Punch Bowl Falls, Early Spring

Which is really the best time to shoot this location due the growth of foliage here blocking up most of the compostional opportunities later on in the season. I got here last Sunday morning (while leading a tour) and photographed this just as the sun was emerging, still partially filtered through the clouds.

Thanks for your comments.


1Ds Mark III, 16-35 f/2.8II at 25mm, polarizer, 2-shots blended at f/13 with different focal points for optimal DOF, sharpness and color rendition.

The right light sure sets the mood doesnt it? A few years ago i was there too early, no foilage so not much green. "Thanks for sharing Marc.

You're right, Cliff. The right light means so much. I'm glad for any opportunity I get to shoot those rare moments of filtered, soft light. I often wait around for hours if I think it might happen. Not here, though. Just got lucky with that on this one.

The light is scrumptious Marc. I love the comp too, my only nit is the scruby branches on the left side, but I know how limited your options are at that spot, so I'm sure you had no choice. The light is what this one is about anyway, beautiful.

I plan on going back this week when there's a little more green on those branches. The light was so sweet here though I couldn't resist.

Indeed, the light is sweet. I love the breadth in this image, spanning the shrubs and waaay down to the water.

Marc, I almost didn't notice the falls as I enjoyed the light on the trees above. Not sure I need to see the entire bush in the foreground - only the top would improve in my opinion.

I was just going to say the same as Zack. The soft light is beautifull and I love the delicate forest in the top of the photograph. The branches are my only "nit".
How did the tour go?

It was the first, and I can only imagine last time I will ever lead a gorge tour in late April and see snow falling. Fortunately it didn't stick around too much and we had a good time.

Was anyone brazen enough to follow you down to this spot?

That's a nice shot, Marc - I've crawled down there many times, and agree on the time of day and season, though I've had good results well into May before the foliage is too overpowering. The very wide view is also a great choice, given the volume of water at this time of year. One minor suggestion is to remove the blue cast from the white areas of the falls and splash area. Otherwise, beautiful PNW forest palette!

Gotta love that soft light coming from the back. Great timing to be there for that. I can't imagine it will be snowing again in mid April in the Gorge for quite some time but it seems you never know these days. Exposure and composition great as usual, the branches don't bother me much. I have been there know there is only so much you can do here.

Wow Marc, you are RIGHT about the light quality, that looks great. Comp too, you got the "looking over the edge" depth feeling REALLY well... my wife has vertigo, I'm NOT showing her this one!

Question: you did two f/13 images blended... are you not all that thrilled with the performance of the 16-35mm way down at f/20 or 22?

Beautiful shot light wise... I can see why you had to take a shot - the light is sweet and maybe this weekend the conditions will be even better. I'm hoping to hit the gorge this weekend also.... now is the time

This is a nice take of a classic "rite of passage" for us PNW photogs. It's a beaut, and it does look like going back is in order (I'm free next weekend, but not this one But Monday I am ).

Kevin

You're killing me Marc. This is almost exactly the shot I've been envisioning for the last year since I got rained out of my last run on Punch Bowl.

Nice to see how great this is looking so far.... Can't wait to get up there myself over the next few weeks. I've got 4 trips planned up the Eagle Creek trail..

I'll come along on one of em' Ned. I never tire of the place.

Zack - no, I didn't let anyone come down here. It's good to be the guide Business would be looking down if anyone fell off of here. I wouldn't want that.... You gotta be careful up in the gorge with a lot of first-time hikers.

Paul - I'm happy with it, but no lens is going to perform as well at f/22 as it does at f/13.

I have to be at Ellen's lacrosse game on Saturday but I'd be up for meeting up and hiking Eagle Creek if anyone wants to.

Nice shot too, btw.

I'm booked with tours on all weekend days in the coming weeks, but I'll be in the Hood River area next Monday and Tuesday evenings, Mark.

Give me a call, I'd like to go out with you.

Yeah, we'll do something. Email me with your number. I lost it. During the day on Monday I'm trying to get off trail into this really deep canyon in the Gorge I haven't explored. After that, I'll probably be out in the Dalles hills or something. I might wait till Tuesday in either case though. We'll see what the weather's like.

I love this image...perfect light. Where can I find information on how to do these blends, especially the part about blending for max depth of field?

Jack

I'd like to crawl around the Gorge on Monday AM, if you're looking for a photo buddy... or putting around somewhere there.

Just say the word.

Kevin

"Where can I find information on how to do these blends, especially the part about blending for max depth of field?"

I was just going to ask the same question. Are you using the Helicon Focus program that George Lepp mentions in the May issue of OP, or are you doing it with your own process? Either way, the result is fantastic, and I agree much better than just stopping the lens way down.

A classic of a Classic........Ill be spending quite a bit of time from the Trail head up past Tunnel falls in the next month or so.......lots of new areas up there I have found out about and am ready to explore!!!!!

Very clean image, nice foreground anchor in focus. Good light....and having shot there before I know how few options you really have up on that edge. Nice job.

Roman