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Paradise Falls
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Paradise Falls

by Zack Schnepf

Gallery: LandscapePosted May 15, 20101,030 views23 comments
I had the perfect day yesterday. Adrian Klein and I went exploring into a new rainforest area where we shot this incredible scene. Then home to take a quick nap. The rest of the day I hung out with my wife and daughter playing outside on the nicest day I can remember. The weather in Portland can only be described heavenly for the next few days.

The light was actually pretty fantastic as it filtered through the canopy. Neither Adrian or I had been here before, and we it really lived up to our expectations, although I've never seen or had to hike through more poison oak in my life, YIKES!

Both Adrian and I were first inspired to start looking for this location after we saw Marc's version of this area, his photo is still by far the best image I've seen of this area. It took us 3 years to finally get here, but it was worth the wait.

5DII
17-40L + polarizer
4 exposures blended by hand, f/20, ISO 320

Comments

23 comments
Comment posted by Ned Fenimore on May 15, 2010 at 11:43 AM
Looking good! I'll be here Tuesday or Wednesday and can't wait!
Registered on November 1, 2003, 467 Posts, 2803 Comments
Comment posted by Joseph Kayne on May 15, 2010 at 11:52 AM
Open up the shadows a tiny bit and reduce the saturation a tiny bit and you have a 10!!!! Good photography!
Registered on November 1, 2003, 573 Posts, 2619 Comments
Comment posted by Marc Adamus on May 15, 2010 at 12:21 PM
Glad you guys made it out there! Water still flowing and greens looking great, but not for much longer now that summery weather is here. I noticed last time I went down here there's somewhat of a scramble-path developing, no doubt due to the increased photog traffic - a fine line we try to walk there, of course. I think a little less contrast might work a bit better, but very picky stuff. The image looks splendid all around.
Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments
Comment posted by Zack Schnepf on May 15, 2010 at 12:39 PM
Thanks for the feedback. Here is a version with a little less contrast especially in the shadows. I know what you mean Marc, there were definitely signs of increased traffic to this spot. Hopefully it will remain pristine.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2528 Comments
Comment posted by John Mumaw on May 15, 2010 at 1:00 PM
This is an almost Edenic scene. The composition and light are flawless!
I do like the reposted version better, as well. I think the lights in the upper left could be toned down just a wee bit.

Great work, Zack!
Registered on September 9, 2005, 62 Posts, 2289 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Metternich on May 15, 2010 at 1:05 PM
Great work and wonderful reward here Zack!!! :toast:

That poison oak is a bitc*! When I was a kid I was so allergic it sent me to the Dr's many a time. Yet, you can't let a thing like that stop you! Just put a lot of clothing on, don't rub your face or privates! Then wash as soon as possible upon reaching home!
Killer shot, worth the risk.

I think this is one of the best I have seen from here, but only wish you had semi diffused light (like a light cloud passing by the sun) to bring back a little of the blown foliage on the left upper region of the frame.

Makes me eager to see the place with my own eyes one day (maybe next spring).

Mark
Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments
Comment posted by Zack Schnepf on May 15, 2010 at 1:13 PM
Mark, we actually shot this in those conditions as well, but I actually preferred the more direct light version, it just had a warmer feel a pop, but I'll post softer versions later.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2528 Comments
Comment posted by Doug Roane on May 15, 2010 at 1:48 PM
Wow, what a lush paradise - amazing light, colors, comp - everything came together perfectly on this one Zack - Bravo! :toast: :toast: I wouldn't change a thing - the original is better
Registered on December 12, 2008, 213 Posts, 2226 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on May 15, 2010 at 4:03 PM
I like the repost, myself. A fairytale scene for sure. Excellent comp, color, and light.
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments
Comment posted by Md Bin Tughlak on May 15, 2010 at 4:14 PM
whatever Marc did past year, other Oregon photogs go there next year and copy that. probably next year they will lead workshop there. :)
very funny. why dont they come up with some original. :(
Registered on December 15, 2009, 0 Posts, 11 Comments
Comment posted by Zack Schnepf on May 15, 2010 at 4:29 PM
Md, no one in their right mind would ever lead a workshop here, unless they wanted to get sued for endangering lives and a hospital bill for the cortisone shot they needed for the poison oak rash. This is not an easy area to get into, and although Marcs shot is the best I've seen of this location, he was not the first to find it. In fact there was a write up on this location on several hiking websites a few years back, but yes I do agree Marc does get a lot of people inspired to follow in his footsteps, including myself. He has a gift for inspiration. I will say both Adrian and I were very conscious to avoid Marc's comp from here and we both found interesting and creative vantages to capture instead. There is a difference between being inspired to visit a location and copying someones work.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2528 Comments
Comment posted by Kent Mearig on May 15, 2010 at 7:14 PM
I really like the discontinuous curving lines of the white water. I'm a little overwhelmed by the electric yellow-greens, but it could just be my monitor.
Registered on September 4, 2006, 237 Posts, 4748 Comments
Comment posted by Marc Adamus on May 15, 2010 at 7:43 PM
Bryan Swan first told me about this spot years ago, so I'll give him the credit for my shot at least. I do also hike plenty of streams in the gorge far off-trail and have many shots I've never seen or heard of from anyone else. That said, I think it's wrong for anyone in this day and age to assume they're the first to photograph just about anything and therefore, useless to try to avoid doing what others have done. Just do what makes you happy and try to take care of nature while you're out there. I don't mind people taking inspiration from what I've done just the same as I take inspiration from others. And yes, I can't imagine anyone crazy enough to lead a workshop here or lots of other places Zack and I have shot in the gorge.
Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments
Comment posted by Daniel Rappaport on May 15, 2010 at 9:06 PM
The dappled light and shadow really make this special. What a beautiful spot!
Registered on September 9, 2009, 294 Posts, 2006 Comments
Comment posted by John Williams on May 16, 2010 at 12:04 AM
Gorgeous Zack; I vote for the repost.

Md, I can see where your coming from (especially if you followed Flickr for the year or so after Marc took his photo), but what may not be obvious is that here in the Pacific Northwest most of us overlap our subjects to one extent or another. And, as a general rule we're pretty amiable about it. If you haven't yet, take a look at Zack's website. You can hardly say he lacks originality. Speaking of chasing another photographer's shots, I'd love to copy his Blazing Enchantments shot someday. :wink:

Just do what makes you happy and try to take care of nature while you're out there.

That's quite profound Marc. A lot of us would do well to live by that motto.
Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments
Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on May 16, 2010 at 12:37 AM
Awesome place and image, Zack I love how you handled the light here. The sunlit areas aren't blown out and sort of feel like they're illuminating the scene. Very nicely done.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments
Comment posted by John Zinn on May 16, 2010 at 2:59 AM
Great shot Zack of a beautiful location. I love the lushness and you did an excellent job catching the sunlit highlights. Your perilous hike looks to be well worth it!!

John
Registered on November 1, 2003, 41 Posts, 1743 Comments
Comment posted by Ned Fenimore on May 16, 2010 at 1:05 PM
Hey Zack. I hope my comment about visiting did not spark any issues. I love shooting in the Gorge and always strive to preserve the pristine quality of it as much as possible.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 467 Posts, 2803 Comments
Comment posted by Zack Schnepf on May 16, 2010 at 1:28 PM
Hey Ned, no problem. I know you're also very careful about limiting your impact. I hope you have as much fun as Adrian and I did, it's a beautiful area.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2528 Comments
Comment posted by Ned Fenimore on May 16, 2010 at 1:33 PM
I am certain I will. Been looking forward to this spring for months now!
Registered on November 1, 2003, 467 Posts, 2803 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Metternich on May 16, 2010 at 3:00 PM
That's what I thought Zack. Looks great the way it is!

I was thinking more in the lines of dampening the specific area just a little (with maybe another exposure near the same moment) not a whole other shot, because as you note, the overall image would have an entirely different look.

Whatever way you cut it, way to go here! :toast:
Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments
Comment posted by Rick Lundh on May 17, 2010 at 1:01 PM
Zack,

Great scene here. I like your comp, but it looks like you got here a tad late. From the angle of the light, it appears that you shot this around noon? You have missed a dust spot right by your copyright logo.

Otherwise, beautiful image. Second version is a little better. I wonder how those hot yellow spots will look on a big print? Will there be detail or will they look like globs?
Registered on April 28, 2004, 774 Posts, 4351 Comments
Comment posted by Zack Schnepf on May 17, 2010 at 3:07 PM
Hey Rick, yes there was a dust spot I got it while preparing the print file. The large print looks incredible. We got here very early, but I liked this light the best, it was very dynamic.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2528 Comments