Winding Roads, Wild Trails & Waterfall Dreams

Hello fellow wanderer!

This week, we are rolling into Shenandoah National Park, where Skyline Drive took us on a winding trip through a picturesque piece of nature. We saw deer grazing in the fields and hiked a piece of the Appalachian Trail before descending down 583’ to the falls. Going down wasn’t too bad, but coming back up was another story!

We visited the park from our campsite near Lynchburg, a mere 73 miles away, and it was a beautiful motorcycle ride. You can also access the park easily from Washington, DC (75 miles), Charlottesville, VA (25 miles), and Richmond, VA (94 miles). Visit the park’s website for more information. Keep reading for highlights from our visit!

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Photo of the Week - Dark Hollow Falls

Tucked under the emerald canopy just off milepost 50.7, Dark Hollow Falls is a gem best discovered by foot. The short hike plunges you into a symphony of birdsong and babbling brooks, ending in a 70-foot curtain of cascading water. If you catch it at the right time of day, the light dances through the leaves, perfect for that soft, misty capture that turns memories into magic.

I am absolutely loving the flexibility my OM-1 Mark II gives me for shooting nature. It really shines with the in-camera ND filters that have allowed me to lighten my gear even more! I shot this image at ⅛ sec, f14, and ISO 320. One thing I forgot to do was switch to manual mode and lower my ISO to 100, but I think it turned out pretty nice, even at ISO 320. I used my trusty travel tripod, the Platypod Delta, to stabilize my camera on a rock and then worked on a composition I liked.

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Chasing views and Waterfalls on Skyline Drive

There’s nothing quite like cruising Skyline Drive on a motorcycle with the wind in your face, and curves that keep you grinning with the scent of wild honeysuckle and blooming azaleas trailing behind you like perfume. This ride was pure Blue Ridge bliss. We pulled over at Moorman’s River Overlook midmorning, and there was still haze in the valley, creating blue-on-blue layers dissolving into the sky. The soft blue layers looked more like a painting than real life. I could’ve stayed there all day, camera in hand, soaking it all in. A little farther down, The Point Overlook lived up to its name. A short, rocky trail led to a dramatic outcrop that juts out into the valley. It’s one of those places that makes you feel small in the best way, just sky, mountains, and a sense of awe. If you’re packing lunch, this is the place to unroll your picnic blanket. But the real adventure was Dark Hollow Falls. The hike is just under a mile each way, but don’t underestimate it. The downhill trek is easy, shaded by trees, with the sound of water growing louder with every step. At the base, the waterfall tumbles down over mossy rocks in a scene that feels like something out of a fairytale. If you are there for waterfall photography, you will want to be sure to bring some patience, as it is the most popular trail in the park. The uphill return? Let’s just say I earned my post-hike snack.

A few more shots from the day!

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Waterfall Photography Tips

Here are a few of my go-to tips for capturing a waterfall image you will love:

1. Use a slow shutter for silky water. Depending on how much movement you want to show in the water, set your shutter speed between ¼ and 5 seconds.
2. Try Live Photo on an iPhone or use an app like Long Exposure Camera 2 to create a silky water effect. Turn on Live, take the image, and click “long exposure” in the drop-down menu when viewing the photo.
3. Pay attention to the light. Waterfalls are best photographed under a cloudy sky, which creates diffused lighting and no harsh shadows. If no clouds are available, shoot during golden hour when the light is softer.

Give these tips a try and tag me on social (@fleetingexpressions). I’d love to see what you create!

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Spoiler Alert!

If wild waterfalls got your heart racing, just wait until you meet the beach-loving ponies of Assateague! I can't wait to share their amazing story and more about our adventure to the Assateague National Seashore in next week's issue!

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Until next week!

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