What makes "Our Potomac, from Great Falls through Washington, D.C." unique is its concentration on just 17 miles of the river - the stretch most accessible to people in the Washington metropolitan area. The photographs follow the Potomac downriver to show its remarkable transformation from raging falls surrounded by lush forests to an idyllic setting for many of Washington's great attractions. Area residents who have become familiar with the river will appreciate the way "Our Potomac" honors the sights they cherish. Residents who are still learning about the river will be inspired to continue its discovery. Visitors to the area, who often expect to see mostly government buildings, monuments, and suburbs, will be surprised to learn of the wild natural beauty of the river that is within easy reach. The photographs and text make a gentle but compelling case for the perpetual respect and protection that our river deserves.

Our Potomac, from Great Falls Through Washington, D.C.

Arts & Photography

Roy Sewall

Photography & Video

Image Publishing

"Great Falls and Mather Gorge" is the definitive, in-depth look at the spectacular Great Falls area on the Potomac River, including the two adjacent National Parks: Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park in Maryland and Great Falls Park in Virginia. What makes the book unique is that it concentrates on just one square mile - a half-mile wide swath along two miles of the river. This wilderness area is a diverse wonderland of river scenery, complete with rare plant life, wildlife, historic structures, world-class whitewater paddling, rock-climbing, and other recreational activities. All of this is easily accessible to people in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Whether you are a long-time visitor to Great Falls or a newcomer, the photographs, map, text, and captions will educate, surprise, and inspire you.

From the Author:
After dabbling in photography for 30 years I became a serious photographer in 2001. I started shooting along both sides of the Potomac River, from Great Falls down to the lower end of Washington, D.C. There I found an endless supply of photogenic subjects. This led to publication of "Our Potomac" in 2005.

I felt this had been a wonderful experience, but swore I would never do a book again. Six months later I started working on "Great Falls and Mather Gorge." The book, which was published in 2009, takes a magnifying glass to the first part of "Our Potomac." These are stories that must be told.

What makes photography such an inspiring personal experience is that it can transform you from simply capturing scenes and moments to developing a deep appreciation for, and desire to support, your subjects. As a result of making these two books, and working with the many fine people who contributed to their development, I have become actively engaged with the Potomac River and C&O Canal.

Great Falls and Mather Gorge by Roy Sewall (2009) Hardcover

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Roy Sewall. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Roy Sewall

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Roy Sewall. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Our Potomac, from Great Falls Through Washington, D.C.

Great Falls and Mather Gorge by Roy Sewall (2009) Hardcover