Location: Boone Fork Trail, Milepost 296 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Boone, North Carolina.
Boone Fork Creek races by after a big cascade.
Camera: Nikon D7100
Lens: Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8
Focal Length: 11mm
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1 second
Aperture: f/16
Filters: Marumi Super DHG Circular Polarizer 77mm
Exposure: Manual
How I Got This Shot: Getting low was key for this shot. My tripod was about as low as it’d go without some modification, but then the legs of the tripod would have been in the water, and I didn’t want to risk the current causing camera shake. I was perched precariously on a small rock just behind the camera. I used a cable release to release the shutter without disturbing the camera. A Marumi Super DHG Circular Polarizer was used to kill some of the glare on the wet rocks. Sun was peeking in and out behind clouds, so I had to wait until the sun was completely blocked to get even lighting and keep my shutter speed long enough to capture the movement of the water.
There are many spots like this all along Boone Fork Trail. Don’t be afraid to get wet in order to find the best composition, but take extreme care. The rocks are deceptively slick and in places the current is strong enough to sweep you away. There is also a healthy snake population along the creek, so take a good look around as you move from rock to rock. Hiking poles can be extremely helpful here.
For More Information
- Additional photographs by The Art of Victor Ellison
- Categories where this photo is found: Editor's Picks, Lakes & Rivers, Waterfalls