Archives
Why do I like Waterfalls?
In one of my recent entries, I was asked a very simple question: "Have you ever thought about why you like waterfalls so much?" Such a simple question, but such a complex answer, and one that I'm not sure I even have. Myrdog has given me reason to stop and think about things.
I would like to say that I have loved waterfalls for my entire life, but that wouldn't be the case. I would like to say that something important happened in relation to a waterfall, but I can't. Fact is, before really getting into photography, I had only visited Linville Falls one time with my girlfriend...you know her better as my wife Jennifer. This was while we were still in college and had some time to kill before going to an extra credit project for one of my classes. We decided to go to the Falls and check them out. I don't remember much about the trip except that I didn't want to get sweaty and start to smell (hey I was still trying to impress her). We went up towards Erwin's View, but only made it about half way before turning back. I recall seeing the Falls, but wasn't really all that impressed with them. They were nice, but....
I didn't give waterfalls another thought until I had been toying with my new camera in the middle of 2005. I kept reading about the techniques involved in waterfall photography, and I wanted to see if I could do it. I started off one October afternoon along the Blue Ridge Parkway when I came across a small stream with some autumn leaves in it. There was a slight elevation drop which created a small (and do I mean small) cascade. I set things up and snapped a picture with a longer than normal shutter speed. I remember seeing how the water appeared in the LCD upon review of the image. I thought, now this is cool.
Now these images have long since departed the gallery. In fact they weren't even a part of the gallery for more than a few weeks. Within a week of photographing these images, I had gone on a Trek to Hanging Rock State Park....the first of many visits. One of my first stops in the park was to the Lower Cascades. It was here that I found myself up close and personal with my very first waterfall (as a photographer). I spent a good amount of time working this waterfall and the surrounding streams.
Autumn Waterfall Photo Copyright © 2005 G. Kiser
In a week's time I had gone from a grab shot at a new subject to a photograph that still appears in my gallery. Did anything happen between these two scenes...no, not that I know of. However, I do know that when I was in the midst of the Lower Cascades I heard something....the call of the waterfall. With each waterfall I photographed, I learned more and more about how to capture the motion of the water. It became almost like a game to me.
Another question that has been asked of me recently is, "Do you research the whereabouts of these waterfalls beforehand? Or do you simple set out in search, hoping for the best?" Michelle posed that question after my last Trek. There is a certain strategy involved in waterfall photography. Clouds, water levels, sun, wind, and the ability to get to the waterfall...all of these factors have to match up before a successful photograph can be made. There is very little left to chance when I head out on a Waterfall Trek. Sure, things happen that are out of my control, but I try to plan my Treks around all of these elements. That is part of the excitement about this particular subject.
I guess this is why I enjoy waterfall photography so much. Even though waterfalls are stagnant in nature....meaning they really don't move, so finding them is not a problem...they can change dramatically in a very short amount of time. While water is not "alive" so to speak, it has a tremendous amount of personality. Over the last few years, I have spent a lot of time getting to know the personalities of waterfalls.
Waterfalls can be symbolic of many different things, and can be related to much of life. I can't think of anything else that occurs naturally that can soothe you with its sound, and destroy everything in it's path. Water exists in both capacities simultaneously in the form of a waterfall. The sound of rushing water is a very relaxing sound, but while I am enjoying listening to it, I have to be careful not to step into the currents because it can sweep me away. The water is actually shaping the earth below as it flows. Rocks are worn down, silt is pushed downstream uncovering the harder portions of the streambed. Remember Linville Falls from earlier in this entry? The Linville Gorge was formed by that very waterfall, which has slowly receded over many hundreds of years.
Something that is so powerful and beautiful at the same time has a real appeal to me. The fact that I can capture something like that with a camera in a way that shows both aspects is amazing. With each passing visited waterfall, the call of the waterfall gets louder and more persuasive. So is there an end? With over 500 significant waterfalls just in the state of North Carolina, I doubt it. And, say I was able to visit each and every one of them. I could start over the next day and meet 500 new waterfalls because their personality is never the same. I can say this from experience after photographing several waterfalls multiple times. Each time is different, and each time the waterfall tells me how to create the photo.
If you would like to read about all of the waterfalls I have visited thus far, please drop by my waterfall directory, aptly called The Call of the Waterfall.
radar446 at 2:15:00 AM EST Blog about this entry |
Add to del.icio.us | 
digg this
-
Greg, I sure enjoyed reading this.The way you write and the words you use to describe things make it all so interesting. I love waterfalls and they can sooth me and calm me but I also can see a danger there at times. I have been near ones that are so loud and fast that they send a shiver of fear through me.
Most of your pictures make me want to sit there with my horse and enjoy the serenity. Keep on trekking to those falls.
Myke -
I got chills (in a good way), while reading your last two paragraphs... In many ways, waterfalls are like smaller storms brought down to earth from the sky. How lucky are you, to be drawn to their magic. How lucky are we, that you share.
Thanks, Greg!
Michelle -
This is a very insightful entry Greg. You may not have had any one thing point you in the direction of waterfalls or one event have you return again and again, but they have mesmerized you and charmed you. That's the thing about water ...
-
I have always just liked waterfalls too... Maybe they are like ocean waves but forest waves, so very soothing....
Linda :)
2/21/08 2:58 PM