Mystic Falls

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 17, 2011415 views25 comments

Mystic Falls is one of the tallest and most spectacular, yet little known waterfalls in Colorado. Tucked away deeply inside of a box canyon in the San Juan National Forest, it takes no small effort to get here, but the rewards are well worth that extra effort.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated. No matter what they say, size matters, so check out the larger version.

Canon 5DII w/17-40 lens @ 36mm
3 secs. @ f8 ISO 100

Comments

25 comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on October 17, 2011 at 11:41 PM

Awesome, John. Never seen anything from here and can't imagine it being done much better at the same time.

Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on October 18, 2011 at 12:05 AM

maaan great shot, nicely done thnx for sharing ...

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Jack Garrett on October 18, 2011 at 12:06 AM

You've got a clear winner here John..this is awesome! The swirls on the right side just add to the overall beauty in this shot. Did you go in from the top or the bottom? I went in from the bottom about 2 weeks ago.

Registered on November 7, 2007, 41 Posts, 251 Comments

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on October 18, 2011 at 12:21 AM

There are places like this in Wyoming that are almost impossible to get to...so I feel your pain.

Amazing photograph John. You never fail to impress. For some reason I'm especially enjoying those swirling leaves in the right corner...usually people use them as the main focus, but they make a nice addition to a one of a kind photograph.

Registered on February 21, 2010, 133 Posts, 1509 Comments

Comment posted by Kent Mearig on October 18, 2011 at 12:36 AM

This has got to be one of the most AWEsome places in the US that I have never seen a photograph of before. The composition and lighting are wonderful. I could see punching the warm colors a little more though, especially in the yellow leaves.

Registered on September 4, 2006, 237 Posts, 4748 Comments

Comment posted by Sarah Marino on October 18, 2011 at 1:18 AM

Hi John - I really like this view of Mystic Falls. The wider view gives a great sense of the location. I also like the cool tones here. If it were mine, I might crop a bit of the bottom because I do not think it adds anything to this really wonderful image.

Registered on November 10, 2008, 23 Posts, 393 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Goldwasser on October 18, 2011 at 1:37 AM

This is awfully nice John - beautiful spot and great image - the textures and tones really sing in the large version. I agree that a slight crop off the bottom to get the diagonal coming out of the lrc might be good. It seems to bring more emphasis to the little yellow bush and the lower falls.

Registered on May 10, 2009, 127 Posts, 970 Comments

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on October 18, 2011 at 2:04 AM

I like how you picked up some nice color from the bushes growing out of the walls John. I noticed in the larger image you included nice movements in the water. Lots to look at and well put together. Well done.

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on October 18, 2011 at 2:38 AM

Great work at this location John. The shutter speed is awesome and so is your timing in terms of light, season, and water flow. In terms of composition, I could see skimming a little off of the foreground. A very aesthetically pleasing shot!

Michael

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by Neale Dyster on October 18, 2011 at 3:22 AM

The small one impressed me, the large one is AWEsome ! Great work John

Registered on February 19, 2008, 94 Posts, 738 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on October 18, 2011 at 9:04 AM

As is said, one of the better shots of Mystic, nice light and good presentation, the falls leaves add something too. I feel a bit of tension here due to the falls placement on the left sside (as opposed to central) but thats not necessarily a bad thing. Nice!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on October 18, 2011 at 9:05 AM

Nice comp, love the stair stepping aspect of the cascades. Very nice flow and contrasts.

Registered on June 11, 2006, 113 Posts, 2116 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on October 18, 2011 at 9:12 AM

John, This is fantastic work!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Hilton on October 18, 2011 at 10:11 AM

Teriffic image...
It inspires me to go out and try to capture images of this quality,
and at the same time makes me want to quit....

Registered on September 19, 2011, 68 Posts, 668 Comments

Comment posted by Mitch Erwin on October 18, 2011 at 10:29 AM

This is a great photograph John and I enjoy the color of fall scattered throughout the image. Would like to see more to the left though, but something there may have not allowed it . Either way, this is a fine image!

Registered on April 24, 2006, 98 Posts, 656 Comments

Comment posted by Alex Mody on October 18, 2011 at 1:10 PM

The gentle touch of autumn foliage makes this one really sing. I like it, John!

Registered on December 25, 2007, 163 Posts, 1896 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on October 18, 2011 at 1:20 PM

Can't say the thumbnail really grabbed me but the bigger it got, the better I liked it. The large version simply blew me away. There is so much to enjoy in this image...the texture in the rock walls, the light on the water, the bright colored foliage...all excellent, but my favorite part is the incredibly interesting swirls in the water at the base of the cliff. Very, very nice

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Gino Cortez on October 18, 2011 at 3:18 PM

Everything about this seems....subtle/simplified/flowing.... in a very pleasing way.

Registered on November 23, 2010, 57 Posts, 396 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel Rappaport on October 18, 2011 at 3:34 PM

Wonderful composition and presentation of an amazing place. Many arresting elements, all work together well.

Registered on September 9, 2009, 294 Posts, 2006 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on October 18, 2011 at 5:07 PM

You sure did this place proud, John! Outstanding image!

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on October 18, 2011 at 7:20 PM

You're certainly far from the Columbia Gorge here, but the graceful falls nonetheless have a lot of the same charm. The different setting makes this quite unique and appealing. Nice work all around.

Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by Jared Atencio on October 18, 2011 at 9:51 PM

Such a sweet rendition of Mystic Falls here John. So many areas for the eye to explore, and the detail in this is just exquisite! I happen to like the small patch of red rock on the right of the falls, and of course the downplayed leave swirls on the right. When I visited MF I slipped and was waist deep in the creek w/in the first 25 yards! Glad you made it in there

Registered on June 23, 2009, 21 Posts, 422 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on October 19, 2011 at 2:24 AM

What a great shot John, the detail is in the larger version is mindblowing. The processing also looks spot on, congrats man!

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Neven Dries on October 20, 2011 at 1:32 PM

Spectacular image!

Registered on February 24, 2006, 52 Posts, 160 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on October 21, 2011 at 3:04 PM

What an oasis John! Very nice capture!

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments