Travels to Niagara Falls: A Photo Adventure 

Living in Toronto, Canada, it’s easy to take our local attractions for granted, but Niagara Falls is not just a local tourist attraction, it’s considered one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. The massive waterfalls (which are actually 3 waterfalls) are located on the border between the United States and Canada. I can remember as a kid my parents taking me to the falls and when I first saw the mist from afar, I wondered why they were steaming hot mist. I remember that childhood feeling of total wonder and amazement at seeing these powerful waterfalls. More than a million bath tubs of water smashing over the edge every second, incredible!

They say that about 12,000 years ago, a glacier traveling across Canada tore its way through the land and created the Niagara Falls as we know it today. I particularly love the winter season at the falls, less crowds, better hotel rates, less people and a remarkable winterscape. The whole region of the Niagara Escarpment is a masterpiece of living art that has been recognized by UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve because of its beauty. 

We hope you enjoy the photos! 

All photos were taken with my Canon EOS 6D camera using my 3-favourite lens – EF-16-35mm F/4L IS USM / EF-24-105mm f/4L IS USM / EF-70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM.

EXPLORING THE WATERFALLS AND REGION OF NIAGARA FALLS

Rainbow Over Rainbow Bridge

The Bridal Veil is the smallest of the three waterfalls in Niagara This is great view of falls taken from Goat Island. I love photographing from here because of the rainbow that often appears as the sun shines through the mist. This photo was taken with my Canon EF-24-105mm lens; in AV mode; at f/13 with an ISO setting of 100; shutter speed of 1/250 sec.

Terrapin Point View Point

When photographing the Niagara Falls, I always start on the USA side with Terrapin Point. This is my favorite spot to photograph, especially with long exposures. The viewing ledge at Terrapin Point on Goat Island is the nearest point to the thundering Horseshoe Falls from either side of the border. This photo was taken with my Canon EF-24-105mm lens; in manual mode; at f/14 with an ISO setting of 100; shutter speed of 2.5 sec.; using a 10-stop neutral density filter with camera on tripod.

Niagara Falls Terrapin Point

Here’s another photo taken at Terrapin Point observation deck. It was off Terrapin Point that daredevil Nik Wallenda began his high-wire walk over the Falls in June 2012. Wallenda was the first to walk a high-wire directly over the brink of the Falls. He holds eleven Guinness World Records for various acrobatic feats, but is best known as the first person to walk a tightrope stretched directly over Niagara Falls. This photo as well was taken with my Canon EF-24-105mm lens; in manual mode; at f/14 with an ISO setting of 100; shutter speed of 2.5 sec.; using a 10-stop neutral density filter with camera on tripod. 

Top of Horseshoe Falls 

I love this viewpoint on the Canadian side of the falls. The walkway right in front of the Table Rock Centre is practically on top of the Horseshoe Falls. If you walk towards the Rainbow bridge and simply face the American Bridal Falls, you will have a perfect angle to photograph the observation deck below on the edge of the Horseshoe Falls. This photo taken from up top was taken with my Canon EF-70-200mm lens; in AV mode; at f/10 with an ISO setting of 100; exposure was 1/1000 sec.

Journey Behind the Falls …

As we journeyed to the heart of Niagara Falls, we descended 125 feet to the observation deck and stood beside this powerful waterfall. Here in this little observation house covered in ice, the water came gushing through the open windows as I wiped the lens and tried to capture the magnificent waterfalls. It left us breathless. The view is one of the most awesome landscapes I’ve ever seen, with one-fifth of the world’s fresh water crashing down to the basin below. The sounds were thunderous and we were getting soaked – but I couldn’t stop shooting. This photo was taken with my Canon EF-24-105mm lens; in AV mode; at f/16 with an ISO setting of 100; exposure was 1/1000 sec.

Journey Behind the Falls Tunnel

The first Niagara Falls tunnels were built in 1889, and lantern-carrying guides used to guide people along the tunnels. The name of the Scenic Tunnels was changed to Journey Behind the Falls in 1994. This photo was taken with my Canon EF-24-105mm lens; in AV mode; at f/16 with an ISO setting of 4000; exposure was 1/40 sec.

Frozen Fairy Tale Landscape

Niagara Falls in winter is like a fairy tale landscape frozen in time. The combination of rushing water and long icicles hanging from the trees turn the landscape into a magical scene. Walking along the Niagara river is a unique experience when you realise the importance of this place, the oldest national park in the U.S.A. This photo was taken with my Canon EF-16-35mm lens; in AV mode; at f/11 with an ISO setting of 100; exposure was 1/100 sec.

Bridal Veil Falls

One of the most beautiful attractions at Niagara Falls is Bridal Veil Falls. With a water trail that looks like a bride’s veil, the flowing waters of the Bridal Veil Falls is a spectacular sight. This photo was taken with my Canon EF-70-200mm lens; in AV mode; at f/11 with an ISO setting of 200; exposure was 1/200 sec.

Winter Wonderland 

Niagara Falls State Park is magical in the wintertime. From the beautiful icy vistas of the Falls to the frozen trees of the Niagara Falls State Park, photo opportunities abound everywhere. This photo was taken with my Canon EF-16-35mm lens; in AV mode; at f/11 with an ISO setting of 100; exposure was 1/100 sec.

Pirate Cove Shipwreck

Still in the Niagara Region, we pass this sunken treasure traveling on the QEW from Toronto to Niagara Falls. It is an abandoned ship called the “Pirate Ship”, or “Ghost Ship” but its real name is La Grande Hermine, and it is a replica of one of the 3 ships that Jacques Cartier used when exploring the St. Lawrence river back in 1535. This abandoned ship came to Jordan Harbour in 1997 with the intention of being turned into another restaurant or a gambling venue, but in January of 2003, it became the victim of an arson fire. So here she sits – a photographic gem. This photo was taken with my Canon EF-16-35mm lens; in AV mode; at f/16 with an ISO setting of 100; exposure was 1/30 sec.

Behind DeCew Falls

DeCew Falls a Niagara Escarpment Waterfall with a large 22-meter plunge waterfall that you can climb in behind to get this shot. The hike was extremely steep and difficult and I almost turned back a few times, yet the best view comes after the hardest climb. Bring a friend and research this site before you attempt it. This photo was taken with my Canon EF-16-35mm lens; in manual mode; at f/4.5 with an ISO setting of 100; exposure was 1/180 sec.

Winter Vines in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Niagara-on-the-Lake – a spectacular oasis for wine lovers and the home of the famous Ice Wines. Vintners harvest their award-winning Icewine while the grapes are still frozen on the vine. Delicious. This photo was taken with my Canon EF-24-105mm lens; in AV mode; at f/9 with an ISO setting of 100; exposure was 1/500 sec.

Niagara on the Lake Gazebo

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a great place to visit anytime. I dropped by on this beautiful winter day to capture this gazebo at Queen’s Royal Park. I love the feel of this place and the light was just magical this day. This photo was taken with my Canon EF-24-105mm lens; in AV mode; at f/9 with an ISO setting of 100; exposure was 1/250 sec.

Winter Sunrise Over Lake Ontario

As we finish our Niagara Region feature with a spectacular sunrise over Lake Ontario. Every sunrise is like a new page, a chance to right ourselves and receive each day in all its glory. This photo was taken with my Canon EF-16-35mm lens; in AV mode; at f/11 with an ISO setting of 320; exposure was 1/40 sec.

8 thoughts on “Travels to Niagara Falls: A Photo Adventure”

  1. Did you have to wear special shoes was it icy or slippery especially down in the cave? Marvelous marvelous photographs!

    I really wish I had gotten to do this before I had cancer now I never will get to see Niagara Falls and all its beauty the matter what the weather is. These are all beautiful my favorite has to be the ship. They are all wonderful photographs and I don’t mean to play favorites but there is something about that bother with the ship that really says a lot to me. Did you have to wear special shoes was it icy or slippery especially down in the cave? Marvelous marvelous photographs!

    Reply
    1. Peter Dulis

      Thanks for your feedback & kind comments – we are so happy to hear back from our readers. The ship certainly has been my favorite for many years – I tried to photograph it from many angles in all seasons – but in winter I didn’t have to contend with the over growth of the trees – so the vantage point was much better. No special shoes were needed there since I walked on the ice.

      Now the Decrew Falls cave hike was very tricky and a bit dangerous to get there. I had my Winter Waterproof Hiking Boots on when I scaled on down – but I wouldn’t recommend this hike for most people – you need a buddy + you need to be fit to take this on. Lots of people needed rescuing down there by the fire dept. Thanks for dropping us a line !

      Reply

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