The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is beautiful. It offers a classic, even iconic shot at the lower falls. To be honest, waterfalls just don’t do much for me anymore. I shot a lot of them years ago and have just lost interest. So, rather than photograph the iconic scene, I turned my attention to the mist being created by the falls that was rising behind the ridge to the right. Perfect!
After making this image, we went to the upper falls where we met a small group of photographers. They were mumbling about the light being all wrong to shoot the lower and now the upper falls. I could not help but interject and said, “Really? I though it was perfect! No, not for the falls but for what was right next to the falls!” They looked at me like I had two heads. There is was again, that expectation thing getting in the way of another right answer!
Take what Mother Nature chooses to give at that moment! It will most always be something wonderful, and as you say, maybe not what you expected. I think this is especially true of those iconic locations you may have had previous exposure to, either in person or through the work of others.
SPECTACULAR image John !!! I love the lighting and I love the message – bright sunlight backlighting the mist and striking the rocks is perfect – but would have been horrible for a traditional waterfall image. (I personally still like waterfalls – but we can like both!) Really great photo!
Many photographers seem to adhere to some “must shoot” list of photographs and miss all the cool stuff around the assumed required subject. You got a right answer for that moment. Perfect light, perfect mist, perfect color. I was just interviewed for AMC magazine and was asked what I would tell aspiring photographers. Instead of the usual answer, I should have said, “Turn around or look up and down once in a while because the photo you came for may not be where you think it is.”
YOU GOT THAT RIGHT!!
There is always a right answer if you are open to seeing it. I learned that from you and how right you are! And I can’t wait to see more of your Yellowstone work!
Thank you Cynthia. Yes there is!
Another demonstration that the camera is not the most important “ingredient” for photography…rather, it’s “seeing.”
Amen Steve.