Mill Creek Falls, West Virginia
Photo: Mill Creek Falls, West Virginia. Nikon D90, 18-200mm VR Nikkor lens at 32mm, 1 second exposure at ISO 200, f/14
I have visited West Virginia every summer for the past ten years or so. My girlfriend grew up there, and we go every summer to visit her family. I love the state. It’s beautiful. It’s a hilly area with many rivers and lakes, and consequently, there are about 3500 waterfalls in this state alone.
This waterfall is near Ansted. Ansted is very close to Hawk’s Nest. And to another attraction, the Mystery Hole. I love places like this, the funny tourist traps. The Mystery Hole is one of those places like the Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz, one of those crazy houses where gravity and the laws of nature have apparently run amok. Yeah!!!!! Of course, we’ve taken the tour. But every time we pass by there, I insist we stop so I can purchase another T-shirt and more bumper stickers.
Got distracted. Happens every time I talk about the Mystery Hole.
There is a nice walk from the bottom of Hawk’s Nest back up to Ansted. And along the way is Mill Creek Falls. From the trail, you have to slide down a hill, grabbing on to trees so you don’t tumble downhill like all those rocks and dirt that you’re kicking down.
I photographed this with my trusty Nikon D90 and a circular polarizer, that also sort of acted as a neutral density filter to let in less light as well. Coupled with that, I used a small aperture to let in even less light so I could get a more wispy sort of look from the waterfall, using a 1-second exposure. I screwed ’em on to my Feisol Travel Carbon Traveler Tripod and shot away.
Alright! one waterfall down, 3499 to go!
EDIT: A got a few requests for how to photograph waterfalls, so I’ll try and make that the next Tip of the Month!
Equipment: Nikon D90, 18-200mm VR Nikkor lens
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