One more time at Elowah

Went back to Elowah Falls yesterday for one last try before the maples leaf out -- it was downright muggy in the Gorge, with very high, bright overcast. The good news is that the stream levels were down significantly, and I really wasn't fighting spray or rain, compared to earlier trips. So I'm calling this a victory... for now...

To spare everyone the reshoot of the earlier scene, here's the landscape version similar to earlier attempts. I also tried some vertical versions, this one with more foreground water than before. I'd be interested with reactions and suggestions on that part, in particular. Looks like my sharpening didn't hold up as well on the vertical version as on the landscape... hmm...

Both are with an Olympus E-510, 11-22mm lens, though the vertical is at about 14mm, both with polarizer at 1 second (I think).

Tom, looks like your persistence paid off. I prefer this vertical shot with more foreground and water. I also like that the waterfall is not at center frame. The sharpening difference is visible when comparing the two, but it's not a deal breaker in the vertical.

The vertical is absolutely superb! Definitely my favourite of the two. As far as the H goes, I think that cropping out the right 1/3 would make for a more balanced comp imo.

Things are starting to look great up there.. this is definitely an improvement over the last visit..

I like it, and it's a real nice shot, but I think you do need some leaves on the trees. It looks rather stark right now.

Applause for your persistence; it paid off. I agree with Mark though, it needs some foliage.

I like the Vert. also.The falls in the Horz. looks smaller. Have to wait and see about the foliage as I have not been there yet.

Yep, add a few leaves on the trees and you've got perfection. Nice shot Tom, way to persist!

Thanks for the comments! I do intend to head up there in about three weeks to do a "with leaves" photo, although one of the reasons I was so obsessed with trying this spot before the leaves appeared is that the wind from the falls keeps the leaves in the trees on the right in perpetual motion until the water levels are down to the summer trickle. The other reason is that I've admired some of the photos I've seen here (thinking of Marc Adamus' Gorton Creek scenes) shot in April, when there's a bright green/yellow cast to the moss, and the trees aren't quite out yet.

For those who have frequented this spot, there is one frustrating development: the very large rock just downstream from where this was taken now has a fallen maple tree resting on top of it, and spanning the creek from the east bank, where it fell. David Muench has featured that particular rock in several photos, but the view has been nuked for now. It is on the moss-covered boulder in the center of this photo. The tree is about 8" in diameter, and still green, so it's going to be a few winters before it falls out of the scene. This development compounds the upended tree that now fills the foreground on Upper McCord Creek Falls... rough winter!

Here's another Muench image with the boulder in question front and center. Might need to take my chainsaw next time...