Glacial Chamber

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 11, 2012654 views26 comments

PLEASE VIEW LARGE!

Triple Falls is a closely guarded secret in Glacier National Park. It's not hard to get to, the hike takes no more than 20 minutes, but those who visit generally keep it to themselves. It has become one of my favorite places in the park.

During my September visit I made it a point to photograph the falls at least once. Before I set out I was informed from one of the park rangers that a man who had just hiked to the falls the previous day called it the "Triple Trickle". I decided to see for myself and well, he was right, at least about the trickle part, the main falls was still flowing pretty good though. I also found some wolverine tracks in the mud next to the creek, which got me pretty excited.

The late afternoon light wasn't doing me any favors so I opted for a shot from the bottom of the falls. Smoke was drifting in from the Avalanche Lake fire and diffused the sunlight a bit. I was hoping for some rays but it didn't happen.
As always I welcome your comments and suggestions and thanks for having a look.

For those interested here are the techs:

This image is a result of 8 exposures, 5 horizontal frames stitched and 3 more exposures to control highlights in the falls and sky.

TKs Masks and Actions

Comments

26 comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on November 11, 2012 at 11:52 PM

Looks like an amazing place Zack. I like the geometric, austere rock walls and your exposure for the falls.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on November 12, 2012 at 12:02 AM

I haven't seen this particular perspective before and seems like a good choice for the water flow. I think you really nailed it expsosure wise. Sharp detail throughout really give a sense of standing right there. Well done.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel Rappaport on November 12, 2012 at 12:36 AM

Those rock walls are striking. Nice placement of the falls in the frame - well balanced.

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

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on November 12, 2012 at 12:48 AM

Looks great what the forces of nature have created here. Great looking place and your capture portays it very well to me.

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on November 12, 2012 at 2:06 AM

I've seen a lot of very nice images from this - this is another lovely shot. Many shots are taken from above downwards so I like the lower perspective here. As you kept the water on the blue side I might add just a hint of warmth to the rocks to go to a more complementary color situation.
The time of secrets are over - Google Earth showed me the place rather quickly. Tourists are like ants with location trackers.

Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments

Comment posted by Chad Merrell on November 12, 2012 at 2:17 AM

This is one of those WOW images. Love the colors, geometric shapes and water movement. Technically great as well.

Registered on July 8, 2010, 91 Posts, 304 Comments

Comment posted by Ant on November 12, 2012 at 2:32 AM

Beautiful. I am not a big fan of HDR and of the like, but this works very well. Excellent composition and detail.

Registered on April 13, 2009, 27 Posts, 474 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on November 12, 2012 at 5:45 AM

Really good take on Triple Falls. Funny that even with the different perspective it still looks like TF.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on November 12, 2012 at 10:23 AM

This is fantastic! Such an interesting view to look at from this great comp! I really like the light, color and all the detail you have here. Feels like I can just reach out and feel the texture of all the rock. Wonderful mood too! Excellent work Zack!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on November 12, 2012 at 10:31 AM

The HDR feel makes it look uber real, but honestly, with the lighting conditions I'm not sure you could do anything different to bring out the detail. The comp is just outstanding as is the clarity. All in all I would have to say it's a gorgeous image, Zach.

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on November 12, 2012 at 11:40 AM

Beautiful spot and very well composed. The image has an HDR look to my eye that is not really working for me, though.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on November 12, 2012 at 11:59 AM

Good exposure on the falls and I like the light anf strong FG.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on November 12, 2012 at 12:24 PM

A nice perspective on Triple, Zack--don't think ive seen an angle like this before. Nicely done!

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

Comment posted by Jeffrey Sipress on November 12, 2012 at 12:39 PM

Hi Zack, Wonderful image of an awesome place. I don't think it's very HDR 'looking', but the overall bluish/magenta cast is too strong.

Registered on February 17, 2004, 236 Posts, 1197 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on November 12, 2012 at 1:03 PM

Thanks for the comments thus far everyone, just to clarify this is not HDR, I manually blended the exposures in PS using various luminousity masks and other techniques.

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

Comment posted by Richie Graham on November 12, 2012 at 1:37 PM

In the spirit of less is more all I can say is...awesome!

Registered on September 2, 2011, 15 Posts, 33 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on November 12, 2012 at 2:49 PM

Sweet image Zack, I've never seen an image from the bottom! The blend looks very good as well.

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments

Comment posted by Shantikara Valuska on November 12, 2012 at 4:27 PM

I've seen many shots from above, but even from inside it looks amazing. I love the colors and the depths of the image. You did a great job with the stitching too.

Registered on July 25, 2011, 38 Posts, 451 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Roberts on November 12, 2012 at 4:33 PM

The larger version must be viewed to appreciate this image. The bleakness and color of the rocks give it an almost sci-fi feel. Interesting image.

Registered on March 9, 2011, 69 Posts, 501 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on November 12, 2012 at 7:59 PM

The perspective is unique and the light very appealing. I especially like the contrast in the rocks. There's a nice reflective quality to them but also excellent color and detail.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on November 12, 2012 at 9:37 PM

Excellent perspective and processing to get this result, Zack.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on November 13, 2012 at 12:34 AM

I've never been to Glacier and didn't realize that this is a closely guarded secret. There are so many shots from here; I thought it was an iconic National Park view. I've seen this angle once or twice, and this is another nice take. Either direction, these are beautiful falls.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on November 13, 2012 at 11:58 AM

Zack,

This is a wonderfully framed and captured image of these Falls. Yes, we've seen a few of this location, and this one ranks right up there.

I would agree to some extent about the "hdr" look. Yes, I know it's not, but maybe it's just the situation of light and color, but I too had this cross my mind even before reading any comments. Also agree with Jefferey on the strong magenta/red cast - mostly in the rock wall as the water color seems quite accurate. Neither of these are huge deals, just an observation.

I'm not sure if it's still the case, but folks seeing this and reading this should know that during certain times of the year the trail or access to this area is restricted. Be sure and check with the rangers and heed all posted signs.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on November 13, 2012 at 8:25 PM

Incredible, Zack. Love the details and tonality of the rock walls and streambed in a beautiful composition. Your blending work has created a amazing range of tones. The large image is stunning.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Nevesely on November 13, 2012 at 11:45 PM

I like your unique angle on this Zack!
I've been wanting to photograph Triple Falls for some time too but luck hasn't been in my favor. When I went there in August the whole area where the falls are located were closed off to prevent environmental damage - everything was soft and wet. I tried again in October but on that occasion the whole area was in dense fog with strong cold winds and rain. Maybe I'll try again next year!

Registered on June 14, 2005, 147 Posts, 1550 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on November 14, 2012 at 5:21 AM

SWEET!!!!!!

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments