Southford Falls in the Fall

I had been wanting to photograph Southford Fall in the fall and this was the last day I really had to do it before too many leaves were down. Unfortunately I would have to work in a fairly sustained driving rain. Not only did I have to be concerned with my equipment but the rain was knocking the leaves off the tree’s while I was.

The rocks and leaves made for a slippery surface as I very carefully set up my tripod on the bank of the stream. I was perched about 6′ above the stream and the rain kept coming down. Being a bit clumsy and absent minded at times I had to keep my focus so at no time would I forget that one misstep, about a foot to the right, and I was going into the drink.

When I was in the car I wrapped the camera and lens into a $16.00 rain cover that I purchased on Amazon. To be honest I got my $16.00 out of it. It cinched up nicely at the end of the lens, covered my entire camera and LCD viewfinder as well as allowing me access to controls through two hand ports. I was so impressed by this thing that I shot some other scenes, in the rain, after the waterfall shot. I was feeling a little cocky I guess. (laughing)

If you’ve never been to Southford Falls I find it rather nice. It’s about a 150+ acre park overlapping the towns of Oxford and Southbury CT. The main area consists of a decent sized parking area, large pond, mowed grassy area, waterfall, and a covered bridge. Both the covered bridge at the lower end and the top of the waterfall provide food bridges to make your way into the woods and it’s hiking trails.

I have photographed wedding formals here back in my professional days. Both the waterfall and the covered bridge provided a nice backdrop or environment for images.

Photographed with a Sony A7RII, Sony 24-105mm F4 @ 24 mm.
30 second exposure (using 10 stop ND filter), F8, ISO 100, MANUAL MODE