This is a part of a new series that I am debuting on Boost Your Photography called "Behind the Shot." The internet has fostered the proliferation of incredible photography and highlighted many spectacular locales. This series serves to pull back the curtain just a little bit - to take a look at some of what goes into getting those print-worthy masterpieces, as well as to highlight the importance of what else is going on just outside of the shot.
Thor's Well is a geologic feature on the Pacific Coast in Oregon. It has become a highly-sought photographic spot for the deep sinkhole look that is created as water pours back into the ocean through the well. The well also creates a splashing geyser effect as the water rushes in and dashes against the sides.
The image above represents the idealized view of Thor's Well: the gorgeous sunset colors, the splashing ocean backdrop, and the sense of silence and serenity created by the long exposure time and the slowly falling water. Zoom back slightly, however, and the image below represents the reality: the crowds of other photographers hungry for the same shot, the unpredictable splashing of ocean water, and so on.
Thor's Well is located on the coast of Oregon just south of Yachats (which has a great local brewery and many different hotels, if you are looking for a home base during your shoot). You can get a map of the area from the Cape Perpetua Visitor's Center. There is a very small parking lot for the well at the top of the hill, just off the road, otherwise you will need to hike in a little ways from other nearby parking lots, along one of several marked trails.
You can see the well itself from the road. Not sure exactly where it is? Just look for a crowd of folks with cameras staring down at their feet ... presto! I recommend arriving early enough to scope it out before sunset, so you know where you'll be heading. Depending on the tides, daylight shots can also provide the same splashing or sinking effects.
As for can see in the wider shots, above, about the only place to stand is on the higher outcroppings of rock that surround the well. Depending on the tide (and the height of your footing), be prepared to get splashed or have water run up and over your feet.
There are limited spots to use a tripod, which is essential if you want the slow, silky water effect shown in the original image. (All the how-to details for silky water long exposure shots are the same as those for shooting waterfalls. Click here for more details.) You will also need either a polarizing filter or, even better, a neutral density filter, which will allow for the longer shutter times necessary to capture swirling water. (Details and recommendations for filters can be found here.)
If you are trying to capture the splashing geyser effect, prefocus and shoot in burst mode to capture a sequence of several shots. Once you've watched the waves come in a few times, you can get a sense of which waves are more likely to result in bigger splashes. (Get more details on arresting motion here.)
Timing is key if you want an idealized version of the shot, as in the opening image. Sunset puts the sun sinking down into the waves and has potential for incredible colors and hues. Sunrise is less certain, as the sun will be coming up over the land, but you'll avoid the crowds. You also want a time when sunset / sunrise coincidences with high tide. The higher the tide, the more water coming in, and the better the sinking down effect of the well. (Tide charts can be found online or at the Cape Perpetua Visitor's Center.)
Where: Thor's Well, Cape Perpetua, Oregon (part of the Siuslaw National Forest)
When: near sunset. Closer to high tide means more water (and more risk), closer to low tide means more dramatic splashes but less overall water.
What to bring: camera, wide lens, sturdy tripod, polarizing or neutral density filter, remote shutter release, and plenty of lens clothes and cleaning spray. Wear sturdy shoes and pants that you don't mind getting wet.
What else to see: just south of Thor's Well is a featured called the Spouting Horn that shoots off tall streams of water during high tide. A short hike to the north is The Devil's Churn, a narrow inlet that can throw water several hundred feet in the air as the tide comes in. It is also well worth the short drive up to the Cape Perpetua Overlook for distant views up and down the coast.
Remember that photography is not simply trying to replicate the same shot you saw online. Of course you want an iconic shot of an iconic location, but take the time and energy to devote to really adding your personal spin on it too. A shot that is truly "yours" is likely to be more memorable.
For me, I visited Thor's Well on a personal vacation, without a tripod or polarizing / neutral density filter. I enjoyed finding ways to tell the story of the well rather than simply capturing the well on its own.
Have you been to Thor's Well? What other places or images would you like to see featured in a future "Behind the Shot" style post?
Boost Your Photography: Learn Your DSLR is available from Amazon. Get the most out of your camera with practical advice about the technical and creative aspects of DSLR photography that will have you taking beautiful pictures right away.
Thor's Well, Oregon
Thor's Well is a geologic feature on the Pacific Coast in Oregon. It has become a highly-sought photographic spot for the deep sinkhole look that is created as water pours back into the ocean through the well. The well also creates a splashing geyser effect as the water rushes in and dashes against the sides.
The image above represents the idealized view of Thor's Well: the gorgeous sunset colors, the splashing ocean backdrop, and the sense of silence and serenity created by the long exposure time and the slowly falling water. Zoom back slightly, however, and the image below represents the reality: the crowds of other photographers hungry for the same shot, the unpredictable splashing of ocean water, and so on.
Tips for Photographing Thor's Well
Thor's Well is located on the coast of Oregon just south of Yachats (which has a great local brewery and many different hotels, if you are looking for a home base during your shoot). You can get a map of the area from the Cape Perpetua Visitor's Center. There is a very small parking lot for the well at the top of the hill, just off the road, otherwise you will need to hike in a little ways from other nearby parking lots, along one of several marked trails.
You can see the well itself from the road. Not sure exactly where it is? Just look for a crowd of folks with cameras staring down at their feet ... presto! I recommend arriving early enough to scope it out before sunset, so you know where you'll be heading. Depending on the tides, daylight shots can also provide the same splashing or sinking effects.
As for can see in the wider shots, above, about the only place to stand is on the higher outcroppings of rock that surround the well. Depending on the tide (and the height of your footing), be prepared to get splashed or have water run up and over your feet.
There are limited spots to use a tripod, which is essential if you want the slow, silky water effect shown in the original image. (All the how-to details for silky water long exposure shots are the same as those for shooting waterfalls. Click here for more details.) You will also need either a polarizing filter or, even better, a neutral density filter, which will allow for the longer shutter times necessary to capture swirling water. (Details and recommendations for filters can be found here.)
If you are trying to capture the splashing geyser effect, prefocus and shoot in burst mode to capture a sequence of several shots. Once you've watched the waves come in a few times, you can get a sense of which waves are more likely to result in bigger splashes. (Get more details on arresting motion here.)
Timing is key if you want an idealized version of the shot, as in the opening image. Sunset puts the sun sinking down into the waves and has potential for incredible colors and hues. Sunrise is less certain, as the sun will be coming up over the land, but you'll avoid the crowds. You also want a time when sunset / sunrise coincidences with high tide. The higher the tide, the more water coming in, and the better the sinking down effect of the well. (Tide charts can be found online or at the Cape Perpetua Visitor's Center.)
Caveats
- Shooting near water is unpredictable. There are signs up and down the coast that warn about "sneaker waves" - unexpectedly large surges of water that can (and have) surprised people and dragged them out to sea. The closer to high tide, the more water will be flowing up, over, and around the area near Thor's Well. Keep a firm footing and prepare to be splashed if you attempt photographing near high tide.
- Protect your camera and your lens. The constant splash and spray of water can will coat your lens (and even your camera) and could eventually cause corrosion and other damage. Consider securing your camera inside a plastic bag and keep a filter on your lens. Otherwise your shots will quickly degenerate into this ...
- Finally, be respectful. This is a gorgeous natural area, and you should not do anything that might damage it. Be considerate of other photographers as well. Take your time, compose and capture your shot, and then let someone else try your vantage point. There are very limited places to safely stand and shoot.
If You Go:
Where: Thor's Well, Cape Perpetua, Oregon (part of the Siuslaw National Forest)
When: near sunset. Closer to high tide means more water (and more risk), closer to low tide means more dramatic splashes but less overall water.
What to bring: camera, wide lens, sturdy tripod, polarizing or neutral density filter, remote shutter release, and plenty of lens clothes and cleaning spray. Wear sturdy shoes and pants that you don't mind getting wet.
What else to see: just south of Thor's Well is a featured called the Spouting Horn that shoots off tall streams of water during high tide. A short hike to the north is The Devil's Churn, a narrow inlet that can throw water several hundred feet in the air as the tide comes in. It is also well worth the short drive up to the Cape Perpetua Overlook for distant views up and down the coast.
Final Thought
Remember that photography is not simply trying to replicate the same shot you saw online. Of course you want an iconic shot of an iconic location, but take the time and energy to devote to really adding your personal spin on it too. A shot that is truly "yours" is likely to be more memorable.
For me, I visited Thor's Well on a personal vacation, without a tripod or polarizing / neutral density filter. I enjoyed finding ways to tell the story of the well rather than simply capturing the well on its own.
Have you been to Thor's Well? What other places or images would you like to see featured in a future "Behind the Shot" style post?
Boost Your Photography: Learn Your DSLR is available from Amazon. Get the most out of your camera with practical advice about the technical and creative aspects of DSLR photography that will have you taking beautiful pictures right away.
