Yvonne Cary Carter
October 2025 - Multnomah Waterfalls Greenery
Original
About the Image(s)
Image taken at Oregon’s Multnomah Falls which was part of PSA’s Photo Festival 2025.
Multnomah, a two tier waterfall at 620 ft, is one of the tallest in the county. Viewing is about 20 feet from the falls. In this image my intent was to capture the tree moss draping the viewing bridge.
I shot at a slow shutter speed with tripod for a milky waterfall effect and bracketed to get the best exposure. But, due to a new camera I’m still working out the bracketing shots.
Post editing in Photoshop includes flipping image horizontally, adjusting light and curve sliders, dodging, burning and aspect ratio tools. The camera raw light sliders added unwanted color to the waterfall which I tried to correct with a mask but it was unsuccessful. This is a work in progress. Your advice is welcomed.
Camera Fujifilm Camera X-Pro 3
Lens Sigma 18-50 F2.8
Focal Length 37.8 mm
Exposure 1/3 @ f/8.0
ISO 320
Tripod Held
16 comments posted
I think this is very well done - it looks like it could out of a fairy tale! Posted: 10/07/2025 19:49:27
Sylvia, Thank you for your comments. As you know it's a challenge to capture how you view a scene. Posted: 10/13/2025 14:10:04
You have captured a very unique perspective of the very scenic Multnomah Falls. I love this area of Oregon and have seen these falls many times over the years. You have shown how green the area is and I like the moss on the tree branches adjacent to the bridge and the slow shutter speed succeeds in making the waterfall milky. You can also see just a flash of the upper falls in the upper left hand corner of the image. Your editing brings out the colors of the falls nicely.
It's possible, the "unwanted color" of the waterfall could be due to the removal of the branches covering it and the recreation the software did of the falls. This is just a guess. I am curious why you chose to mirror the image horizontally.
I considered going to this event, though was unable to make it happen. Hope you were able to take some of the other photo tours they offered. They all looked to go be very photogenic locations. Posted: 10/12/2025 01:18:26
It's possible, the "unwanted color" of the waterfall could be due to the removal of the branches covering it and the recreation the software did of the falls. This is just a guess. I am curious why you chose to mirror the image horizontally.
I considered going to this event, though was unable to make it happen. Hope you were able to take some of the other photo tours they offered. They all looked to go be very photogenic locations. Posted: 10/12/2025 01:18:26
Randy, Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I flipped the image to allow the tree branches to pull the viewer into the image. You're probably right about the editing causing the strange color in the waterfall. So much to be aware of when you're editing. I may give it another go with your suggestion in mind.
Sorry you didn't make the event. As you know Oregon landscape is beautiful! Another great spot was Canon Beach for sunset. Just didn't have enough time. Posted: 10/13/2025 14:03:44
Sorry you didn't make the event. As you know Oregon landscape is beautiful! Another great spot was Canon Beach for sunset. Just didn't have enough time. Posted: 10/13/2025 14:03:44
Yvonne, I appreciate your reply. Flipping the image is an artistic choice that works for this image. Doing things like that with my images never occurs to me and when I see things like that with places I am familiar with it is kinda odd to me and jumps out. This is not to imply there is something wrong with this creative decision, just it can be challenging for my feeble brain. Your explanation, and comments from the others, helps me appreciate your decision with this image. Posted: 10/18/2025 04:49:26
I totally understand how it would be awkward viewing the reverse of a familiar scene.
Sticking out like a sore thumb. :) Give it a try with some of your images. I even looked at portrait and landscape versions trying to save this. Posted: 10/19/2025 02:31:14
Sticking out like a sore thumb. :) Give it a try with some of your images. I even looked at portrait and landscape versions trying to save this. Posted: 10/19/2025 02:31:14
Yvonne, I love this picture and can't offer you a single suggestion for improvement.
I see wonderful green tones, very realistic. I see branches that lead me to the main subject, the bridge. The people on the bridge bring the landscape to life. The waterfall in the picture flows for me and isn't completely frozen like in other photos. The direction from left to right leads me out of the picture; the bright green to the right draws my gaze back up. Flipping the photo horizontally was a very good decision. Posted: 10/12/2025 15:57:26
I see wonderful green tones, very realistic. I see branches that lead me to the main subject, the bridge. The people on the bridge bring the landscape to life. The waterfall in the picture flows for me and isn't completely frozen like in other photos. The direction from left to right leads me out of the picture; the bright green to the right draws my gaze back up. Flipping the photo horizontally was a very good decision. Posted: 10/12/2025 15:57:26
Sabine, Thank you for your comments. Part of my experiment was shooting the waterfalls at different speeds for different effects. Glad this one works. Pointing out the different greens will help in editing the photo for printing. Posted: 10/13/2025 14:09:13
I also think the decision to flip the photo was brilliant -- in its current situation the entire image flows smoothly from the upper left to the lower right -- following the water fall. Really gorgeous and so much activity and energy! Posted: 10/12/2025 21:32:12
Doug, Thank you for your comments. It certainly was a lot of activity at the site with the tourists and all the dark color! Posted: 10/13/2025 14:11:50
Yvonne, I like your perspective when taking this photo and that you flipped the image horizontally. I like your crop as well. I think the trees on the left and right side of your photo create a nice frame around the bridge. There is so much to see in this image that I found myself focusing on certain elements that appealed to me, i.e. the bridge, the moss-covered branches, the waterfalls, the cliff face, and the foliage throughout the image. I think you did a great job with your post processing, and I don't have any advice for improvements. I enjoyed your image so much that I did play with your photo in Lightroom using masks and making slight adjustments in each of the areas I mentioned above to suit my taste, which is to create a little more separation from each other. This is purely my subjective perspective, and I had no more success than you with the waterfalls. Thank you for sharing, very nice image. Posted: 10/14/2025 21:50:40
Jim, Your version adds more life and vibrancy. Almost looks 3d. I'm going to try masking. Thank you for working with the image! Posted: 10/19/2025 02:35:11
My uploaded version doesn't look that much different than your photo. Not sure why that is. In any case, i enjoy viewing your each time I look at it. Posted: 10/20/2025 16:20:17
Well, we're pretty hard on ourselves. I still think yours is more vibrant. Posted: 10/24/2025 16:46:55
Yvonne, what a spectacular location and what an ambitious shot! Capturing Multnomah Falls with that moss-draped bridge is such a classic Pacific Northwest scene. Your slow shutter speed approach really paid off with that beautiful milky water effect. I love how you've framed the composition with the lush greenery and moss-it creates such a magical, fairy-tale atmosphere. The bridge positioned perfectly above the falls is a great focal point. Working with new camera equipment always takes time to figure out, and you're clearly making great progress. This image already has so much going for it, and it's exciting that you're continuing to refine it. Beautiful work! Posted: 10/20/2025 17:47:06
Linda, Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Look my new camera but I just need patience. Posted: 10/24/2025 16:49:00