Whitewater Falls is actually a series of waterfalls beginning in Cashiers, NC, and ending in Salem,SC (a mile or so down the Whitewater River). This is the top of the upper falls, which falls approximately 400 ft. Unfortunately, I was unable to get a view of the complete upper falls, but will hopefully be headed back for hiking and photos in a few weeks.
Any critique is greatly appreciated! What can I do to make my next shoot here more successful?
can you get down into the falls or is it restricted? unfortunately when you get these overlooking shots it makes it almost look like a tourist shot which is exactly what we are usually trying to avoid at all costs. take your nd filters with you and slow that water down. take multiple frame for either a horizontal or vert pano. try and get there as early as possible for the best light and cross your fingers for a good sky. i need to get down there philadelphia area is getting really boring lately. if you ever get up this way though look up Ricketts Glen
There is a steep trail leading down to the river, and I'm hoping to make the trek on my next visit. For this particular trip, though, I had my wife, daughter, and dogs with me... My daughter may hike with me sometimes if she's feeling adventurous, but the wife and dogs are having no part of it. lol!
Thanks for the feedback!
I think you’re going to get a lot of people who would agree with Joseph about using a neutral density filter to get a longer shutter and really soften the water. Normally, I would agree if the falls were lit with soft, overcast light. In this case, however, I think the faster shutter shows the power of the water. Completely frozen water is never good, but the slight movement displayed here conveys the sense that this natural force of nature cannot be tamed by a mere photographer. The abundance of warm sunlight doesn’t lend itself to the more ubiquitous long shutter effects that are typical of a waterfall photo. While I agree a different vantage point might make a better composition, I think the exposure and timing are very nice.
I remember seeing another photographer’s shot of a dam spillway that was exposed this way and the power of the water was visceral. A long shutter would have made it feel soft and dainty instead of raw and mighty.
I figured I would get a lot of comments about longer shutter to make the water smoother but honestly, I almost never do that. I love the "visceral" (to borrow your word) feeling brought on by strong moving water. I don't think falling water should look like pouring milk.