I've wanted to take a shot of this waterfall for some time, but for whatever reason, I wasn't really compelled to actually make it happen until this occasion. This place feels very old and mysterious to me and I didn't really want to take a daytime shot that was highly literal. So, on an impulse, I swung down to the falls on the way back to my campsite for the evening. The sun was setting and I really wasn't sure what my composition was going to be or if I'd have enough time to get set up. Rushed, I made my way down the steep trail to the riverbed, quickly chose a composition and set up my camera. I then selected my lowest contrast film and slapped on a 2 step soft grad. By this point, it was getting very dark. The only real source of light was a cloudbank that was reflecting the last rays of the sun. I made a meter reading and opened the shutter. I ended up deciding to expose the film for 8 min, given the quickly dropping light levels and the reciprocity failure rate of the film.
After this mad rush, I sat down and waited for the exposure to elapse. Within a few min, the warm light had faded and the cool blues of twilight began to take hold. About 50 yards behind me, a white tailed buck came down to the water for a drink. Curious about my intrusion (and probably unaccustomed to seeing people on the river this time of day), he stood and stared at me for a number of minutes, appearing almost ghost like in the dim blue light. I turned away to check where I was at with my exposure and when I looked back up, he had vanished into the coming night.
After the film had been exposed, I packed up my gear and set out again for camp. My expectations weren't that high for the shot itself, as I had no idea how it'd actually turn out. The experience was memorable though and quite worthwhile, even if the image didn't pan out. A month or so later, when I got the film back, I was pleasantly surprised that the shot actually captured some of the mystery that I felt that night. The clouds had moved during my long exposure and had created a strange blur over the sky. There is also shadow detail throughout, though much of it is intentionally very dark. In a print under controlled lighting, the subtle detail would be clearly revealed, thanks for bearing with me regarding the webfile. The white background probably isn't doing me any favors either.
As always, curious of your thoughts positive or not...
While I've been to Tettegouche, I've not seen this fall. Best of all, you've really captured a nice tone that's very pleasing - and, you have a great memory of the moment!
Thanks guys. After working on the print some this evening, I did some more adjustments and updated the webfile again. All part of the game I suppose.
Posted by Robert Helms on August 29, 2007 at 12:06 AM
Well, Joel your experience sounds like an enjoyable one to me. The image is top notch in my opinion. There is nothing not to like about it. Though I would never guess it was an 8 minute exposure.
Wonderful image and thanks for sharing
Posted by Jon Massie on August 29, 2007 at 12:43 AM
That images definitely catches my attention. Big wow factor!
Posted by Chuck Beatty on August 29, 2007 at 2:33 PM
Beautiful image, Joel. This is one of your best. I really like the glow coming from both the surface and below the water. Thanks for sharing your memorable experience.
Posted by Jack Graham on August 29, 2007 at 4:16 PM
Great image Joel. Perfect shutter speed for my taste!
JG
Joel
Wow! This really creates the feeling of being in a magical world. Great shot and well worth all of you effort. Wouldn’t be great if they all turned out this well?
Thanks everyone for your feedback and encouragement...much appreciated!
Posted by Mike Leakey on September 6, 2007 at 4:47 PM
This is a great image. I really like the glow of the water as a result of the long shutter speed. What really caps it off for me is the area of water in the LLH area where you can see the rocks below the surface. Good work.
Discussion
14 repliesAfter this mad rush, I sat down and waited for the exposure to elapse. Within a few min, the warm light had faded and the cool blues of twilight began to take hold. About 50 yards behind me, a white tailed buck came down to the water for a drink. Curious about my intrusion (and probably unaccustomed to seeing people on the river this time of day), he stood and stared at me for a number of minutes, appearing almost ghost like in the dim blue light. I turned away to check where I was at with my exposure and when I looked back up, he had vanished into the coming night.
After the film had been exposed, I packed up my gear and set out again for camp. My expectations weren't that high for the shot itself, as I had no idea how it'd actually turn out. The experience was memorable though and quite worthwhile, even if the image didn't pan out. A month or so later, when I got the film back, I was pleasantly surprised that the shot actually captured some of the mystery that I felt that night. The clouds had moved during my long exposure and had created a strange blur over the sky. There is also shadow detail throughout, though much of it is intentionally very dark. In a print under controlled lighting, the subtle detail would be clearly revealed, thanks for bearing with me regarding the webfile. The white background probably isn't doing me any favors either.
As always, curious of your thoughts positive or not...
Tech stuff: Tachihara 4x5, Fujinon 90mm, Fuji 160s, 2 stop soft edge GND
As Ebert and Siskel once commented. Two thumbs up! Exposure & SS all look great!
While I've been to Tettegouche, I've not seen this fall. Best of all, you've really captured a nice tone that's very pleasing - and, you have a great memory of the moment!
Tim!
Wonderful image and thanks for sharing
JG
Wow! This really creates the feeling of being in a magical world. Great shot and well worth all of you effort. Wouldn’t be great if they all turned out this well?
CJ