Some seek to experience life’s special moments in isolation, yet I’ve grown to appreciate the power of collective happiness. When you look to your side and another is fully captivated, united in the same enjoyment as you. There’s few occurrences which posses the ability to send an emotional wave cascading through all it touches.
People venture to Yosemite National Park for many different reasons. I first came as a young kid, naive to the grandeur I was soon to experience. The canyon walls stretched higher than I’d ever imagined. It was the first National Park I ever visited, and the one I’d return to years later with a camera in hand eager to share its impact. I’ve spent my entire career trying to find ways to bring that beauty to life.
It’s challenging to put to words the magic of Firefall. Each year, there’s a short period when Horsetail Fall in the park comes alive with a glow that resembles lava flowing off the face of El Capitan. You need a few factors in your favor. Warm temperatures to result in melting snowfall. Clear skies are a must, as you need the last sunlight to illuminate the waterfall. Wind brings life to the mist and helps the neon glow come alive. On this night, all three perfectly aligned.
In the moment, I looked around. Young and old, photographer or not, all stood in sheer awe. The energy in the valley was as electric as the falls. Sometimes it's nice to find solitude, but some moments feel like they're designed to be enjoyed together. This one was well worth the adventure and I'm thankful I had a camera in hand to share the experience.
