Horsetail Fall Fire Fall
We recently visited Yosemite National Park to do some photography and to cross country ski. While we were trying for a sunrise shot at Tunnel View (which was a bust--no clouds, no color), my husband overheard the instructor of a workshop mention something about Horsetail Fall. Horsetail Fall flows off of El Capitan during late winter/early spring, and during February, the setting sun backlights the fall causing it to glow pink to orange, depending on the conditions--a natural fire fall (people used to light bonfires at the tops of the cliffs then topple them over the edge during the early days of the park. Thankfully, that has since been outlawed). The sun is in the correct position in November for this phenomenon, but Horsetail Fall usually dries up by May.
We decided that we would try shooting the fire fall. This, according to one of my books, was brilliantly photographed by Galen Rowell in 1973. Although we got there about an hour and a half before sunset, there were lots of folks already set up. We did find a space, with a comp that seemed acceptable to us, and waited.
We weren't disappointed. The sky was really clear, and the water turned a beautiful rosy-orangy color. We went back again the next day to see if we could get a better comp (and we arrived hours in advance)...while I like my comp better the second day, we did not get the spectacular color we did as seen in this shot. I am happy--at least I got a chance to see this and get a shot I like! Talk about being at the spot during the right conditions.
Worth it to see Large On Black
Horsetail Fall Fire Fall
We recently visited Yosemite National Park to do some photography and to cross country ski. While we were trying for a sunrise shot at Tunnel View (which was a bust--no clouds, no color), my husband overheard the instructor of a workshop mention something about Horsetail Fall. Horsetail Fall flows off of El Capitan during late winter/early spring, and during February, the setting sun backlights the fall causing it to glow pink to orange, depending on the conditions--a natural fire fall (people used to light bonfires at the tops of the cliffs then topple them over the edge during the early days of the park. Thankfully, that has since been outlawed). The sun is in the correct position in November for this phenomenon, but Horsetail Fall usually dries up by May.
We decided that we would try shooting the fire fall. This, according to one of my books, was brilliantly photographed by Galen Rowell in 1973. Although we got there about an hour and a half before sunset, there were lots of folks already set up. We did find a space, with a comp that seemed acceptable to us, and waited.
We weren't disappointed. The sky was really clear, and the water turned a beautiful rosy-orangy color. We went back again the next day to see if we could get a better comp (and we arrived hours in advance)...while I like my comp better the second day, we did not get the spectacular color we did as seen in this shot. I am happy--at least I got a chance to see this and get a shot I like! Talk about being at the spot during the right conditions.
Worth it to see Large On Black