early morning master work gifted to me by Mother Nature.
SSS40H Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
It was a sunset like no other.
I was at Knollman Farm in Liberty, Indiana with my son and daughter-in-law. It was April 8 2024, a day I will always remember.
You guessed it: This 3:08pm “sunset” was caused by the total solar eclipse.
I will not merely tell my grandchildren about it. Thankfully, they were present with us to witness the awesome event.
SSS39H Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
This South Knoxville sunset diverted my attention from the 8pm tipoff of TN Vols vs. TX Longhorns during March Madness.
SSS38H Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
Each time I visit Cumberland Mountain State Park in Crossville TN, I enjoy reflection images like this of Byrd Lake.
On this Winter morning, I left my campsite early enough to walk Byrd Lake Trail and part of Pioneer Short Loop to catch this view of the sunrise.
SSS37H Copyright 2024 Steven L Madden
Residents of Knoxville TN see this familiar mountain profile often.
It is Mount LeConte in our beloved Smoky Mountains. I saw this image early morning from the west overlook of Tharpe Trace at Ijams Nature Center.
Which of LeConte’s peaks offers the best views for hikers who climb the mountain?
Cliff Tops
High Point
Myrtle Point
If you have hiked to Mount LeConte, you know it is NOT High Point!
SSS36H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
It was a brilliant idea!
I drove toward Cades Cove for a New Year’s Eve hike. On a whim, I veered off Hwy 321 onto Foothills Parkway. At the first pulloff, I witnessed this pre-sunrise surprise.
It was a great start to one of my best adventures of 2023.
SSS35H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
I left home close to 7am, drove ten minutes to Ijams Nature Center, then walked five minutes to the Tennessee River.
I captured this sunrise image at 7:14am. What a great way to begin my day!
SSS34H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
As they often do at sunset, clouds morphed from white to pink to orange before my eyes.
I topped a South Knoxville hill to capture this magic moment.
SSS33H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
I should add a sixth key for capturing awesome photographs: Return to a favorite locale multiple days for varied shots of the same spectacle.
This early morning scene was shot from nearly the same location in South Knoxville TN as several other photos in this collection. Scroll down to view more morning shots from River Trail in Ijams Nature Center.
SSS32H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
I gazed early morning across the Tennessee River from River Trail at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville TN.
A midsummer sun would emerge moments later from behind the hill at left in this image.
SSS31H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
My view, at 6:36am, of the Tennessee River from a kayak launch within Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville Tennessee.
Until a fishing boat motored by, the river surface was smooth as mirrored glass.
SSS30H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
Rule #3 for capturing awesome photographs: Arrive at the right place a half hour before the right time.
The right place, in this case, was a pull off of Foothills Parkway between Cosby and Interstate 40 in East Tennessee.
I arrived around 8pm and was ready when this sunset occurred at 8:30 on May 21 2023.
SSS29H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
A glance outside my window at dusk presaged a pleasant sunset in South Knoxville Tennessee.
I quickly drove to the hilltop in Woodlawn Cemetery where I saw a resplendent rainbow in one direction and this serene sunset in another.
A double blessing!!
SSS28H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
I enjoyed this view of North Carolina mountains just before 7am on a Friday in April.
Taken from Luftee Overlook in the Smoky Mountains, about 30 minutes south of Gatlinburg on US 441.
SSS27H Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
I have witnessed enough sunrises above the Tennessee River that I can almost predict when early morning will be glorious like this.
The keys are a partly cloudy sky and getting out of bed early enough to catch the brief but spectacular sight.
SSS26V Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
I was blessed to witness this serene sunrise one warm February morning.
I walked the River Boardwalk at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville Tennessee when I captured this sunrise image.
SSS25H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
Sunrise over Norris Dam from above the West Overlook.
This TVA dam of Clinch River creates Norris Lake, featured here at Norris Dam State Park and at Big Ridge State Park near Andersonville Tennessee.
SSS23H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
I bundled up against single-digit cold on a January morning at Cloudland Canyon State Park near Rising Fawn Georgia.
This and other sunrise photos were worth the numb fingers I felt without gloves while I captured the spectacles.
SSS22H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
After setting up our tents in Roan Mountain State Park, Russ and I drove to Carver’s Gap and hiked a short distance to Round Bald where we witnessed this spectacular sunset.
I strongly encourage you to drive to Carver’s Gap and hike northbound along the Appalachian Trail. (Take plenty of water and warm clothing.) You will witness natural beauty that defies description.
SSS01H Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
I saw this sunrise from Altitude Adjustment cabin in Vilas the morning before I toured Boone, North Carolina.
Grandfather Mountain was shrouded in clouds that morning.
SSS02H Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
This was my reward after a long hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
I marveled at ridges visible from Clingman’s Dome parking area.
SSS03H Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
I enjoyed this attention-arresting sunset one late-November day. I walked in Woodlawn Cemetery in my South Woodlawn neighborhood.
SSS04H Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
Dozens of times each year I walked early morning at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Never have I seen an Ijams sunrise that surpassed this one.
SSS05H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
I hurried to Augusta Quarry Overlook to catch this sunset view.
The overlook is at the entrance to Fort Dickerson Park in South Knoxville. A Civil War earthen fort is preserved atop the hill there.
SSS06H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
Tom and I witnessed this sunset beyond Henley Street Bridge.
We were walking along Volunteer Landing to a Lady Vols basketball game at Thompson Boling Arena.
SSS07H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
I rejoiced to see this sunset as I neared Panther Creek campground after my long day hike.
Panther Creek State Park is in Hamblen County about 45 minutes northeast of Knoxville, Tennessee.
SSS08H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
I hope you enjoy this sunset over Tellico Lake.
I was mesmerized by it while camping at Lotterdale Cove Campground near Greenback, Tennessee. Beware the phony coyote that guards against annoying geese.
SSS09H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
Trees barren of leaves silhouetted by a rising or setting sun make an excellent photograph.
In this case, the trees and I were in Woodlawn Cemetery, a short walk from my Knoxville, Tennessee home.
SSS10H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
This sunset I also captured while walking at end of day in my neighborhood.
The photo is dated January 1, 2021. Happy New Year!
SSS11H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
What is it about winter days that produces SO many spectacular sunsets?
I hurried to the top of the hill near my home to capture this mid-January spectacle.
SSS12H Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
I witnessed this matchless sunrise along Pickett Park Highway at Pogue Creek Canyon near Jamestown, Tennessee.
Do you like this view? You can spend the night in a red caboose at this remote location.
SSS13H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
One of many benefits of camping: You begin your day close to nature.
After a short, easy hike from Panther Creek State Park campground near Talbott, Tennessee, I paused to experience tranquility evoked by this morning view of Cherokee Lake.
SSS14H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
After a day of heavy rain and limited activity at Panther Creek State Park near Talbott, Tennessee, I arose early and ventured outside my camping trailer.
Sunrise convinced me clouds were clearing and it was to be a better weather day.
SSS15H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
Ominous clouds gathered at dusk on this summer evening.
Sure enough, all was wet outside my tent the next morning at Lotterdale Cove Campground near Greenback, Tennessee.
SSS16H Copyright 2021 Steven L Madden
After exploring historic structures along Cades Cove Loop Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Carla and I found an ideal spot for a picnic dinner.
We lingered in the Cove until sunset, when distant trees briefly changed to a copper color.
SSS17H Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
This sunset welcomed me to Pickett State Park campground near Jamestown, Tennessee.
Most hiking trails at Pickett, along with nearby Pogue Creek Canyon and Big South Fork, feature amazing sandstone formations.
SSS18H Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
Orange frost clung to trees in early December.
I arrived that morning at Ijams Nature Center to find frost-covered trees reflected on Mead’s Quarry Lake in Knoxville, Tennessee.
SSS19H Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
This view from a hill top near my South Knoxville home occurred well past sunset on a November night.
How the sky remained this bright at 10pm, I do not know. City lights verify I took the photo late at night.
SSS20H Copyright 2020 Steven L Madden
This is one among dozens of special sunrise scenes I have enjoyed at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
From the River Boardwalk, I looked east toward a bend in the Tennessee River.
SSS21H Copyright 2022 Steven L Madden
This view made me glad I did not linger too late in my camping trailer on a frigid morning. I hiked West Rim Trail and gazed across to the east rim of Cloudland Canyon to soak in the sunrise.
Cloudland Canyon State Park offers a variety of excellent overnight accommodations. I encourage you to stay multiple days when you visit the North Georgia resort park.