Let there be light: Photographing Yosemite&#39;s elusive &#39;Firefall&#39;

500? Ouch. The park service should start requiring permits because that's just out of hand and it's worse than paparazzi swarming some Hollywood schmuck. In addition, a bunch of those photographers there are illegally conducting commercial workshops without purchasing permits from the Park Service. Such as Taylor Gray, no doubt.

I was at the Wave years ago but am almost afraid to ever go back. Despite the hike, I imagine there's twenty istockphoto "pro's" lined up at any moment.

I like your website, by the way. Your images are very "real", something horribly lacking with today's photoshop wonders like this Taylor Gray Dpreview has taken to shilling for.

Feb 29, 2016*permalink

mickeybphoto

Thanks Oliver

Mar 1, 2016permalink

joe6pack

I would like to see an unedited photo of the same scene. i.e. not pushing color, etc.

Feb 29, 2016permalink

Is this stuff written from a script nowadays?

"I am the best person in the world because I wake up at 6am to shamelessly market myself while others are sound asleep (what a bunch of losers)...I wake up early to write glowing endorsements of myself on Resource Travel and dpreview and subtly ask that you buy one of my workshops, because there is definitely nothing unique about my photographs...however they are good for a bunch of virtual back pats on 500px."

Feb 28, 2016permalink

Westkip

I find this absolutely fascinating because as a small boy in school here in Scotland in the year 1939, (I was five at the time) my teacher told the class of a wonderful trip she and two friends made to this place where a waterfall of fire took place at nightfall. The place was Yosemite. It took me another forty years to get there with my wife and only when I listened to the nightly talk by one of the park rangers did it come back to me. What a trip they'd made. Train, then ship across the Atlantic to New York and presumably train again to Cal. then up to Yosemite. I subsequently contacted a descendant of the teacher and she confirmed it was indeed Yosemite.
I've made several trips there but I'm still in awe of their achievement.

Feb 28, 2016*permalink

kewlguy

Must be a rare photo.

Feb 28, 2016permalink

Petak

"... photographers come in droves to view and photograph this special occasion, which makes Yosemite very, very busy. Each year, Horsetail draws more and more visitors from all around the world."

"Hidden treasure" indeed :-)))

Feb 28, 2016*permalink

That must be sarcasm. The spot shown in the photo, with the clueless clustered next to each other, is literally right next to the road.

Feb 28, 2016permalink

alcaher

People who already took photo of that unique event in yosemite, now they can print it, frame it and hang it on the wall (no matter how many times it has been photographed that place). Then every time they see their picture, they will think about the beautiful experience they had.
For those who complain here that it has been photographed millions of times and its nothing special, thats the only thing they can do: see others people photos and not enjoying their own pictures.

Feb 28, 2016permalink

I don't think anyone is saying it's not special. It's very special. I think people don't appreciate a couple things:

the circus like atmosphere that now pervades these events

dpreview and other publications adding fuel to the fire by publicizing it even more so they can get a couple more clicks

dpreview shilling for nothing special photographers like Taylor Gray (there are a billion of them just like him on flickr and none of them are going to be bigshot pro's either) who couldn't find their own foot without the help of an iphone app and a load of photoshop.

Feb 28, 2016*permalink

Boss of Sony

I remember a photography forum thread complaining about people interacting with nature and spoiling the photographers' ability to get a good shot. About 20 obsessed photographers were lining up to photograph a beautiful river somewhere in the U.S. Some tourist jumped in and had a swim, and all the photographers were annoyed because it ruined their shot. To me this shows the insane obsessiveness and hypocrisy of some nature photographers. I would have ignored the photographers and had a swim too (except not in the U.S, because every second person in the U.S. has a gun).

Feb 27, 2016permalink

We have something you don't - the freedom to enjoy guns, and there's a cost to freedoms, but you wouldn't understand. Almost all shootings are gang related in the cities, not out in the wilderness. Out of 330m Americans, very few die from guns. You're more likely to die in a car accident on your way to the park.

Feb 28, 2016permalink

"the freedom to enjoy guns"- you sound like a 12yr. old kid. Grow up. Cars are not weapons and are deemed necessary. Guns are weapons and are not necessary. The bottom line is that the US is willing to accept a few thousand deaths every year for the right to own a gun.

Feb 28, 2016permalink

mjphoto2013

YourReaiity doesn't measure up to the reality of those who would defend even your right to speak without fear. And how would they defend your right? Think about that, 12 yr old.

Feb 28, 2016*permalink

Photoman

@junk1 "Out of 330m Americans, very few die from guns." I believe the figure is around 30,000 gun related deaths and yes this figure is small compared to 330m...except to the 30,000 that died a violent death.

Feb 28, 2016permalink

Daniel L

Not every person in the US has a gun, but you got the fear factor right. In USA, guns is too easy and cheap to get. You could get shot over parking space, road rage or you kids never came back from school because his buddy is having a bad hair dad and out second amendment to use.

No, That's not a freedom, it's a burden.

Feb 28, 2016permalink

Roland Karlsson

I read somewhere that, in US, a kid under 3 years, once a day shoot himself or a relative to death. It is also easy to shoot your spouse or kid in the night, believing it is s burglar. So, having guns laying around, easy to use has its obvious price. The rare times when it is a good thing to be able to defend yourself, hardly outweighs all the tragedies.

Feb 28, 2016permalink

That's right, we are willing to pay a price for freedoms. BTW, I don't own any guns. Murder is already illegal, and owning a handgun w/o a permit is illegal, so laws won't fix the problem. The only ironclad solution would be to confiscate guns, which would take a LOT of effort due to the 2nd amendment to the US Constitution. But even if that occurred, criminals (only) would have guns. Drugs are very illegal here, but people manufacture various drugs and grow marijuana, and they flow over the border from Mexico. Why would guns be any different? The Paris shooters got guns across their border too. If there is intent, criminals will get guns. The problem in the USA is that we have a lot of violent losers/criminals due to broken families (well, they usually don't get married, so there never was a "family"). Go outside the poor areas of our cities, and there is very little violence here, perhaps less than Europe even (one study I read claimed that).

Feb 28, 2016permalink

I believe 30k includes suicides (60% of gun deaths). 19k in 2010 were suicides.
"According to the FBI, in 2012, there were 8,855 total firearm-related homicides in the US, with 6,371 of those attributed to handguns". 259 were justified / self-defense.
"93% of guns used in crimes are obtained illegally (i.e., not at gun stores or gun shows). "

"59% of the burglaries in Britain, which has tough gun control laws, are “hot burglaries” 9 which are burglaries committed while the home is occupied by the owner/renter. By contrast, the U.S., with more lenient gun control laws, has a “hot burglary” rate of only 13%."

Feb 28, 2016permalink

@miphoto2013 - Do you have a high school education? "the right to speak" is defined in the Constitution and defended in the courts, not by people carrying guns.

Feb 29, 2016permalink

Boss of Sony

The 2nd amendment was written in 1791, and was referring to muskets. In those days, civilians had muskets, and the government had cannons. Now the government has drones, hydrogen bombs, and missile launchers, and civilians have hand guns, automatic rifles and machine guns. I don't think the 2nd amendment and the prehistoric arguments for it are relevant to today's world.

Feb 29, 2016permalink

I used to think basically the same thing, but the courts have ruled the 2nd amendment really does mean individuals can own guns, not just militias. I doubt they knew we'd have TV and Internet, yet all of us agree Free Speech applies to all media, so the type of gun isn't relevant in my opinion. I'm somewhat surprised at how many gun restrictions we have. Carrying a handgun is very difficult in most states for example. The far majority of people committing murders (which is usually with a handgun, not a rifle or shotgun) don't have gun licenses, and murder is illegal, so it's hard to see what more laws would do other than be a PITA to lawful citizens.

Feb 29, 2016*permalink

jrn145

"I would have ignored the photographers and had a swim too (except not in the U.S, because every second person in the U.S. has a gun)."

Shows what you know. This takes the daily "WTF did I just read?" award.

Feb 29, 2016permalink

Photoman

@jrn145 He meant to say, EVERY person has an average of 2 guns each ;)

Feb 29, 2016permalink

mjphoto2013

@MyReality - If you want to blindly trust a government to do the right thing every time, never abuse its powers and always, ALWAYS, respect the rights of its citizens, be my guest. The rest of us, who are the true realists, are not quite as gullible.

Feb 29, 2016*permalink

Via Lactea

and Galen Rowell still got the best shot... on Kodachrome

Feb 27, 2016permalink

Agreed, but most people on this sight probably do not know who Galen Rowell is. He traveled around the world with only a Nikon N80 and 2 lenses and a lot of film.
If I remember right, he used that equipment to take another one of his famous shots. A monastery in Nepal(Tibet?) with a rainbow. He ran over a mile with the equipment to get the view he wanted.

Feb 28, 2016permalink

Via Lactea

he made that shot with an Nikon FM 200mm f4 Nikkor: Mountain light.

Feb 28, 2016permalink

@Via Lactea - My mistake, that shot must have been on a separate trip.

Feb 29, 2016permalink

Rick Knepper

Seems to me that viewpoints like Taft Point, Sentinel Dome or Four Mile Trail would be optimal.

Feb 27, 2016permalink

caplanner

That's what I was thinking too. Sunset from Sentinel can be spectacular any time of year. I was on the valley floor with the other 500 people on February 13th.... Other than parking, everybody there was respectful and having fun practicing their hobby. I enjoyed the experience.

Feb 29, 2016permalink

Biological_Viewfinder

How rare to find a group of shots that satisfies the mind

Very nice

Feb 27, 2016*permalink

marc petzold

All those photographers into the story, either pro or amateurs, hobbyists, share the same passion, and feeling, to capture a very special fleeting moment, it must be emotional overwhelming to see this "firefall" with ones own naked eyes.
A true huge reward for waiting such a long time for this precious moment.
US residents really have one great nationalpark there.

Feb 27, 2016permalink

I've actually been here a few years ago (I think it was February 2010). Even then, it felt more like Black Friday at Best Buy than anything to do with nature, with hordes of photographers jostling for position and literally bunching up against each other. Most people were too busy peering through their viewfinders or looking at their iphones (to ensure they exactly copied Galen Rowell's image/etc) to appreciate the beauty around them.

Then, as soon as the show ended, 90% of them magically disappeared, galloping off to the nearest wifi access point to "share" their latest trophy shot. Sadly, it's a lot more like watching zombies looking for brains to eat, than artists pursuing a vision.

People can hate on me for telling it like it is, but it's even worse today: a sad reflection on the attention obsessed society we live in. What happened to taking pictures and printing & enjoying them, instead of posting on forums, fishing for pats on the back, and braying about being some big-shot?

Feb 27, 2016permalink

marc petzold

I wouldn't upload this like any other pictures to "unsocial" networks, but to one or two sites *if* i'd take a great photo there...after a bit post processing, and making a canvas print, if it would be really good.

Can't stand the attitude of many, thinking they're soo good & the best...but thankfully, some photographers, either pro or amateur, they doesn't need to take center, and just enjoying to take pictures, without any posing attitudes...sharing just the passion for photography together.

Feb 28, 2016permalink

marc petzold

A fine story to read, does Ansel Adams with his legendary Yosemite Photographs had known these special circumstances?

Feb 27, 2016permalink

Horshack

I wonder if the black bears at Yosemite get together once a year to watch a herd of humans mate with strange, three-legged birds with very large beaks.

Feb 27, 2016permalink

rwl408

I camp at Yosemite several time a year from spring to fall because I enjoy hiking there. Maybe I should do it in winter too to see if I can capture the fire fall. But I doubt I have the patience it demands. Nay, I will stay with the long winding and grinding trails. :)

Feb 27, 2016permalink

Michael Bonocore

Even without the Firefall, Winter is the most beautiful season in Yosemite, in my opinion. There is nothing more beautiful than an early morning in Yosemite Valley with a fress coat of snow!

Feb 27, 2016permalink

rev32

Personally, I'd like to see this phenomena. Obviously not that many people get to see it. In that sense it is a privilege. Would I photograph it? Absolutely, I carry my camera everywhere and photograph what I want because I want to, not because I'm trying to sell the image. Selling an image is just the icing on the cake of doing something I love to do.

Feb 27, 2016*permalink

Michael Bonocore

Agreed. Even though many people shoot it, and it's been done, photography should be about the adventure and the experiences

Feb 27, 2016permalink

MikeFairbanks

I don't see the point, since it's been done so many times.

It could also be done in Photoshop if you're simply tying to get a photo of water that has the illusion of being orange. Either way it's just an illusion.

Feb 27, 2016*permalink

(unknown member)

Illusion is avout something that aint real.
But that waterfall is real and so is sun shining at it.

Feb 27, 2016permalink

MikeFairbanks

I agree for the most part. I mean, yeah, I'd like to see it and I'd take a photo if I were there, but I wouldn't make it a mission with a lot of gear and such because it's been done so many times.

Feb 27, 2016permalink

Tieu Ngao

It's just the passion, nothing wrong or right. If you don't have passion, that's fine too!

Feb 27, 2016permalink

photomedium

life is an illusion

Feb 27, 2016permalink

Bernard Carns

@MikeFairbanks
Why so grumpy about other people's happiness?
:-)

Feb 27, 2016permalink

ebjerke

Totally agree! For the life of me, I can't understand why I would want to take the same pic that thousands of others have done with very little variation. Sure, everyone thinks they can do it differently, but I have never seen one where I said, "wow." I watch and hear so many ooh and ah about this and I just don't get it. If I was there would I take the shot? Of course, but people act like it is akin to getting a shot of an alien spacecraft or something. It is a gold streak down the side of a big rock! Most of the time there is little or no detail in the darker areas of the photo, so it is just the gold streak. I would probably do it HDR, which I don't do much at all anymore.

Feb 27, 2016permalink

RBFresno

Like most photographers, I had seen many pictures of this. Plus, I'm only a few hours drive away.
Last week was the second time (first in 2012) I have driven up to see and photograph it. This year, my son was visiting from out of town, and made it all the more special to see/share it together. Also, I picked out a less iconic vantage point, and it was just myself and one other photographer there, no mob, and no fighting for parking spots. So no, I didn't get "the shot", but nevertheless, got "the experience" :-)

Here's a shot from my non-iconic vantage point:
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/57342782

And a video about Horsetail Falls:
http://blurppy.com/2012/02/27/yosemites-winter-wonder-the-natural-firefall/

Feb 28, 2016*permalink