Working the Scene at Boulder Falls

You have arrived on scene at your favorite landscape location. Now what do you do? How do you begin?

So, maybe you start with a typical wide view, taking everything in. After all, that is usually one’s first instinct. The contrast here in this example could have been difficult, though–note the dark rock walls below and the sunlit cliffs and bright clouds above. But, by exposing the highlights properly, then lifting the shadows in post, this example worked out satisfactorily (Nikon D800 file)…

Boulder Falls, #1. Boulder Canyon, Colorado, 2016

Then, perhaps you decide to try the same scene in monochrome (and we already know I am always partial to this interpretation)…

Boulder Falls, #1. Boulder Canyon, Colorado, 2016

Then you start trying different orientations…maybe a horizontal…

Boulder Falls, #2. Boulder Canyon, Colorado, 2016

Next, you start to move in to capture the details with a tighter composition…

Boulder Falls, #4. Boulder Canyon, Colorado, 2016

Maybe even a bit closer…

Boulder Falls, #5. Boulder Canyon, Colorado, 2016

Perhaps you even ignore what seems to be the main subject–the falls–and you start looking around for other interesting possibilities…

Boulder Falls, #7. Boulder Canyon, Colorado, 2016

Throughout the process, you can also experiment with different shutter speeds to see which might work best with the water–it will depend on the effect you are after, of course. You will also want to hit the shutter button multiple times, even with the exact same composition/settings, as the water will swirl and jump differently in each image. Later, you can select what you think is the best capture.

Very often (but not always), the best images will be the ones you make last. In this particular case, that notion held true–the last two photographs above are the ones I personally liked the most.

Just some thoughts on working a water landscape scene at Boulder Falls, the general principles of which could really apply to working any scene, from landscapes, to cityscapes, to portraits, to street photography.

[NOTE: The short trail to Boulder Falls is still closed pending repairs needed as a result of the 2013 flood.]