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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Eighteen: Light and Landscape – combining personal vision with nature’s gifts > Rainbow on Bridalveil, Yosemite National Park, California, 2008
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13-MAY-2008

Rainbow on Bridalveil, Yosemite National Park, California, 2008

Rainbows are created by sunlight passing through droplets of moisture at a particular angle. The mist of a great waterfall is an ideal setting for this optical phenomenon. The rainbow that forms at the base of Yosemite’s spectacular Bridalveil Fall creates a delightful mix of primary colors that can best be expressed when the image is underexposed. I made this photograph from the top of Yosemite’s Tunnel View lookout point, several miles away from Bridalveil Fall. We knew the rainbow would appear in Bridalveil’s mist – we just had to wait for it to happen. This image is one of my favorite landscapes. It is as if a giant liquid crack has opened in the earth, revealing a trace of fire in the thundering fissure.

Leica V-Lux 1
1/800s f/10.0 at 88.8mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Guest 19-Jun-2019 10:13
W o W
Phil Douglis09-Feb-2009 17:45
Thanks, Carol, for noting the geothermal aspects of this image -- you can almost feel the heat coming from the earth here -- making the spray of the waterfall into a metaphorical multi-colored geyser at the bottom of the frame. In Iris's version of this same subject (http://www.pbase.com/irislm/image/108978078 ), the entire fall is visible, whereas I choose to include only part of it in order to bring the viewer closer to the detail in the water. Iris's colors are muted, giving her image a whimsical tone. You are right-on, Carol -- Bridalveil is explosive in my version and almost dainty in Iris's interpretation. And as say, each has its merits.
Carol E Sandgren09-Feb-2009 02:06
The rainbow colors here suggest to me a geothermal quality! It conveys a totally different feel to me from that of Iris' version. Hers suggests almost childlike delight to me, perhaps because of the Wizard of Oz? Both are different and both are beautiful and meaningful!
Phil Douglis17-Jun-2008 21:14
Thanks, Jenene -- what is amazing here is the power and beauty of nature itself. As a photographer, I've tried here to seize the essence of it.
JSWaters17-Jun-2008 05:48
Just an amazing image, Phil. I can see why it would be a favorite. It's almost as if liquid metal is being poured into a cast and the colors are the result of hot metal on cold form. I think 'ocean phosphorescence' - which I have never personally seen, but wish to. Absolute magic.
Jenene
Phil Douglis05-Jun-2008 20:52
Thanks, Alina -- it does look as if lava is erupting from the ground -- the red portion of the rainbow effect seems to dominate here, along with the green. There is primordial feeling to this image.
Alina05-Jun-2008 20:30
It is unbelievable shot Phil. One of the best pictures of the waterfall I ever saw. Beautifully composed and the rainbow colors are spreading like lave from underground.
Phil Douglis26-May-2008 21:57
Thanks, Kal for making this point. Theatrical effects are intended to be dramatic, and so, too, is the effect of the interplay of light, moisture, and color in nature. I found it hypnotic as well -- I could not take my eyes off the changing colors, which began faintly, gradually increased in their intensity, and ultimately climbed the waterfall and vanished.
Phil Douglis26-May-2008 20:25
That hum becomes a roar when you get close, Michal. Thanks so much coming to this image -- we spent a good deal of time working on this subject and this was my favorite image of the dozens I made that afternoon.
Michal Leszczynski26-May-2008 19:17
Impressive photo, wonderful rainbow, beautiful colors, excellent composition, I hear hum of waterfall, great atmosphere. V.
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