The Long Exposure
When I first started photography, I always knew I wanted to use the opportunity to get out into nature. I had thought of doing wildlife, mostly birds, lizards and insects, but I have found that I’ve grown quite fond of waterscapes. In my hiking, I have discovered several streams and waterfalls that were previously unknown to me, and I have taken a liking to photographing these.
During the autumn months, the runoff from snow in the mountains is not as much but still offers a unique perspective with fallen leaves that add pops of color that are not seen during any other time of the year.
For these images, I do have to get off the beaten track, often literally. Using waterproof boots and my tripod to their full advantage, I leave the main trail and often step directly into the center of the stream. After careful framing and setting up the shot, I take several images to determine which one is the most ideal for presentation.
I have become quite fond of photographing these water features, discovering along the way what works and what doesn’t, adjusting my own style and what I want to convey. Dozens of images are often taken until I finally see one that I would be happy to present and hang on my wall, but the others are not failures. True, I do generally delete them, but it was the learning experience from them that I remember.
It is not only about the stream itself, but also the surrounding plant life that can make an interesting image. The fern not only makes the image more dynamic, but adds to the overall feel of the image. Helping to frame it and place the setting of where this stream is located, and how some plants grow closer to water instead of next to the trail.
Plant life aside, using the natural features surrounding the stream or waterfall can be just as important. These images are from the same waterfall on the same day, but which one do you feel is more appealing? One that shows the waterfall itself? Or one that showcases the natural rock formations surrounding it? All are a matter of choice and opinion, but the one that the photographer believes is the best helps to define their style of photography and images.
