I had an interesting weekend, making a photography trip to Whitby with a friend. Initially we went to shoot the coastal scenery but by 11:30 the sun had become so harsh in the clear blue sky that all attempts at Landscape Photography were thwarted. At this point we sat down, had a coffee and decided to switch our attention to nearby woodland where we knew there was a waterfall.
On arrival we could see the main fall some 80 feet below our path and down an inaccessible cliff. We knew that the falls must be accessible though as we had seen some pictures of it shot from the river. Walking along the path we found a trail that lead down to the river and then a further footpath leading back along the river to the falls. Neither of these paths was easy to walk as the one down to the river was extremely steep and muddy and it took all our efforts to stay upright. The path along the river was even worse, being very deep with mud that came over the top of your boots. Hopping between branches of fallen trees, rocks and tufts of grass was all we could do.
As we made our wall to the falls we came across a large tree that had fallen across the river, blocking it and a steady stream of water was cascading over it. This is the image you see above and it was shot on a Canon 5D MKII. The reason I tell you all this is that despite having my faithful and very light GX1 kit with me I insisted on taking the 5D. I also took a full set of Lee filters, a very large tripod and a large bag filled with all sorts of accessories that I didn’t need.
The result is a nice image but also a hard fall against some rocks as the weight of my bag caused me to slip, overbalance and graze my right hand quite badly. I feel confident I would have avoided this and still have achieved the shot had I left everything behind except for my lightweight kit. I need to listen to my own advice.
The Lightweight Photographer 
Is this not what makes the thrills of getting a good photo? I take stupid risks all the time to get the photo that is different to anyone else has taken before. If my missus knew some of the risks that I take she do her nut!!!!! I have even not broken my fall against a load of rocks once to keep my camera up in the air so as to not smash it on the rocks & in the process suffered with bruised ribs & hib for a couple of weeks after. I have even laid on the ground right on the edge of 200 foot chalk cliffs in force 9 winds to get one image – I have night mares about that stupid act but I got a good image.
One day I will learn.
Yes. We do take some risks for our art don’t we. It will soon be winter and time for me to take to the mountains so no doubt a few more exciting slips on snow covered rocks. And hopefully some great images.