If you are heading up to upstate New York I would highly recommend Watkins Glen and The Gorge Trail. The shirt I picked up afterwards claimed “I Survived The Gorge Trail” which included 832 steps, 1.5 miles and 19 Waterfalls. The pictures do not do the trail justice. If your goal is to photograph any part of this amazing trail then you will want to start your day as early as possible, as a steady flow of hikers and photographers quickly filled the narrow passages.
The pictures on this trip were taken with a variety of lens but I enjoy my manual 18mm F1.8 lens with CPL and ND2 Filters. This combination allows my full control of the images. Although I am still learning how to combine light balance and detail of the water motion, I was quite pleased with how some of my pictures turned out on this trip.
Two key takeaways I can share from this trip. The first, trying to switch lens back and forth, removing filters can get quite tasking on hikes like these. Definitely plan accordingly with the style of photographs you are looking for. I spent a lot of time changing my set up back and forth and in the process had to clean my lens a few times. The second is watch the weather, overcast days provide the best opportunity for photographing waterfalls. After I hiked Watkins Glen, we headed over to Taughannock Falls but by the time we got there the sun was near its peak and caused a lot of glaring even with the filters I was using.
and lastly… Don’t forget to enjoy the beauty around you as you hike.
The Original Blueprint photos 
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