The Falls

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Water is the lifeblood of Yosemite. It was carved by water - frozen in the form of glaciers, and now water provides for the plants and animals that make their home here. Almost everywhere you look there are waterfalls, large and small. Here's a sampling of some of them.

Click on images below for enlarged view.

Canon EOS 1Ds2, Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L @ 59mm, ISO 800

Yosemite Falls by Moonlight

We had a full or nearly full moon the entire workshop. Yosemite Falls was practically at our doorstep, so we spent an hour or two a couple of nights photographing it by moonlight. Here you can see upper, middle and lower falls.

Canon EOS 1Ds2, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS @ 135mm, ISO 800

Lower Yosemite Falls Detail

This is the base of Lower Yosemite Falls. The falls creates it's own wind which blows spray everywhere. It was hard to keep the front of the lens dry. Here I used a high ISO and shutter speed to stop the motion of the falling water.

Canon EOS 1Ds2, Canon 70-200 f/2.8L with 1.4EX @ 225mm, ISO 100

Horsetail Falls

This waterfall is formed by melting snow on the top of El Capitan. At some point in February, the last rays of the sunset catch only the falls and not the wall of El Cap. We were a few days early for that, but it is still an awesome sight.

Canon EOS 1Ds2, Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L IS @ 38mm, ISO 100

Yosemite Falls Dawn Reflection

Prior to sunrise, the pink clouds light up Yosemite Falls and it's reflection in the Merced River.