About the Image

Seemingly an image of a mere waterfall in autumn, a closer examination reveals a flame hidden behind the water. This is the paradox of New York’s Eternal Flame Falls. The waterfall hides within it a natural fissure releasing a steady stream of methane nurturing the flame.

While not a difficult hike, the trailhead is not well marked on maps and can be somewhat of a challenge to find. It is also easy to make a wrong turn once on the trail (as I did) and miss the falls. Fortunately, I did not have to fight the light. The photo was created on an overcast day, and the falls are within a gorge that helps diffuse light. Composing the image, however, was a challenge, as the trees and landscape lend themselves to a variety of frames. I explored the scene and tried various compositions before realizing the best approach was to highlight the waterfall and flame without the surrounding gorge.