So, You Want to Shoot a Waterfall?

May 20, 2013 by Matt Stearns | 3 Comments
Crystal Cascade in New Hampshire's Pinkham notch is a spectacular example of NH collection of impressive waterfalls. This one looks very tranquil in the spring, and is located within a short hike from NH rt 16. Green leaves surround the flowing water.

Crystal Cascade Pinkham Notch

One of the most interesting parts of being a nature photographer is the act of using the camera to take control of nature for a split second in time. Or, in the case of waterfalls, 1/25 of a second (or thereabouts, depending). Many of us use a combination of equipment and post production technique to bring our own perspective of the natural world into our collections. Here in New Hampshire, that natural world I speak of is starting to get very, very green. It’s great for the spirit, and a welcome sight for me and my lenses.

 

Even through spring has completely “sprung” in Southern New Hampshire, it’s still slowly coming along here in the White Mountains. In the past two weeks, we’ve experienced temperatures in the low 20’s at night, and the mercury has struggled to climb into the mid 40’s during the day (we’ve also seen a couple of days in the high 70’s, but that’s besides the point). The emerald spring foliage that the high hills are known for needs rain and warm weather to really start to pop; both are just now beginning to take place. However, I can assuredly say that within the next week or so, “Stick Season” will essentially be over. That means that waterfalls and wildflowers are on everyone’s mind.

Cabin Fever and The Waterfall Problem

With respect to New Hampshire’s waterfalls, one mistake that many photographers and enthusiasts make is researching too early (thanks mostly to cabin fever) and therefore getting into the field too early. Bare branches do not lend themselves to creating a lovely spring waterfall scene, and a little patience goes a long way. By and large, this patience also helps with overcoming a second side effect of an early waterfall adventure — too much water due to late winter/early spring runoff. With shutter speeds of a quarter second and up, a massive amount of water can cause blown-out highlights within your composition.

Just a Few Words on Technique and Equipment

When the time is right, that is, when you are ready and the falls are ready, there are some widely accepted principles that tend to work well in waterfall photography. While these tips might be an insult to the advanced photographer’s intelligence, they will help to get the novice up and running for their first successful waterfall shots. For starters, always bring a tripod. Also plan on getting it wet. You simply cannot handhold a camera at the shutter speeds needed to produce a silky and majestic look to your waterfall composition. And when I discuss composition, you’ll understand why it’s important to plan for a moderate soaking.

Consider a filter or two. A polarizer is always a safe bet since it will help you to take the glare off the water and wet trees and rocks. A neutral density filter will let you get a lot more drag out of your shutter. Stacking is okay, just play with it and find the desired effect.

Pictures that contain a flowing body of water tend to look better when the water appears to “flow through” the image. Therefore, it is necessary at times to be in the stream of water when taking your shot. You will need to keep your own safety (and the safety of your camera) front of mind, but don’t rule out the possibility of getting your feet wet.

most waterfalls are captured from the bottom, but the falls at Glen Ellis have a rather unique point of view from the top as well. Spring foliage creates beauty among the rocks, and the mightly ellis river flows through the scene during a beautiful spring day.

The Top of Glen Ellis Falls

My Gift to You – Three NH Waterfalls to Capture

New Hampshire has over 70 waterfalls of varying sizes and types. Some are easier to shoot than others, and some are easier to get to than others. I have personally hiked over 8 miles just to get to a particular falls that I wanted to photograph, and the planning and time that goes into that kind of shoot is a big commitment. There are three in particular that I like to recommend to folks who are looking for a big payoff without a long backpacking journey. And the best part of all, they can all be seen in less than half a day since they’re bundled within a 1.5 mile radius in Pinkham Notch!

Crystal Cascade – 10 minute walk up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail. Horsetail in type. Absolutely incredible in the spring (and the fall)!

Glen Ellis Falls – 7 minute walk down the trail at the Glen Ellis Falls parking area. Plunge in type, and known for getting even distant onlookers a little wet.

Glen Ellis falls in New Hampshire Pinkham Notch is one of the most incredible of all of New Hampshire's waterfalls. This 80 foot plunge waterfall sprays water in all directions after hitting bottom. In the spring time, the snow can stick around until june. Green foliage lines the rocky chasm.

Glen Ellis Falls – Pinkham Notch, NH

Thompson Falls – about a 1 mile hike from the parking lot at the Wildcat Ski Area. A deeper-woods commitment, but quite a spectacle. Cascade in type.

Entire books have been written on this topic alone, so trust me when I say that I could go on and on. Hopefully you have tamed your early lust for waterfalls, and you’re now ready to get out and capture some images the way that New Hampshire’s landscapes intend for them to be captured.

~ Matt Stearns

Matt Stearns is a freelance photographer and writer based in the Southern White Mountains of New Hampshire. His work is focused on the artistic interpretation of New Hampshire’s high peaks and surrounding waters. Discover his work online at matthewstearns.com.

Posted in New Hampshire, Scenic New England, Water falls Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Sears Island – A Gem Hidden in Plain Sight

May 16, 2013 by Jim Block | Leave a comment

Have you ever heard of Sears Island? Likely not. Yet you’ve probably driven by it if you’ve ever headed much further Down East than Camden. It’s just off Route 1 north of Belfast, Maine, and it’s the largest uninhabited island on the east coast reachable by car. But almost nobody visits this gem.

Finding Sears Island

After passing north through Searsport along Routes 1 and 3, look for Sears Island Road on the right. A mile-long causeway leads to the island. Barricades prevent cars from driving on the island. You can park anywhere along the causeway. The photo below shows the view of the causeway across Long Cove from a few yards off Route 1. The rainbow points to the causeway, and the island is to the right.

Sears Island with Rainbow

Rainbow over causeway to Sears Island

How I discovered the island

I’ve only been to Sears Island one time, but it was a great experience. I spent 2 1/2 days there in spring photographing the island for a Down East magazine feature published in the June 2009 issue. If the magazine hadn’t sent me there I probably still would be driving right by rushing to get to Deer Island or Acadia. I never felt that Searsport held as much photographic promise as other more popular spots.

There is nothing on Sears Island

Stream draining wetland

Stream draining wetland on Sears Island

About all you will find on the island is nature and seclusion. That is its beauty. It is mostly a hidden treasure known only to the locals. The island offers spectacular views of Penobscot Bay, Cape Rosier/Castine, and Islesboro Island. It has numerous trails that zig-zag their way around the island. There are beautiful sandy and cobbled beaches, dunes, rugged cliffs and ledges. Also diverse forests and wetlands, streams, and gullies can be found here.

This condition might not remain. The possible industrial development of the island has been a point of controversy for many years. The State of Maine has sought to build a variety of facilities on the island since the mid-20th century – nuclear power plant, aluminum smelter, coal-fired generator, and cargo/container ports have been proposed – but opposition in the 1980s from the Sierra Club and other conservationists in the 1990s and early 2000s has kept the island undeveloped. In 2009 a compromise was reached which surrendered 340 acres of Sears Island to port development provided the remaining 600 acres of the island is kept free of development, except of course facilities to make tourists “comfortable.” That is what triggered the Down East magazine article and my visit. However, legal hassles continued, and the island is still free of industrial or tourist development.

What to do on the island

Hiking, biking, beachcombing, clamming, birding, fishing, and photography can fill your time on the island.

Spring is wonderful on the island with pleasant temperatures and nice wildflowers. This is also the time the birds arrive and start to establish territories. If you time your trip right you can even photograph “fall foliage” in spring as the trees and bushes bud and bloom colorfully as seen in the photo below.

Beach on Sears Island

“Fall Foliage” in Spring

The paved extension of the causeway heads south then turns west and ends at a well-developed trail to a rocky jetty popular with fishermen. In the photo below the causeway is at the bottom of the paved road which looks much steeper than it is because of the compression from my “bird lens.” It looks crowded but this was a Sunday and you can count the cars on the causeway – only a few.

Sears Island main road

Looking down the paved road at the causeway.

The Homestead Trail leaves the paved road to the left near its start and loops past, not surprisingly, an old homestead area before returning to the causeway. From here a narrow dirt trail passable by mountain bike – I know, I did it – takes you to the far south end of the island. You pass old stone walls and pasture land, evidence of the farms that once were here.

Cornus canadensis on Sears Island

Bunchberry on Sears Island

There are several branch and loop trails to explore and one path leads to a bank where you can scramble down to the shore. For a 5-mile hike go east onto the beach to the left of the causeway and circle the island clockwise until you reach the jetty. Then return by the well-defined trail and eventually the paved road.

Photographic Opportunities

The scenes, artsy beach debris, and wildflowers were relatively easy to photograph.

But the real challenge for me was to get some bird photos in the time available. I managed yellow, black-and-white, common yellowthroat, ovenbird, black-throated blue, and chestnut-sided warblers, hermit thrush, osprey, white-throated sparrow, and common loon. You can see these by clicking the More Sears Island Photos link below.

Yellow Warbler on Sears Island

Yellow Warbler

Some of the photos I took during my one visit to Sears Island can be seen here:

More Sears Island Photos

Jim Block

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Posted in Birds, Landscape Tagged , , , , , , |

Antique Shops & Flea Markets Yield Great Photo Subjects

May 13, 2013 by Liz Mackney | Leave a comment

It’s That Time of Year!

Now that warmer weather has finally arrived here in eastern Massachusetts, the local antique shops are brimming with new inventory, and farm fields are playing host to large-scale flea markets.

Whether you’re an antique lover, collector or photographer, this time of year means one thing — treasure hunting!

The White Elephant Shop on Main Street.

The White Elephant Shop

This Photographer’s Search

When I stroll these venues as a photographer, I look for a variety of things:

  • Small items for macro photography subjects.
  • Interesting items for editorial photography subjects.
  • People for street photography subjects that can also be used for editorial photography.
  • Unusual items that can be transformed into an interesting piece of digital art.
  • Items that can be used as backdrops for staging, or for props on a specific shoot.
An unusual statue figure stands outside of the White Elephant Outlet.

Unusual figure becomes a perfect subject for Photoshop Oil Painting Filter fun.

Every Picture Tells A Story

Sometimes I have a vision in my mind of what I’d like to create. Basically, a visual story for the imagination to enjoy. For instance, I have a series of leather-bound books that date back to the early 1800s. I love their shape, size, color, and aged appearance.

In my mind’s eye I can see an image that incorporates the books stacked in a specific manner, along with just the right pair of antique reading glasses and an antique candle holder or oil lamp.

I have the books, but I need to find the other items to stage the shot. They must be authentic and be of the size, color and shape that I know will enhance the image. So where does someone from Cape Ann go to look for such things?

My Hunting Grounds

I live in an area where I have easy access to many antique shops. However, like anyone else, I believe in the art of the deal. Why pay more for something than you have to when you can negotiate? Especially when that something is an antique or collectible? Here are a few my favorite hunting grounds for interesting items that won’t break the bank.

White Elephant Shop & Outlet

Not too far from my home here on Cape Ann are the White Elephant Shop and its nearby companion shop, the White Elephant Outlet. Located in Essex, Massachusetts, the White Elephant at 32 Main Street has a little bit of everything including antiques, collectibles, jewelry, pottery, tools, books, toys, furniture, paintings, musical instruments, architectural pieces — even a knight in shining armor!

White Elephant Shop Knight in Shining Armor

Standing Guard

A mile further down the road is the White Elephant Outlet. Only open on weekends (Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 12 noon – 5:00 p.m.), the outlet offers everything at half price.

There’s much to see — both inside and outside — at both White Elephant locations. The inventory changes frequently, so it’s always worth a stop to see what’s new.

Todd Farm Antiques & Flea Market

Todd Farm Antiques & Flea Market on Route 1A in Rowley, Massachusetts, features up to 240 vendors from all over New England and New York. Open Sundays only, this event runs from April 7 to November 24 for 2013. If you’re an early riser, this is the place for you. The flea market hours are from 5:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. However, some vendors do begin packing up around 1:00 p.m. so don’t get there too late if you’re looking for something in particular.

An old trunk outside of the White Elephant Outlet.

An old trunk makes a great prop for staging.

Fell In Love

Last weekend I arrived at Todd Farm at 11:30 a.m. and spotted a very special item right off the bat. Although I wasn’t looking for something like that, when I saw it I knew I had to have it. What was it? Well, I’m going to have to save that for another article, as I have not yet had time to photograph it and don’t want to spoil the surprise. I will tell you, though, it only cost me $5.00 — and I love it. Stay tuned…

One thing to take note of is that the best pickings are typically early in the day. However, the best deals can often be had later in the day when vendors just don’t want to pack everything up again.

Brimfield Antique Show — The Mother Load!

There’s nothing like the Brimfield Antique Show in Brimfield, Massachusetts, both in terms of antiques and photography subjects.

Held three times a year (May, July and September), this event is a jaw-dropping dream come true for collectors and photographers alike!

As the largest outdoor antiques show in the world, the Brimfield Antique Show features over 6,000 dealers spread out over 23 neighboring fields along a mile stretch of Route 20. It’s absolutely amazing to see.

Mark Your Calendars

2013 Dates:  May 14–19, July 9–14, September 3–8

2014 Dates:  May 13–18, July 8–13, September 2–7

Click here for directions

Believe me, there is nothing in the world like the Brimfield Antique Show. Definitely wear comfortable walking shoes!

 

Get Your Camera Ready!

So the next time you pass an antiques store or flea market, you might want to check it out with a photographer’s eye. You just never know what you might find that your lens and creative eye will love.

Happy treasure hunting!

~ Liz Mackney

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Posted in Antiques / Flea Markets, Cape Ann, Events, Festival / Rally, Massachusetts Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , |

Do You Need Pro Lenses To Make Pro Level Images?

May 6, 2013 by Jeff Sinon | 4 Comments

In a word, no.

Dramatic clouds fill the sky over a sea of lily pads as the sun sets over the horizon

I’m afflicted with gear lust as much as the next photographer, but I’ve come to learn that great photographs can be made without spending a small – and in some cases a large – fortune on the best lenses made.

As a Canon shooter I’ve had quite a few of Canon’s pro level “L” lenses over the years, and loved every one of them. But I bet you’d be surprised to learn that the vast majority of the prints I’ve sold have been made with a cheap 3rd party lens for which I paid under $300. In fact, every photo accompanying this article was made with that budget lens.

The distant mountains are reflected in the glass smooth surface of Cherry Pond

In my last article for the Guild I discussed “pixel peeping.” Well it has been my experience that only at this zoomed in 100%, or more, level of examination that you can start to see the flaws in lesser quality lenses.

Guess what, nobody looks at photographs that way!

The lens used to make these photos was far from perfect, but that’s to be expected with a lens in this price range. It suffered from some pretty bad chromatic aberration (CA), that colored fringing along high contrast edges between light and dark areas. And it was terrible at controlling lens flare. The chromatic aberration was easily corrected in post processing, and I was able to prevent flare with either the lens hood, a strategically placed hat held just out of the frame to block the light, or simply making different choices when it came to composing the photo.

Are there reasons to buy better, pro level lenses? Yes, of course. Generally the higher priced lenses have better optics and lens coatings to control both flare and CA. They also offer better build quality, features like weather sealing and internal zooming. Whether or not these features justify spending 3-4 times as much – often more for a lens of a given focal length – is entirely up to you.

Flowing cascade on the Mad River in Farmington, NH

The point of all this is that you shouldn’t feel like you can’t make some truly outstanding photographs just because you can’t afford to, or are unwilling to spend a lot on lenses.

The lens used to make these photos? A Promaster 17-50mm f/2.8. The lens is basically a Tamron 17-50, a highly regarded 3rd party lens, rebranded for sale in camera stores.

~ Jeff Sinon

To purchase prints of these, or any of my many other nature and landscape images please visit www.jeffsinon.com

You can also become a fan of the Jeff Sinon Photography fan page. Click “Like” and stay up to date on my latest images.

I’d also like to invite you to subscribe to the Jeff Sinon Photography – Nature Through The Lens blog where I share tips, tricks, and more of my latest images.

Posted in Landscape, New Hampshire, Water falls Tagged , , , , |

The Warblers Are Coming

April 29, 2013 by John Vose | 3 Comments

Ah, spring. The time of year when birders and bird photographers alike rub their hands together in anticipation of the spring migration of the neotropical warblers as they head north from their winter locations. April and May are the prime months to see migrating warblers in New England, however the cold spring has pushed the time frame back as warblers are just now starting to move through.

Chestnut Sided Warbler Singing

A Singing Chestnut Sided Warbler

Photographing warblers is one of the most challenging experiences a wildlife photographer can face. They are small, hyperactive bullets of color, who flit from tree to tree, moving among the leaves in search of insects. They rarely stop in one spot for more than a second or two. But it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences. Capturing a sharp image of a resplendent warbler, after hundreds of missed opportunities, is an exhilarating feeling.

Yellow Rumped Warbler

Yellow Rumped Warbler sits in a flowering apple tree

So where do you find these warblers? The easiest approach is to subscribe to local bird listserves such as the NH birders listserve. Birders constantly update these sites with their local observations. Check out local woodlots, swamps and if you have the time, travel to known hotspots such as Parker River Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport MA. Lastly, follow your ears. Most warblers are heard before they are seen.

Northern Parula

Northern Parula at Parker River Wildlife Refuge

Technique is important when trying to capture a sharp image of a warbler. Bring your longest lens, a flash (for fill light), a tripod, and a good amount of patience. Anticipate where the warbler is going, and focus on that spot. If you focus on where the warbler is, by the time you press the shutter he will be gone. Always try to shoot with the sun behind you. Set your focus point on the bird’s eye. If the eye is sharp you can get away with the rest being a little out of focus. Use a fast shutter speed, and a wide open aperture to produce a pleasingly blurred background.

Black and White Warbler

Black and White Warbler at Parker River Wildlife Refuge

As the weather continues to warm up, the warblers will begin coming through in large groups. If you have never experienced a warbler fallout, I encourage you to get out there, bring your camera and give warbler photography a try. I hope to see you in the field!

~ John Vose

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