Another view of Yosemite appears within the Merced itself. Ancient rocks from the glacial period still cover its bed, and the towering granite cliffs that line its sides reflect upon its surface. When we work with reflections, we are essentially photographing the effect of light and shadow on the surface of the water. In this case, I chose a surface that was already filled with rocks. I wanted to incongruously merge them with rocks of a much different color, size, and texture. It took many shots and many camera positions to find a place where the sky, the cliffs and the river rocks could merge successfully. I also had to find a spot where the river rocks themselves were in indirect light. If they had been in the sun, the effect would have been chaotic. The angle of the light falling on the rocks had to give dimension and shape to them as well. I have tried to produce a mini-landscape here that expresses the origin and nature of both the Merced River and the enormous cliffs that flank it.