502 - Cummins Falls
First, I must warn you. For once, my photography advice is wholesome. After all, I’m a grown up now, and I realized that if you want something in life, you have to learn how to work the system a bit.
With that in mind, today’s target was Cummins Falls, a cornerstone state park in northern Tennessee featuring (you guessed it,) a waterfall! I swear this is my last waterfall shoot for a minute. I swear.
Realizing that sunrise is at 5:30AM, I show up to the place at 8AM, which is when they open. I was hoping there would be some kind of overcast, or a rare scenario where the waterfall is deep enough in a canyon that sunrise lighting wasn’t going to actually matter.
Unfortunately, neither of the above were true. It was hotter than hell and the lighting was extremely harsh. There was no way I was getting a good photo this morning- or this night for that matter. They closed before sunset and opened after sunrise. My only alternative would be to sneak in which I didn’t want to do. (Well, I did… but I’m trying to be a fucking adult here.)
I started chopping it up with the park rangers about my predicament, and one chick ended up pointing me towards the “Resident Park Photographer.” What a fancy title.
We ended up talking about photography for a bit, and long story short he told me he could get me into the park at dawn next week sometime, if I was still wanting to shoot it.
Um… yes! We swapped numbers and I drove away to get a victory Wendy’s Breakfast Baconator. One week later I showed up at 5:30AM and all systems were a-go.
Which leads me to today's tip… Honestly something that never crossed my mind until this adventure. If you want to get into a park before/after hours, talk to a park ranger and see if it can be arranged. More than likely they'll be willing to help. Bonus points if you find a photographer ranger, who understands the light business.
I think the fundamental idea here is that park rangers are there to make your experience in nature good. They love these places as much as us photographers, so it can’t hurt to ask.
The walk to the waterfall was fairly easy. 1.3 miles one way, and you’re following a river for half of it. I had to cross the river several times to stay on high ground, which made me happy I decided to do this excursion in sandals. If there’s a waterfall involved, 99% chance I’m wearing sandals.
Finally, I’d arrived. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a week now. And it paid off…
Light was glistening off the top of the waterfall, dancing like sparks. It was absolutely gorgeous. The only problem was that the pool of water below the falls was murky and disgusting… It wouldn’t show up nicely in the photo, and certainly wasn’t giving me any foregrounds to work with. In order to get a good shot, I realized I’d have to get right under the waterfall. Ohhhh joy.
I looked at the moss covered rocks under the falls, then down at the murky pool below. Well… It’s time I learn if Chacos really are as grippy as they say.
I took a cautious step and… they stuck. A little too much. It was the kind of moss that was thick enough that my entire foot would sink into it. Within three steps my feet were basically covered in slosh. I guess it’s exfoliating?
I decided to get up real close to the water and used this massive ledge as a foreground. I was about 1 foot away from the drop into the pool below, so I had to stand next to my camera tripod instead of behind it so I didn’t fall in.
One thing I’ve been loving lately with waterfalls is using the water from the falls as a foreground. I’ll usually take 10-15 shots all at different exposure lengths and pick which everyone created the most unique stream. Here’s what I decided on for my first shot:
“Lush Falls”
Taken with Sony a7rIII + Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
[ISO 100 ~ 17mm ~ f/20 ~ 0.4s]
(Want a Print? Get it here.)
That water looks so silky I just want to touch it. And do you see those twinkles of light at the top of the falls? Ridiculous.
From there I decided I’d also get a portrait angle shot, because I found a perfect triple pinnacle of falls. Check this shot out:
“Natural Beaker”
Taken with Sony a7rIII + Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
[ISO 100 ~ 17mm ~ f/18 ~ 0.4s]
(Want a Print? Get it here.)
Very similar to the first shot, except this one will actually do well on social media. With the way technology is going, 90% of people looking at your photos are on their phone. So when you have a shot that’s portrait orientation, it’ll naturally appear bigger on their screens.
I try not to let this affect my photography, but I do keep it in the back of my mind when shooting.
I walked away knowing I had two solid bangers in the bag. What a session. And what a way to end this waterfall streak I was on.
Alright. I got one more bonus photo for you, that’s not a waterfall. This photo technically wasn’t even taken on this trail, but it was taken on my drive out. But I didn’t want to create a whole another “adventure” around it because I literally just pulled over and took the photo:
“Green Twist”
Taken with Sony a7rIII + Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
[ISO 400 ~ 70mm ~ f/4 ~ 1/3000s]
(Want a Print? Get it here.)
I couldn’t pass up on that beautiful, abstract reflection. DAMN.
So that’s today's adventure, folks. Some social engineering to get some lovely photos. I’m now on my way up to Kentucky, to the magic land of the horses… Stay tuned.
I’m on a mission to explore as much as humanely possible.
Want to see my progress? Check out the Adventure Map.
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