russellkinerson

SolDuc_DSC1608-2048

NIKON D800E

settings

Aperture f/14.0 ISO 100 Shutter 5/1 Focal Length 250/10

upload_date

Apr, 2015

Views

1058

Likes

+271

Awards

Zenith Award

Creative Winter Award

Curator's Selection

Top Shot Award 21

Contest Finalist in Streams In Nature Photo Contest

Featured

Editor's Choice

Superb Composition

+86

Peer Award

+66

Absolute Masterpiece

+30

Top Choice

+30

Outstanding Creativity

+26

Superior Skill

All Star

Genius

Virtuoso

Magnificent Capture

Emotions

Impressed

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 20 rank week 2

Top 20 rank week 1

Gorgeous Image.

Ultimate

Beautiful, the moss just lights up the entire shot. Great POV.

See all

Same photographer See all Behind The Lens

This is a 2 image composite. One shot exposed for the landscape and one shot exposed for the moon.

This is a composite image. The background is one of the first Milky Way photographs that I've taken. The foreground is on an ancient juniper. I w

A few totally natural and untouched remnants of the tall grass prairie ecosystem exist today. This is one of them.

Cardinal takes shelter from a late springtime snowstorm. Note the snowflake on his head.

This is a 12 image pano of the Balanced Rock in Arches National Park. Nikon D800E, Nikkor 50mm f-1.4. Each shot a 10 sec exposure at ISO 3200. A Pe

Twin Falls_Buffalo National River_DSC5165

Great Blue Heron - early morning light_DSC8365-2048

Noise reduction of the sky by stacking 10 layers. Noise reduction of the foreground via a long exposure, low-ISO image.

Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken in the Olympic National Forest on the Olympic Peninsula of the State of Washington. It was about a 3 mile hike along a well maintained trail through a forest of magnificent spruce and fir. And it was raining. It was raining hard enough that I didn't dare attempt to change lenses, but that was OK as I had made my lens choice prior to leaving the car.

Time

According to the EFIX data this photo was taken 5/3/14 at 12:21PM. Because of the overcast and rain there was no problem taking landscape images outside of the golden hour. Nor was there any need to use a ND filter. The camera settings were ISO 100, 25mm, f/14, 5sec.

Lighting

When it comes to waterfalls, generally the best conditions can be found on overcast days. Rain is a plus as colors saturate and the image just "pops". Presumably fill flash could have been used on the foreground but I didn't even consider it.

Equipment

I was using a Nikon D800E, with Nikkor 16-35 1:4G ED lens, on a Gitzo tripod and of course a cable release.

Inspiration

I don't know what my favorite subject is to photograph. My portfolio is somewhat eclectic including beautiful women, butterflies, birds, large animals, flowers, mountain ranges, rivers and waterfalls. Fortunately for me, I don't have to have a favorite. In this instance the reason for a 6 mile round trip hike in the rain was to photograph waterfalls on the Sol Duc river and its tributaries. For the life of me, I cannot imagine anyone crossing the stream and not wanting to photograph it.

Editing

I shoot in camera RAW so, yes, I always post-process. Sometimes an image requires a lot of post-processing to create what I saw or what I envisioned. In this case it was pretty simple. Beyond the standard adjustment of sliders to perfect the exposure, it was mostly a bit of dodging and burning. Like we used to do in the darkroom, but so much easier. Because of the light conditions that day I didn't have to attend to any blown-out highlights on the water.

In my camera bag

I normally carry quite a lot of equipment operating under the rubric of "it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it". Of course, I must admit that as I get older I've gotten a bit more selective in what I feel is necessary. On this hike I was carrying my D800E, a Nikkor 16-35, a Nikkor 80-400, a Nikkor 50, assorted ND and polarizing filters, Gitzo tripod, microfiber cloth, towels, and plastic bags. Yes, you read that right, I do use a telephoto for landscape work. Sometimes I just like to get intimate.

Feedback

If you wish to photograph waterfalls perhaps the most important thing is to go when there's plenty of water. That sounds silly I know but I've photographed more than my share of trickles. Try to plan your trip during the wet season. The second most important thing would be the weather. Bright sunlight dappling through the forest is lovely and the way it sparkles on the water stirs our souls. But bright sunlight generally makes for difficult photography conditions on waterfalls. Go when it's cloudy, raining, snowing, or go at night. Go when you'd rather be at home with a drink in your hand. Remember, when it comes to landscape photography, bad weather can make for good conditions. Protect yourself: Don't forget to dress appropriately for the conditions and for what they may deteriorate to. Protect your gear: A large plastic bag over your camera and lens will provide a lot op protection from the elements. Use a rubber band to attach the bag to the sun shade, cut away the plastic that would be over the lens (you have a UV filter in place to protect the glass don't you) and pull the bag back over your camera. A big enough bag and you can cover your head too. (Just don't let your mother know you put your head in a plastic bag.)

See more amazing photos, follow russellkinerson

russellkinerson

russellkinerson

SolDuc_DSC1608-2048

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow russellkinerson

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes. Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.