Normally, I wouldn't bother shooting this time of day, but I liked the way the light interacted with the river gorge here. I also liked how the different shapes and lines fell together. The light made for a more dynamic composition than if it were a more "photo friendly" day. Admittedly however, it's a bit more calanderesque than I would like. I have an image of a different spot in the gorge that I think is more creative (I have the wen address to that shot at the bottom of the post if interested). If anyone ever gets the chance, spend a day on the Kadunce river and hike up the river into the gorge...requiring that one walks in the water. It's located along Minnesota's north shore northeast a bit from the city of Grand Marias. The experience is really wonderful and well worth the stop. The river works it's way into a narrow and deep gorge that is pretty impressive. There are some slippery and steep areas that you have to traverse to get up the river though. This waterfall is one of a number that you have to climb to continue on. Loaded full of camera gear this is a bit sketchy, but do-able if you're careful.
Still I'm suprised that I haven't seen that many great shots from this river. Most shots would require HDR or a low contrast film to capture the entire tonal range available...even early/late day or on a cloudy day. There are some very extreme shadows and highlights that you have to deal with. I used color negative film for that reason here. The waterfall was VERY bright, as it was in direct sunlight. Normally that's a big problem when it comes to shooting waterfalls, but the film handled it very well. If the falls itself looks to bright here, the print seems to be ok. Nothing is actually blown, but I didn't want to print the water overly heavy as it would compromise the overall sense of luminosity. I'll be heading up to this area again this coming weekend, so I plan to shoot a few more compositions of some other possibilities.
I also posted another photo from this day on the es&s forum. It can be found here if you're interested: http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/ic.cgi?a=vp&pr=52218&b=vg2&st=100&la=663&ph=132&sid=21924&u=21972
Oops, here's the tech details for the shot - Tachihara 4x5 field, Fujinon 90mm @ f32, fuji 160s, polarizer
Posted by Jack Graham on August 15, 2006 at 10:33 PM
Jim,
Wow.... this looks like Oregon! I'd get back there in the fall for sure!. I really don't mind the contrast. The colors in the water work well too. Really nice
JG
Posted by Danny Burk on August 16, 2006 at 10:08 AM
Nice location and nice image, Joel. Good to see others taking advantage of color neg film
Discussion
4 repliesStill I'm suprised that I haven't seen that many great shots from this river. Most shots would require HDR or a low contrast film to capture the entire tonal range available...even early/late day or on a cloudy day. There are some very extreme shadows and highlights that you have to deal with. I used color negative film for that reason here. The waterfall was VERY bright, as it was in direct sunlight. Normally that's a big problem when it comes to shooting waterfalls, but the film handled it very well. If the falls itself looks to bright here, the print seems to be ok. Nothing is actually blown, but I didn't want to print the water overly heavy as it would compromise the overall sense of luminosity. I'll be heading up to this area again this coming weekend, so I plan to shoot a few more compositions of some other possibilities.
I also posted another photo from this day on the es&s forum. It can be found here if you're interested: http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/ic.cgi?a=vp&pr=52218&b=vg2&st=100&la=663&ph=132&sid=21924&u=21972
Wow.... this looks like Oregon! I'd get back there in the fall for sure!. I really don't mind the contrast. The colors in the water work well too. Really nice
JG
Right on Danny!