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When I saw this scene on the island of Kauai, I was struck by how I could see the entire water cycle happening right before my eyes. The water was evaporating, lifting into the clouds, raining back to earth, flowing down the seven waterfalls, and draining into this taro field and the surrounding area. There was no wind.
Hundreds of small fish were swimming around, making the reflections soft while the leaves were stationary for the entire two seconds of the exposure. So they were perfectly sharp even though they flutter in the slightest breeze.
I came back here 7 days in a row looking for calm conditions. But it was so nice being here that I literally almost forgot to take the shot!
Details: 2 second exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.9
| Title: | Water |
| Username: | 
PatrickSmith |
| Uploaded: | 19 Mar 2007 - 2:05 PM |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 5D |
| Lens: | Canon 17-40L @18 |
| Recording media: | RAW ISO 50 |
| Tags: | Flowers & plants, General, Hanalei, Hawaii, Kauai, Landscape / travel, Taro, Waialeale |
| Votes: | 159 |
Comments
Another wonderful image, Patrick. This has a real feel of serenity.
This does indeed look like a beautiful place to be, the sharpness of the leaves in the fg really is good considering the 2sec exposure, but it's the refelction and vivid colour that really drew me into the shot
Very classy!
Sean
Love the foliage in the foreground, don't think the shot would have worked so well without it....As always with your work Patrick, the quality consistantly shows through....
Ade
Love the reflections Patrick, but the vivid greens make the image for me!
gill
This was one of the ones that stood out on your website Patrick. The leaves (especially the isolated bunch) really do add that important foreground element to help balance the scene.
I must put Kauai on my list of places to visit (in my dreams!).
Mike
Like the clarity Patrick!!
And the way you go all around looking at the different elements within
Dave
It's all about that little group of three leaves on their own for me. Makes the shot.
Thanks for your comments. EPZ appears to be very slow this morning. It took an entire minute just to see this page. I'm not sure how anybody has even managed to comment!
True Ade, I had to get something nice in front. The full-sized print at 36x24 looks great.
I like the greens too Gill. It is green everywhere on this side of the island.
You have to go Mike!
Thanks Dave and Nik, I walked around for a while trying to isolate a nice bunch of taro in front. It was too chaotic elsewhere, as this was not taro season.
Patrick
Patrick
Wonderful reflections, like the little group of leaves in the fg and the water flowing in the distance - as you say, turning full circle, well done Patrick!
Site slow for me too today..
Sarah 
Wonderful tranquil scene Patrick excellent light colours and reflections.
Mark.
great view, great shot, love the colour and reflections, the clouds on the mountain too, excellent
steveb
Fantastic work as always Patrick. Compo, colour & reflections all blended with quality.
Bravo !
Bert
Quote: I waited 7 days for calm conditions
Flipping heck and i thought i was bad.
Andy...
Its often said that patience is a virtue Patrick and it has certainly paid a handsome dividend for you in the beautiful shot.
Ron
Thanks for your comments!
LOL Andy, well I was only in this spot for 2 consecutive hours but I came here every day for 7 days. But I didn't stand around in 2 feet of freezing muck all day like you do! This was warm muck.
Patrick
Hi Patrick,
This is amazing,i've been sitting mesmerised by the large image,love the reflection with the waterfall and hills and mist reflected in it,the leaves,it's just such a magical capture,i'm sure no one else has one like it unless they have the tenacity you have of sitting and planning and the patience to wait on the weather to give them that exact moment when they just want to see that exact picture.Exquisite and mesmerising.This should have the EC of EC's.Take care.Ann
This is a beautiful scene Patrick, the lush green, and that glass-like reflection are gorgeous.
Lisa
lovely colours Patrick amd a very pretty scene you deserve these wonderful captures the way you wait and wait for the right light or wave. Judith
Very good shot. You really captured the tranquility of this place. JNC
Thanks for looking in!
LOL Ann, it was very mesmerizing, so I'm glad I have a shot of it to bring back the memories.
Yes Judith, sometimes it does take a long time to get the right shot. Even on vacation!
Patrick
This magical image is a tribute to your patience - great work Patrick
Its an amazing scene Patrick, I agree with Alan your patience is to be commended, love the foreground greens in this they are alive, so much sharp detail, stunning shot, Adrian
even before I read your description, I was thinking the same thing... how the water seemed to come from those mountain rivers (amazing how clear they are) towards the pool in the fg.
So I guess you managed to put your experience at the place itself into a photo and transfered that experience to us. and that's quite an accomplishment
This is fabulous..if you turn it upside down it still works! Wonderful colours and reflection..so much interesting detail.
very nice Patrick, have an RC on me for a change
i thought it was my computer that was slow!!
Good that you did not forget-- I would have loved this place-- you have captured it perfectly!
Jennnnnnn
Lovely work as per usual Patrick, read your advise section on your website the other day, makes good reading for anyone learning to take good landscape shots, and your pictures are certainly an inspiration too.
Pooch.
can't believe just how calm this is, fantastic shot and so sharp.
CLIX
Excellent shot love the colors and clouds. I loved Kauai, been there about 10 years ago and it was amazing a photographers paradise
Joe
Thanks for your comments!
Koen, this did not last for long so I was glad to be able to catch it so I can remember it forever. But it always looks good here anyway.
I thought the same thing Maddie, but other sites were running at normal speeds.
Definitely Joe!
Patrick
Another cracking image up to your high standards. Love the reflection and also the 7 waterfalls.
Wondered at first why you went for this Patrick - then read your description -
I say that as I usualy find that whilst heavily greened mountains are often OK to see in the flesh so to speak - they don't translate in my opinion to great photo's - however there are many other elements within this to lift it well
Dave
What a great scene Patrick and one which you have captured very nicely.
Scott
Quality photography as always Patrick, the colours and detail are amazing.
Rg Tony
wow, those reflections play tricks with the eyes they are so clear.......jojo
Stunning clolours and dof in this shot, I love that lime green leaf detail both in the foreground and on the water. Fabulous shot as usual Patrick, and so soo glad you remembered to press the shutter!! helen
The large version is top notch Patrick. The colours are superb, and I love the stillness of the water and those great reflections. The whole scene gels together perfectly.
Steve!
If things go according to plan I will be heading there early next year
Pure harmony of nature.. full of tranquillity and Harmony !!! Zen
so inspiring and beautifully composed
Nikki
perpetual motion in action Patrick. Lovely fresh colours and great reflection.
Norma
Patrick,
You need to visit Helensburgh and see how precipitation really works....on a daily basis!
Guy
The commentary and the picture compliment one another perfectly Patrick, as the shot shows everything that you write about. Excellent work.
John
Beautiful greens and reflections, and a great backdrop. You are teasing me with these images of Kauai Patrick, roll on 2008, when Im headed there for my daughters wedding.
C
i love how the foreground of leaves complement the overall image...and must be viewed large to see the waterfalls in the background..beautiful relections and greens...another of that Patrick Smith stamp.......excellento !
alex
Absolutely gorgeous land and water scape Patrick - your landscapes never cease to amaze me!
Stan
Perfection. Could not think of anything that would improve this Patrick. A truly great shot.
Dave
Thanks for your comments!
I know what you mean about greens Dave (Davieb), fortunately the waterfalls and some light saved the mountains from oblivion.
Paul, if you remember, don't hesitate to ask and I'll tell you exactly whre I took all of the Kauai shots I have on my website. (32 images with quality similar to this one.)
You never know Guy, though these mountains get over 500 inches of rainfall per year!
LOL - Sorry C, but I will be tormenting you with these for some time!
True Alex. The thumb on this one doesn't really stand out and even the 500 pixel one doesn't show much.
I know one thing Dave (dp), if I was there now to take even more shots.
Patrick
As someone once said, 'It's not just a matter of being in the right place at the right time . . . it's knowing how to use your equipment' 
[No crude innuendo intended!] And you do use your equipment so well Wonderful capture - and worth the many visits. Bruce
Glad to be #80 Patrick ... but I am afraid I will have to sue you for an R.S.I. in getting down this far buddy ;-D
Paradise! Lots of clouds too. lol The plants provide nice foreground subjects. I guess there was no wind as you had waited for if you shot a 2 second exposure and got the plants so sharp. This place is so green. I guess all the rain makes it so green. I have been to Oahu and Maui, but I haven't been to Kauai yet which is the most beautiful island there. There is a big canyon there that almost looks like the Grand Canyon. Did you go there?
Thanks for looking! I won't be around tomorrow but I'll catch up on Wednesday.
LOL Bruce..
Sorry Paul, I'll put up some family shots. That should help the RSI!
Dennis, do you mean this canyon? I just did a quick convert from raw and resized to 1200 pixels. It is quite an impressive canyon!
Terry, there were some loud birds that almost sounded like monkeys, so who knows!
Patrick
You really have some great scenes to shot over on your end. Beautiful as always, I will be heading up to Washington State in about two weeks, I am hoping that it is not raining and I get a chance for some landscapes. Excellent work, love the contrast in the elements, Spot on! Click!!!
Greg
Yes, Patrick. This is the canyon I was talking about. It's really awesome! You should put more images of it here and on your website.
This MUST be viewed large. Patrick, this is fantastic. -=]Walter
Love the clarity Patrick,especially in those fresh greens.Composition is spot on with the plants in the fg & I love that mist just hanging there.
Janet
A beautiful, atmospheric capture Patrick. Love your composition and the lush greens in this. Gorgeous reflections too....
Ali
Another beautiful shot Patrick,Great colours,Love the reflections
click
regards
chelseak
Excellent colors and reflections on this placid image. Love the view of the hills capped by the low clouds.
Antonio
like this a lot Patrick - the detail in the larger image looks superb
Thanks for looking!
I sure do Greg. It is still hard to get good light though. The last time it rained was when you were here. It rains there on 3 times as many days as here but that can lead to nice landscapes, so get ready.
Dennis, the problem with the one I linked to above is that there is no foreground. And the cliffs are too crumbly to hike to a better place. You need to reserve an entire day if you want a really good shot. Still, I do like the colours and everything.
Hi Tony, I went back to your last comment on th elast shot in order to to go over to your page to do a better critique. And then here is your comment! Thanks.
Patrick
Patrick, I thought you would have more images of the canyon, but I guess you didn't have time to do more shooting there. Are there any trails around the canyon or trails that go into the canyon? The canyon will be one of my main photo shoots when I go to Kauai.
Thanks Malcolm.
Dennis,
I do have a few more but I haven't processed them yet. But they are about like the one I linked to above. It would take several dedicated days to really get a good shot. The one good thing is that clouds hang around at the summit a lot. But this is the dry side of the island. So there is a 2 hour drive from where I stay on the north side and this is the only destination. There is the end of the road beach (called barking sands or something) that would be good for photos, but I haven't made it there yet.
Patrick
I rarely get in early on your shots Patrick, but I'm pleased to make it a round 100. Beautiful colours, sky, details reflections and feel.
Nigel
. . been away for the last ten days and busy since returning . . .glad to catch up with this one and will be reviewing all me favourite P f's as time allows . . .
. .thanks for your recent comments and wish you well with the B & W experiments? . .
. .I'm sure they will be as acomplished as the rest of this magnificent P F . . .
Mike.W
A beautiful place, I can almost smell that warm damp vegetation!
Simon
Patrick, as with all your photos, you never defraud me, it a pleasure to see them, not just because they are technically perfect but you make everything look so beautiful, in my opinion that is pure art!
A wonderful capture of true natural beauty.
To be there must have been awesome.Superb as always Patrick.
Brian.
Nobody else could have captured this the way you have. My chin does not like to meet the floor but nevertheless, there it is.
A...
Great quality work again. Love the plants and their reflections. Lovely stuff.
Alan.
Thanks for looking!
I hope you're right Mike. B&W is not easy!
Yes Simon it did smell very damp.
It was awesome Brian!
LOL Mr. Chiliman!
Patrick
absolutely beautiful Patrick - justlove those delicate foreground plants reflected in the water and your description and 'capture' of the water cycle is very interesting
Hi Patrick hope you well, so green and fresh the landscape!! and rolling clouds to boot , top marks that man-------click
Doug
Lovely plus every other adjective that could be used to describe something that you really like!!
Superb Patrick!
Rgds
Paul
Another truely amazing capture Patrick. Reflections and colours are just stunning.
lovely light illuminating the foreground water vegetation with a beautiful backdrop too.
Its all been said.... stunning image lovely colours/reflections and a geography lesson included... amazing to see the water cycle in a true to life image... brilliant. Karen
Crisp colours and a very nice composition Patrick, this is very beautiful indeed, the nature lesson is very good as well.
All the very best my friend,
Dougie
Thanks for your comments! I hope to catch up with the new uploads soon.
I'll try Mike...
You too Dougie!
Patrick
Been away Patrick so catching up on my fav photographers....
Stunning...Agree the foliage in F/ground adds to this image.. Very brave..
Click
Wow, a landcsape where i would like to sent life time.
Beautyful picture.
Jan
What are you like? You go there every day for 7 days and then nearly forget to shoot the image! LOL!
I just love these little plants and the scale they provide...
Thanks for looking!
LOL Cathy, What can I say? Sometimes it is just too nice and I sit back and forget! Once I completely lost the light. Oh well....
Patrick
This is such a nice scene, Patrick, was staring so long at it, almost forgot to make a comment and click....LOL!
Great description, really makes us want to be there in person...
Have a wonderful week,
Suze
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