I took the family to Rock City and Ruby Falls on Sunday. I learned a lot about shooting there, and came back with a list of do’s and don’ts for shooting photos at the two locations.
Rock City
Going into Rock City, I carried a small sling backpack (Lowepro Slingshot 202 AW) with 3 lenses and a couple of filters. The lenses that I took were the Tamron SP 17-35mm f/2.8-4, Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S, and a Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-S. In hindsight, all I really should have carried was the 17-35mm, a 28mm f/1.8 and a CPL and ND400.
What I learned and would suggest to others shooting in there:
- Don’t bother with a backpack/sling. There are some tight spots, and I had to take off the sling and carry it. Instead, use a messenger bag or just drop what you need in the pockets in cargo shorts.
- Carry a minimal amount of gear, and go wide. Don’t bother carrying a telephoto lens. I never needed it.
- Carry a fast prime. There is a room lit with blacklights – you will need a fast lens in there.
- Don’t bother with a tripod. Take a bean bag and a Manfrotto superclamp instead – stuff them in your pockets.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Go early in the morning before it gets hot, and avoid weekend crowds. Go on a weekday. A lot of the path is single file, and you can’t stop and setup a tripod to get a shot.
- If it is close to lunchtime when you get to the overlook, eat there. There are not a lot of places to eat at up on Lookout Mtn. Just spend the money and eat at the Cafe7.
- Eat before you go in – there is a lot of walking. Carry a bottle of water.
Ruby Falls
After going into Rock City, I knew not to carry as much gear. I left everything in the car, except my 18 f/1.8 and 85mm f/1.8. In hindsight, all I really should have carried was the 17-35mm, a 28mm f/1.8 – and a couple of flashes.
What I learned and would suggest to others shooting in there:
- Don’t bother with a backpack/sling. There are some tight spots, and I had to take off the sling and carry it. Instead, just drop what you need in the pockets in cargo shorts.
- Carry a minimal amount of gear, and go wide. Don’t bother carrying a telephoto lens. I never needed it.
- Only carry fast primes – the faster the better. Everything is very low light in the cave. Carry a flash – or two.
- Don’t bother with a tripod. Take a Manfrotto superclamp instead – stuff it in your pocket. You will only use it in one place – at the falls – clamp onto the railing. You have to move fast, so make certain that you are in the closest group when you enter the falls area.
- Wear comfortable shoes, and make certain that they are not leather soled. You really want lightweight hiking boots.
- Go during the hottest part of the day (its always 60 degrees in there), and avoid weekend crowds. Go on a weekday. A lot of the path is single file, and you can’t stop and setup a tripod to get a shot.
- Eat before you go in – there is a lot of walking. Carry a small bottle of water. Do not attempt to drink the water in the cave – it has a lot of magnesium, which is a natural laxative.
