Submitter's name:	Mickey Trageser
Title:	Awe of Nature
Gear used:	OM-4T, Vivitar 75-205/3.5
Diaphragm:	f5.6
Shutter speed:	Auto - around 150
Film used:	Fuji Reala 100 ASA.
Technical information:	Wanted to get tight enough with the falls, yet still have a little detail of the swarm of yellow-suited humans experiencing the enormity of their surroundings. Bracing on the railing, I was nearly at full focal length on this dull afternoon. Scanned with the Acer Scanwit 2740S, minor tweeking with Corel PhotoPaint.
Subject information:	Niagara, Canada. August 18, 2001. The edge of the falls nearest the visitor center. A steady stream of people donned the yellow raincoats to walk near the roaring mass of water, while elsewhere others wore the blue slickers to pack themselves as sardines onto the Maid of the Mist boats and fight the current to the base of the falls. An immense experience made commonplace by these fragile beings. People of all ethnic backgrounds stood at the upper railings in awe of the magnitude of this scene made small in photographs. The roar of the falls rendered shutters and speach inaudible. Even while leaving, most folks kept taking over-the-shoulder peeks as if to ensure that the memory remains fresh, realizing they most likely won't return soon.
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Comment left by: Olaf Greve (no e-mail specified)

"Nature vs. Humans"... The greatness of the waterfall is indeed nicely shown by the small yellow specks (i.e. the rain coats of the people), nice!

Comment left by: Jamie Costello (jamie-nancy@juno.com)

This picture works so well. Your eye is just led right down the cascading water to the little green people. Oh my ... is ... is that a rainbow?

Comment left by: siddiq (no e-mail specified)

my, the inclusion of the human aspect really gives a scale perspective and really drives the point home--great shot.

Comment left by: Gregg (no e-mail specified)

I like the way the waterfall leads the eye from the bottom group, noticed first, to the top group. The people do indeed make the shot.

Comment left by: Bruce Hamm (bhamm@magma.ca)

When I first saw the thumbnail of this shot, I admit I wondered what it had to do with human society. Then I saw the full photo... The crowd of people really do make this picture. Their size relative to the falls does a wonderful job of conveying the power of nature. Very nice.

Comment left by: Chris Linek (chris@snappyaustralian.com)

Spectacular Photo. This would be one I would have blown up to poster size and hung, were it mine. Words fail me, it's just simply awesome. The colours, the subject, lighting, focus, they all sing to me. I bow to you Sir/Madam. I aspire to capture moments such as this. This is my pick of the bunch (after mine of course ;o) )

Comment left by: Jim Caldwell (jamesfc@gte.net)

Very nice - really puts the human perspective on nature! The color and composition are very well done! Great shot!

Comment left by: Mickey Trageser (no e-mail specified)

Thanks to all for your kind comments. Jamie- I never did see a rainbow while I was there, but I was looking. A photo just can't capture the raw energy. The sheer immensity of it is lost. When I saw the yellow jackets bellow, I knew I had to capture them as a reference. I trusted in the OM exposure, and wasn't let down. Thanks again. It was a rush to be there! --Mickey

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