Multnomah Falls – A Study in Medium
This month’s frame returns to one of Oregon’s most iconic landscapes, Multnomah Falls, one subject, but through two very different eyes.
Multnomah Falls is located about 30 miles east of Portland Oregon, on the southside of I-84, the scenic columbia gorge highway.
Using a tripod, both images were captured on my Chamonix 45F-2 using a 90mm lens at f/32. But the similarities end there.
The left image was made using a paper negative, with a yellow filter to moderate the contrast and retain detail in the water fall. Exposure time: 120 seconds.
The right image was made on Kodak Ektar 100 color negative film. No filter. Exposure time: 4 seconds.
Parallel Visions
The paper negative softens edges and compresses tonal transitions. It emphasizes mood, pulling forward the form and texture of the basalt cliffs and rendering the water in a silvery stillness. Shadows deepen, and dynamic range flattens, creating an atmosphere that’s timeless, almost dreamlike. There’s a subtlety here that emerges uniquely from long exposures on a medium more responsive to UV and blue than warmer tones.
In contrast, the color film (Ektar 100) captures rich color, sharp details, and crisp contrast. Greens glow along moss-covered walls, while warm canyon light sculpts the rock face in subtle tonal shifts. The waterfall feels lighter, suspended. The shorter exposure freezes motion just enough to hold form without sacrificing the natural flow. It’s vivid, luminous, and deeply connected to the moment.
The Takeaway
This is why I photograph with both mediums. Same place. Same camera. Same lens. Yet each medium reshapes the experience, not just visually, but emotionally, changing how the story unfolds.
The paper negative teaches patience and presence. The color film captures clarity and luminance. They don’t compete; they complement. Together, they offer a deeper perspective than either could alone.
I hope you enjoyed Multnomah Falls, “One image, but through two very different eyes”. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Feel free to share this post with others who might enjoy it, and keep an eye out for the next monthe Frame In Time, another favorie image another story
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