Last weekend I was accompanied on a short trip to Field B.C. by Rolande and our daughter, Jaime. One of our stops was at the Natural Bridge, located just north of Field along the Emerald Lake Road. Natural Bridge is an impressive natural rock formation that spans the flow of the Kicking Horse River, where the slower-moving waters from the Field valley flats begin their descent through a canyon to be joined by the Amiskwi River. Sculpted by the erosive forces of rushing water over what had once been a waterfall, the Natural Bridge is a powerful reminder of how much influence water has in shaping the landscape. Softer rock found below the Natural Bridge’s hard limestone band eroded more quickly, and fissures in the rock widened until the flow of water was diverted below the outcrop.
The rushing water as it drops below the Natural Bridge is an excellent place to try different exposures. The first shot below was taken with a very fast exposure (1/6400 seconds) and enabled me to effectively “freeze” all movement of the water. The turbulence is clearly visible and if you look carefully you can see droplets suspended above the water splashing over the rocks.
The second photo was taken using a 9-fstop, neutral density filter to slow the exposure to 6 seconds. Of course, considerable water flows through the frame in that period, creating a much softer looking, streamed appearance.
Because the camera was tripod-mounted, both images are identical in all respects, except for the appearance of the flowing water. The first image is more realistic and faithfully represents what the eye would see. The second picture is more artistic and conveys an entirely different feel. This long exposure is very popular and you see it used often in photographs of waterfalls. A matter of preference.
I’d be interested in knowing your preference. If you’d like to let me know, simply mark 1/6400 sec or 6 sec to indicate your choice in the comment box below this post. Then, post the comment.
both are nice, I prefer the faster shutter speed one. We have pictures from 1990 from the same spot cept my pic has some wayward characters in it like Mugs Sean Jodi and Kim trying to block my view of the natural bridge.
This is one of my favourite spots too! I almost always take these pictures with a slow shutter speed as I prefer the soft luminous effect it creates with rushing water. Lovely picture, Peter.
I prefer the 1/6400 photo.
I like the 1/6400 sec. effect.
I prefer the 1/6400 shot Peter. Beautiful. I also was quite taken with your pictures in the Okotoks area. Very beautiful and so typical of Alberta.
I agree with Rolande ~(:>), 1/6400 – but then I’m an Engineer!