Bill_Hughes

Duke's Creek Falls

One of the waterfalls at Duke's Creek Falls in Georgia.

One of the waterfalls at Duke's Creek Falls in Georgia.
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NIKON D7100

settings

Aperture f/11 ISO 100 Shutter 68/1 Focal Length 180/10

upload_date

Jul, 2015

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154

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+24

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PRO

Nice slow shutter magic.

Thank you, Ruwan. Very nice of you to say.

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Same photographer See all Behind The Lens

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Behind The Lens

Location

Many people associate Georgia with peanut farming, grits, and a whole lot of Y'alls and Yonders. But alongside the Peach orchards, Peanut farms, and red clay roads, Northeast Georgia boasts some very seductive and alluring trails, woodlands and waterfalls. This photograph is of Duke's Creek Falls, which is located a few serene switchbacks away from the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway in White County, Georgia. A walk in the woods is always worth my time, but finding such a jewel as this, situated among the emerald foliage, made it all the more rewarding.

Time

In many ways, I typify the classic 'Golden Hour' photographer. I sacrifice a good many of those lovely, lazy, lounging breakfasts and late evening dinners in exchange for the possible payoff of a photograph awash in that indescribably surreal glow that is only available for the briefest of moments twice daily. But the truth is, I'm actually a bit of a photographic opportunist who realizes that genuine beauty doesn't require the Sun's cosmetic enhancement and doesn't disappear like Cinderella's slipper at the end of 'The Hour.' For example, this image was shot in the dead of Summer (July 23, 2015) during the peak of the afternoon (2:55 PM). It has no 'golden' glow, but, it clearly possesses an organically captivating elegance that is all its own.

Lighting

No photograph exists without lighting and I deeply admire the work of photographers whose use of light, sublime or enthusiastic, enhances the power and appeal of their subject. Some of my favorite photographs would fall flat, if not for the impact of a dazzling use of light. Others, however, would suffer significantly by such a display. Light is to photography what seasoning is to cooking. Occasionally, it must be liberally applied. Oftentimes, anything more than a pinch is too much. I felt that in order to accurately convey the power, peace, and personality of this scene, the proper use of lighting was critical. The area is quiet and, to some degree, private. I wanted to communicate the intimate nature of the scene, rather than to exploit it in a grand, exhibitionistic fashion. Thus, harsh glares, exaggerated highlights, and hard contrasts between light and dark would need to be eliminated. In order to accomplish this, I utilized a Neutral Density filter and a long exposure time with a mid-range aperture setting. In the end, I think it presented the tone of the scene just as I experienced it in that moment.

Equipment

A shot such as this, given the time of day that I made the exposure - and in order to convey equally the power and gentility of the scene - required both the use of a tripod and a Neutral Density (ND) filter. Because I did not want to risk any unnecessary camera movement, I also employed an infrared, remote shutter-release. The mid-afternoon sun was harsh, so the ND filter allowed the long shutter speed that enabled me to display the moving water in a smooth, elegant fashion very similar to the way that I experienced it personally. In my case, I used the Lee Big Stopper, a 10-stop ND filter. The image was shot with a Nikon D7100 and Sigma 18-250mm macro lens. It is a 68-second exposure at a focal length of 18mm at f / 11 and ISO 100. I also placed a rubber cover over the eye piece in order to eliminate extraneous light from reaching the sensor.

Inspiration

The simple answer is that at the exact moment I walked into view of this hidden, mini-utopia I entered a state of aesthetic arrest. The longer response is that I grew up playing in the woods and have always identified, strange as it probably sounds, with small, private, secluded areas of Nature. There is something in the intimacy of scenes such as this that provides me with a sense of comfort and safety. As photographers, we are blessed with a hobby / art form / field of employment that gives us complete control over how much we wish to balance socializing with solitude. We can include others or wander off on our own. On this day, I was immersed in the feeling of blissful solitude. Only my wife was with me and we enjoyed sharing this moment of serenity in silence as the camera's aperture took in what we were recording in the sensors of our minds.

Editing

I have never found myself compelled by any of the arguments offered by those who suggest that SOOC images (Straight-out-of-Camera) are inherently 'pure,' whereas images that have gone through 'post' processing are somehow 'impure' or of lesser value. Cameras are mechanical devices that permit human beings to record (digitally or on film) what the photographer sees through her or his eyes. At this stage, the photographer manipulates camera settings. In some cases, the limitations imposed by the camera render an image that exactly represents what the photographer intended to convey. In others, those settings prove inadequate and hardware manipulation is followed by software manipulation. It is all manipulation in the service of artistry. My post-processing involved slight adjustments in Lightroom for correcting lens distortion, bringing out detail in some shadows and reducing luminosity in some color ranges. Further processing in Photoshop augmented slight adjustments in color saturation and hue to improve the overall balance and harmony of the final product. The end result is that it now reveals what I saw as I viewed this pleasant display of Nature's gentle warmth.

In my camera bag

Well, I wish that I had the luxury of snapping up every bit of gear and gadgetry that calls out to me in the silence of the night, but I remain somewhat limited in that regard. What I always pack is the D7100 body, a Nikkor 50mm lens and Sigma 18-250 macro lens, a Circular Polarizer, remote shutter release, tripod, and Lee Big Stopper. I suspect I would be chided by many, if they knew that I do not always pack along the Nikkor 70–200mm f/2.8G ED VR II. The truth is, I enjoy landscape photography and find the 70-200, whose glass is to photography what good champagne is to a Black and White soiree, a little less satisfying than the other two that I most frequently employ. Having said that, when I am shooting athletes at various events, the 70-200 goes on right from the start and works like a horse until I am home with the SD card in its slot.

Feedback

My favorite photographers are not those who simply create great images, but those who create great images AND who freely share their experience-based knowledge with others who love the work of photography and who long to grow in the field. Any experienced photographer already knows that the longer a shutter remains open (slow shutter speed), the more likely the image is to become blurred. Unhappily, some images (this one, for instance) require a slow shutter speed (again, keeping the shutter open for a longer period of time than the human hand can possibly hold steady). In such cases, a tripod is a necessity. Why a slow shutter speed? [This is for those not already in the know]. When moving water is shot at a fast shutter speed, the rugged ripples and craggy surface is captured in full, hard splendor. If one wishes to convey power, fury, and / or strength, this is a phenomenal way to do it. Occasionally, however, we wish to present the smooth, fluid,and gentle side of water; such as, in this waterfall. A slower shutter speed keeps the aperture of the lens open for longer periods of time. This allows a lot of light to pour through the lens and onto the camera's sensor. Moving water presents a lot of light in a lot of places and the longer the lens remains open, the more that light is revealed. Craggy, rugged waves of contrasting light and darkness give way to what appears as a soft, white stream of light. This is often referred to as a 'cotton candy' effect and it renders a different feel to the scene. From powerful to peaceful. From stormy to serene. If you are using a camera that lets you 'lock' the mirror (often called 'mirror lock up' mode), use it. The iconic 'snap' sound that provides photographers the nickname of 'snappers,' is made by that little mirror snapping up into place so that light can pour into the lens and onto the sensor. That 'snap' also vibrates the camera ever so slightly, which can, in some cases, introduce an unwanted blur, reducing the crispness of your image. Another source of unwanted 'blur' comes from the photographer's finger as it depresses the shutter release button. An easy way to eliminate this particular form of distraction is to use a wireless shutter-release device. There are plenty on the market and the right one for your camera can easily be located on the Internet with a quick search. Finally, as I've noted already, I used a Neutral Density (ND) filter on this shot. Think back to our earlier thoughts on the longer (i.e, slower) shutter speeds. Creative control over the appearance of moving water can be conveyed by lengthening the shutter speed. More light pours in. However, if it is mid-afternoon, as it was when this image was made, opening the aperture for a long period of time will simply flood the sensor with light and you will end up with a shot that looks as if you took a picture of a pillow case at close range. A Neutral Density filter is like a sunglass lens for your camera's lens. Good ones are carefully calibrated to prevent them from giving a colored cast to your image. Good ones are expensive. Like most anything else in this field, though, they are worth the cost. Placing an ND filter on the lens darkens the scene, allowing you to keep the aperture open a little longer before the shutter closes. If you have never tried this, I hope you will. Use a small stream after a heavy rain to practice. A waterfall isn't necessary for that. Good luck to those of you who will try this for the first time. And remember: Have Fun!

See more amazing photos, follow Bill_Hughes

Bill_Hughes

Bill_Hughes

Duke's Creek Falls

One of the waterfalls at Duke's Creek Falls in Georgia.

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow Bill_Hughes

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