Valley of the Waters

[NorthernFocus]

We spent three nights in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. Trekked (aka hiked) nearly 50k while we were there. My favorite trail was the Valley of the Waters near Wentworth Falls (name of both the town and a waterfall). We met an elderly gentleman (20 years our senior) who took us off the official track along an old abandoned route all the way to the bottom of the valley and back. It was quite a trek and he pretty well wore us out.

Here are a few shots taken along the way. This time I turned off "steady shot" and used the remote trigger rather than timed shutter release.

All shot with Sony a6000 and 18-55mm kit lens, CPL filter, tripod mounted with remote shutter release. Colors may be wonky because I'm editing on an uncalibrated laptop. No apologies to those who prefer faster ss on moving water. Best viewed in the light box.


1) Empress falls, the uppermost fall in the Valley of the Waters. Shot at 21mm, f11, 4s


2) Not sure what this one is called. I don't typically shoot from above like this but didn't want to take the time to scramble down the bank to a different spot. I kind of like the way it turned out. Shot at 35mm, f11, 2s


3) I believe this one is called Sylvia Falls. Shot at 22mm, f16, 4s


4) This is an isolated view of the upper left portion of Sylvia. Shot at 18mm, f16, 4s

[Manfred M]

We met an elderly gentleman (20 years our senior) who took us off the official track along an old abandoned route all the way to the bottom of the valley and back. It was quite a trek and he pretty well wore us out.

Do you hate when that happens?

Regardless, nice images and it looks like you are getting some decent hikes and decent weather on your trip.

[Mike Buckley]

All of them look terrific! And to think that you wouldn't have come across the waterfalls if you hadn't first come across the guy who took you to them.

[Sam W]

Great photos. #3 (Sylvia Falls) is my favorite. I could spend a long time at there looking for shots. Seems you found a great angle and lighting.

[Dave A]

Outstanding images, all of them.

Dave

[John 2]

No problem with colours here just a nice set of images. Clearly worth the effort. I'm full of admiration. The trek sounds bad enough but with a tripod over your shoulder as well...........

[dje]

Number 3 for me too Dan, nice colours and composition.

Dave

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comments everyone and glad you enjoyed the photos.

John, no heavy tripod to haul around all day. These were done with my ultra light rig. Entire kit including body, two lenses, tripod and ball head all weigh less than the D810 and a single lens. If all I did was landscape work my DSLR days would be over

[Wavelength]

All nice images

[SamRothstein]

Call me crazy, but I really like #2. Nice different perspective. All the images are nice though.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice series Dan, especially #1. Colors also look decent to me

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comments. Sam, I also like the second shot though in retrospect I should have shot it wider to give more of a sense of the vertical drop. I'm still learning how to use WA.

[FootLoose]

I like the 3rd, Dan. I'm not a fan of slow water but it works for me here.

Just find that dark circular shape in the middle a bit distracting. I wonder if you could lighten it a little - or clone a bit of water over it

How is the weather treating you? 40 here yesterday with blistering hot winds. 20 today and expecting rain.

[IzzieK]

You seem to be enjoying your trip with Paige,Dan...these are beautiful...all of them, no push nor pull one over the other for me...

[JBW]

verrrrry nice

[Bobobird]

Dan does birds not landscapes... or is he branching out??

Well from my viewpoint, he is doing just as good a job here as he is with the birdies. Well done.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comments, folks.

Dan does birds not landscapes...

Tell me about it. I'm going cold turkey with all these birdies down here...

..How is the weather treating you? 40 here yesterday with blistering hot winds. 20 today and expecting rain.

We've been lucky with weather so far, avoiding both the worst of the heat and most of the rain. A bit of wind the past two days and a few drops. But it worked out because it drove us off the coast and we went up into the forest of Otway NP. It was absolutely beautiful. I was astonished at the size of the trees. Had no idea they grew so big down here. But I guess they have to stay above the ferns