Giant Steps Waterfall
Giant Steps is a dramatic cascade in the Canadian Rockies where Paradise Creek tumbles down a series of wide, flat limestone shelves, creating natural terraces of rushing white water framed by dense subalpine forest and jagged peaks. The flat rock ledges are the key compositional element here; position yourself low and close to the water to use the horizontal layers as leading lines, or step back for a wider shot that brings the mountain backdrop into the frame. A wide angle lens works well for the full scene, while a short telephoto lets you isolate individual tiers. Overcast days are ideal since the soft, even light reduces harsh contrast and brings out the detail in the rushing water; use a slow shutter speed to smooth the flow. This is a long hike of roughly 20 kilometres return via the Paradise Creek trail starting on Moraine Lake Road, so plan accordingly and start early. (Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada)
