Amazing Photograph Lights a Kayaker Going Over a Waterfall at Night

Canon Master Krystle Wright had a pretty neat idea: shooting a kayaker cresting a 60-foot waterfall at night. With some ingenuity, she got her shot. 

The problem, of course, is lighting such an image. There's no way to put light stands in a rushing river, and a boom arm on slippery and jagged rocks adjacent to the waterfall isn't a great idea. Wright turned to a custom-built drone, upon which she placed two 600EX-RT Speedlites and flew over the waterfall. Using an ST-E3-RT trigger, she was able to shoot from dry land and trigger the flashes. She used the 1D X Mark II, which she credits for its low-light capabilities and for being able to quickly and accurately grab focus in a difficult environment, and paired it with the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens. Check out the resultant shot below:

It's one of the more unique images I've seen, and I absolutely love the heightened drama created by the artificial light, making the kayaker look as if they're descending into a frothing abyss. Be sure to check out Wright's website and follow her on Facebook and Instagram!

Image used with permission of Krystle Wright.

[via DP Review]

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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3 Comments

It's awesome to see all the new uses for drones in the world. From industrial use to photography and holding flashes! I was lucky enough to be second camera for this BTS video with Michael Ori of Ori Media and the experience was surreal. Krystle Wright is such a talented photographer.

I'd like to see the EXIF data. I'm sure it would be telling :P