Hidden Falls

Gallery: LandscapePosted June 16, 20101,063 views47 comments

Sunrise on the Fitzroy Range, Patagonia, Argentina.

I could hear falling water in the distance so I decided to hike cross country down to a canyon away from the trail to Fitzroy basecamp. When I got down to the river, I found this beautiful series of cascades rimmed with fresh ice at sunrise after a cold autumn night. A few days later I got up at 3am and planned to hike solo back to this location for another sunrise. As I came around a bend in the trail, my headlamp illuminated the eyes of a crouching puma, only a few feet away next to the trail. I was alone, it was pitch black, and the body language of the puma convinced me to slowly back away and abandon my plans...

It looks like quite a few of us NPN'rs were down there this year. Bummer we didn't cross paths!

-Mike

Canon 5D Mk II with 2 or 3 stop grad (can't remember), a single exposure, very little PP needed- the light was wild on this morning!

Comments

47 comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on June 16, 2010 at 2:48 AM

Mike,

Just when I was getting ready to call it a night. I can't back away without saying something.

This rivals your epic avatar image. Stunning, approaching unbelievable. It would be too easy to say this is a composite, but I know better.

Truly spectacular. This even dwarfs your puma story... :-)

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Danny Laureys on June 16, 2010 at 2:49 AM

Beautiful!!!!!

Registered on January 5, 2008, 590 Posts, 1261 Comments

Comment posted by Verena & Georg Pop on June 16, 2010 at 2:54 AM

yep, like I emailed you - I really like this one!

(only too bad you couldn't get the puma in the comp...

)
georg

Registered on July 5, 2006, 272 Posts, 2823 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on June 16, 2010 at 3:11 AM

As I was browsing some of your new images this one immediately stood out... this is freakin' incredible Mike. You couldn't have had it any better! Glad you listened to the kitty and managed to get out of that and come back safe.. man that must have been scary!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on June 16, 2010 at 4:06 AM

Wow ... the foreground as well as the background are magnificent by themselves - together they are even more powerful. I'm glad that Puma encounter didn't end badly. Technically the sky looks a little strange, both in colors and contrast. But maybe that's just how it was. Great shot anyway, Michael.

Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Anderson on June 16, 2010 at 4:26 AM

Thanks you guys! You all would have loved it there!

Andreas, I think what you are seeing is the juxtaposition of the orange brightly lit clouds near the summit against a huge black cloud that was much higher in the sky and it appears somewhat lavender here. The true blue sky is visible at the horizon. But I did have to clone a small waterspot out of the sky and that may have left a small artifact in contrast or color there.

-Mike

Registered on January 31, 2006, 228 Posts, 3072 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on June 16, 2010 at 5:24 AM

Awe-inspiring image, Mike, as is your journey to Patagonia, the hike to these falls and your encounter with the puma. All very impressive!

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on June 16, 2010 at 6:43 AM

Sooooo goooooooood (still).

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Anderson on June 16, 2010 at 7:35 AM

Michael your framing and balance in this shot is perfect. My nerves might have been a bit frazzled knowing a puma was near and aware. Once again your processing has perfectly tamed the intense DR present. Amazing.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 346 Posts, 2696 Comments

Comment posted by Balakumar Kaushik on June 16, 2010 at 7:58 AM

Beautiful scene. Love those cascading falls with the glowing peaks in the BG.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 98 Posts, 1403 Comments

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on June 16, 2010 at 8:02 AM

Man, Im really feeling puny with all these top notch mountain scenes. Excellent shot Michael.
You couldn't have framed a better way. The dark icy foreground leading up to that majestic colorful peak, wow.
Thanks for sharing, now go print it would ya

Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Tal on June 16, 2010 at 8:32 AM

Amazing light and even more incredible experience. I think I heard somewhere that the area has the most dense cougar population in the world. What a treat.

Guy

Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on June 16, 2010 at 8:43 AM

Man what I wouldn't give to see a puma....oh and those peaks are sweet too.

Great comp and handling of the light!

Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Horn on June 16, 2010 at 9:12 AM

Incredible Mike. As with all your work, this is stunning. Puma, yeah, that might have changed my plans too. Beautiful work!

Registered on March 6, 2006, 82 Posts, 918 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Fischer on June 16, 2010 at 10:09 AM

This photo begs the question: Does the photographer make the photo or does the scenery make the photo?

My answer is: Both !!!

I can add nothing more to the plethora of fine comments about this photo.

the fisch

Registered on July 28, 2008, 155 Posts, 874 Comments

Comment posted by Ben Horne on June 16, 2010 at 10:40 AM

very nice conposition here. I like how the peak in the background looks like some sort of cathedral. I do wish the exposure was toned down a bit in the back though. It looks like you're pushing the latitude to a limit, and possibly blowing out the red channel.

Registered on August 27, 2009, 51 Posts, 959 Comments

Comment posted by Adrian Klein on June 16, 2010 at 11:14 AM

Definitely one of your best from your recent trips Mike. This could not have been any better if you would have custom ordered the ingredients from mother nature herself. Love it.

Registered on June 10, 2007, 112 Posts, 1506 Comments

Comment posted by Koveh Tavakkol on June 16, 2010 at 11:32 AM

This is very beautiful Mike! I love how you composed the scene to only light the top part in light.

Registered on September 1, 2009, 41 Posts, 608 Comments

Comment posted by Kyle L. Krause on June 16, 2010 at 11:37 AM

Mike,

Beautiful, what a spectcular location. I was there in 2008 so it hits close to my heart.

Outstanding imagery! Thanks

Registered on June 15, 2010, 29 Posts, 605 Comments

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on June 16, 2010 at 11:40 AM

Very cool shot Mike. All that rock makes for some amazing angles. Lucky encounter with the puma, glad you made it out ok.

Registered on February 21, 2010, 133 Posts, 1509 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on June 16, 2010 at 12:15 PM

This is just nuts. Easily one of the coolest mountain shots ive ever seen. You have got to organize an NPN trip down there next year

I hate to even tarnish my comment with a suggestion, but i think there is one minor thing that might make this even stronger for me: id dodge the lower portion of the falls just slightly, and tone down the brightest highlites on the snowlines--to try to channel the focus on the falls, so the leading line up to the peaks is stronger. As is, the brighter snow lines pull you away from the strong sloping vertical.
But whatever you do with this shot--it's all worth:

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Luis Argerich on June 16, 2010 at 12:19 PM

Hi Mike,

Applause, it's totally outstanding, I think that's what happens when you mix the best light with a killer composition!

Registered on December 22, 2009, 91 Posts, 1349 Comments

Comment posted by Mat Malone on June 16, 2010 at 12:57 PM

I don't know if ever sunset/rise in Patagonia is totally dramatic but you sure make it look that way. Great find, Mike.

Registered on December 15, 2008, 91 Posts, 882 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on June 16, 2010 at 1:07 PM

Spectacular and special!

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by Chip Phillips on June 16, 2010 at 1:23 PM

Awesome image Mike. I think you are more of an inspiration for me to visit the area than Galen Rowell. I'm gonna HAVE to go now.

Registered on November 26, 2007, 128 Posts, 1436 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on June 16, 2010 at 1:58 PM

This is a killer! Great find for sure.

I will echo the suggestion of a dodge in the lower fall and a tone down of the highlights in the brightest snowline. I also wish it had been bracketed and blended rather than the ND grad, for color fidelity in the sky. But having said that, that is getting picky.

Great impactful image!

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by Dorin Bofan on June 16, 2010 at 2:25 PM

Absolutely fantastic, Mike! Way over the top. The snow on the cliffs adds so much to the scene giving a nice 3d effect. The cloud on the top of Fitzroy is perfectly placed. I've said this before today, but this is one of the best Patagonia image, ever!

Registered on April 30, 2007, 122 Posts, 3086 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on June 16, 2010 at 2:36 PM

Great story and a beautiful image.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, Wi

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Jeremy Kessler on June 16, 2010 at 3:12 PM

Absolutely incredible in every way. A beautiful perspective. The peaks almost remind me of some sort of gothic cathedral.

Registered on September 13, 2007, 36 Posts, 1283 Comments

Comment posted by Karsten Wrobel on June 16, 2010 at 3:26 PM

Mike, this one is totally awesome, probably the coolest Fitz Roy image I have ever come across (only you yourself may come close with a couple of others in your portfolio)...

Registered on November 1, 2008, 117 Posts, 851 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Lundh on June 16, 2010 at 4:01 PM

Whoa...where's your sense of adventure mannn?!? However, I am sure it wasnt one of those situations where the animal is more scared than you!

I think you are lucky on many levels during this experience. Glad you did not get dead here...and glad you capture such beauty and make it back to show us all of these amazing locations! The gold light on these peaks, with the waterfall in the fg really works perfect.

I'd love to visit a few of these locals in the future...

Registered on April 28, 2004, 774 Posts, 4351 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on June 16, 2010 at 4:51 PM

Wonderful!

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Justin Reznick on June 16, 2010 at 5:59 PM

A puma in the wild, wow what an incredible experience! The light in this image is fantastic as is the foreground falls sprinkled with patches of snow.

Registered on November 24, 2009, 79 Posts, 515 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on June 16, 2010 at 8:06 PM

Breathtaking!

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Roman Kurywczak on June 16, 2010 at 9:30 PM

Wooo hoooo!. You crushed this one Michael!!! Perfect in every way!

Registered on November 20, 2009, 56 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on June 16, 2010 at 9:54 PM

Incredible Mike, and what a story with the puma. Beautiful place, and great capture.

Registered on June 30, 2008, 203 Posts, 2641 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on June 16, 2010 at 10:40 PM

Mike,
I just have to echo all of the compliments that this has recieved so far. It is an epic shot, and one of your best! Very cool story about the kitty too.
I responded to your suggestions concerning my latest post, if you were interested, thanks.

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on June 16, 2010 at 11:05 PM

What a feast to have shots from Marc, Chip, and you all on the same page! And all done in your individual styles. A visual feast and this is a fitting desert. Sweet!

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Ryan Dyar on June 17, 2010 at 12:30 AM

One of my favorites from your new stuff. The dark foreground really makes the peaks stand out that much more. Really an incredible image, Mike.

Registered on November 8, 2008, 22 Posts, 129 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on June 17, 2010 at 6:22 AM

Patagonia at it's most majestic. Super shot Michael. I wouldn't change a thing.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Ricardo La Piettra on June 17, 2010 at 9:21 AM

The classic Chalten spot. Awesome work with the exposure Mike, the little patchs of snow adds some more interesting points to that shadows on the FG. Epic scene.
Congrats, again, about the puma encounter.

Registered on July 22, 2009, 62 Posts, 730 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on June 17, 2010 at 10:33 AM

Very impressive, Mike. The falls are impressive but no foreground could ever match that background. What do you think about adding more blue to the whole thing to help emphasize the cold environment here? Just a thought I had.

Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments

Comment posted by Rudy Ruberti on June 17, 2010 at 4:09 PM

Awesome shot all around. I came across a mountain lion a few years ago while mountain biking. Pretty scary.

Registered on October 28, 2008, 179 Posts, 1875 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent FAVRE on June 18, 2010 at 8:06 AM

Oh Michaël, this is so beautiful...

Registered on September 2, 2007, 37 Posts, 213 Comments

Comment posted by Erik Stensland on June 18, 2010 at 11:03 AM

Bravo!!! I saw this on your website last week and couldn't stop looking at it. I might just lighten the sky and the clouds a little but otherwise it is stunning!

Registered on September 27, 2004, 121 Posts, 718 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Cooley on June 19, 2010 at 2:54 AM

Nice take on an iconic location. I'll bet it was awesome being there!

Registered on August 22, 2007, 45 Posts, 547 Comments

Comment posted by Winnie Ho on June 20, 2010 at 11:14 AM

Truly inspirational Mike! This image captures all the majestic, awesome power of the wild, and the thrill of the adventure also. I can only imagine what exhilaration you experienced taking this shot.

Registered on January 6, 2008, 93 Posts, 1788 Comments