Double-Rainbow Over Yosemite Valley

Posted by Don Smith (California, United States) on 7 July 2009 in Landscape & Rural.

I was so taken with my friend and colleague Gary Hart's double rainbow over Yosemite Valley that I thought I'd better go find one for myself! Actually, this is the first time I had ever photographed a rainbow over the Valley, let alone a double-rainbow!

As with any spectacular moment in nature, serendipity seemingly has a hand in the equation, and this fortuitous opportunity was no exception. Our family and friends have a little tradition (thanks to my wife Beri) we started about 4 years ago where we pick one new destination somewhere in Yosemite and depart for a long day hike. This summer's location was Waterwheel Falls, a 19-mile round-trip hike through the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River.

The day prior to the hike, we were greeted by 104 degree heat as we arrived at our hotel, the Yosemite View Lodge, which is located just outside the main entrance to the Valley along highway 140. Obviously the kids opted to swim and I decided to take off to Summit Meadow, along Glacier Point Road, to photograph corn lilies. As soon as I entered the Park I could see ominous skies to the east and what appeared to be a clear horizon to the west - a perfect combination for the possibility of a rainbow. The wind had also began blowing quite hard. I watched the tops of the pines sway back and forth which gave me further indication that a weather front was near.

My pace quickened as I crossed the Pohono Bridge as I could see a band of showers descending over the Valley. I'm sure I fractured a speed limit or two as I applied a bit more pressure to my accelerator. Finally arriving at the Tunnel View parking lot, I spotted a weak but visible rainbow. Quickly grabbing my camera and a 24-70mm lens, I made my way to the newly renovated observation area just as the sprinkles started to intensify.

The wall of clouds were uncharacteristically drifting west (towards me) instead of east which is the normal pattern. Thus the rainbow began to intensify as it moved in my direction. I decided on an aperture of f/11 as the scene was basically at infinity and I felt this was the sharpest f/stop for this particular lens. My only concern was keeping my lens free of water as the wind began to whip around the moisture from the approaching storm as it continued its dance towards me.

I deduced that I was in a perfect "window of opportunity" as the sun was directly over my shoulder, and I knew it was low enough to form an intersecting point from my field of view of 42 degrees. I continued wiping and shooting and bracketing my compositions when I began to hear the crowd of onlookers calling out that a second rainbow had appeared. Needless to say my heart was pounding! I kept shooting until the rainbow(s) began to dim, a period of about 20 minutes!

There were many frames to chose from, but I liked this particular image because the shadow on the bottom of the frame perfectly framed the granite walls. I also liked how all the main iconic rock formations (left-to- right: El Capitan, Cathedral Rocks, Leaning Tower and even Bridalveil Fall) were lit by the warm descending sun.

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Comments (23)

Rick Trautner from Greenbrae, United States

Don, I don't know whether to congratulate you or heap envious scorn on you. How could it possibly happen that you set out to find such a rare event as a double rainbow over Yosemite Valley and manage to find it on the one random day you happened to be there with your family??? I know you said you set out to find it, but really now-the gods must be smiling on you! This is a perfect example of a purposeful, previsualized image mixed with great skill, determination and fantastic luck-probably the basis of many of the greatest images. All of my hats are off to you!

7 Jul 2009 6:03am

@Rick Trautner: Hi Rick, thanks for writing, and your statement of "fantastic luck" is right on the mark. It was really a bit of "tongue-in-cheek" that I set out to capture a double, but I will admit the conditions were perfect to see at least a single. It's like to old photojournalist's saying : "f/8 and be there." I hope you and your family are enjoying your summer.

Rajesh from Bangalore, India

fantastic capture.

7 Jul 2009 7:54am

@Rajesh: Thanks Rajesh.

Sergei Z from Türi, Estonia

It is very spectacular and beautiful shot!

7 Jul 2009 9:21am

@Sergei Z: Hi Sergei, thank you for writing. Yosemite on its own is beautiful (regardless of the season), throw in a double rainbow, and its becomes a "can't miss" image. As I explained to Rick - I was just in the right place at the right time!

Evi from Athens, Greece

Absolutely perfect! Bravo, Don!

7 Jul 2009 9:23am

@Evi: Thanks Evi, please say hi to Eleftheria.

Monte Stevens from Westerville, United States

I too, take my hat off to you for envisioning this image them pursuing it, something Galen Rowell would do. Do these come in threes?

7 Jul 2009 12:38pm

@Monte Stevens: Hey Monte, wow, being mentioned in the same breath with Galen is quite an honor. One of the advantages (if you want to call it that) is that I work in Yosemite at least 30 days per year and really have gotten to know the Park on an intimate level - this includes the subtleties of light. It was through my reading of Galen's books and articles that I learned how to "chase a rainbow." One of the ways a photographer can increase their chance of seeing a rainbow, is to learn the physics behind a rainbow (not hard to do - just Google and a multitude of information becomes available). Then, it is just a matter of waiting for conditions to line-up as they did for this image.

Le Photoneur from PEPINSTER, Belgium

a very nice picture
I like very much

7 Jul 2009 4:39pm

@Le Photoneur: Thank you very much!

Sussi from Landskrona, Sweden

Wonderful image and very well composed, like the nice light in the foreground, and how you caught them double rainbow, very atmospheric and beautiful picture!

7 Jul 2009 5:03pm

@Sussi: Thanks Sussi - I hope to visit your country one of these years - it is tops on my "must see" list. Thanks for taking the time to write.

Curly from South Shields, United Kingdom

Damned gorgeous image, I'm extremely jealous.

7 Jul 2009 9:30pm

@Curly: Hi Curly, where is South Shields? My wife grew up in Yorkshire (just outside of Leeds) and I our family has been to the UK quite a bit. I love your country - like our second home. Thanks for writing.

LauraS from Chico, United States

You know, I think really this is a triple rainbow, smaller one below lower one...? Great shot.

7 Jul 2009 10:10pm

@LauraS: Hey Laura, I'd love to think I captured a triple, and I do see what you are talking about, but I think this is just a refracted ban off the lower bow. It was beginning to rain quite hard when I captured this image and the wind was really gusting and blowing the rain (as you can see in the image).

Jen from St. George, United States

Don, this is simply beautiful! I agree with you that the shadow providing framing at the bottom is just perfect! It's subtle but makes it such a strong image. I really love the moody feel - due to the stunning warm light on the mountains against the heavy clouds!

7 Jul 2009 11:05pm

@Jen: Hi Jen, as Ansel Adams once said: "Sometimes I think I do get to places just when God is ready to have somebody click the shutter." I think we have all experienced that feeling and this was simply one of those instances.

Judy from Brooksville, Florida, United States

The photo is brilliantly shot; your calculations blow me away. I learn so much from your commentary and also your replies to others' comments. The only thing I miss in this image is my beloved Half Dome, and don't ask me why she's so endearing; she just is! :D

8 Jul 2009 1:36am

@Judy: Thanks Judy for your nice comments. If you look closely at this image, just under the lower-left bow, you will see Half Dome (albeit faint) through the clouds. I will have a better post of Half Dome early next week, and I don't think you are alone in your affinity to the famed dome - it is such and American icon!

Lambspun from Madison, Maine, United States

Beautiful shot....I bet that was a surprise. Such a lovely sight.

8 Jul 2009 3:22am

@Lambspun: Actually Lambspun, all rainbows are a surprise as there are no guarantees and all the conditions have to perfectly align. But it behooves a photographer to put themselves into position when one can see the conditions aligning - as was the case with this image.

Scott Schilling from San Martin, United States

Dear Don this is not just a double rainbow, but it is a huge double rainbow from side of valley to side of valley - incredible and the thunderhead in the background adds to the drama! As you mentioned the warm light on the classic yosemite elements tops off a fantastic image. I can visualize your car skidding around that sharp right turn as you head up the hill to the viewpoint! Simply beautiful! You may need to frame this one for your office and/ or home!

8 Jul 2009 6:46am

@Scott Schilling: Good idea Scott - this one may be hanging large above my front door as I am ready to change the current (Mono Lake) image out when the renovation is complete. Have fun at Lake Powell - I hope you get your lightning!

MOHAMMAD from BANDAR ABBAS, Iran

very nice shot

8 Jul 2009 6:59am

@MOHAMMAD: Thanks Mohammad.

Tammy-Cricket from somewhere out there, United States

Amazing that you were able to get such an image. Just stunning.

8 Jul 2009 7:02am

@Tammy-Cricket: Thanks for returning Tammy. Please don't be a stranger.

Mags from Paris, France

Great shot, I've never seen a double rainbow.

8 Jul 2009 10:46am

@Mags: Hi Mags, believe it or not, I have never photographed even a single rainbow over the Valley up until this image was captured, let alone a double! I do see them in Kauai quite often. They seem to be more prevalent in higher elevations with a lot of moisture present.

Evi from Athens, Greece

Ok, I will, she returns tomorrow, Don!

8 Jul 2009 12:01pm

@Evi: I always look forward to seeing her images - keep up the excellent parenting - I know it is not an easy job.

Curly from South Shields, United Kingdom

South Shields is on the north-east coast about 13 miles to the east of Newcastle upon Tyne - here

8 Jul 2009 9:26pm

@Curly: My family and I actually drove through Newcastle upon Tyne on our way to St. Andrews about 9 years ago. Beautiful area where you live, I can see why you are into landscape photography. I envy your long summers (and beautiful sweet light), but not the short winters!

Janice from San Rafael, United States

I can only imagine the smile on your face when you returned to your family! Congratulations!

8 Jul 2009 10:52pm

@Janice: Hi Janice, it was one of those times when I knew I had nailed it. Those moments don't come along all that often in nature as I'm sure you are aware, so when they do happen, one likes to savor them. The unfortunate side of all the wind generated by this storm, was that there was a fire burning just to the southwest of Tunnel View, the winds whipped it into a frenzy that has so far burned over 3,000 acres - I will be posting a picture of that starting tonight. Thanks for joining in on my blog, I hope to hear back from you again.

Tracy from La Selva Beach, United States

This leaves me breathless! I would say "once in a lifetime shot" but after reading your comments I am inspired to go rainbow hunting too! Thanks for sharing your knowledge, and for not being stuffy or arrogant about it!

9 Jul 2009 4:54am

@Tracy: Hi Tracy, One can put themselves into a somewhat predictable situation to "hunt" for rainbows. Having said that, all the elements do need to be present - a clear sky to your back, and a storm to the front of you. Because of the Valley's orientation from east to west, Tunnel View provides a perfect viewing location. Remember the key is to look for the rainbow where your viewing angle, and the angle of the sun intersect at 42 degrees. The cool part is, no two people see the same rainbow, so if you were to move lateral to the rainbow, it will move with you. THis is how Galen Rowell captured his "Rainbow Over Portola Palace" image which some estimate has sold over $1 million in sales! Also, I appreciate your comment about me sharing knowledge. I have said here before on my blog that this is my way of saying "thank you" to all those who have (and continue to) mentor me. We are all just passing through so-to-speak and there should be no lock on knowledge. Sharing is the way we can all improve. What good are life's experiences if they can't be shared?

Tracy from La Selva Beach, United States

Thanks Don, for the rainbow info! And one of these days, when I am feeling more confident in my abilities as a photographer, I will share what I am learning and have learned....I am a better photographer than I was only a few months ago, thanks in part to the sharing that happens here on AM3 :)

9 Jul 2009 7:20pm

@Tracy: You should be confident now Tracy, you do excellent work! Remember, there is always someone out there who can benefit from your knowledge and life is short, so don't hesitate to pass along some advice.