Lower Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, CA
Lower Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, CA
Read less
Read less
Views
1163
Likes
Awards
Fall Award 2020
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Exceptional Contrast
Superior Skill
All Star
Magnificent Capture
Top Ranks
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in Yosemite National Park on Father's Day, June 2011.Time
Because it was Father's Day, the park was really crowded. If I had realized it was Father's Day, we probably would have waited until the next day. We don't usually go to Yosemite in June, but Michael Frye's blog had mentioned that the waterfalls were all running at peak volume. The snowpack that winter had been 140% of normal, so there was a lot of water. Because of the crowds, time, meaning lighting, was not the major consideration. It was about 2:30 in the afternoon and we were south of the Falls.Lighting
It was a bright sunny day.Equipment
I used a Canon 30D with a Canon 28-135 lens. In addition to the usual tripod, this shot also required a plastic bag to protect my camera and my wife to hold an umbrella and to constantly wipe the spray off the lens. It was a bright sunny day, and we were not unusually close to the waterfall, but the spray from the huge amount of falling water made it seem like a downpour.Inspiration
My wife is the artist in our family and as soon as we caught a glimpse of the Falls as we drove into the Valley, she said it was going to be a great shot.Editing
This shot was taken in Monochrome mode and needed very minimal processing. A little adjustment of exposure and contrast and that was it.In my camera bag
Since this photo was taken, I have moved up to a Canon 60D. I also now use a Tamron 18-270 mm lens. This lens really simplifies what has to be in my bag as it takes the place of 3 lenses. And of course I always have a circular polarizing filter on the lens. I also have a set of neutral density filters because long exposures of waterfalls often require them.Feedback
Obviously, the most important factor in waterfall photography is the amount of water. While that is seemingly beyond your control, there are many resources online that can keep you up to date on the flow in your favorite waterfall. For instance, all the publicity surrounding Horse Tail Falls those rare years when there is enough water.