The Road to Hana Photo

Photographer’s Note

Here's a typical scene on Maui's famously beautiful Road to Hana scenic drive. If this image looks familiar, it may be because of John Munro's splendid shot of the same waterfall here posted not too long ago.

I haven't been too active on the TrekEarth site of late so I did not actually see that shot until after returning home from my recent trip to Hawaii. My shot is more backed off from the fall giving more of a window view of the fall showing a slight reflection in the foreground than his nice close up.

Like John, I did not catch the name of the waterfall. After seeing such a concentration of falls like you encounter on the Road to Hana it does become hard to keep them straight.

While it is easy to see many waterfalls on this drive, it can be very difficult to get good photographs of them. The drive traverses a very narrow (one lane in many places) winding road that carries too much traffic for it's size. There are often no true parking spaces at many nice viewpoints or perhaps only a space for one car like at this one. This can make for a frustrating experience as you're acutely aware of all the great photo opps along this road but you have to drive by many of them without stopping.

My strategy for this waterfall was to note the mile marker on the road on the drive out to Hana and then revisit it later in the day on the return pass when there would be less traffic. This worked out as I was able to get the one parking spot and spend a fair amount of time working this waterfall. The light at this spot was also better later in the day as it was softer and more even.

I have been a slide-film shooter for many years and this was my first trip with digital as my main capture. I'm not yet in the habit of using the LCD very much for reviewing shots but I admit it was very helpful for seeing the effect of longer exposures in producing the silky water effect.

For post-processing, I cropped slightly, adjusted the levels a tiny bit on the blackpoint side, added +8 saturation to the greens and USM sharpened.

Regards,
Doug

robertosalguero, jwmunro, plimrn, gunbud has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

robertosalguero (110) 2007-05-30 1:27

Doug this look like a secluded little paradise somewhere in the rainforest. Very good exposure and colours to present this image. The views from this road are beautiful at every corner I imagine. Well done :-)

Roberto

jwmunro (6273) 2007-05-30 9:01

Hello Doug -

I must say, this is much better than my image of the fall. I notice that the light was nice and even with with little of the contrast issue. Your strategy was similar to mine in that if I couldn't get a parking place I would hit on the way back. One nice thing about that is that everyone except us were in a hurry to get back. I like your more intimate portrait of the fall and water. Well done!

It looks like you got the handle on the digital camera. Use the viewer for the histogram and blinkies only. The quality of the screen is such that you can not evaluate the quality of the image.

Thank you for sharing.

John

fallan (1860) 2007-06-02 0:00

That's a beautiful little waterfall. Like the faint reflection.

plimrn (19832) 2007-06-03 21:21

Hi Doug,
I remember that pool well. The way you've framed the fall surrounded by ferns as it falls into the dark water conveys well the sense of being there. My son has a photo of a fellow jumping from the rocks above into the pool below. I vastly prefer your artistic vision.

Thanks for all your excellent planning for a wonderful week-end at Mono Lake; I'll try to find something to post tomorrow taht won't look too bad in comparison with the excellent photos I'm expecting from the other participants.

HLJ, Pat

gunbud (28247) 2007-06-21 21:35

Hi Doug,
Wonderful slow exposure give this falls a dreamy look. The colors are fantastic and the details pleasant. Stunning reflection and nice color contrast between the milky falls and the green ferns.
Regards, Tom

umbrellaphotos (1901) 2007-08-23 16:20

Hey Doug,
This is a very pleasing image - as if photos from Hawaii cannot be pleasing! Love the colors and the scene. My only comment is that the image appears to have been over-sharpened in PP. Not terribly, but enough to notice.

Great work though!

Brian