The Monster

I was recently reminded of something important for my photography. I had sold an image of a particular waterfall in which I had gone to an extra effort to get the better shot. Meaning … I was standing in the middle of the freezing cold and fast rushing creek when I took the photo of that waterfall. The client later remarked to me that she could truly appreciate the effort I made to get the shot (after she had hiked to the waterfall herself). That extra effort made a difference in that photo. Anyone could take a photo of that waterfall standing on the side of the stream, but it would not be very special. To take a special shot, to take a different and unique shot, you need to make the extra effort to get into a better position. I don’t mean a dangerous position, but I do mean getting wet (with waterfalls, especially). I have gotten away from making this extra effort lately. I’ve just been taking the standard shot. But since this client said this, I’ve been trying to get back to making this extra effort.

Bassi Falls is one waterfall where you really need to get wet in order to get a special shot. I did get wet to take this photo, and the water was indeed very freezing cold from the snow melt. I like shooting this falls just before sunset. There is a very short window of time right before sunset, where there is some very nice warm light shining on Bassi Falls. It is beautiful, but it is a short time and it is gone.

I took my family here one evening a few weeks ago. It is a fun and easy waterfall to go to. There were a lot of people here when we arrived, but by the time we left at around sunset, we were the only ones remaining … except for one other photographer (and as I found out later, he was one of my website contacts – small world).

It is also a monster right now (as a friend recently remarked to me). It is a very apt description of this incredible waterfall. At this time of year when the snow is melting, Bassi Falls is just amazing, powerful, and spectacular. I always try to get out here every spring, and it never fails to disappoint me. This year with the excessive snow pack, it may be the best I have ever seen it. This was taken a couple weeks ago, however, so I suspect it is substantially reduced in flow now that most of the snow has melted.

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