On my way to doing the Alpine Loop this weekend (Awesome, BTW) i knocked off another on my 'must-see' list, N Clear Creek Falls (also checked out the falls further south). I didnt want to do the usual photos from the observation area, so i scrambled down the steep talus-covered cliffs in the dark to get to the base of the falls for sunrise. Here's a few, one more on ESS. This one is before sunrise.
Here's one from the top looking down. I can see why this falls is so popular--great place!
Posted by Rajeev Thomas on August 18, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Stan!! I never seen N.Clear Creek Falls this way... I am sure you are the first one to shoot it from the creek. I really like the first one.... big thumbs up for going for the unique compositions!! Great job Stan....
Posted by Jesse Speer on August 18, 2009 at 9:00 PM
Three thumbs up on #1 and #2. Two thumbs up on 3 and 4. Love the close-up exposure choice.
Thanks, no Rajeev ive seen others from the creek, but most of them are later in the day, since i think the normal way is to hike up the creek from a couple miles downstream, as opposed to risking death going down the talus slopes
Posted by Mike Dunn on August 18, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Stan, #1 & 3 are simply awesome.
Posted by Erik Aagaard on August 18, 2009 at 10:39 PM
North Clear Creek Falls from below is (used to be) a well-kept secret. I really like the first one in this thread - what a great shot!
Here's one I took back in 1996 - a little closer and lower than your second shot. My partner in crime actually lowered his 4x5 camera kit down the slope on a rope, and then scrambled after.
Posted by bill meikle on August 18, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Amazing pics Stan, love the waterfall. The only nit I have with the first one is that the river is a little disconnected from the falls, an issue I have seen before. Love #2 and #3. Great colors.
Posted by Todd Caudle on August 18, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Great series, Stan!
Posted by Dan Walters on August 18, 2009 at 11:14 PM
Great shots Stan! Like the color of the rocks and the motion of the water in that first image. That second BW is pretty dramatic as well.
Stan,
I like all the images, but really like the water in #3. The almost bridal vale look that you captured is incredible.
Posted by Stan Rose on August 18, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Thanks David, yeah i think the falls may actually be nicer in late summer when the flow is not as huge (plus less spray to deal with!)
Erik--thanks--the thought of lowering a 4X5 down there makes me shudder!
Posted by Kalin Wilson on August 19, 2009 at 1:06 AM
Nice perspective. I like the B&W treatment too. I need to get there sometime myself.
Posted by Pam Colander on August 19, 2009 at 1:13 AM
One and three grab my attention. Kudos for getting down and in there Stan. I'd crop the first to more of a pano and the sky looks weirdly pasted on in three but what a beautiful set of falls.
Posted by Momo Vuyisich on August 19, 2009 at 2:28 AM
I love #1 and #3. Thanks for posting.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on August 19, 2009 at 8:08 AM
These are awesome! I especially like the close-up.
Posted by Craig Schultz on August 19, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Hmm, I'm having mixed feelings about these. They are definitely unique and kudos for that, but they seem to have lost the power and size of this waterfall. The first image makes it seem like a little trickle coming over the cliff instead of a huge, powerful waterfall that it is.
I think they would all be helped with something for size comparison, trees, people, etc. The wide angle lens definitely didn't do any favors here, so perhaps a moderate telephoto would have been a better choice.
Just my 2 cents and since I'm way to chicken to do what you did on those cliff, you can ignore it.
Posted by Jody Grigg on August 19, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Great stuff Stan you beat me to it, that location is on my to do list.
Craig, all opinions are welcome--that's why i post here! Here's another angle, which i just reposted on ESS. I used a tele on the closeups. #1 is meant to be different in that it doesnt show the "power" of the falls--its meant to be what you see on the approach to the falls. There are trees and shrubs etc visible here so im not sure i agree with your second paragraph, although i understand your point. But short of putting a person in the shot there was really no way to accomplish what you are looking for other than to shoot the standard wide angle shot above the falls--which in my opinion would be pointless especially this time of the year when the power of the falls is greatly diminished due to the reduced water flow. Thanks for your comments!
Discussion
25 repliesHere's one I took back in 1996 - a little closer and lower than your second shot. My partner in crime actually lowered his 4x5 camera kit down the slope on a rope, and then scrambled after.
I like all the images, but really like the water in #3. The almost bridal vale look that you captured is incredible.
Erik--thanks--the thought of lowering a 4X5 down there makes me shudder!
I think they would all be helped with something for size comparison, trees, people, etc. The wide angle lens definitely didn't do any favors here, so perhaps a moderate telephoto would have been a better choice.
Just my 2 cents and since I'm way to chicken to do what you did on those cliff, you can ignore it.
This is a gorgeous waterfall. Great series, but I'm with Don...absolutely love the last one, followed by #2 and #3.