“Satan’s Kingdom” is a spectacular ravine found along the upper Farmington River in Connecticut, and was the location of an historic community of Native Americans, former slaves and others. There was a similar village of outcasts nearby known as “Barkhamsted Lighthouse.” Remnants of that settlement can be visited in Peoples State Forest. Both date to the first half of the 19th century.
These pictures were taken a few days ago while working my way down the ravine (on foot) into Nepaug State Forest. I wanted the colors to be vibrant but retain qualities of earlier phases of photography.
JOHN TODARO 
Exquisite color, composition and calming effect. Touché on a set of high art pictures.
Thanks Ed. As always, it’s a pleasure hearing from you
Love the rich colors and reflections, John. 🙂
Thanks so much, Jane
Just in time for Halloween 😄
You couldn’t ask for a better name for a location for that holiday
What fascinating history. The idea of a deep ravine, that history, and these photgraphs work so well together, especially just before Halloween. The third photo is my favorite – the perspective is a little destabilizing, the details stunning, the colors intense. Such cold, cold, blues and such hot oranges, wow.
There’s motion blur from ND, hence the destabilization. I like the way the big maple leaf looks like it’s about to get swept away into some distant corner of winter
That’s actually a sycamore leaf in that third picture; my bad. 😊
The history is fascinating. There’s a group of crude stone grave markers at the Lighthouse cemetery (now completely in the woods and surrounded by tall trees). The stones are unmarked. The graveyard reminded us a lot of the one found at Sylvester Manor on Shelter Island (18c Long Island slaves and native Americans). There was a gathering this past summer at the Lighthouse site; folks who are descendants of the original inhabitants
Satan’s Kingdom is some name, but the photos are beautiful
Thanks Thomas! 🍂
Astonishing how you show the motion energy in the water! It corresponds so well with the vibrant reds.
Thanks; happy to hear that it works. Much appreciated, Ule
The second one fascinates me. The vivid shapness of the leaves create distance from the water. But then there is the sky reflexion which creates a further illusion of distance.
Thanks Geoff. I’ve been using ND filters (in camera) for a lot of the recent water images. The results are similar to what you get with the screw-on filters that have been available forever, although the process is entirely different. It’s been interesting to see what you can do with it, but it’s been involving a lot of trial and error. I’m having fun, and staying dry… so far, anyway