Nevada Fall

Posted by Don Smith (California, United States) on 29 May 2009 in Landscape & Rural.

As promised with my previous post, here is an overview image of Yosemite's Nevada Fall. This 594-foot fall, located at the western end of Little Yosemite Valley is perhaps the most powerful of all of Yosemite's majestic waterfalls.

At mid fall, the impact of the water on the cliff face creates turbulent, whitewater mist. When lit at the correct angle by the sun, this vibrant rainbow appears.

As a side note: Every year a few unfortunate hikers get too close to not only this waterfall, but also Vernal and Yosemite falls and are swept over. There are not many restrictions or railings as evidenced by this image. Just after making this image I witnessed two young women standing literally a few feet from the top of this waterfall, on wet granite, wearing tennis shoes. They were video taping the fall but seemed oblivious to the fact that one tiny slip would cost them their lives! We all want to capture dynamic images, but we must ask ourselves, "at what cost?"

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Comments (10)

Magda from Vancouver, Canada

Wow! What a view! Stunning image!

29 May 2009 8:35am

@Magda: Thanks again Magda.

Hema Iyer from Bangalore, India

Beautiful !

29 May 2009 12:37pm

@Hema Iyer: Thank you Hema for joining in.

Judy from Brooksville, Florida, United States

WOWWWWW ... this is gorgeous. I have to ask, did you speak to the two young women in danger?

29 May 2009 1:12pm

@Judy: At the time I spotted them they were across the river from me (I was on the other side of where I shot this image), I was actually walking over to photograph them but they were starting to leave, so I did not speak to them. If you look at the wet rock to the far right side of this image, that is about where they were standing. It was ironic that there was no sense of fear on their faces or with their body language, they really felt safe. This image shows what what they were standing over.

Tracy from La Selva Beach, United States

Stunning image, and unique vantage point!
You bring up a very important point about being safe- Every time I am out shooting, I see people taking very real risks with their lives. Weather too close to cliff edges, or out on the rocks along the coast (it is not always photographers who are doing these things, either!)
As a wilderness first responder, I have to say that most injuries in the back country happen due to a series of poor decisions, goofing around, or people not understanding (or preparing for) their personal (or medical) limitations.
In places like Yosemite and Big Sur I think we may feel an incorrect sense of these areas not being true "wilderness", and we go into these areas un-prepared and/or un-educated, and accidents happen. I cannot say enough about being prepared! Even on a "short" day hike, I am always prepared for an unplanned overnight! Especially when I am alone (something as simple as a sprained ankle can become a huge problem when you are by yourself!) So, let's all be careful out there!
Sorry for the soap box here Don....this is a subject I am passionate about!

29 May 2009 1:15pm

@Tracy: No need to apologize Tracy, I feel very passionate about this subject also and it is the reason I brought it up. What these "unprepared" people don't realize is if they get into a situation that requires a rescue, then they place the rescue workers in danger - it is really a chain reaction. Two years ago we (my family and two friends) hiked to the top of Half Dome and I saw college-aged people going outside the cables (the last 800 feet to the top of the dome with pitches of 45 - 65 degree vertical) with sandals! A man had just fallen to his death 6 days prior to our hike and I did not want my two sons going up untethered. Some people think this is an amusement park and think nothing of taking proper gear: footwear, water, food, etc. They are the ones, when they do get into trouble, who risk the lives of others. There is a great book about a Half Dome rescue called Shattered Air about 5 idiots who decided to climb the famed dome so they could "dance in a lightning storm." As a first responder, the recount of the rescue alone will send chills down your spine.

Eleftheria from Athens, Greece

A "happy" rainbow! :o)

29 May 2009 3:50pm

@Eleftheria: Thanks - I believe you are right!

Judy from Brooksville, Florida, United States

Your reply to me reminds me of some Japanese visitors to Alabasca Falls in Canada. They seemed totally oblivious to the dangers of where they stood for photos ... not of nature, but of each other.

30 May 2009 12:40am

@Judy: Take a peak at Tracy's comments. She is a first responder - one of those people who risk their lives for others.

Scott Schilling from San Martin, United States

Dear Don, You always do such a wonderful job creating visually dynamic compositions to convey the feeling of standing right there - this one is a perfect example! The rainbow is the wonderful addition to an incredible view. I get scared myself thinking of those girls standing on that edge! I was scared even behind the railing at this location. I am on my way back from monument valley via a wedding in Salt Lake. It rivaled Yosemite in terms of natural beauty. I'll have to try and go back during the winter. Take care and be safe.

30 May 2009 12:55am

@Scott Schilling: Hi Scott, I'm glad you liked Monument Valley - can't wait to see some images. I will be there this November after the Arches/Canyonlands workshop. Sounds like you are covering a lot of ground in a short period of time - hope you are having a great trip!

Betty from New Jersey, United States

My thoughts totally agree with Scott's concerning this image. I feel as though I'm standing right there and your composition has a wonderful feeling of depth.

30 May 2009 11:18am

@Betty: Hi Betty, we had a friend along with us on this trip who is a pastor and also a gifted landscape photographer. He was getting even closer to the edge than me! I believe the bottom line is we all have our limits and boundaries. When it comes to safety, we all should adhere to that internal voice. There are plenty of images to be made from all vantage points.

K.B.R from Switzerland

Impressive landscape, a magnificent waterfall, the rainbow is beautiful.
Bravo for this exceptional frame.

30 May 2009 7:37pm

@K.B.R: Thanks for your nice words.

Judy from Brooksville, Florida, United States

Thanks, Don, for directing me to Tracy's comment. Advice well-taken, and understood.
My husband is a retired firefighter - spent 18 years on a Rescue Truck - one of his duties was to rescue people who didn't heed evacuation warnings along the CT coastline where we lived. These people had no regard for the risks the rescuers had to take to get them out of their homes long after it was safe to be out in a hurricane. I can tell you, as his wife, of many sleepless nights hoping he would return home safely.

31 May 2009 9:20am

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