Sonora Pass Cascade Photo

Photographer’s Note

Sonora Pass,
Sierra Nevada Mountains
California

Scene
Near the top of Sonora Pass in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California I discovered this little cascade as it fell through some highly eroded granite. It was early morning and the sun had not cleared the top of the mountains so this cascade is completely in the shadows and required a bit of consideration before I released the shutter. I could not get down to the stream bed but I did climb down about half way to make this set up. Since this was captured late in the year and I was surprised that there was still a bit of water running the stream. The low flow got me to wonder what the cascade would look like in the spring. Maybe I will try to get back up here when the pass opens next spring.

Background
This was captured on the second day of my fall trip to the east side of the mountains. I was heading toward Lee Vining and Mono Lake and decided to take a different route over to the east side. I crossed the mountains over Senora Pass, east of Sonora, California. This mountain pass is closed in the winter months and is also very narrow and windy that motorhomes and trailers are not allowed past Kennedy Meadows. I broke my camp before sunrise and headed up the mountain looking for wildlife and other photo opportunities before the sun crested the mountains. This pre-sunrise period lasted a good 2+ hours before direct sunlight crested the mountain ridge. I spotted deer near Kennedy Meadows and this cascade near the top of the pass.

avene, JudyR, Wandering_Dan, jhm has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mikolaj_kawa (29612) 2009-11-09 0:33

Hello John! Amazing place, wonderful rocks, excellent nature. Good POV and vertical composition. Ideal natural light and colours. Perfect frame. Well done!

feather (49856) 2009-11-09 3:00

It was you that taught me waterfall pictures are best taken in the shade, especially if you want the silky effect of a slow shutter, and you demonstrate that very well here. You have also shown the wonderful clarity and aqua hue of the water; we can see the rocks beneath the water level. Definitely a good idea to get away from the more well-travelled routes.
Kath

avene (10918) 2009-11-09 5:30

hello John,
the texture of the granite creates an impression that the stone is flowing as well, while the little cascade looks like a silk ribbon, the 1-sec exposure was just long enough to smooth the water without overdoing it. I also like the tree in the lower left corner, it's a great natural frame and accent. nicely done :)

best,
Kristine

JudyR (795) 2009-11-09 12:03

Ahhhh, thanks for the walk down Memory Lane. I'm glad to think that the road over Sonora Pass remains so narrow that motorhomes, etc., can't traverse it. Isn't it wonderful?

I haven't seen this particular scene, although I recognize the world of Sonora Pass.... I'll bet that in the spring, this particular little waterfall is a cataract. Looking forward to seeing a shot of it then.

You really did a superb job of capturing the light on the water way back in there. I can tell that I'd miss that. Bravo!

Thanks ever so much, Judy

Wandering_Dan (3201) 2009-11-11 9:36

Hi, John -

A very nice slow exposure, which brings out both the flow of water in the waterfall and the clear water in the pond. Also nice use of (reverse) S-curve for the main elements. A bit of Curves work might tone down the rocks, which are a bit bright for the scene.

Best,
Dan

PS: A comparison shot in the same spot at different times of the year could make a great series!

cd70 (629) 2009-11-11 12:04

Hello John,
Très très belle capture ! Le filé de cette cascade est réalisé d'une façon remarquable. Un cadrage bien remplit et surtout les fins détails sont très bien restitués.
Bravo à toi !
Cyrille

batalay (20788) 2009-11-13 18:12

Hello John,

The slow shutter speed has helped in creating a veritable ribbon on of the water cascading down the rocks. I like the vertical format for this image, and the contrast between the dark recesses among the rocks and the rocks themselves. Very good note as usual.

Warm regards and have a good weekend.

Bulent

gunbud (27667) 2009-11-16 20:20

Hi John,
Beautiful vetical presentation of this lovely falls.
The slow exposure gives a magical feel to this shot.
Love the rich textures and rouded shapes of the rocks and the bits of contrasting greens.
Regards, Tom

jhm (81991) 2009-11-21 1:31

Hello John,

You shows us here a wonderful picture with these waterfall as subject.
Nice through the water between the big stones, also the reliefs are wonderful
Excellent composition with great atmosphere and lovely colours.
Quiet and fine picture.
Splendid light and presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.