We planned on hiking Horton Creek. A long 8 mile hike! When we got to the parking lot we changed our minds. As hordes of photographers crossed the road headed for Horton Creek, we headed the opposite direction and walked a narrow trail to the waterfall on Cabin Creek. What a great little waterfall and we were by ourselves. It seems this nice creek and waterfall is a well kept secret. The waterfall will be dry in the summer but the pond will probably still have some water that comes up from underground. I am keeping the secret as I loved the serenity and peacefulness that came with an uncrowded path. Oh, and the hike to the waterfall was a whole lot shorter. Short enough that several returned to the car to get a different lens.
So how many ways can you photograph a waterfall? Well, it appears the answer is some multiple of the number of photographers and their ability to walk the scene!! Add to that number the variety of lens and cameras, the ever changing light of clouds developing overhead and the hunger factor (determines how long they will hang around shooting a scene). Then, there is always the 'subtle' non-statistical factor of, "wow, this is pretty nice here".
Sometimes it is good to change your mind and go in an opposite direction! The day was a special treat for me, personally. I was shooting with friends, the weather was great, the creek and waterfall were unexpectedly wonderful. May each of you have days such as this. Many of them!