Fairyland Falls

Oregon dreamland - see description and techniques below.

Translating the emotional impact of a place to the viewer is important to me, and not easily accomplished in a photograph. I used a technique here that I have experimented with for some time, which helps bring out the soft, dreamy look of filtered light cast upon a scene that we may percieve with our eyes but is often lost in our photographs. This image was taken inside my favorite canyon in Oregon's Columbia Gorge, which has the greatest concentration of waterfalls on the continent. This particular spot is hours from any trail and relatively unknown. I wanted to capture that magical, peaceful and wonderous feeling it evokes in me.

 

I waited for a partly cloudy morning and photographed the transition to direct light as the sun appeared between passing clouds. I used a 6-second exposure to record the scene, using a polarizer to intensify the greens. The camera would have recorded the scene too contrasty for my eyes, so I blew a layer of condensation on the front of the lens about two thirds of the way through my exposure. This added a certain luminesence to the image and softened the brighter highlights. So much of the work was done to the original without having to spend the time in PS or work with around a fixed result like a diffusion filter, which would have unacceptably softened the details.

 

 

 

1Ds Mark III, 16-35 II at 16mm, polarizer, 6 seconds at f/16, ISO 50

another truly fine image , congrats .,

 

regards Jeff

I admire it much. I have tried several times but without any success. Thank you for sharing your "know how", I thing it is not usual. Best regards

Like the majority of your other shots this one too is just amazing. It has a nice glow that really draws you in.

 

The fact that you not only came up with a technique to deal with light that is a bit too harsh but the fact that you are willing to share is even more amazing.

Beautiful!

Excellent light and color.Nice exposure on the water.

PDE

Wow, Marc,

 

That's a very cool technique and it obviously works well in your hands. This is a fantastic scene and you've captured that bright misty, color saturated feeling that can be experienced in a place like this but is often missing in similar images taken in the shade. Your visionary approach to photography holds you well above the pack! Extraordinary image.

Another stunning shot, naturally, and as a first timer here, (just posted my first shot!), so surprised to see your photo! What I love about your work, (which I've only recently discovered), is your passion for the natural world around you, and which you are able to share through your camera. I can picture myself in this enchanted spot, and the light in the background is just exquisite. As an amateur landcape photographer, who is trying to capture the effects of beautiful light without resorting to photoshop, thank you so much for explaining your techniques and feelings, it's so appreciated and gives me inspiration.

I hate to use just flattery words like these ...but I have been completely speechless about this picture.

 

Amazing and beautiful in every sense.

Thanks for sharing your technique. This is the essence of tranquility. GJ

Very Very good photos!

I just see too much "yellow" in the green...

i don't know if is a problem with my monitor but other pictures look perfect.

Compliment and cheers!

Bruno

Your remark about conveying the emotional experience hits home. Very Ansel-esque ans seomthing on which I am just beginning to work in my development. The delayed-foggy-lens is a new idea to me. Thanks for explaining your methods whenever pertinent.

Hummm...

 

Excellent composition, excellent soft light.

--> in my favorite images portfolio.

This is a really gorgeous capture. I've never seen anyone handle greens quite like you. Stunning. I really wish that I had some locations like this to shoot (I'm on the Cape for the summer, which is basically a tourist infested sandbar along which almost every bit of shoreline is either privately owned or commercial). I make do with the scenery that I have here, but man, I would love to get myself, my tripod, a camera, and a lens out to the Olympic Coast or the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Hi Marc, congratualtion for your website, your creations and your aura! Wonderful...i am deeply impressed and inspired. Last week my new equipment arrived and i concore my little island with a new tool. Now i am driving a ferari with my eyes too ( :

 

One question: i read that you are working with the filters. Are you using the hdr technology too? It is a miracle for me how you get all those amazing details in the nuances. Or are you a master in Photoshop and RAW Converter? Willing to learn from the master for the sake of more real images.

 

By the way: i love your self description. One of the most beautiful i read in the last time.

 

Hello from Kerry: Madeleine* www.calaido.com

What a wonderful image. And thank you so much for describing your technique. That was a very interesting read and much appreciated.

 

Thank you for sharing this beautiful image with us. -Maija

Perfect! Great technique, that takes trail huffing and puffing to a new level... Mike

 

(To the favorites with this one!)

 

W O N D E R F U L !!!

I very much appreciate you sharing your techniques with us, as well as your amazing images!

Hello Marc . Wonderful picture . Great composition .

The greens are way oversaturated and terribly unnatural but the DOF looks reasonable. Not one to buy.

Not for those of us who have actually BEEN THERE, John!  These greens are strait out of the camera, no adjustments at all.  I joke around with my groups all the time about how there are those people out there who won't even believe their colors are real!  I guess it's an inside joking though, for those of us who know the truth about it.