Adventures from Behind the Glass

Autumn Cascade, Chattanooga, TN 2009

Having come across this beautiful autumn scene in harsh mid-day light, I knew that a return visit later in the day would be necessary to create a great image. To kill some time we drove up-river a bit until we came across an area of white water rapids wherein several kayakers were practising their craft. Standing next to a proud Dad on the bridge over the troubled waters, I learned that his son below was a champion at this popular Tennessee sport. The young man really knew how to rip himself around as his kayak went through serious white water that roared through this narrow gorge. It was a perfect spot to train because the specific area of powerful water let out to a calmer side allowing the kayakers to enter and exit the white water. Shooting a long (400 mm) lens from numerous vantage points as the kayak rolled over and over through the white water (see below) was an enjoyable diversion for me while I waited for softer light to return to the waterfall scene.

After capturing some cool kayaking action shots we made our way back to the cascade. Upon our return, the light had shifted allowing me to not only smooth out the water, but get some great detail and saturation. With a bit of patience and respect for proper lighting, I was able to create these two images that could both be described as a…fall fall.

White Water Run, Chattanooga, TN 2009