Ok, this makes the fourth image of Yosemite falls on the front page and I think the 7th Yosemite image. Something about this place I guess. So next to Chris' post, I thought I would toss this one up as a closeup rendition of the lower falls.
In recent years I've really tried to avoid the classic and obvious in Yosemite. This view of the base of Yosemite Falls, the Lower falls, has been captured a gazillion times. Harley and I wondered though how many times someone was silly enough to set up a 4x5 for this view. If anything it was more about the challenge than actually getting the image. Here's a
quick video of that challenge. Nothing epic, dangerous or remotely difficult, maybe more amusing than anything, but Harley in his attempt. I'm not sure his image came out. I set up a bit out of the spray, focused, got my exposure, then basically ran out in to the mist, eye-balled the composition without looking through the camera (cropped later,) waited for a break in the mist, then exposed the film. Here is what I got.
Also converted this to b&w that came out pretty good, but I slightly prefer the color version.
All comments/critiques welcome on this un-original view of Lower Yosemite falls. Not even near peak flow at this point in May either.
4x5, 300mm, Velvia 50, f/16 @ 1/8s
Processed using Tony Kuyper's masks and actions.
Thanks folks!
Lon
Comments
19 commentsThanks for looking and any comments.
Very self deprecating Lon, the gazillionth and one image is very different and some of it is the exposure of the view camera to the elements. Because of the process, and the manual manipulation of the film etc. I would think the difficulty in just preparing the camera to get the shot tedious enough. Then a dart into the parting mists to get the image and knowing instinctively what to do to not mess up the shot ( that might have to do allot with familiarity with the equipment) , is a testament to your skill and audacity. I also believe that if you lined up the 100 best images of the lower falls ( and I would include this one ) that there may be some that a very similar, but there would be differences in them all, because at the moment of shutter release the falls will never and I repeat never be the same again. So while we all have the iconophobic feelings I'm thinking I'll buck the I gotta get the most unique and creative image of Yosemite ( and do it by finding a non iconic image ) trend and photograph the icons in the most non-iconic way I can. If you can get images like this Lon maybe you need to entertain your silly side more often.
Paul
The first thing that caught my eye with this image was the fact that the prominent rock shrouded in the mist resembles the iconic view of Half Dome.
An excellent image overall!
Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI
Peter
John:
I'm so glad that someone noticed that. I was wondering if that would come up as I had the same thought. In fact, I was imagining a billion years from now after the next Pacific Plate subduction and new rise of the Sierra, that Half Dome would be reduced to a shadow of its former self. This is the New Yosemite, a billion years from now... ;-)
Lon
Chris
This is one of the nicest images I've seen of this. It conveys the power and majesty of the place and time.
Beautiful photograph, Lon!
--P
Gary.