This past weekend, we all watched with fascination and horror as mother nature roared. Hurricane Irene left a destructive wake in her path up the eastern seaboard of the US. At times like this, we realize that nature can be quite devastating. This past May, I visited another force of nature that possesses the same brute force but in a beautiful and non-destructive way. I am talking, of course, of Niagara Falls. Standing alongside the edge of the American Falls, you can feel and hear the power of the falls as the Niagara River plummets over the edge on its way from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario.
While setting this shot up, I made sure that I had a rain cover for my camera and lens. It is a necessity as the spray from below can drench anyone and anything close to the edge. The river rushes over the edge so fast that you almost don’t need an ND filter to get the silky smooth look to the water. For this shot, I used a 3-stop ND filter and fired off a 5 bracket set of images.
Totally awesome shot, Len. This is gorgeous, man.
Very nice effect from that 3-stop ND. Nice work.
I’m heading up to that falls in 2012, hope I get something half as nice as this.
That’s a great long exposure. We were there in April of 2010, and were so impressed. We weren’t able to do the Maid of the Mist tour, but hope to return. Curious, do you use PhotoMatix? How did you deal with the ghosting on the bracketed images with the running water? I do need to get some ND filters (I’ve learned). Great shot!
Yes I use Photomatix. It did a pretty good job on the ghosting but I also loaded the brackets into PS and touched up the parts that needed it. It’s basically the process Trey Ratcliff uses for his work. I took his webinar back in May and my HDR work has improved dramatically. Well worth it.
Stunning shot. Love the composition and processing.
Wow…a spectacular shot Len.
Now that is just amazing man, what a view, the raw power of nature is incredible!
that looks great Len! love the colors and the water!!
Outstanding shot Len! The combination of long exposure with HDR really brought out the textures and tones in the falls.
wow, i can nearly hear the roar. so beautiful.
WOW Len! This is a powerful shot, and crazy cool.
Man I can feel the power all the way here in AZ.
Beautifully framed shot. Stunning colors too!
You still can tell how powerful it is even with an ND! I like this composition!
Amazing shot man! Never seen it from this angle before.
Wow. Just…wow. Stunning, powerful and just flat out awesome.
I visited Niagra back in 04. This is a great shot of the falls Len, you’ve done them justice,
Seriously, Len, this left my jaw on the ground it’s so good!
Great shot Len. I love the processing! It is amazing how much power in there.
Beautifully captured and processed!