Slowing Down: Photographing “The Niagara of the South”

We often visit locations looking forward to the experiences and the opportunity to take great photos. Recently, I began shooting all of my photos outside of my professional work on 35mm film. This method has allowed me to slow down, take in a moment, and find the right shot. Too often, digital photography allows us to take lots of images and hope for a keeper, but with film, you're limited by the number of images on a roll and the cost of film and processing. This forces you to slow down and find the perfect shot.

Cumberland Falls, often referred to as "The Niagara of the South," is a natural wonder that has captivated visitors for generations. Its stunning beauty and unique geological features make it a prime spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike. Recently, I revisited this iconic location with my wife and two young boys. The trip offered a chance to reconnect with a place that has long inspired me and capture the stunning landscapes along the Cumberland River.

It had been nearly eight years since I last visited Cumberland Falls, but my love for this place has never faded. One of my earliest photographs of the falls is framed and displayed at my dad's house—a reminder of my early passion for capturing nature's beauty. Returning with my family, especially my son Waylon, brought back memories and reignited my enthusiasm for photographing this breathtaking landscape.

After reaching an elevated lookout I was able to use a tripod and self timer to take a long exposure self portrait of myself taking in the amazing view of Cumberland Falls.

Our adventure began in the parking lot above Cumberland Falls, where the sound of cascading water filled the air, hinting at the natural marvels awaiting us. From there, we embarked on a trail that gradually descends in elevation, leading us downriver from the falls. The trail offered a leisurely walk through lush greenery, eventually guiding us to a large staircase.

After descending the staircase, Waylon and I arrived at a sandy beach that sits opposite the river from the towering sandstone wall. This beach is a favorite spot for families and children, providing a safe and fun area to play, all while enjoying the breathtaking backdrop of the falls upstream.

The sandstone wall across the river commands attention with its impressive height. The river, in its relentless journey over countless years, has eroded the base of the wall, creating a cavernous formation beneath it. The sandy beach below the wall is a testament to Mother Nature's unending work, revealing how the water continually shapes and widens the river's path. Above the wall, a canopy of bright green trees blankets the top, concealing the true height of the sandstone. This natural tapestry adds depth and contrast to the landscape, creating a visual feast for photographers looking to capture the interplay between earth and water.

As Waylon and I settled onto the beach, an unexpected scene unfolded—a bright orange raft was being launched into the water. This lively addition to the landscape added a dynamic element to the image I was aiming to capture. The vibrant raft provided a striking contrast against the natural tones of the sandstone and greenery, while the group of people preparing to embark added action and spontaneity to the photograph.

Using my Minolta X-570, 24mm f/2.8 lens and a roll of Kodak Ektar 100, I captured this moment, blending candid action with the serene backdrop of the sandstone wall. The photo tells a story of adventure and exploration, capturing the essence of a day spent exploring one of nature's masterpieces. The bright orange raft, with its occupants preparing for their journey, injected life into the landscape, illustrating the harmony between human activity and the natural world.

The group of fellow tourists were loading into an inflatable raft about to paddle up to the falls where they’d surely receive the most immersive view of everyone there that day.

After our time on the beach, Waylon and I retraced our steps back up the trail to an elevated viewpoint above the falls. From this vantage point, I wanted to capture the immense scale of Cumberland Falls, showcasing its size relative to the people and rafts below. The falls, with their powerful cascade of water, dominate the landscape, illustrating the sheer force and beauty of this natural wonder.

With my 200mm lens, I took a photograph that highlights the vastness of the scene. Although the lens later revealed some quirks—imperfect focus and light leaks—the image still succeeded in portraying the falls' grandeur. This perspective offered a striking comparison between the tiny figures of people against the massive backdrop of water, revealing just how much larger the falls are than anything else around them.

By the time we had made it back up and out of the rivers gorge the group had paddled there way up to the falls and were enjoying what can only be imagined as a very wet and exhilarating experience.

This trip to Cumberland Falls reinforced the importance of perspective in landscape photography. The contrasting images—one featuring the candid action of the raft against the sandstone wall and the other highlighting the falls' sheer size from above—demonstrate how different angles can transform a scene and convey varied narratives.

The first image, with its vibrant colors and candid moments, showcases human interaction with the natural world, adding life to the landscape. The second image, focused on the falls' immense scale, emphasizes the power and majesty of nature, reminding us of our place within it.

Both perspectives offer unique insights into the beauty of Cumberland Falls, illustrating the value of exploring different angles and compositions in photography. This experience served as a reminder that embracing imperfections and unexpected elements can often lead to more authentic and engaging images.

Our visit to Cumberland Falls was a fulfilling experience, offering an opportunity to reconnect with a landscape that never ceases to inspire awe. The photographs captured during this trip, with their varied perspectives and stories, encapsulate the spirit of exploration and the joy of experiencing nature's wonders. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of the natural world, Cumberland Falls offers endless opportunities to explore and create. The landscape, with its dynamic interplay of water, rock, and foliage, serves as a reminder of the timeless beauty that surrounds us.

As I continue my adventures with my family, I look forward to capturing more of these stories and discovering new perspectives along the way. Cumberland Falls remains a testament to the enduring magic of photography, inviting us to see the world anew with each visit.

The gallery below are digital images also captured while visiting Cumberland Falls.