A photographic journal by Brian Mazur

Chutes Coulonge

Fort Coulonge is about an hour and a half drive from Ottawa on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River and the Nature Group of the RA Photo Club organized an outing to the nearby waterfalls in March 2016. These are spectacular falls and excellent to photograph in winter because of the equally spectacular ice formations formed by the spray of water! I felt really inspired by this location and will make a point to visit there again. We arrived at about 8 am and the park staff were kind enough to open the gate early for us. It was surprisingly cold in the morning (or at least felt that way because the preceding week had been unseasonably warm) but warmed up by midday​ when the attendees met for lunch and then gradually headed back to Ottawa. There are several different vantage points overlooking the falls, either from bridges, lookout platforms, or the ground itself. As well, I found some interesting shots in the ice that formed along the slow-flowing parts of the river.

The sweeping curve of the cool foreground together with the warm background illuminated with rays from the sun are the key compositional elements of this shot.
The sweeping curve of the cool foreground together with the warm background illuminated with rays from the sun are the key compositional elements of this shot.
The observation platform provides an excellent vantage point to see the waterfalls at Coulonge.
The observation platform provides an excellent vantage point to see the waterfalls at Coulonge.
Backlit ice on the surface of the river presented several interesting abstract compositions such as this one.
Backlit ice on the surface of the river presented several interesting abstract compositions such as this one.
One of the members of our photography group unwittingly happened to be in the right place for me to line up this shot.
One of the members of our photography group unwittingly happened to be in the right place for me to line up this shot.
An underwater barrier creates the first of several waterfalls at Coulonge.
An underwater barrier creates the first of several waterfalls at Coulonge.
This shot was taken along the bank of the river preceding the waterfalls.
This shot was taken along the bank of the river preceding the waterfalls.
This shot was framed to show three layers depicting states of water: snow, ice, and running water, all surrounded by mist.
This shot was framed to show three layers depicting states of water: snow, ice, and running water, all surrounded by mist.
I see a face in this ice formation; do you? The "expression" of the face together with the spray of water make this photo for me.
I see a face in this ice formation; do you? The "expression" of the face together with the spray of water make this photo for me.
This secondary flow at Coulonge was frozen during our visit. The barrier over which the water flows and a footbridge are shown in the background.
This secondary flow at Coulonge was frozen during our visit. The barrier over which the water flows and a footbridge are shown in the background.
Several parts of the landscape presented interesting "facial" features when viewed from the right angle.
Several parts of the landscape presented interesting "facial" features when viewed from the right angle.
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