It was in March, during a trekking activity by Cengiz EKREN (Club Trekking Kocaeli) when I first learned that there was such a waterfall (Cenedere Waterfall) in Kocaeli.
Photographs for Cenedere Waterfall that I shot then were beyond satisfaction since it was wintertime. I set my mind to get there once again to update my archive.
On a warm June morning during blue hour, I was on my way to Cenedere Waterfall through Cenedere Canyon. I wanted to reach my destination before the first lights of the sun enlightens the waterfall down the canyon.
Parking and leaving my car at the Derince Picnic Area I got my backpack and footed forward.
Cenedere Canyon
![Cenedere Canyon](https://www.gezerdoner.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/27336571_10155468285877753_5485104823002101131_n.jpg)
And I should confess that I was a little uneasy. A wolf, a hog, a bear; how can you tell? Sure you can’t, otherwise nobody would get there alone. (I can almost hear trekkers criticising me “how dare you without a buddy!”) Lust for photography urges you to do involve such things though.
![Cenedere Canyon](https://www.gezerdoner.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/27332403_10155468285977753_6868929113936961608_n.jpg)
The mountain ridgeway, first hours of the day, nature and me…I marched to destination inhaling the fresh air of the mountain. And I should confess that I was a little uneasy. A wolf, a hog, a bear; how can you tell? Sure you can’t, otherwise nobody would get there alone. (I can almost hear trekkers criticising me “how dare you without a buddy!”) Lust for photography urges you to do involve such things though.
![Cenedere Waterfall](https://www.gezerdoner.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/27332543_10155468284962753_9187914390182258376_n.jpg)
While I was walking mesmerized by the beauty of the nature, suddenly I realised that I was not alone. Two big dogs were walking fast towards me! “It’s over” I said to myself, for an instance. And another showed up, another, one after another and there were something like 10 of them at last. After a massive amount of adrenalin being pumped in my body, thanks to God that two trekkers emerged, we approached to each other as a crowd. Feeling that the dogs were not interested in myself, naturally relieved me.
As we were abeam with the trekkers, one of them, as if he felt my anxiety, said: ”No worry, the dogs are with us.” And we greeted, wishing a good day to each other. We did not know each other nevertheless we have rights on one another, as life set a meeting for us on Cenedere Way at that very early time of the day. From that time on, I felt that a nice day was about to rise for me with the warm feeling inside.
Cenedere Waterfall
![Cenedere Waterfall](https://www.gezerdoner.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/27336991_10155468284982753_1099972071999466867_n.jpg)
Walking along Cenedere, numerous little waterfalls were also worth to set a tripod.
Arousing my interest, different flowers, dragonflies, mountain scene were all factors made my voyage more enjoyful. Losing time perception, I was like “let me shoot this one, that one” I found myself looking down the waterfall having finished 5 km track.
![Cenedere Waterfall](https://www.gezerdoner.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/27331832_10155468285762753_8917294847322034487_n.jpg)
Hardest part of the job begins here; I have to crawl down 40-50 meters through steep rocks holding the rope which was tied up there by “some nice people” yelling a “thank you” for them with my backpack and tripod on my shoulders. One or two slippings and stumblings and I’m on target as one piece.
![Cenedere Waterfall](https://www.gezerdoner.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/27545658_10155468285902753_609090880051950709_n.jpg)
Let the party begin… The waterfall is not much of a huge one but anyways it was there and would show herself to no one except who bothers to come here. So I can enjoy my poses documenting the waterfall, “no pain no gain”. For my camera was almost brandnew, I hadn’t have time to buy an ND filter, so I wasn’t able to shoot a long exposure. However, I set my tripod and shot several frames from different angles.
![Cenedere Waterfall](https://www.gezerdoner.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/27657634_10155468285402753_1490761591426232325_n.jpg)
Besides, shot myself while shooting the waterfall resorting means of technology.
![Cenedere Waterfall](https://www.gezerdoner.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/27545727_10155468290532753_2873829225862553143_n.jpg)
You can also have different nice frames on the flow direction of the waterfall. Meanwhile, a dragonfly on the rocks let me take his photograph while he was waiting for the sun to dry the morning dew on its wings.
![Cenedere Waterfall](https://www.gezerdoner.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/27332220_10155468285232753_651127666425498026_n-1.jpg)
After finishing waterfall shooting, I faced the harder side: climbing. Again holding the rope with the same equipment, a though track was awaiting. I took my time climbing up and I made it “upstairs” without a bruise at last!..
Way back was a little bit different with the diffused daylight, sun showing itself, bees buzzing, butterflies flying, nature waking up…and I have a wish to come back with an ND filter for a long exposure on my mind.
04.02.2018