Anchors On My Feet

I was given a Cokin Pro Z filter Kit as a Christmas present. The kit comes with four neutral density filters, which range from about 2 to 8 stops. This is the first square filter system I have experimented with and it is quite a different method than the variable screw on filters that I am used to. As you might expect, I was very eager and excited to test it out.

It is an overcast Saturday afternoon. Given the gloomy conditions, I won’t have to worry about over-exposure as the clouds are blocking the sun. I walk down to one of my favorite waterfall destinations and slip my darkest filter in front of my lens and started taking some 8-10 second exposures. The filter seems to be working well, but the photos are lacking the contrast I was hoping for. The silky water is blending in with the frozen water fall. It just isn’t really doing it for me.

Luckily I am wearing my Dads brand new steel toe rubber boots so instead of navigating my way over frozen rocks or across the ice, I just wade into the near frozen water. I ran over to my camera bag, and swapped my Nd Filter for another one with a smaller stop. I stomped back through the water and took an exposure of only half a second this time. I composed my shot and when it opened in the playback I saw exactly what I wanted, some character in the water. Below is the contrast between my first photo and what I was really hoping to capture with my new filters – what a difference!

So far I am loving both my new filter system and these water proof boots. My confidence grows so I decide to try to walk up the icy waterfall to get an even better shot. I successfully scale the iced death trap to the smaller stream at the top. I start to look around for something to photograph and right in front of my eyes, is a beautiful red and orange maple leaf stranded on an crystal iced chunk in the middle of the stream. Of course I had to get over there. I rush through the icy water wearing my dads heavy steel toe boots. I step on what I thought was a secure foot placement but my foot slipped and I went down. I am now sitting in waist deep, bone-chilling winter water, however the only thing on my mind is to get a picture with that amazing leaf. I set up my tripod and take a two second exposure, but my hands keep shacking and the tripod just keeps slipping down. So I just hold the tripod while I take the picture and try to be as still as possible while my entire body is shivering. Two seconds have passed and to my surprise there is no camera shake visible and the picture looks pretty good

Now all I have to do is pack up and walk through the snowy forest with my boots partially full of water and what feels like anchors on my feet. Boy was I glad to finally get home and warm my feet by the fire.