Castile, NY – Letchworth Falls (Infrared)

Oen of the most beautiful waterfalls in New York is Letchworth Falls. Some info from the web…Often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park spans more than 14,000 acres, containing spectacular vistas, more than 30 waterfalls, a major dam, campsites, historic buildings, museums and plenty of things to do. Over 50 miles of hiking trails spread throughout the park offer visitors a new experience every time they visit.

Bisected by the Genesee River, the park offers both something for the leisurely visitor and the adventurous. The river gorge cuts through the valley yielding three major waterfalls within and multiple cascades emptying into the ravine as well as plenty of scenic magnificence and white-water thrills. Not only does the park offer excellent access to the major falls of the Genesee, with sheer cliffs up to 550 feet high and a watershed miles across; there are plenty of opportunities to find a spectacular ribbon falls, such as Inspiration Falls, the highest in the state.

Bend, TX – Gorman Falls (HDR)

I took the day off yesterday and took the 2 hour drive from Austin to go see the best waterfall in Texas! …Gorman Falls in Colorado Bend State Park. I went with my friend Scott Goad. It was his first visit. The falls were fantastic as we have had a decent amount of rainfall this spring in Texas. I decided to bring an ND filter and try out some shots with it this day. I think they turned out ok and will get to them soon. I think the HDR might be better as it captures the dynamic range of the rocks. Those nooks and crannys come out fantastic with tone mapping! The moss is also wonderful! This is my favorite view of the falls. Luckily I didn’t bump into any snakes or scorpions on the 1 mile rocky trek to the falls…only saw a Jack Rabbit. First time ever! Those dudes are big! Enjoy your weekend!

I put a quick IPhone video up of the Falls on my FB site…Talke Photography

Castile, NY – Letchworth Falls (Infrared)

From upstate New York here is a infrared photo of the famous Letchworth Falls. A wonderful waterfall that you must see if you live in the northeast! Some info from the web: Often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park spans more than 14,000 acres, containing spectacular vistas, more than 30 waterfalls, a major dam, campsites, historic buildings, museums and plenty of things to do. Over 50 miles of hiking trails spread throughout the park offer visitors a new experience every time they visit.

Trumansburg, NY – Taughannock Falls (HDR)

Deep into upstate New York you can find the small town of Trumansburg. Nestled in the countryside is Taughannock State Park.

Some info from the web: Taughannock Falls State Park’s namesake waterfall is one of the outstanding natural attractions of the Northeast. Taughannock Falls plunges 215 feet past rocky cliffs that tower nearly 400 feet above the gorge. Gorge and rim trails offer spectacular views from above the falls and from below at the end of the gorge trail. Campsites and cabins overlook Cayuga Lake, with marina, boat launch and beach nearby. A multi-use trail–hiking, cross-country skiing–winds past sledding slopes and natural skating ponds. Boat Launch Site not suitable for any type of sailboat. The park also offers organized activities including tours through the Taughannock Gorge and summer concerts along the lakefront.

Bend, Texas – Gorman Falls (HDR)

From the lower section of these stunning falls…here is an HDR that somehow doesn’t look like it belongs in Texas!  I have only been here once as it is quite a drive from Austin…about 2+ hours.  Then when you arrive…a 1.2 mile hike is ahead of you!  Whew!  But all worth it.  Maybe I will get back there this summer!

Northfield, Ohio – Brandywine Falls (HDR)

A wonderful spot for a picnic and an HDR…Brandywine Falls!  A cool little spot I found on my drive from Cleveland to Pittsburgh.  Located in Northfield, OH.  Here they have some steps to guide you down to the falls for great views!  Some info from the web:  Carved by Brandywine Creek, the 60-foot falls demonstrates classic geological features of waterfalls. A layer of hard rock caps the waterfall, protecting softer layers of rock below. In this case, the top layer is Berea Sandstone. The softer layers include Bedford and Cleveland shales, soft rocks formed from mud found on the sea floor that covered this area 350-400 million years ago. Shale is thinly chunked, giving water a bridal veil appearance as it cascades down the falls.

A combination of boardwalk and steps brings you into the waterfall’s gorge and lets you view the waterfall head-on (a boardwalk option without stairs is also available). The boardwalk also provides a close look at Berea Sandstone. Careful inspection will reveal the individual grains of sand that accumulated in a sea 320 million years ago. Berea Sandstone is high quality sandstone found commonly throughout this area, both in nature and as a construction material used in buildings and canal locks.

Talke Photography Settings:

• Camera:  Nikon D300
• Lens: Nikon 18-200 f/3.5-5.6
• Setting: Aperture Mode
• Focal Length: 70.0 mm
• ISO: 200
• Exposure:  HDR 5 exposures (+2 to -2)
• Aperture:  f/22.0
• Gear:  Tripod
• Post Process: Adobe CS5, Color Efex Pro, HDR Efex Pro,  Photo Tools 2.6

Estes Park, CO – Chasm Falls (HDR)

My goal this past summer visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, CA was Chasm Falls.  I had never been and it was a interesting afternoon driving the scary dirt roads of the park.   Just about 1 mile in you can find a pull off and take the 5 minute rocky trek to the falls.  Follow the creek upstream and it appears magically!  Such a wonderful little 25-30 feet waterfall.  A perfect subject for HDR!

Some info from the web:  Rocky Mountain National Park is a national park located in the north-central region of the U.S. state of Colorado. It features majestic mountain views, a variety of wildlife, varied climates and environments—from wooded forests to mountain tundra—and easy access to back-country trails and campsites. The park is located northwest of Boulder, Colorado, in the Rockies, and includes the Continental Divide and the headwaters of the Colorado River. The park has five visitor centers. The park headquarters, Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, is a National Historic Landmark, designed by the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture at Taliesin West.The park may be accessed by three roads: U.S. Highway 34, 36, and State Highway 7. Highway 7 enters the park for less than a mile, where it provides access to the Lily Lake Visitor Center. Farther south, spurs from route 7 lead to campgrounds and trail heads around Longs Peak and Wild Basin. Highway 36 enters the park on the east side, where it terminates after a few miles at Highway 34. Highway 34, known as Trail Ridge Road through the park, runs from the town of Estes Park on the east to Grand Lake on the southwest. The road reaches an elevation of 12,183 feet (3,713 m), and is closed by snow in winter. The park is surrounded by Roosevelt National Forest on the north and east, Routt National Forest on the northwest, and Arapaho National Forest on the southwest.

Talke Photography Settings:

• Camera:  Nikon D300
• Lens: Nikon 18-200 f/3.5-5.6
• Setting: Aperture  Mode
• Focal Length: 38.0 mm
• ISO: 200
• Exposure:  HDR 5 Exposures (+2 to -2)
• Aperture:  f/22
• Gear:  Tripod
• Post Process: Adobe CS5, Color Efex Pro,  Photo Tools 2.6

Northfield, Ohio – Brandywine Falls (HDR)

From this past summer on my drive from Cleveland, OH to Pittsburgh, PA on the way you can stop by the little town of Northfield, Ohio and see this amazing waterfall called Brandywine Falls.  Some info from the web:

Carved by Brandywine Creek, the 60-foot falls demonstrates classic geological features of waterfalls. A layer of hard rock caps the waterfall, protecting softer layers of rock below. In this case, the top layer is Berea Sandstone. The softer layers include Bedford and Cleveland shales, soft rocks formed from mud found on the sea floor that covered this area 350-400 million years ago. Shale is thinly chunked, giving water a bridal veil appearance as it cascades down the falls.

A combination of boardwalk and steps brings you into the waterfall’s gorge and lets you view the waterfall head-on (a boardwalk option without stairs is also available). The boardwalk also provides a close look at Berea Sandstone. Careful inspection will reveal the individual grains of sand that accumulated in a sea 320 million years ago. Berea Sandstone is high quality sandstone found commonly throughout this area, both in nature and as a construction material used in buildings and canal locks.

Talke Photography Settings:

• Camera:  Nikon D300
• Lens: Nikon 12-24 F/4
• Setting: Aperture  Mode
• Focal Length: 22.0mm
• ISO: 200
• Exposure:  HDR 5 exposures (+2 to -2)
• Aperture:  f/22
• Gear:  Tripod
• Post Process: Adobe CS4, Photomatix, Color Efex Pro, Viveza

Clinton, NJ – Red Mill (HDR)

From the lovely little town of Clinton, NJ this shot is of the Red Mill.  A famous location to be photographed in New Jersey.  You can find this shot in many photos, painting, calendars…all over!  I grew up only 20 minutes from here and actually never visited until recently!  There is a cute little bridge that overlooks the mill and is great for setting up your shot.  Just over the bridge is a little shopping are with restaurants that overlook the river.   I was lucky to catch it in fall, but I would enjoy seeing this shot with some snowfall!  I bet it would be wonderful!   Its cold in Texas these days..hope its not too bad for you in your neck of the woods!  Enjoy!

Talke Photography Settings:

• Camera:  Nikon D300
• Lens: Nikon 12-24 F/4
• Setting: Aperture  Mode
• Focal Length: 20.0mm
• ISO: 200
• Exposure:  HDR 5 exposures (+2 to -2)
• Aperture:  f/22
• Gear:  Tripod
• Post Process: Adobe CS4, HDR Efex Pro, Color Efex Pro, Viveza

 

Austin, Texas – Zilker Botanical Gardens (HDR)

This waterfall is from the Zilker Botanical garden here in Austin, Texas.  This location has been the great for many photos and here is some info about Zilker:

Zilker Botanical Garden — located on 30 acres in Austin, Texas has often been called “the jewel in the heart of Austin”. Theme gardens such as rose, herb and Japanese garden are interconnected with streams, waterfalls and Koi-filled ponds. The Hartman Prehistoric Garden recreates local dinosaur habitat. This garden is a unique collaboration between The City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department (PARD) and the Austin Area Garden Council (AAGC). The garden is free and open to the public most days year-round and is enjoyed by over 400,000 visitors each year, including thousands of school children from Austin and the surrounding communities

Talke Photography Settings:

Camera:  Nikon D300

Lens: Nikon 12-24 f/4

Setting: Aperture  Mode

Focal Length: 18.0mm

ISO: 200

Exposure:  HDR 5 exposures (+2 to -2)

Aperture:  f/22

Gear:  Tripod

Post Process: Adobe CS4, Photomatix, Color Efex Pro