Niagara Falls Vacation

In a previous thread I asked, and recieved, some advice for shooting Niagara Falls. However, this was also a family vacation so my time and attention was divided between spending time with them and pursuing photographic pursuits. As such, I probably did not capture the best images I could but I think I got a few decent shots. I'm posting here just for "conversation" but may post a few images in the Critique forum.

I think this was my most dramatic shot. I took this from the Canadian side looking out over the American falls at night when lit up. I used a tripod and tried various exposures and shutter speeds. This one was shot at 70mm with the 70-300 lens, F/4.5, with an 8 second exposure. I had a tough time getting a really sharp image. This one was the sharpest to my eyes, although a few were barely distingishable from each other.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikzen/4966818382/" title="Falls at Night Blue 2 by erikzen, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/4966818382_b0c0829ce4_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Falls at Night Blue 2" /></a>

The weather wasn't that great most of the time. It was overcast but also bright and hazy. This image didn't really do it for me in color. It was just too overcast and it all looked kind of gray and dull. I decided to "go with the flow" so to speak and make this into a black and white shot. I could probably punch up the contrast a bit more, but I like the overall effect.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikzen/4966242777/" title="Horseshoe Falls Black and White by erikzen, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/4966242777_057dc8d8a3_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Horseshoe Falls Black and White" /></a>

I took this one from the Maid of the Mist boat. I wasn't really able to get a great shot of the falls close up from the boat because it was just too crowded. I had my 2 young children with me and couldn't just fight to get to the railing. This was shot using the 9-18mm and is all the way open at 9mm here.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikzen/4966789876/" title="American and Horseshoe by erikzen, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/4966789876_1a4f4a757a_z.jpg" width="640" height="470" alt="American and Horseshoe" /></a>

"The Journey Behind the Falls" tour offered a different perspective. I had a lot of trouble with blown out skies but this one was probably the best exposure.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikzen/4966196297/" title="Behind the Falls Horizontal by erikzen, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/4966196297_297a12f1f4_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Behind the Falls Horizontal" /></a>

In addition to the falls, we also visited the Butterfly Conservatory and the White Water Walk. For the White Water Walk I tried a Panorama shot but I'm not that crazy about it. I will probably ask for a little help with creating panoramas in the Help forum.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikzen/4966424269/" title="Penelope Catches a Butterfly by erikzen, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/4966424269_a3d2c746ff_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Penelope Catches a Butterfly" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikzen/4966417761/" title="White Water Walk Panorama by erikzen, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/4966417761_89c92355e4_b.jpg" width="1024" height="201" alt="White Water Walk Panorama" /></a>

I really like the 9-18mm lens. The more I use it the more versatile I find it. I think this shot of the Skywheel is an interesting one.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikzen/4967031756/" title="Skywheel 3 by erikzen, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/4967031756_8ef342f8f3_z.jpg" width="640" height="580" alt="Skywheel 3" /></a>

I like the first two, the color night scene has a real nice feel about it and the clouds in the B/W image really draw me into the picture. The skywheel would have been more interesting with some rotation movement blur, but you take what you can get! Looks like you got some good images, considering the balancing act between family and photography.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ksbryan0

The skywheel would have been more interesting with some rotation movement blur

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Funny you say that because I had exactly the same thought. I even took my tripod down to the Skywheel, but we ended up being rushed to go see the fireworks so I never had the time to set up the shot.

I did get a pretty interesting fireworks shot though.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikzen/4972369351/" title="Fireworks over the Falls 2 by erikzen, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4972369351_a74a36f7b4_z.jpg" width="640" height="351" alt="Fireworks over the Falls 2" /></a>

The ones I really like are the first one, last one and the photo with the butterfly, Jeff

Outstanding images. Looks like a great trip nd you made the most of it photographically. Love the skywheel and the butterfly is an awesome shot.

Thanks indulging me and for all the great comments. I still have tons more photos to go through. These were the ones that struck me off the bat. I'll probably burden you with a few more in the coming days.

All amazing shots. You really nailed the Sky Wheel though. Amazing.