This is one of my oldest photographs on this website. I took this photo well before I really started experimenting with unique compositions. Before I really started injecting my own style into my photographs. It is, quite simply, just a photo of Glen Falls. Nonetheless, it's a good photo. I've culled most of my older photographs, but I kept this one. Just by happenstance, I got the lighting quite right. It is soft enough to give the photo that "temperate rain forest" feel that embodies the Cashiers/Highlands area, but bright enough to highlight some of the bouncing water. Same with the exposure. Long enough blur some most of the water into a delicate filigree, but short enough to still capture the motion and power. While most aspects of this photo are less "intentional" than my most recent work, it still captures the personality of the waterfall quite well.

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I'm sure the locals in Iceland know all the secret spots to get away from the crowds. And equally important, have the equipment to get there. But as a tourist, it's hard. Crowds are everywhere. To get photos without visible people, you either have to be the annoying person elbowing your way to the front of the crowd, or spend hours cloning them out in Photoshop. For for some reason, this time was different. And it was even at Godafoss, one of the most iconic landmarks in Iceland. At the top vista lookout point, there was indeed a throng of tourists. But down here, requiring only a tiny bit of butt-sliding (nowhere near enough to usually keep people out), it was empty. It is absolutely crazy how peaceful Iceland can be, when you're the only one there. Even this waterfall, among the most powerful on Earth, oozed tranquility when viewed in solitude.

Higher resolutions of this image are available (the maximum resolution for this image is 6108x3614). For usages that require a resolution higher than 3000px, or are otherwise beyond the standard terms and conditions, please email me directly at matt@matttilghman.com to discuss use-specific pricing.

For some of my photographs, I record and post the entire Photoshop editing process from start to finish. This is one of those photos, and you can see watch the recording here: "Peaceful Winter Scene At Godafoss, Iceland" editing procedure on Youtube

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This beautiful stretch of North Carolina's Chattooga River is located just north of the crossing at Bull Pen Road. Though wild and untouched, but this stretch of the river isn't all that remote. For that reason, this stretch of the river tends to be the most crowded. In fact, it is often the most crowded at dawn -- a time when you are most hoping for solitude. But it's not crowded in the way you might imagine, like loud hikers and people walking their dogs. It's crowded with fly fishermen. To me, that almost adds to the peacefulness. A friendly nod or wave is all you will get, and all that is wanted in return. Along with the unspoken agreement that things should stay unspoken. There may be a good number of people of there, but when each and every one of them is searching for solitude, the tranquility isn't affected.

Higher resolutions of this image are available (the maximum resolution for this image is 4405x4699). For usages that require a resolution higher than 3000px, or are otherwise beyond the standard terms and conditions, please email me directly at matt@matttilghman.com to discuss use-specific pricing.

For some of my photographs, I record and post the entire Photoshop editing process from start to finish. This is one of those photos, and you can see watch the recording here: "Peaceful Dawn at Chattooga River" editing procedure on Youtube.

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While I'm sure this river is quite cold, that's also its name: Cold River. It's an offshoot of the bigger Deerfield River, near Charlemont, in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. Our visit to these mountains was quite short, only a day or two, spurred on by the realization it had been way too long since we'd been to New England in Autumn. We decided we'd get the most of fall by doing some hikes. A nearby portion of the Mahica Trail looked like the best option for us. But we missed the turnoff that makes it into a short loop. This turned it into a much longer, steeper, more strenuous loop. We were quite ready to put our feet up and rest when it was finally over. But even so, the Berkshires were incredibly beautiful. This lovely scene along the river is from the beginning of the hike, while we were still bright eyed and bushy tailed.

Higher resolutions of this image are available (the maximum resolution for this image is 5277x3290). For usages that require a resolution higher than 3000px, or are otherwise beyond the standard terms and conditions, please email me directly at matt@matttilghman.com to discuss use-specific pricing.

For some of my photographs, I record and post the entire Photoshop editing process from start to finish. This is one of those photos, and you can see watch the recording here: "Warm Colors on Cold River" editing procedure on Youtube.

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On our first day in Iceland, we went straight to Vik, only stopping at the must-see destinations along the way. Skógafoss was one of those. The reason for our haste was that Vik itself has some good destinations too, such as the black sand beach Reynisfjara. And of course, I wanted to catch that beach at sunset. Last but not least, we were also racing weather. Well, we did not beat the weather. It wasn't unsafe driving (that came the next day), but it was enough to make the destinations near Vik rather unmemorable. Well, not unmemorable, just unpleasant. Clouds settled in, as did 50 mph winds, making me unable to even open my camera on the beach. It's hard to believe that the weather change was so abrupt (although we were amply warned of this fact). We had near-perfect weather at Skógafoss, only a few hours earlier! Had I know just how crummy it would get, I would have spent more time exploring and enjoying this majestic waterfall, and its beautiful surrounding landscape.

Higher resolutions of this image are available (the maximum resolution for this image is 5628x5501). For usages that require a resolution higher than 3000px, or are otherwise beyond the standard terms and conditions, please email me directly at matt@matttilghman.com to discuss use-specific pricing.

For some of my photographs, I record and post the entire Photoshop editing process from start to finish. This is one of those photos, and you can see watch the recording here: "Skogafoss from Above" editing procedure on Youtube.

Purchase "Skógafoss From Above" Fine Art Print:

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The Kolufossar Waterfall and Kolugljúfur Canyon area is among the deadliest places in Iceland, and after visiting I understand why. The waterfall is very accessible, and in addition, the cliffs are very sheer. Many small ledges allow the visitors to get closer and closer, and it's hard to realize when you've gone too far. Furthermore, the intensely powerful waterfall generates a lot of mist, keeping the rocks perpetually moist and slippery. And of Iceland's many powerful waterfalls, to me this is the one where the power is most "in your face." At most of the other waterfalls, you're either viewing the falls from above or below. Here, you can get face-to-face with the rushing water, and it's truly mesmerizing. On this sunny day in late winter/early spring, you could feel the snow melting underfoot. All this snow melt supercharged Kolufossar, turning it into a hypnotizing display of power.

Higher resolutions of this image are available (the maximum resolution for this image is 6480x3790). For usages that require a resolution higher than 3000px, or are otherwise beyond the standard terms and conditions, please email me directly at matt@matttilghman.com to discuss use-specific pricing.

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Godafoss is certainly one of the most spectacular waterfalls, and sights in general, that I saw in Iceland. Clearly I'm not the only one who has thought so, as the name (Goðafoss in Icelandic) means "Waterfall of the Gods." Maybe it gets this name for its spectacular grandeur. Or perhaps from the myth that Iceland's parliament threw idols of their Norse gods over this waterfall when they switched to Christianity. Whatever the reason for the name, it certainly felt apt. While the waterfall is awe-inspiring when viewed from below, I fell more in love with this view from above. It's less photographed and less dramatic, but to me, this is how the gods see it.

Higher resolutions of this image are available (the maximum resolution for this image is 7529x3390). For usages that require a resolution higher than 3000px, or are otherwise beyond the standard terms and conditions, please email me directly at matt@matttilghman.com to discuss use-specific pricing.

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March is an interesting season at Hraunfossar. This portion of Iceland is rather low elevation, so the landscape's snow and ice have mostly melted away by March. On the other hand, the brilliant green grasses and tree leaves have not yet revived. Therefore, one might reasonably consider this the least attractive season to view Hraunfossar's lava falls. However, the waterfalls themselves, incredibly mesmerizing and beautiful, are at there most unobscured and unrivaled. You can clearly see the exact details of their structure, including how the glacial melt water seeps right out of the porous volcanic riverbanks. I've never seen a waterfall like it. And while some green grass or stunning icicles may have made this photo prettier, it also may have made me overlook what makes this place truly unique.

Higher resolutions of this image are available (the maximum resolution for this image is 6486x3711). For usages that require a resolution higher than 3000px, or are otherwise beyond the standard terms and conditions, please email me directly at matt@matttilghman.com to discuss use-specific pricing.

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Gljúfrabúi Falls lies in the south of Iceland, an intimate waterfall right next to the more famous Seljalandsfoss. While exploring Gljúfrabúi, I couldn't help but notice the similarities to America's Oneonta Falls. They are both relatively small but beautiful waterfalls that lie at the end of thin slot canyons. However, while the trek through Oneonta Gorge is somewhat lengthy, the slot canyon that leads to Gljúfrabúi is very brief. I'm no geologist, but couldn't help but think about reasons for this. Perhaps it's due to the stronger nature of the rock here in Iceland. However I believe that both areas are of similar volcanic basalt origin. Perhaps it speaks to the younger age of the land here in Iceland, relatively recent in term's of Earth's history. Or perhaps it simply speaks to the younger age of the waterfall itself. In Iceland, the landscape is constantly changing due to the high volcanic activity. So it's quite possible that the paths of water flow are also constantly changing.

Higher resolutions of this image are available (the maximum resolution for this image is 6005x3648). For usages that require a resolution higher than 3000px, or are otherwise beyond the standard terms and conditions, please email me directly at matt@matttilghman.com to discuss use-specific pricing.

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If you see Croatia by boat, as I did, make sure you take an excursion inland. The Dalmatian Coast is admittedly some of the most stunning shoreline I've ever seen, and it's hard to pull yourself away. But the Croatian Countryside has a lot to offer, too. Take Krka National Park, the location of this photograph. The Krka River, which cascades through these foothills of the Dinaric Alps, is the longest river in Croatia. In this canyon, the makeup of the rock allows for the solidification of minerals dissolved in the river, creating formations known as tufa. But beyond having amazing landscapes and geology, it also has amazing history. Native people have fished these rivers, and harnessed their power for milling grain, for millennia. And despite many worldwide empires having come through the region, their culture and way life is still alive and well.

Higher resolutions of this image are available (the maximum resolution for this image is 8146x3429). For usages that require a resolution higher than 3000px, or are otherwise beyond the standard terms and conditions, please email me directly at matt@matttilghman.com to discuss use-specific pricing.

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