Hanging Lakes by Steve Hirsch

Captured during the record-breaking spring runoff of 2011, this image depicts the majestic waterfalls of Hanging Lakes in Glenwood, Colorado. The photographer navigated a challenging mile-and-a-half ascent alongside companions to reach this pristine location, where the unusually high water levels created a spectacular display. By utilizing a long exposure of four seconds and a neutral density filter, the photographer masterfully smoothed the cascading water, contrasting its ethereal motion against the rugged, static beauty of the surrounding landscape. This image stands as an award-worthy testament to the power of nature and the patience required to capture fleeting, seasonal phenomena in the wild.

Hanging Lakes by Steve Hirsch
Canon 5DII | Exposure 4.0sec @ f/22 | ISO 100 | Focal Length 24mm
Copyright Β© Steve Hirsch
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Steve Hirsch

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Based in Columbus, Ohio, Steve Hirsch is an accomplished photographer whose work is deeply rooted in a lifelong passion for the craft. After a career as an otolaryngologist and raising three daughters, he has dedicated his time to traveling the globe to document wildlife and landscapes. His approach combines meticulous planning with a desire to connect with viewers through artistic expression. Hirsch’s work is widely featured in private residences and medical offices, reflecting his commitment to capturing the natural world across diverse seasons and lighting conditions.

Profile View Full Profile
12.4/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
224/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
14,807 views | 3 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date March 22, 2012
64.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 15.0
Style 13.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
Glenwood Springs, Colorado, The United States

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Nature Photography
Steve Hirsch Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (12.2/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,526/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
14,807/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
2.2/5 points
224/500 Submission
Jury Score: 64.0/80
Resonance Score: 12.2/20
Total Award Score: 76.2/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 3

Eleanor Voss Composition & Visual Structure Expert Review
The long exposure renders the water a static veil, yet the composition doesn't quite resolve. The heavy rock mass at the frame's edge creates an uneven fulcrum, pulling the eye toward a void that lacks sufficient weight. It’s technically precise, sure, but the spatial tension collapses under the weight of its own stillness. I’ve seen this geometry before, and frankly, it’s exhausting. The frame holds, but it doesn't offer the necessary structural release.
Lena Brandstrom Macro Photography, Optics & the Science of the Seen Expert Review
At f/22, Hirsch has pushed the 5DII into the diffraction limit, softening the micro-contrast of the limestone textures. Yet, the four-second exposure transforms the turbulent runoff into a viscous, ethereal veil. It’s a fascinating trade-off; the physics of the aperture sacrifice absolute sharpness for that haunting, silky motion. I’ve spent minutes tracing the light’s path across those falls. It’s genuinely moving how the lens resolves the water’s energy into such a delicate, ghostly stillness.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
The runoff in 2011 was a beast, and Hirsch clearly didn't shy away from the mud. That four-second exposure at f/22 suggests he spent a fair bit of time shivering on those rocks while the spray soaked his kit. I’ve been that cold, and it’s rarely pleasant. He didn't just stumble upon this; he earned it. It’s a respectable bit of work that captures the raw, violent energy of the thaw quite nicely.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Margaret Holt

The Weight of Water

In the quiet corners of a house, water behaves differently than it does in the wild. In a porcelain basin, it is a servant, a predictable element that obeys the turn of a handle. We forget that water is, by its nature, a sculptor of stone.

Read the reflection →
By Isabelle Park

The Weight of Stillness

I spent this morning trying to fix a leaky faucet in the kitchen. It was one of those small, nagging tasks that I had been putting off for weeks. I kept turning the wrench, waiting for the dripping to stop, but the water just kept finding its way through.

Read the reflection →

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