Awesome Photos

For two amazing weeks, Horsetail fall graces us with her presence. (That is, if all the stars line up.)  I was very lucky to capture this image and have talked to many photographers who were left out in the cold. Not only do you have to have a wet winter, but there has to be a vibrant sunset along with enough snow fall to melt. When all of these situations come together you have one of the most magical events in Yosemite.
The setting sun falls behind the vertical face of El Capitan selectively lighting this waterfall with the orange light of sunset, making it look as though a stream of lava is flowing down. Gradually growing with intensity and color, it can last up to fifteen minutes.

To be perfectly honest, I was in the park that year shooting Half Dome and Yosemite fall.  Toward the end of my excursion, I decided I needed a silluote shot of El Capitan and so I found myself a nice spot along the river and waited. Little did I know that I had found one of the best spots on the Merced River bank for viewing Horsetail Fall. As the sun started setting I noticed that I was no longer alone on the river bank. Within twenty minutes I was surround by some forty photographers. Some with 4×5’s and others with iphones.  There were even a few park rangers among us.

When I show this piece at an art show, I spend most of the time trying to expain to people: “No….it’s not lava.”  But, despite my heavily-winded stories about how I stumbled onto this precious moment, I still have people buy the image believing El Cap  is erupting. Fine by me….

This shot was taken with I used a Pentax 6-7, Fuji Velvia, a sturdy tripod (and lots of luck.)