Umauma Falls

Umauma Falls is a dramatic triple waterfall cascading down the Umauma River on Hawaii's Hamakua Coast, one of the few places in the state where you can photograph three distinct falls together in a single frame. The layered tiers of white water set against dense tropical greenery give you strong vertical compositions, and shooting from the dedicated viewing platform lets you capture all three falls stacked naturally in the frame. A wide to mid-range zoom in the 24-70mm range works well here, though a telephoto can isolate individual tiers. Overcast days are ideal since the jungle canopy creates harsh shadows in direct sun, and soft diffused light brings out the deep greens and the texture of the falling water. Arrive early to avoid crowds. Access is exclusively through the Umauma Experience, with a small entry fee, and the trail to the viewpoint is short and manageable for most photographers. (Hakalau, Hawaii, United States)