Bamboo Falls

Maui, Hawaii

This shot was a product of curiosity and the desire to find something new. I’ve been to Maui more times than I can count, but in 2023, I decided to take a different approach. Rather than following the usual stops along the Road to Hana, I was determined to explore places not marked on any map, places that felt untouched by the endless stream of visitors. So, when I saw a small opening in the brush along the road, something told me to pull over.

There was nowhere to park nearby, so I stopped a quarter mile ahead, gathered my gear, and walked back. The entrance to the trail wasn’t obvious, but that’s what drew me in—this idea of walking into the unknown, hoping there was something waiting to be discovered. As soon as I ducked into the brush and found a steep path leading down, I could hear the faint rush of water somewhere deep in the forest. That sound fueled me to push further, winding my way through the dense bamboo.

The deeper I went, the louder the sound became, until finally, the trees parted and I was met with this hidden waterfall. It felt like I had stumbled into a scene from a dream—the thick, lush greenery framing the cascade of water over dark rocks, with bamboo towering all around me. It wasn’t a massive waterfall, but its setting made it feel like a secret, almost sacred place. I knew immediately I wanted to capture the motion of the water against the stillness of the forest around it.

Setting up the shot was about slowing down, feeling in sync with the environment. The long exposure was key here, allowing the water to soften and take on that ethereal, silky texture as it tumbled over the rocks. The contrast between the sharp lines of the bamboo and the smooth flow of the water created this peaceful balance in the frame—a perfect representation of nature’s quiet power.

Finding this spot felt like being rewarded for stepping off the well-worn path. There’s something about exploring without a guide, without a destination, that brings you closer to the landscape. You’re not just visiting a place, you’re discovering it in real time, experiencing its beauty firsthand, without expectations.

This image will always remind me of that sense of adventure and the thrill of finding something new, even in a place I thought I knew so well. And in the quiet movement of the water, there’s a subtle nod to moments of stillness and presence that are often fleeting in a fast-paced world.

13 Artist Proof | 145 Limited Edition

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