Larry Treadwell
April 2026 - Base of Window Falls with Mist
About the Image(s)
Base of Window Falls with Mist
Nikon D850, Nikkor 24-70 lens @38mm, ISO 500, f13, 1/6 seconds, tripod and cable release and camera raincoat.
I may have acquired some age, but I’m not so certain about how much wisdom came with it. It was a bitter cold (remember I live in Florida) day during which the temperature never got above 35 degrees and featured a slight wind, when I decided to spend the day photographing water falls in North Carolina. After enjoying a robust 1 mile stroll, made into 3 miles due to a closed road, I arrived at Window Falls. Because there had been heavy rain during the past 3 days I was expecting plenty of water over the falls??”Nope! The flow was pretty thin, but the thing that was the most visually stunning was the tremendous amount and spray and mist that filled the air around the lowest part of the cascade. So I decided that rather than just another waterfall image, I would try to capture the spray. Even with a lens hood attached I continuously wiped the polarizer filter to keep moisture off the glass. I had noticed every few second there would be a heavier spray of mist coming from the top of the cascade. I used the remote timer to trip the shutter as the spray increased. I experimented with shutter speeds ranging from ¼ to 1/13 seconds. This image was shot at 1/6 seconds. It will be up to all of you to decide of the technique produced an impactful image.
12 comments posted
Hi Larry. From here in North Carolina, 35 degree temps felt warm this past winter - it was definitely a bitter couple of weeks here when it dipped into the single digits. Glad you got out to hike - actually winter is my favorite season to hike. In the image, I kept looking for some ice in the waterfall...maybe there's some on the left? The shot has a really nice sense of motion and texture. The lighting is soft and even which helps to keep the details in the water and rocks. The silky water gives it a painterly feel especially against the dark rocks. I might suggest cropping slightly from the bottom so it doesn't take away from the water. Nice image. Posted: 04/04/2026 00:18:15
Thanks Barbara. I'm not going to let a bit of cold prevent me from getting a photo. I was hoping for ice, but no luck. There is a bit on thew left side clinging to a branch. I wondered about cropping the bottom but I felt I needed someplace for the water to fall. There was not enough water to make a real splash pool. I was hoping the spray of the water would show up better against the green moss. I know what my intent was, but I'm not sure the image really shows my intent. Posted: 04/04/2026 21:44:12
This is really helpful for me to see, Larry. As a beginner in the world of landscape photography, I would wonder where to concentrate my attention. I'm drawn to the water coming in sheets from the top of the photo which leads to the spray going down the left side, which I might not notice at first with the white sheet of water coming down. I like the water at the bottom as a place to rest. Following the dark rock from the top, down the left and to the water also makes for a nice curve in the photo. Posted: 04/05/2026 12:42:52
Pretty good analysis of the image. It starts with getting the compelling subject. Then trying to make everything else compliment the subject. For me the mist makes it a lot harder to do. Next time I find a misty falls, I'll try again. Thanks for your thoughts. Posted: 04/05/2026 23:03:15
I think this is a well composed image for the subject and agree with the shutter speed you selected for this image. It gives a sense of motion without completely losing some detail. I presume the green under the waterfall is moss although the green color of the moss and the orange/brown of the rocks and stream seem a bit weird to my eye. Have you given any consideration of making this a B/W? Posted: 04/05/2026 18:51:39
OK Michael. I gave it a try in monochrome. Like to know what you think now. There was a lot or orange like mud in the lower area. Look ed it came the washouts on the sides.
Yes, that is moss under the water on the rocks. Does the monochrome maintain the look of the spray in the water that I was trying to capture? I think it just looks like noise. Posted: 04/05/2026 22:59:08
Yes, that is moss under the water on the rocks. Does the monochrome maintain the look of the spray in the water that I was trying to capture? I think it just looks like noise. Posted: 04/05/2026 22:59:08
I agree. The whole image looks like a lot of noise. The color is better. Posted: 04/05/2026 23:04:41
I really like the silky texture the long exposure gives the water. I like the icicles on the branches to the left which add a nice touch. I'm not really seeing any mist though, only the spray. I wonder what a longer exposure like one or two seconds would look like? Posted: 04/07/2026 20:14:42
Hi Larry - I feel your pain (frozen fingers and the right shooting angle) on waterfalls. I've shot so many but rarely come up with one that really speaks o me. So many variables to deal with. Finding a safe place to set my tripod, where my camera has a clear shot of the fall, with no distracting side or background views, and good lighting too!
But damn, I do keep trying. But I do keep trying.One day, I'll get some great shots … I hope!
Here you have a a distracting upper left background that is drawing my eye away from the soft falls. The falls could appear softer - consider using a slightly longer shutter speed for a softer effect. For your consideration, I have suggested a slightly tighter crop and also reduced your highlights just a little bit and added a tiny with of warmth to add some softness to the water.
If anyone has a FORMULA for shooting waterfalls, I'm all ears!! Posted: 04/10/2026 01:47:43
But damn, I do keep trying. But I do keep trying.One day, I'll get some great shots … I hope!
Here you have a a distracting upper left background that is drawing my eye away from the soft falls. The falls could appear softer - consider using a slightly longer shutter speed for a softer effect. For your consideration, I have suggested a slightly tighter crop and also reduced your highlights just a little bit and added a tiny with of warmth to add some softness to the water.
If anyone has a FORMULA for shooting waterfalls, I'm all ears!! Posted: 04/10/2026 01:47:43
Thanks for your thoughts. This entire shot turned out to be an unfortunate experiment. The whole intent was about just capturing the spray. I choose this angle because it let me separate the most spray from the rocks. Remembering that all I wanted was the spray, I tried several longer and shorter exposures but this was the best spray (an it is not that good) If I used the longer exposure the spray just turned into long silky water. generally I like a 1.6 to 3 seconds for the exposure but it depends on the amount of water flowing over the falls. I like to leave space in the splash pool for the water to flow into and if possible to show the flow on the water after it hits the splash pool. I like the image below better. Posted: 04/13/2026 22:14:21
Agree - this image is much more pleasing, Larry! Posted: 04/14/2026 03:56:11
L,
this is a very well chosen angle of view for the composition. There something about the texture or the sharpening that is over natural and feels very grainy. Anyway the BnW is very good too. As for the spray - i think that an open aperture with shallow depth of field would have focused the viewer on less on the waterfall and more on the spray. Theoretically - back lighting would have done it. Posted: 04/16/2026 15:23:42
this is a very well chosen angle of view for the composition. There something about the texture or the sharpening that is over natural and feels very grainy. Anyway the BnW is very good too. As for the spray - i think that an open aperture with shallow depth of field would have focused the viewer on less on the waterfall and more on the spray. Theoretically - back lighting would have done it. Posted: 04/16/2026 15:23:42