Posted by Tom Kloster on March 15, 2008 at 1:43 PM
The good news is that I actually got out to stretch my legs and take a few photos on Friday afternoon! The bad news is that it was a bit damp... But I hiked up both prongs of the McCord Creek trail, largely inspired by Darren's recent photo of Elowah Falls. I've been trying to get a decent photo of this falls for years, and always come away disappointed.
Yesterday was no exception - the creek flow is very heavy right now, so the view from creek level is overwhelmed by spray, and the scene rather harsh. This view is off-centered, as something a little different than Darren's shot! I was happy with the exposure for the foreground, but needed something longer for the falls, since it's a bit lumpy at this speed. Yes, I'll be heading back up there, again..! Comments and suggestions appreciated, as always.
Posted by Tom Kloster on March 15, 2008 at 1:50 PM
On a related note, for anyone thinking about a visit to Upper McCord Creek Falls this Spring, be forewarned that a large maple tree top has broken off from the overlook and dumped into the foreground of the scene. As you may be able to see in this photo, it is almost perfectly vertical, with a Y-shaped branch propping it up. In other words, it could be there for awhile - ugh! When I went down to the lower viewpoint, the trunk extended almost halfway up the view of the falls, so it would be very hard to work around.
Tom, I like the comp. I like all the green and the exposure on the water. I would like a little more detail in the shadows on the foreground rocks.
Posted by Bryan Swan on March 15, 2008 at 11:39 PM
Tom, I'm headed up there on Monday. I might see if I can rough up that branch a bit.
I like the volume of water I'm seeing there. Makes shooting from straight on at the base a problem, but I've been wanting to try a shot from way up the slope to the right of the falls - looks like it'll be pretty good to me right now.
Posted by Tom Kloster on March 16, 2008 at 12:28 AM
Thanks Ryan! Bryan, you'll need a rope, chainsaw and maybe a stick of dynamite. And maybe a log yarder.
This photo pretty much tells the story, as seen from the lower viewpoint -- and why I didn't bother to get my big camera out! Lots of water up there, though. In fact, that upper tier on Elowah is shooting roostertails off the top of Elowah - you can see them cresting the fin of rock at the top of my Elowah photo. Pretty lively! All of the seasons drops are out right now, too, Bryan - even Mist Falls looks mighty!
Tom
Posted by Tom Kloster on March 16, 2008 at 12:41 AM
Bryan - while I was up there, I also poked around to see where the "third segment" might have split off, and you can plainly see where the small channel located to the left of the boulders (visible just upstream from the falls in the previous pic) once diverted over the side, but now drops back into the main channel. Nothing that a couple of determined waterfall enthusiasts with Peavys couldn't correct...
For those who don't know what I'm talking about, Upper McCord Creek Falls had a third tier as recently as the late 1970s, and resembled a mini-Niagra during peak runoff. In this old photo, the water levels were below what was flowing on Friday, but still enough to keep the third tier flowing.
Discussion
5 repliesYesterday was no exception - the creek flow is very heavy right now, so the view from creek level is overwhelmed by spray, and the scene rather harsh. This view is off-centered, as something a little different than Darren's shot! I was happy with the exposure for the foreground, but needed something longer for the falls, since it's a bit lumpy at this speed. Yes, I'll be heading back up there, again..! Comments and suggestions appreciated, as always.
Olympus E-510, 11-22mm lens. 1/2 second, polarizer, ProBrella and lotsa mist...
I like the volume of water I'm seeing there. Makes shooting from straight on at the base a problem, but I've been wanting to try a shot from way up the slope to the right of the falls - looks like it'll be pretty good to me right now.
This photo pretty much tells the story, as seen from the lower viewpoint -- and why I didn't bother to get my big camera out! Lots of water up there, though. In fact, that upper tier on Elowah is shooting roostertails off the top of Elowah - you can see them cresting the fin of rock at the top of my Elowah photo. Pretty lively! All of the seasons drops are out right now, too, Bryan - even Mist Falls looks mighty!
Tom
For those who don't know what I'm talking about, Upper McCord Creek Falls had a third tier as recently as the late 1970s, and resembled a mini-Niagra during peak runoff. In this old photo, the water levels were below what was flowing on Friday, but still enough to keep the third tier flowing.
Tom