Archive 2005 · What Luck in Yosemite
p.1 #1What Luck in Yosemite
I notice that another post had a photo of Horse Tail Fall. Here's mine and the story about this event:
What Luck!
On my first landscape photography trip to the Yosemite Valley I had an amazing experience that I would love to share.
Each year for a few days at the end of February when the sun is in just the right spot at sunset, there's a chance you can see and photograph one of the most amazing things. Something most landscape photographers would love to shoot. The last rays of light on Horsetail Fall.
If you don't know about this phenomenon... here's what happens:
For a quick minute or two on the last few days of February the setting sun hits nothing but the falling water and the granite wall of El Capitan, causing it to glow like a raining fire. In order to experience this event a few things must come together.
1. There has to be snow on top of El Capitan.
2. You have to have a good enough thaw during the last few days of February to create enough of a waterfall. This fall is very small and looks like a ribbon of water from a distance.
3. The waterfall must have a clear view of the sun at the exact right time at sunset.
(I'm told these things come together on an average of once every 10 years)
Oh yes, one more thing:
You must be there to photograph it. Thousands have tried.... some were successful.... most were not.
Others there to witness the event on this day said after many February's of coming back to the same spot they'd never seen anything like this.
Here's the lucky part. I got it on my first trip!
It's not WHAT you know... it's how lucky you are for knowing it.
This one goes on my wall.
Enjoy.
Tim
https://www.fredmiranda.com/hosting-data//500/1763Final_Glow_G0K9009.jpg
Edited by boomertim1 on Mar 01, 2005 at 09:49 PM GMT
Edited by boomertim1 on Mar 01, 2005 at 10:41 PM GMT
Edited by boomertim1 on Mar 01, 2005 at 10:55 PM GMT
Edited by boomertim1 on Mar 01, 2005 at 10:59 PM GMT
What Luck!
On my first landscape photography trip to the Yosemite Valley I had an amazing experience that I would love to share.
Each year for a few days at the end of February when the sun is in just the right spot at sunset, there's a chance you can see and photograph one of the most amazing things. Something most landscape photographers would love to shoot. The last rays of light on Horsetail Fall.
If you don't know about this phenomenon... here's what happens:
For a quick minute or two on the last few days of February the setting sun hits nothing but the falling water and the granite wall of El Capitan, causing it to glow like a raining fire. In order to experience this event a few things must come together.
1. There has to be snow on top of El Capitan.
2. You have to have a good enough thaw during the last few days of February to create enough of a waterfall. This fall is very small and looks like a ribbon of water from a distance.
3. The waterfall must have a clear view of the sun at the exact right time at sunset.
(I'm told these things come together on an average of once every 10 years)
Oh yes, one more thing:
You must be there to photograph it. Thousands have tried.... some were successful.... most were not.
Others there to witness the event on this day said after many February's of coming back to the same spot they'd never seen anything like this.
Here's the lucky part. I got it on my first trip!
It's not WHAT you know... it's how lucky you are for knowing it.
This one goes on my wall.
Enjoy.
Tim
https://www.fredmiranda.com/hosting-data//500/1763Final_Glow_G0K9009.jpg
Edited by boomertim1 on Mar 01, 2005 at 09:49 PM GMT
Edited by boomertim1 on Mar 01, 2005 at 10:41 PM GMT
Edited by boomertim1 on Mar 01, 2005 at 10:55 PM GMT
Edited by boomertim1 on Mar 01, 2005 at 10:59 PM GMT
Mar 01, 2005 at 08:08 PM
p.1 #3What Luck in Yosemite
wow...the story behind it really makes it great (it's great before the story too)...I especially like Thru the heart as well.
Mar 01, 2005 at 08:36 PM
p.1 #4What Luck in Yosemite
Tim, a very beautiful shot. Different from the other ones I have seen because of the distant mist. Galen Rowell in his book, Mountain Light, narrates how he got his and is an interesting read.
Mar 01, 2005 at 09:32 PM
p.1 #5What Luck in Yosemite
Tim, I don't want to talk...I just want to sit here and admire this stunningly beautiful capture. Awesome!!!
Mar 01, 2005 at 10:28 PM
p.1 #7What Luck in Yosemite
Great capture Tim! That must have been a truly wonderful sight. Wow!
I've also enjoyed all the other Horsetail Falls shots folks have posted. Good stuff everyone!
Chris
I've also enjoyed all the other Horsetail Falls shots folks have posted. Good stuff everyone!
Chris
Mar 02, 2005 at 09:48 AM
p.1 #8What Luck in Yosemite
A beauty Tim. A real ang magical beauty. I love this mysterious shot.
Javier
Javier
Mar 02, 2005 at 10:29 AM
p.1 #9What Luck in Yosemite
Thanks Chris.... It was wonderful!
Thank you Javier as well!
Thank you Javier as well!
Mar 02, 2005 at 02:53 PM
p.1 #12What Luck in Yosemite
One word comes to mind.
Sweet!!!
It may have been luck that everything came together but you still had to execute the shot. I think you did that very well. Any more to share?
Sweet!!!
It may have been luck that everything came together but you still had to execute the shot. I think you did that very well. Any more to share?
Mar 02, 2005 at 07:02 PM
p.1 #13What Luck in Yosemite
Tim,
Having been there this past summer I can only imagine the spectacular sight you viewed. Excellent capture!
Thanks for sharing.
Al B
Having been there this past summer I can only imagine the spectacular sight you viewed. Excellent capture!
Thanks for sharing.
Al B
Mar 02, 2005 at 07:24 PM
p.1 #14What Luck in Yosemite
wow. I am totally speechless. Amazing. out of this world.
Mar 02, 2005 at 10:29 PM
p.1 #15What Luck in Yosemite
Great shot - timing and sticking it out with the patience of a horse in winter (
) is what photography is all about.
) is what photography is all about.Mar 02, 2005 at 11:03 PM
p.1 #16What Luck in Yosemite
Awesome shot Tim. Where exactly were you at when you took that shot? Were you at one of the overlooks?
Mar 02, 2005 at 11:55 PM
p.1 #17What Luck in Yosemite
Extremely beautiful sight ... I never this spectacular phenomenon existed .. Now, I do ...
don't think I will ever be there to see one ...but thanks for posting this ... a treat.
ApB
don't think I will ever be there to see one ...but thanks for posting this ... a treat.
ApB
Mar 03, 2005 at 12:04 AM
p.1 #18What Luck in Yosemite
I am aware of this fire fall as I think its called, but I have not had the pleasure of capturing it myself. The composure is very good. The image is very good. To me the image appears a bit flat and also appears to have quite a bit of noise. This could just be jpg artifacting, I have had this myself, and it lacks a pop. I use fred's velvia vision for my landscape shots and it really helps make the image pop and his sharpening action to give additional pop. My last post here from my last yosemite trip used examples of both of the actions. (squid.com/~tillman/dome.jpg). Again great luck and shot.
Mar 03, 2005 at 05:33 AM
p.1 #19What Luck in Yosemite
I seldom use this word, but I will this time... AWESOME
Woody
Woody
Mar 03, 2005 at 05:46 AM
p.1 #20What Luck in Yosemite
Very cool, Tim. Looks like a stream of lava or fire! Thanks for the details you shared, too. I can only imagine how excited you were when this appeared before your eyes. That's one of the most exhilarating things about landscape photography IMO - when planning, patience, luck, etc. all come together.
Mark
Mark
Mar 03, 2005 at 06:03 AM