Upper Yellowstone Falls Photo

Photographer’s Note

Here we are in the heart of Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon looking at the Upper Yellowstone Falls, where the Yellowstone River plunges 109ft (33m). I debated about posting the more popular and possibly more spectacular Lower Falls, which is apparently one of the most photographed locations in Yellowstone, taken from Artist Point. (I counted over 20 shots on TE) In the end I decided to show you the less photographed Upper Falls. (Lower Falls in the WS)

There is arguably the biggest concentration of waterfalls in Yellowstone (3472 square miles / 8987 square km) than anywhere else in the world. Different sources quote different statistics, but the Guide to Yellowstone’s Waterfalls and their Discovery by Paul Rubinstein, Lee Whittlesey and Mike Stevens gives information on 292 waterfalls and cascades, 275 of them over 15feet in height (5m).

Just for the record, the huge volcano that is Yellowstone erupted 64,000 years ago sending volcanic debris thousands of miles in only minutes. The collapse of the magma chamber roof resulted in a caldera, which is an immense 30x45 miles (45x75km). The caldera filled with rhyolite lava, which is the yellow rock clearly visible in the canyon. Because of continuous hydrothermal activity the rock was weakened, allowing the water of the Yellowstone River to erode the softer rock to form the canyon.

I haven’t sharpened this image as the back-lighting on the trees makes it look sharp enough. I hope it comes out OK on TE after compression. There was so much water in the falls I didn’t even try for the smooth effect I usually like.

ISO200, FL40mm

Next Stop Grand Tetons

ChrisJ, stego, Bluejeans, PaulVDV, TopGeo, dareco, cbrman, danyy, syrus_persia, riclopes, fulvio52, Tue, Photo65Net, Angshu, jlbrthnn, Emile, Wandering_Dan, josepmarin, Cricri, UlfE, Kielia, Waylim, gunbud, bakes888, shevchenko, Gerrit, danos, bostankorkulugu, Sistercosmo, JCG, plimrn, axiotea, xuaxo, paura, subhendu_bagchi has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mesutilgim (37555) 2008-12-07 13:55

Hi Kath,
Very good pov and nice compo. Good lights and nice effect of the roaring waterfall. Nice notes as well.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

ChrisJ (70485) 2008-12-07 14:10

Hi Kath

A superb high vantage point overlooking the impressive falls with good sharpness & frasming. Tfs!

devimeuxbe (56532) 2008-12-07 14:11

Bonsoir Kath
the power of this waterfall is impressive. I have been there and i remeber very well the place. Nice cropping with the green all around
Bertrand

stego (22500) 2008-12-07 14:26

Hi Kath,
I really don't understand why you didn't reserve the one of the WS for another main post. Maybe because you have so much great photos that you can put such great photos in WS's... How I envy you! :D
I couldn't decide which one it's my favorite, as i find both of them superb and very achieved, but while the other one may be more eye catching at first glance, I like particularly the glow on the pine trees and their proximity here. I also hardly imagine a better POV/compo, with the meandering above and the powerful fall nicely framed by the pine trees. Hats off for the light management, you managed to have the shadows spotlessly exposed without having much OE or loosing contrast.
Regards, José.

dta (6540) 2008-12-07 14:36

Hello Kath ,
Fantastic point of view over these impressive falls , between beautiful pine trees . Great light on them .
Very well done .
Regards
Denis

Bluejeans (33391) 2008-12-07 14:52

Ola Kath,
Que linda paisagem o ponto de visão sobre a queda de agua e magnifico , ficou lindo o movimento da agua , gostei muito da vegetação em primeiro plano , boa luz, a foto do WS é fantástica , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

gneufeld (15289) 2008-12-07 14:53

Hi Kath,
A fine perspective of the upper falls, definitely not the familiar and oft shared location. I like it - good angle and the back lighting helps to accentuate the trees. I like it and TFS. Gerald

PaulVDV (5449) 2008-12-07 15:38

Hello Kath,
Both pictures show a very impressive nature but I think I like the one in the workshop a little more. The vertical format of that one is very good and fits the view on the canyon on the FG. That pic has more colours and the mass of water in the air looks impressive.
Looking longer at both pics I believe the noise of the falling water must have been enormous.
The composition of both pics is very good too.
Best regards, Paul

dareco (17104) 2008-12-07 21:27

Another beautiful image of nature. I love the pov and colors. Very pretty! TFS

cbrman (19097) 2008-12-07 22:01

Hello Kath,

Cet endroit me rappelle des chutes d'eau dans ma région. Elles sont peut-être un peu moins spectaculaire mais valent le détour.
Ici, le point de vue en plongée donne coup un peu l'aspect de grandeur de la chute mais les sapins de l'avant plan donnent l'échelle.
Bravo !

A+

Dominique

danyy (69903) 2008-12-07 23:05

Bonjour Kath,
on ne se lasse pas des photos de ce parc Naturel de Yellowstone, un peu comme l'Islande, riche en phénomènes telluriques mais aussi de surface, comme cette impressionnnate chute d'eau , puissante, qu'une prise de vue en altitude permet de bien suivre jusqu'au bout.
C'est très bien cadré.
Regards
Daniel.

John_F_Kennedy (32308) 2008-12-07 23:15

Very beautiful colours in this waterfall. Very spectacular and impressive image with good composition. Well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

syrus_persia (2234) 2008-12-07 23:39

Doroud Kath
Very beautiful nature.You choicethe nice view to take this photo.Composition , contract and colors are very nice here.
Good framing.
Bravo
cyrus

emka (22749) 2008-12-07 23:46

Hi Kath, Nice picture of the Yellowstone Fall, quite impressive. Good composition and colours. I am looking forward to seeing Grand Tetons of yours.

Regards

Malgorzata

riclopes (33137) 2008-12-08 0:58

I think you did the right choice, Kath. I remember both of them and at the time I also liked this one more. The other is a more spectacular view but I prefer this closer approach and best of all the beautiful light on these pinetrees that make a wonderful framing. As a photo, I consider this one to be better than the WS, I mean technically speaking. And that amount of water falling down makes a fantastic sight.
ricardo

fulvio52 (8314) 2008-12-08 2:31

Hi, Kath.
I would say you made the best possible use of this vantage point. The angle is striking, and light management & colors are superb. I also particularly appreciate you choosing this one as main post, rather than going for the Lower Falls. Don't get me wrong : they are awesome (so is your WS), but sort of inflationed. As you also pointed out in your note : there ain't much available down there in terms of different POVs, therefore we pretty much end up seeing the same picture all over again. Back to your shot : great one, TFS! You have a nice day, I'll be seeing you.
Fulvio.

Tue (25608) 2008-12-08 2:34

Hi Kath,
Beautiful capture of the falls, seen from a very good POV. I love the trees as a natural frame for the falls. The light was lovely here too, especially on the trees. Thanks for sharing!
Regards,
Lars

Photo65Net (43106) 2008-12-08 2:52

Hello Kath,
Amazing strength in this image.
I like your POV here... Great job !
Have a nice day,
JB.

jlbrthnn (39451) 2008-12-08 3:42

Hello Kath,
The place of the fall and a sight of the higher course of the river increases the visual impact of the image. the open foreground as a curtain is a very good element. congratulations for this image of very good quality.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

Dyerco (9380) 2008-12-08 7:33

Hi Kath
The backlighting in the trees is a nice effect here and the composition utilizes the rule of thirds very well. I haven't been to Yellowstone for 20 years but I still have fond memories of my visit. I do remember that the various views of these falls are limited so we take what we can get.
Phil

Emile (20177) 2008-12-08 7:54

Hola Kath.
Both are excellent pictures, you could post either one as the original version. I think it's impossible to say which one is the best, both are different from each other and your PP is also different but the only thing is that both are superb shots.
It's the same as when you go to a bar during the happy hour and you pay for one cup of a very good wine and they give two.
TFS.
Best wishes.

toto (18783) 2008-12-08 9:22

Bonjour,
belle photo de cette chute d' eau au bon milieu des arbres, belle prise avec ce bon POV qui nous montre bien ce bel ensemble, chute, arbres,rivière et roches.
Merci de ce partage

Amitiés Thomas

Wandering_Dan (3325) 2008-12-08 9:28

Hi, Kath -

Good picture of the Upper Falls, which does deserve more attention than it often gets. Yes, the trees in front are quite sharp (it's that darned D300 again!). I like the angle of the falls here and the way you include the river above them meandering off.

Best,
Dan

josepmarin (34243) 2008-12-08 9:50

Hello Kath,
this place is really impressive, your photo shows us a magnificent natural scene.
You have chosen a good frame to catch the beauty and the strength of this waterfall, under a great light and with the beautiful green tones of the trees, that create a set very attractive at sight.
A beautiful work.
Best wishes,
Josep

Cricri (44068) 2008-12-08 10:39

Hi Kath
Un cadrage rapproché entre les arbres qui donne encore plus de force au chute d'eau, trés belle lumiére, j'aime aussi celle en WS ou il a plus de couleurs, il n'y a rien a dire de plus sinon que cet endroit est magnifique
Friendship
cricri

UlfE (9250) 2008-12-08 10:49

Hi Kath,
A gorgeous view from a perfect high POV. I love the back-light and the wonderful and natural colours. You seem to have been very lucky with the lighting conditions and the weather during your US trip, but I also guess that you have sometimes made sure to be in the right place at the right time. This is actually possible to some extent if there is much to see and it takes time to get around. I agree that the photo in WS is an excellent picture as well and would have deserved to a main post. TFS and have a nice evening!

Cheers,

Ulf

Kielia (8811) 2008-12-08 11:13

Hi Kath,
as already mentioned before, I also like the photo in the WS more. Both versions are of course – as usually - excellent work! It is the outstanding management of the light that makes the original version very attractive but in the WS-photo the dramatic of nature is even more fascinating. My compliments for both images!
Warm regards
Harriet

gilou530 (35972) 2008-12-08 11:59

hello kath
Yellowstone is a fabulous parc of USA, I will like to visite this country, your picture gives the desire for leaving over there to have to the true dimension of the landscape, already on your photograph that appears imposing
well done
friendships
gilbert

Waylim (11321) 2008-12-08 12:54

Kath,
Having been here myself years ago, I can almost feel the energy and power of the waterfall, though it's hard to tell from a photo of this size. I like how you included the trees in the front to give it more depth and perfectly balanced the composition. You have capture the very natural surrounding with forest of pine trees. Don't I wish to stand right beside you. Thanks.
Way

gunbud (28261) 2008-12-08 17:56

Hi Kath,
Fantastic perspective catching the sharp bend in the wild river before it cascades over this steep prepefice.
Wonderful natural frame from the openings of the evergreens.
I can hear the thundering roar of this wonderful wild place.
Regards, Tom

bakes888 (18353) 2008-12-08 23:16

Hi Kath. Great photo. Well framed with the trees and truly expert handling of light. I like the way the backlight has bought out the colours of the pines. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

Graal (59090) 2008-12-08 23:57

Hi Kath,
good POV and nice presentation. Great waterfall, well composed image. I like it a lot.
Gr., Aleksander

shevchenko (10184) 2008-12-09 0:58

Hello Kath,
I see the hidden waterfall flowing sinuous, good pov to show it, lovely golden sunlight shining on the clumps, almost create transparent effect to the leaves, thanks for sharing another spectacular view in WS.
Ally

Gerrit (36529) 2008-12-09 4:22

Hi Kath,
very good composition and excellent capture of the counter light in the trees.
Regards, Gerrit

danos (33680) 2008-12-09 6:15

Hello kath,
the two shots i think that are equivalents,this one for the superb details of the close up shot and the other in the complementary note for its spectacular and the dynamism of the falling water.The light that falls on the trees in the foreground and the specific pause of the water of the Upper Yellowstone falls make the scene so great. Well done.

Have a nice afternoon,Danos

bostankorkulugu (34168) 2008-12-09 6:53

one of those shots that i d love to hear the sound of the water fall while looking at it... the light was not the best may be, but the colours look very natural... all the best kath...

Sistercosmo (2787) 2008-12-09 15:40

Hi Kath,
yes, this needs no sharpening. The water is so gigantic and the trees are better a wee bit soft. Great shot, excellent pov. I guess we need to get to Yellowstone the next time...
Take care!!
Linda

Angshu (34219) 2008-12-09 19:48

Hello Kath
Yes I do agree, the majority of the shots are from the lower falls, last I remember having seen Kristine (avene)'s shot from there. Nice shot with the 'gorge' in a diagonal & you've framed the falls well with the trees. Interesting is your note...I didn't know about the formation of the Yellowstone canyon.
Best Regards
Angshu

coco (28276) 2008-12-10 6:55

Hi Kath.

Both pictures are really impressive and also very different. I prefer the WS, but you're right, the other one has appeared to many times in TE (and everywhere).

Anyway, good picture and note, and a worthy lesson for TE.

Regards.

JCG (25863) 2008-12-10 8:08

Hi Kath,

The flow of water is really impressive and I imagine the noise that must give. Very beautiful composition with the vegetable environment, I like much your framing. Always such a beautiful management of the light and colors. Very pleasant to look like your photo gift in WS, and thank you Kath for your interesting note.

With all my friendships and a very good end-of-day,

Jean-Charles

plimrn (19856) 2008-12-13 16:19

Hi Kath,
You must have been in heavan witrh the all those waterfalls. I'm glad you posted the less 'popular' upper falls, I think it shaows tha amazing volume of water better. It is surprising to see such a volume of water in September!!
HLj, pat

npecanhuk (15142) 2008-12-14 3:06

Hi Kath!
Excellently chosen high pov to show those beautiful and mighty waterfalls! The sunlight was very well managed and the picture has a well balanced brightness! Colors are natural and very nice! The whole image really pleases me! An outstanding photo job, that's for sure!
TFS - Congratulations!
Warmest regards,
Neyvan

axiotea (16355) 2008-12-14 8:57

Hello Kath
Quite a spectacular view from an excellent high pov with good management of the light/shade giving interesting contrast to the scenery. I like to see the waterfalls in between these beautiful fir trees. Thanks for the other view!
You did not sharpen this image, but not even after resizing it?
Marilyn

xuaxo (5909) 2009-01-18 11:44

Hi Kath
The waterfall is very well "framed" by the trees.
I like also the light on the trees.
F.

paura (39608) 2009-09-26 6:47

Kath,
Fantastic waterfall very well shown in your photograph. I think it's a difficult place to adjust the exposure but you done it with great competence. Great photo job.

regards

Paulo

subhendu_bagchi (3762) 2009-10-14 13:09

Namaste Kath,
it looks like a 3D photo. The light made here the tricks. Backlight on tree leaves and the light on upper surface of the falls did the job. Composition is great. Brillint light control, great shutter speed, and nice DOF. All upto mark. Very special shot and goes to my favourites.. Tfs.
Have a nice time.
Subhendu.

Photo Information

Copyright: Kath Featherstone (feather) (50480)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-09-09
Categories: Nature
Camera: Nikon D300, Nikkor AF 24-120mm D, RAW, HOYA 72mm PL-CIR
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/125 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Travelogue: USA 2008
Theme(s): Landscapes II, Ney's favorite pictures of the USA! [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-12-07 13:52
Favorites: 1 [view]