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Behind the Camera: Scattered Showers
Each month about this time, I choose one of my own photographs to share in a slightly more personal light than in other entries. I try to share a bit about how the photograph was made, as well as a little bit about why I like the picture.
Scattered Showers
It will come as no surprise to anyone that waterfalls are one of my favorite subjects to photograph. I like pretty much everything about them, and absolutely love how the moving water photographs. Scattered Showers actually embodies just about everything that I love about waterfalls in one (surprisingly) simple photograph. Because of the close in nature of this photograph, you probably won't recognize which waterfall you are looking at. For those that are interested, this is a section of Tory's Falls in Hanging Rock State Park.
This picture was created earlier in the month of April after several good rains in the area. Tory's Falls is usually not very active because of a very small water source. However, with the rains that had fallen recently, the falls were quite spectacular to look at. In fact, this was the best I had ever seen them. This is actually one of the tallest waterfalls in the state and is impossible to capture the whole thing in one shot, or even from one single location. There is a main section that can be photographed well from a rock outcropping across a small gorge. However, this is one of those waterfalls where it almost a better idea to focus your attention on smaller sections of the falls. This is especially the case when the water flow is down.
Considering the distance between where the waterfall is, and where you can actually get to safely (about 250-300 feet away), being able to pick sections out to photograph can be a bit of a challenge. My previous camera rig was not able to pick small portions out with a zoom limited to 200mm. With my new telezoom that equates to 320mm, I have much greater reach than before and can really work some details. For this shot, I was nearly at the end of that available zoom range.
On the end of the lens was the prerequisite polarizing filter to remove the glare from the wet rocks, and to provide a 2-stop reduction in shutter speed. Of course the whole thing was mounted to my tripod to keep things perfectly still for the long exposure of about 2 seconds. At this focal length, the slightest jiggle would have created enough vibration to make this look like an earthquake was happening. In fact, to further reduce any chance of vibration, I used my mirror lockup and waited about 2 full seconds before finally releasing the shutter.
Alright, enough about the technical stuff on this photograph. As I said before, this photo represents just about everything that I like about waterfalls. Of course, the main element is the silky water as it flows gently over the rocks. There is just something about how the speed and intensity of the water will create various densities of white over the dark rocks. Some of the sections are nearly solid white, while others are just wisps of cotton. This aspect was the inspiration behind the name of the photograph. When you look at a waterfall in real time, this part doesn't show up nearly as well as when photographed. The path that the water takes over the rocks is very easily seen and followed which makes for a great visual path for your eyes to follow.
There is more than just the way water photographs that stands out in this picture. The different lines that move through and across the picture are just great. The rocks provide their own diagonal and horizontal lines, while the water either follows those lines, or creates its own vertical line right on top of the rocks. The interplay of that many lines should be confusing, but with waterfalls, it adds visual excitement and drama. The lines all work together in harmony.
The last big element that I see in this picture is the wet and saturated rocks. With the polarizer attached, all glare is removed, just leaving the wonderful warm tones of the sediment encrusted rocks. This supplies all the needed color, while the other rocks are forced into the shadows providing a very nicely contrasting backdrop for the white water that flows over them.
When all of these elements come together in a picture, I can look at it for hours upon hours. After reading all of this, maybe you can get a glimpse of how I look at this particular picture, and why I chose this particular composition to photograph.
If you would like to learn more about one of my pictures, even if it is an old one, just let me know. Every picture of mine has a story to share, and I am always up to sharing the stories that want to be heard. Also, I have been thinking about doing a dual entry for this feature...at least once to see how it goes. The idea is to not only share my take on a picture, but also have somebody else tell me how they view the same picture. Everyone will view the same picture a bit differently, and over the years I've gotten some interesting reactions from my pictures. This would be the chance to let everyone else know what you see in my pictures. If you are interested, just let me know.
radar446 at 4:38:00 PM EDT Blog about this entry |
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This is one of those photos it's hard to stop looking at. It makes it easy to see why you love the falls so much. I'm up for participation in whatever new features you want to get started here! Martha :-)
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I enjoyed your descriptive story with this photo and hope your will do more of this. Sort of the story behind the story thing. I could hear the rushing water and feel the spray of the water on my face. Thanks. Dawn
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What a wonderful image and a great description of why you love it! The pattern of the rocks is almost mosaic to look at, with the lichens giving it a softer look. The flow of water looks almost ethereal, there's definitely something about waterfalls that stirs the spirit and inspires the soul. Jeannette xx
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As always, you've managed to lift me out of this tiny room and away from my computer, to a place of calm and beauty with another beautiful photo and detailed description. It's no wonder you love the falls, Greg. Magnificent gifts of nature...
Michelle
4/28/08 10:26 AM
Lisa