Fissures

Taken in early October, leaves littering the rock face of the lower section of Toms Branch Falls in Deep Creek. This is perhaps one of the easiest waterfalls to access in Western North Carolina, and in parts one of the more scenic. The face beneath the running water over grown with moss, cracks in the rock face from centuries, perhaps even millennia of water freezing in the deep winter, creating fissures, creating intrigue. The added light, and high contrast scene painting a picture of time standing still, you can almost hear the water rolling, smell the fall leaves not yet washed away, feel the spray over your face and hands even as the temperatures begin to drop. This is why we really love fall, and yet yearn for spring.

Obviously this image was taken in bright sun through the canopy. It gives us high contrast, but can create problems for editing the scene. In total I have used eight masks to bring this photo to life, lifting my shadows, dropping my highlights. Not as a global adjustment, but in fragments. I can better control the saturation of the leaves, adjust the temperature of the water, lift shadows only where I need them, and prevent hot spots in the highlights. It takes time, practice and experience to know how, and when to apply these masks, but well worth learning how to do.

While it’s entirely possible to learn these tricks on your own, getting a head start on learning them with YouTube tutorials, classes at the local college, or even contacting a local photographer can go a long way in saving you precious time. I myself learned everything I know from experimenting, asking questions, and the occasional tutorial. While this photo represents a great deal of time in photo editing, it also represents why any light can be good light if you take the time to get it right first in the field, then spend the time getting it right in post.

Until Next Time!

Aperture: f8
ISO: 160
SS: 1/30th
Focal: 50mm

Fujinon 50-140mm