Making the most of a rainy day in Cashiers

11 Mar 2010 by Sean in Cashiers Outside

This is the view I awoke to this morning:

Dreary morning on Lake Glenville

Not the most inspiring image, is it? It’s beautiful in its own mysterious way, but it sure doesn’t shout, “Let’s go hiking and check out some waterfalls!” which is exactly what I’m going to do today.

The overcast and light rain make for perfect waterfall photography conditions. The rain adds to the water flow on the rivers so the waterfalls are more dramatic. But people don’t often realize that diffuse overcast like today’s weather spreads the light around the forest and improves photography in the trees.

If you’re shooting a landscape, say a big mountain vista, then low golden light usually makes your shot more interesting (think: sunrise and sunset, what many professionals call the “golden hour”).

But when you’re deep in the woods, that much light would cause a confusing mix of highlight and shadow throughout your photos. The even light provided by light overcast allows the camera to see more detail in an environment full of detail and texture.

Anyway, my camera, my tripod and I are taking a couple of short hikes to some waterfalls I’ve always meant to visit but never have. And this gloomy day turns out to be my stroke of luck.

Making the most of a rainy day in Cashiers

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