One step from heaven or hell, a photo from Southern, West

Photographer's Note

When visiting the Victoria Falls this week, my biggest challenge was trying to take a photograph from a POV that had not already been posted to TrekEarth. That was not easy as there are already many good images on TE, mainly shot from the Zimbabwe side (which gives the better views as it is facing the Falls), some aerials, and some taken from the Zambia side, including one a few metres from the edge. So the only new POV that I could find was right on the edge – and I mean REALLY right on the edge.

I took this from a rock ledge on Livingstone Island overhanging the gorge. One step forward, or one step to the left, and there would be no more banyanman. I have posted another picture to the workshop in which you can see the ledge on which I was standing to take this. You will see that there is no fence or safety railings on Livingstone Island (they would be swept away in the rainy season) – only your commonsense and nerve separates you from a 400 ft plunge into the gorge below.

I took a flight in an open ultra-light over the Falls as well, but I actually found it more exhilarating standing on the edge like this. Sixty people a day are allowed to go onto Livingstone Island, which is from where David Livingstone first saw the Falls in 1855, and is now a World Heritage site. It costs US$45, and you go across in groups of four, each with a guide, in a small motorboat, with a maximum of 12 visitors on the island at any one time.

You have to sign an indemnity which starts: “I acknowledge that I am aware of and appreciate the real dangers and risks that are associated with visiting Livingstone Island on the Zambezi River arising inter alia from slippery surfaces, river currents, flash floods and the presence of wild and dangerous animals . . .”

But don’t let that put you off. It is $45 well spent, and you get to stay on the island for over an hour, and you can swim in a rock-pool that is right on the edge of the Falls. I forgot to ask, but I assume you can only do this in the dry season because the flow of water in the rainy season would wash you over the Falls. I have posted a second picture to the workshop, taken from the Zimbabwe side, showing people swimming in the rock-pool. The man in the khaki shirt standing up taking photographs of the group in the water is one of the guides. Like me, he was standing right on the edge. The difference was that he was standing in bare feet on a wet ledge with water flowing around his feet – I was standing with rubber soles on a dry ledge – so what he was doing was far more dangerous than me.

Even the short boat trip across to the island is exciting – as you bump over the shallow rapids and near the edge of the Falls, you wonder what would happen if the outboard motor packed up at that moment.

It is experience that I can thoroughly recommend to anyone visiting Victoria Falls. However, I would suggest that you avoid going to the edge with anyone with whom you are not on good terms!

jaywalker, siolaw, aloyho, cuneyt-sb, devimeuxbe, feather, riclopes, ChrisJ, Mistral, plimrn, m_s_s, Davidwh, pari_ali, Didi, Albrecht heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

ioana_tm (147) 2006-09-29 14:46

Your photo speak's for it self. The ideea is perfect. TFS

fayeulle (27827) 2006-09-29 15:53

Hi David
Excellent shot whith the fantistic permanent rainbow. Be carefull, the edges can be dangerous!
Cheers
JP

vincent24 (9060) 2006-09-29 16:04

Hello David,
You've found a very POV...quite impressive!the compo nicely include the rainbow,the high speed froze the water,the WS are also excellent,
good job,
vincent

Cormac (26565) 2006-09-29 16:11

Obviously the rainbow really makes this shot special. The composition is simple yet strong, and the close up of the water going over the falls is pretty dramatic and dangerous. Great work!

jaywalker (16105) 2006-09-29 16:59

Hi David, A wonderful photo with a lovely rainbow, the view looks breathtaking & you captured it very well, thanks, kind regards Wilson.

Andrzej_HHH (2480) 2006-09-29 17:14

Hello! Fantastic rainbow over this waterfall. Very beautiful and impressive shot- congratulations!! Thanks for sharing and comprehensive note. Great work! Andrzej

PJE (20758) 2006-09-29 23:47

David I really appreciate the way you manage to trek yourself out to places like this. You are a true world class treker in every right. The photo posted is simpy stunning to view.. including all of the workshops as well. I think these falls beat the Niagra falls in every way. Gorgous captures and such a treat to see your perspective work posted. Thanks so much for sharing David. A heart felt cheers indeed!
Paul

aloyho (6798) 2006-09-30 1:35

Hi David,
This is quite an adventure and you've caught just what you wanted - a stunning view!! The spray created an interesting atmosphere and the rainbow is just perfect. This just showed how far you are willing to go and it deserved my admiration. Congratulations!! All the best and a great weekend.

kensimage (8563) 2006-09-30 11:19

It would have been unfortunate if you'd gone over the edge, David, because you'd have taken this photo with you! The shot definitely captures the fact that you WERE close to the edge, and that it's a long way down. The rainbow is really nice. Good framing--it doesn't look like the sky was worth including. You certainly do get around--everywhere in the world, except Peru. Regards, Ken.

jone (3231) 2006-10-02 3:10

Hi David ;)
very impressive and beautiful photo...
nice atmosphere...
Have a nice WE,
J ;)
p.s. :)tomorrow

feather (51130) 2006-10-02 6:13

An excellent trilogy of photos to show this impressive place which is definitely on my list. Your attempt to be different is praiseworthy. The rainbow, almost in full, on the spray, is impressive. An excellent, full and funny note too.
Kath

devimeuxbe (58557) 2006-10-02 6:17

Hi David
I see that after beeing everywhere in Asia, you now are colonising Africa also !
I will be breat for us.
Beautifull this one on this famous place.
I like the excellent POV with the water very shrap in front.
Bertrand

vincz (19113) 2006-10-02 6:43

Right on the edge, we can feel that way indeed. This must have been amazing. I like so much this feeling of the water reaching ... the void and falling in the unknown with this mysterious rainbow that never ends. Just great. Thanks for sharing.

riclopes (35577) 2006-10-04 5:28

Olá David, good effort in trying to take a diferent picture of this famous fascinating place. The result is great and I allways get surprised by the beauty of Nature, everytime I see an image from here. Excellent informative note, as usual. I guess I would try to do something similar to what you did, although I'm not sure if Ana would allow me...;-))
One hour seems little time. For $45, we should have more time to enjoy and swim (when possible)!
Um abraço,
Ricardo

ChrisJ (171794) 2006-10-07 8:12

Hi David

Good catch of the colourful rainbow rising abpve the falls. Well composed with a strong diagonal from the lip. I like the almost b&w appearance of the fg, which accentuates the rainbow. Well seen!

Mistral (15416) 2006-10-08 11:01

Hi David,
thanks a lot for your tips about Victoria falls... although I've been there already I will keep in mind in the chance of a return... the place is so beautiful that it deserve to be back...
About your image it's a great PoV with the ever rainbow and the fall so close...
A smile
Luca

plimrn (21344) 2006-10-08 12:43

Hi David,
The deep blackness of the water before it explodes into white over the sharp drop off conveys the sense of danger here. "Now don't be a Crocodile Hunter just for the photo," the nurse in me shrieks. The lovely detail of the rainbow arching in the mist helps to balance the tension. Your additional photos in the WS add great detail.
Regards, Pat

m_s_s (1691) 2006-10-16 12:28

Beautiful shot David.
really beautifull. well spoted rainbow, light is excellent. you had great courage to step to the edge. but it was worth. well done again. thanks for sharing.
regards

Davidwh (3662) 2006-10-18 11:19

Hi David,
I found your combination of images and notes very interesting.This famous place is known by almost everyone and in my opinion you succeeded on giving an original description and view.Well thought out and presented.Keep well and avoid getting too close to the edge!
Regards, David

Mahd (76) 2006-10-18 11:34

nice job david.

pari_ali (433) 2006-10-30 9:45

risk well taken and has given a rare perspective of the falls. Thanks for all the additional information too Banyanman. its very useful to learn all that

Didi (61589) 2006-11-30 14:18

Hello David
When i was In Egypt I drank water comming from here.
Very nice view on the falls.
Only the sound is missing here.
Very fantastic place.
Cheers.

Albrecht (11283) 2007-03-06 5:17

Hi David
Marvellous picture;right and & right place. Good compo and colours and DOF.
Thanks for sharing
Greetings from Holland
Albrecht