Archive 2013 · Monteagle Falls

Jon Buffington
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Monteagle Falls

This falls is located just outside of Monteagle, TN, accessed by an MSSA easement and was once a popular visiting place 100 years ago. It is somewhat forgotten and the land around it is being sold and developed for upscale homes with bluff views. Luckily the gulf is protected and access to the falls is still available. I have tried for the past 6-7 years off and on to get a useable image and have never been satisfied. The view from the rim is broken up by trees and branches with no clear framing, regardless of the season. The gorge is tight, narrow and descends rapidly providing a line of sight looking upwards rather sharply which makes for a backdrop of sky. Lighting is optimal when overcast however leads to a dreary backdrop. I approached this attempt by deciding on a clear afternoon to do the off trail bushwacking to get below the falls. Usually I don't like to shoot with a clear sky while the sun is up due to the disruptive shadows from all the tree branches. However, at sunset, the floor of the gorge was in shadow and a nice glow was upon the cliff face briefly, illuminating the falls. A 3 shot bracket was composed (-2, 0, +2) and blended in LR4. Though nothing to write home about, I am pleased with the results after numerous years and attempts on a challenging location to capture the beauty of this location as I see it.

http://www.jpbuffington.org/photos/i-PGMq2LZ/0/XL/i-PGMq2LZ-XL.jpg

Apr 02, 2013 at 06:23 PM

JimFox
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Monteagle Falls

Hey Jon,

I can imagine from your description and just knowing the gorges that many similar waterfalls travel through, that this is not an easy waterfall to shoot. I would say though that with this shot you have a keeper. Very well done, the processing looks great, you have a wonderful amount of DR in this. My only one suggestion would be to clone out that branch in the lower left. That should be a simple task compared to your processing the various exposures for this.

Jim

Apr 02, 2013 at 06:46 PM

Jon Buffington
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Monteagle Falls

Thank you Jim for the comments. I debated on cloning out that branch and I believe I will go back and do that.

Apr 02, 2013 at 06:55 PM

S Barth
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Monteagle Falls

I like the shot. Especially the filmy falling water and the way the light moves toward monochrome at the bottom. I was touched by your description of the difficulty getting this capture. I am glad you persevered. Thanks!

-Steve

Apr 02, 2013 at 07:48 PM

Jon Buffington
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Monteagle Falls

Thank you Steve

Apr 02, 2013 at 08:17 PM

dsjtecserv
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Monteagle Falls

You may just have to acknowledge that you've done the best that can be done with this waterfall. Not all waterfalls (or other types of subject either) lend themselves to creation of a great picture, no matter how moving they are to experience. I have felt similar frustration with wanting to convey how wonderful a scene is, but not been able to find a good angle or composition, or lighting scheme, or whatever, to make it actually work as picture in proportion to what it deserves. Sometime it just isn't going to happen!

That said, I think you did a good job with this waterfall. I'd say scrambling down to stream level was worth it, as it provides a dramatic under-the-lip view, with nice stream runout (a little wider and lower on the stream might have been good). The splash of sunset light under the rim adds a lot of interest to the relatively bland rocks. You might crop out about half of the sky above the rim to bring the focus more on the falls. But these are quibbles; it is a very nice portrayal of an attractive waterfall that just may not be able to cooperate any better with a photographer!

Dave

Apr 02, 2013 at 09:01 PM

Jon Buffington
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Monteagle Falls

Thanks Dave. I agree. Some places just do not cooperate. Thank you for your feedback.

Apr 03, 2013 at 05:13 AM

stanparker
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Monteagle Falls

Very nice shot. It was even tougher to shoot when I was there several years ago...no water!

Apr 03, 2013 at 06:54 AM

Jon Buffington
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Monteagle Falls

stanparker wrote:
Very nice shot. It was even tougher to shoot when I was there several years ago...no water!

Ahhh, so you know this location. Yes, so many of the falls on the plateau are weather dependent. Late summer most are to a drizzle at best. Fall is difficult except after a good rain (usually late fall towards the end or after peak colors). These conditions really make shooting difficult. One really needs to know which falls are not as dependent on weather (not a wet weather falls) when scouting shooting locations in summer/early fall.

I appreciate the kind words. If you don't care to, pm me with your connection to the south cumberland region. Monteagle Falls is not so well known to put it mildly and I was really surprised anyone on here had heard of it much less been to it. I am intrigued and we might have some mutual acquaintances in the area.

Apr 03, 2013 at 05:55 PM


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