Yosemite National Park- Half Dome and Firefalls

shniks

Hi all,


My friend and I made a quick trip to Yosemite National Park to shoot the fire-falls. We got lucky as the clouds parted during the last few minutes to create the magic. Thanks for looking.

Here is a link to the video of the phenomenon. Not very good quality unfortunately as I did not have time to fiddle with the settings before I decided to capture the event on video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAix8rGGCgw









This one is of sunrise over Half Dome (70-200 VRII with a Nikon 1.4X TC):

Wicked_Dark

that first shot is a gem. glad you got out there to see it and bring it back. it reminds me of a foundry, when they pour the steel. amazing.

Roaddog 52

Both are beautiful images, but the first one is gorgeous. I have been envisioning that first image for quite a few months. My goal is to get down to Yosemite by the end of the month, and then all I need is some luck with the weather.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

dlplumer

clap

shniks

Roaddog 52 wrote: »

Both are beautiful images, but the first one is gorgeous. I have been envisioning that first image for quite a few months. My goal is to get down to Yosemite by the end of the month, and then all I need is some luck with the weather.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

You should be fine by the end of the month. It is going to snow for the next week or so. I got there with my friend on Saturday noon with the intention of shooting the falls in the evening and heading back home on Sunday AM. Sat was picture perfect- beautiful weather, no clouds etc. I shot a 30 min video of the phenomenon (I will post that later) to make a time lapse video to show what happens. And I used a telephoto lens (300mm with a TC) to get the shots for higher res (Pano). When I got back to the camp and looked at the shots, they were blurred (zooming in). It was pretty devastating - <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/Laughing.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >. The AF was not focusing precisely on the rocks, but I guess a little before (maybe the spray from the fall was throwing it off (on the 3" LCD of the camera, it looked to be in focus). Anyway, we decided to stay back Sunday evening too to shoot the falls. As luck would have it, by 3 pm, the clouds set in and until 5.20 pm (the sunset was at 5.35 or so), the sun was completely hidden and all of us there were so disappointed that it wouldn't happen. But a minute later, the sun broke through and it was just marvelous. It lasted for around 7 to 10 mins.

Definitely worth making the trip to see it. <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/wings.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >


Cheers,

Doug Solis

Wow, that is perfection! Love this, maybe next year, I'll make it there to join the droves of photographers. I the mean time get that enlarged and hung on the wall.

eoren1

That first one is fantastic. Never saw/heard of the fire-falls before. Really is worth the trip
E

Cameron

Both great shots! I'm sad to admit I haven't seen shots of the fire-falls before - a great capture.

Hikin' Mike

Glad you made the trip Nikil! Where was this?

shniks

Hikin' Mike wrote: »

Glad you made the trip Nikil! Where was this?

Hi Mike. This was from Southside Drive, around 1 mile east of Cathedral Picnic Area. There is a clearing with a clear view of the falls.

I guess you are going to go soon. ;-)


Cheers,

SYMPL

Both are lovely images.
Well done.

Hikin' Mike

shniks wrote: »

Hi Mike. This was from Southside Drive, around 1 mile east of Cathedral Picnic Area. There is a clearing with a clear view of the falls.

I guess you are going to go soon. ;-)


Cheers,

I think so, at least after the current storm passes. Just haven't decided which location...!

schmoo

Beautiful images! I was planning on heading out there last weekend just for the firefalls but ended up staying around town. I'm glad to see that you made it and continued the tradition.

shniks

schmoo wrote: »

Beautiful images! I was planning on heading out there last weekend just for the firefalls but ended up staying around town. I'm glad to see that you made it and continued the tradition.

You should definitely go once the storm clears. It's so close to you that there is no excuse to not go. :smack


Cheers,

shniks

Hikin' Mike wrote: »

I think so, at least after the current storm passes. Just haven't decided which location...!

Well you already did the Picnic Area last year. I think you should try this one out this year. ;-)



Cheers,

sapphire73

Both shots are great but especially appreciate the unique beauty pictured in #1. Really appreciate your sharing this!

squirl033

that first one is simply amazing! how does that happen? i mean, how does the water get lit up so it looks like molten metal, while the rocks all around it are seemingly not lit up at all? phenomenal capture! if this one isn't printed large and hung on your wall, it certainly should be!

shniks

squirl033 wrote: »

that first one is simply amazing! how does that happen? i mean, how does the water get lit up so it looks like molten metal, while the rocks all around it are seemingly not lit up at all? phenomenal capture! if this one isn't printed large and hung on your wall, it certainly should be!

It's just the the sunlight falling on the water (and backlighting it). During this time in Feb., the sun's angle is such (due to the earth's revolution around the sun) that it sets through a gap in the ridges on the opposite side of El Capitan. Thus as the sun sets, the beam of light, passing through this ridge, gets narrower and narrower and is focused only on the falls. It really is spectacular.


Cheers,

TreyHoff

Wow....way to go!

CWSkopec

Both are gorgeous, Nikhil!

djkraan

Compliments. Never seen before such a firefall. We don't have them in my country.

shniks

djkraan wrote: »

Compliments. Never seen before such a firefall. We don't have them in my country.

Thanks for all the feedback guys. We just might head this weekend again for another round of fire-falls photography. ;-)


Cheers,

kdog

Excellent, Nikhil! Some day I need to see this phenomenon in person. Maybe next year.

Cheers,
-joel

wolf911

great video and pics, thanks for sharing

cb4photo

Beautiful shot!!!! I do love Yosemite.

shniks

kdog wrote: »

Excellent, Nikhil! Some day I need to see this phenomenon in person. Maybe next year.

Cheers,
-joel

You sir, need to go soon. You keep saying this every year. ;-)


Cheers,

grimace

Beautiful image!!

ilaned

phantastic capture. Thanks for sharing and making me envious. :-) Cheers, Ernst

chrisrarmstead

Wow. That looks cool. I've never been there but I'd love to see something like that though.

Thanks for sharing.

Cheers

Roaddog 52

Just saw the second Fire fall image, pretty nice. Finally on my way down, I-5 south then east. I should be there this afternoon, with a bit of luck and if the weather coopoerates I hope to get a least one image as nice as yours.

shniks

Roaddog 52 wrote: »

Just saw the second Fire fall image, pretty nice. Finally on my way down, I-5 south then east. I should be there this afternoon, with a bit of luck and if the weather coopoerates I hope to get a least one image as nice as yours.

I think you should be fine. It is supposed to be clear this evening. Try and get a spot by 2 pm otherwise you will have a swarm of photographers descending on that place by 3 pm or so. All the best and look forward to your shots too.


Cheers,