A photographic journal by Brian Mazur

Princess Louise Falls

Princess Louise Falls is in the Orleans suburb of Ottawa and is a location that I've been eager to visit. It's a very pretty waterfall, and is like those found along the Niagara Escarpment. So I was overjoyed when a friend suggested that we plan an outing to photograph it together. While I had heard of the waterfall, I wasn't aware of the beautiful network of trails in the area. The timing of our outing couldn't have been better. It was a fantastic Fall day, the trees were in full colour, and a carpet of leaves covered the ground. We arrived early afternoon and had several hours to explore the area and the waterfall. Every outing has its own character. Sometimes photos seem rather sparse, and other times there are photo opportunities everywhere. This outing was very much in the latter category. While I came for the waterfall, I had as much or more fun exploring the trails. It definitely merits return visits.

This is a vertical panorama of one of the trees growing on the bank of the brook leading to the waterfall.
This is a vertical panorama of one of the trees growing on the bank of the brook leading to the waterfall.
A slow shutter speed helped to emphasize the speed of the rushing water. I thought the green algae of the brook bed contrasted nicely with the fall leaves.
A slow shutter speed helped to emphasize the speed of the rushing water. I thought the green algae of the brook bed contrasted nicely with the fall leaves.
The terrain above the falls was very photogenic. I love the shapes and textures in this shot.
The terrain above the falls was very photogenic. I love the shapes and textures in this shot.
I find tree roots fascinating. This root caught my eye because of the way that it drapes over the rocks.
I find tree roots fascinating. This root caught my eye because of the way that it drapes over the rocks.
A view of the upper part of the brook, with a nice reflection of the surrounding forest.
A view of the upper part of the brook, with a nice reflection of the surrounding forest.
I found abstract compositions in the water of the brook. We can recognize what this is, but the distortion of the water gives it a different feeling.
I found abstract compositions in the water of the brook. We can recognize what this is, but the distortion of the water gives it a different feeling.
This is another close up shot of the water. The slower shutter speed and surface reflections produce an entirely different visual quality.
This is another close up shot of the water. The slower shutter speed and surface reflections produce an entirely different visual quality.
A tiny waterfall found at the upper part of the brook. The rock face is entirely natural.
A tiny waterfall found at the upper part of the brook. The rock face is entirely natural.
The sinewy shapes formed by the tree trunk drew my attention. This is another vertical panorama.
The sinewy shapes formed by the tree trunk drew my attention. This is another vertical panorama.
I found this arrangement of the pine cones and leaves very appealing. This speaks to me of the fall season.
I found this arrangement of the pine cones and leaves very appealing. This speaks to me of the fall season.
I saw sunlight illuminating these leaves and quickly ran over to capture a shot. The key factor was choosing an angle to give a nice background.
I saw sunlight illuminating these leaves and quickly ran over to capture a shot. The key factor was choosing an angle to give a nice background.
The Princess Louise Falls as shot from the sidewalk along St. Joseph Blvd. Part of an old structure is just visible at the bottom of the frame.
The Princess Louise Falls as shot from the sidewalk along St. Joseph Blvd. Part of an old structure is just visible at the bottom of the frame.
This is a wide angle shot taken at the base of the falls. I didn't notice that the water was circulating in the pool, but the 4 second exposure makes this visible.
This is a wide angle shot taken at the base of the falls. I didn't notice that the water was circulating in the pool, but the 4 second exposure makes this visible.
This is an even wider angle shot than the previous one, which gives a better sense of the environment. This is a 5 second exposure.
This is an even wider angle shot than the previous one, which gives a better sense of the environment. This is a 5 second exposure.
As we were leaving I noticed how the evening light had beautifully lit the tree canopy and took this shot.
As we were leaving I noticed how the evening light had beautifully lit the tree canopy and took this shot.
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