The McCloud River had been on my list for 25 years. I just couldn’t seem to fit it into my schedule, as I am always out in the field teaching in June, the time of year I wanted to visit and photograph the river and falls. However, last summer, things finally fell into place. I was able to schedule an 18-day photography trip to see all the locations that had been on my list in Northern California.
When I arrived at Flowers Campground, the first order of business was to scout the entire trail and its three waterfalls—Lower, Middle and Upper McCloud Falls. I was impressed with Lower Falls, but as soon as I arrived at Middle Falls, I knew this was the shot I wanted! It was in direct sunlight, but I could tell that in the late evening, the cliff behind the falls would catch the last of the evening sun. This is when I needed to return.
I scouted many different compositions but found the perfect location below the falls using the creek as foreground. I marked my tripod feet with a couple of small rocks, so I would remember my spot. I finished scouting the entire trail, then headed back to camp.
After a rest break and refuelling with a big late lunch, it was time to head back out to do the entire trail over, hoping to land at Middle Falls around 7PM. The hike was so beautiful and went as planned, as I arrived at 7:15. I got into position, but the direct light was still on the falls, so I was a little early.
It was truly magical to watch the light leave the falls, and when it had receded enough, I clicked the shutter and Pow! Nailed That, Put that in the Bank! I love that glowing sunlight on the canyon wall behind the falls, and I was able to get the perfect shutter speed of 1.6 seconds at f/20, ISO 100.
I used a circular polariser to reduce glare and held a one-stop graduated split neutral density filter over the cliff wall to balance light. Perfect! Finally, after 25 years, I had the Gallery Shot I wanted of Middle McCloud Falls.
