While Iceland has more than it’s fair share of waterfalls, Gullfoss is worth a visit, with it’s multi-level falls cascading over several drops into the narrow gorge of the Hvítá river.<br /><br />Mist rises above, damping anyone or anything daring to venture too close. Turquoise water of the Hvítá rushes by at astonishing speed, crashing over the steps formed by underlying volcanic rock.<br /><br />Gullfoss was one of the last stops on my weeklong workshop. We were given just a few minutes to capture the power and beauty of these magnificent falls. Dropped off at the lower level, I ran (sort of) up the very long staircase to the viewing platform above. I wanted to photograph the entirety of the falls. <br /><br />The viewing platform was an open metal grate underfoot, with ‘teeth’ on the grate to prevent slipping. While great for humans, it wasn’t so great for tripods. It took quite the effort to position my tripod securely, without the feet dropping through the grate.<br /><br />I was fighting the tripod eating grate, mist enveloping my lens, the fear of missing the bus, and my usual self doubt about getting my camera settings right. (It doesn’t matter if I try to set them ahead of time - I still question my decisions.)<br /><br />Having found solid footing for my tripod, I clipped my camera in and started shooting, while at the same time taking in the scene filling my senses. What a sight!<br /><br />Experiencing the incredible power of the falls left me fulfilled. In my mind, there is nothing better than feeling the rawness of nature in all it’s glory.<br /><br />Goal achieved.4
While Iceland has more than it’s fair share of waterfalls, Gullfoss is worth a visit, with it’s multi-level falls cascading over several drops into the narrow gorge of the Hvítá river.<br /><br />Mist rises above, damping anyone or anything daring to venture too close. Turquoise water of the Hvítá rushes by at astonishing speed, crashing over the steps formed by underlying volcanic rock.<br /><br />Gullfoss was one of the last stops on my weeklong workshop. We were given just a few minutes to capture the power and beauty of these magnificent falls. Dropped off at the lower level, I ran (sort of) up the very long staircase to the viewing platform above. I wanted to photograph the entirety of the falls. <br /><br />The viewing platform was an open metal grate underfoot, with ‘teeth’ on the grate to prevent slipping. While great for humans, it wasn’t so great for tripods. It took quite the effort to position my tripod securely, without the feet dropping through the grate.<br /><br />I was fighting the tripod eating grate, mist enveloping my lens, the fear of missing the bus, and my usual self doubt about getting my camera settings right. (It doesn’t matter if I try to set them ahead of time - I still question my decisions.)<br /><br />Having found solid footing for my tripod, I clipped my camera in and started shooting, while at the same time taking in the scene filling my senses. What a sight!<br /><br />Experiencing the incredible power of the falls left me fulfilled. In my mind, there is nothing better than feeling the rawness of nature in all it’s glory.<br /><br />Goal achieved.4
