My second favorite shot from my trip to this secret waterfall. Only one more
Apr, 2016Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This was taken during a day trip to the Gifford Pinchot national forest in Washington. My group and I had to bushwack our way from the McClellan Lookout.Time
Because of the waterfall being located within a small gully we had to arrive and shoot a little after midday when the sun could reach past the trees.Lighting
Lighting was crucial to getting the incredible effect. We lucked out really that the sun couldn't cover everything because the contrast really made the water itself stand out.Equipment
The photo was taken with a Canon 5d using a 14-70mm lens. No other equipment was necessary.Inspiration
Waterfalls have always inspired me. Their raw power and scenic beauty are truly astonishing. When I was told about this location I didn't do any research, just hopped in the car and went. When we got there it was even more incredible than I had expected and I could hardly put the camera down. This shot in particular was thanks to me looking for a new angle and turning in time to see my friends. In the end it was one of only maybe 30 pictures, most of the time spent there was just staring in amazement.Editing
Post processing is crucial to bringing out a photos real potential. Because I use Lightroom my first step is always to boost the clarity. It brings out all the details so you know what you're really working with. On this particular occassion my focus was on contrast and highlights. The angle of the light afforded a great natural distinction between the cold power of the waterfall and the glow of the mist. I really had to work to balance those without blowing them out. Really the focus was on catching and emphasizing all movements of the water, define the beauty that comes out of the chaos.In my camera bag
Any day trip or extended stay includes my 5d, my first ever camera provided by my Proffessional photographer mother. Of course a tripod, a basic 50mm and 17-40mm lenses, a couple CF's and my intervalometer in case an opportunity for a timelapse presents itself.Feedback
I got lucky on this one. For the best results, a knowledge of the terrain is crucial so you can plan a trip for the right time of day to get the necessary lighting. And of course weather plays a huge factor, on a cloudy day your photo can have a whole different feeling than if you took it on a sunny day. This shot was taken with a relatively quick shutter speed to capture the detail in the water and to prevent the blurring of the people. Know which shots you want so you don't have to fumble around getting all the right settings and missing a prime opportunity. Most importantly, just go crazy. Take lots of pictures from even the worst angles, some could turn out to be your masterpiece.
