willnic

Takkakaw Falls, Yoho National Park

Canon PowerShot A4000 IS

settings

Aperture f/3.2 ISO 100 Shutter 1/640 Focal Length 6875/1000

upload_date

Nov, 2015

Views

132

Likes

Awards

Staff Winter Selection 2015

Top Choice

Superb Composition

Peer Award

Absolute Masterpiece

Top Ranks

Top 20 rank

Top 30 rank

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 30 rank

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 30 rank

Behind The Lens

Location

This photos was taken below Takkakaw Falls, Yoho National Park, the second highest falls in North America. I'm a beginner photographer so it was a bit of a test, but it seemed to work out well. I played around with the focus to draw the eye into the falls.

Time

The photo was taken around 10am - late enough to illuminate everything nicely but still early enough in the day to provide a soft lighting, perfect for exposing the landscape features without washing them out.

Lighting

I like the way that the shadows transition into bright sunlight from right to left, adding another pathway from which the eye can seek out the falls. The shadows which play across the falls themselves add an interesting texture to the water.

Equipment

I simply used a handheld Canon Eos DSLR with standard lens. It's good for mid-range shots like this.

Inspiration

These falls are some of the most impressive I've ever seen, but you can only really appreciate their true scale when standing at a healthy distance - the surrounding cliffs and trees provide a backdrop for highlighting just how huge the falls really are. I also like the way the river meanders towards the foreground of the photo, providing a sense of calm and closure after the tumult of the falls.

Editing

I simply added a lens blur centered around the falls, to draw the eyes in, and upped the saturation by around 15% to make the colors pop.

In my camera bag

If I'm going anywhere worth photographing, I always make sure to bring along my Canon Eos DSLR with standard lens - it's easy to use and great for an amateur photographer like me. I also always bring along my iPhone 6s for panoramas, selfies and scenes where the DSLR struggles with lighting or colors (sometimes the automatic adaptability of the 6s surpasses the DSLR in these instances), and my GoPro for wide angle shots and anything where I don't want to risk my other cameras...such as standing directly below a giant waterfall!

Feedback

Pick your time of day - the angle of the sun and the harshness or softness of the light make a big difference to the end photo. I like early morning and about an hour before sunset. Also be sure to bring plenty of options in terms of photography - sometimes it's better to bust out your smartphone and take the photo instead of the heavier DSLR, as cameras on the iphone 6s or similar are often better suited to capture subtle light variations or hidden colors.

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willnic

willnic

Takkakaw Falls, Yoho National Park

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow willnic

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