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Cascade Creek
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Cascade Creek

by Youssef Ismail

Gallery: LandscapePosted May 4, 2012810 views19 comments
I know this is not original but certainly not iconic, yet. But it was definitely inspired by both Charles Cramer and our Chris Chamberlain.

I was not planning on making a photo here, but last Friday I had the opportunity to drive up the Merced River Canyon under the guise of a wildflower report that the bloom along the canyon was good. To my disappointment there were not many flowers to speak of and so I just continued up. I did not plan on being in the Park or down in the Valley but heck anytime there is better than somewhere else.

Just after getting into the park I stopped at the Cataract Falls parking area and poked around a bit. The flow was pretty good and I started wondering where the water was coming from and realized is was from Cascade and Tamarack creeks from up above on Hwy 120. So I decided to go up and check it out.

This is first time I have ever photographed there. The crowds were there but no one thought of looking down or photographing down either. So at least for the short time I was there, I had a unique photo. I also found a way down to the creek and made another interesting phtoo which I will post next.

Your thoughts much appreciated.

Nikon D2x, Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 @ f22 1/5 sec ISO 100. (LF film version coming soon). Large version added for the detail in the water.

Sorry Harley, I tried to get the moon there but it would not cooperate...it said it did not like water. :razz:

Comments

19 comments
Comment posted by Eva McDermott on May 4, 2012 at 9:46 PM
I love the motion you have captured here Youssef. I especially like your well chosen comp and the ethereal atmosphere created by your chosen shutter speed.. You have captured a very beautiful and evocative image.
Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments
Comment posted by Barry Ashenhurst on May 5, 2012 at 5:39 AM
Nice Youssef. Very Shinzo Maeda.
Registered on August 4, 2009, 253 Posts, 455 Comments
Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on May 5, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Lovely image, Youssef.

- Dan
Registered on November 1, 2003, 473 Posts, 7980 Comments
Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on May 5, 2012 at 11:17 AM
I like the power and flow of the water. This is a fine composition, very well captured
Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Chambers on May 5, 2012 at 11:28 AM
Beautiful capture Youssef. I really like the chaos and conflict within the image, not to mention it's just plain beautiful.
Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments
Comment posted by Carey Closs on May 5, 2012 at 2:28 PM
They say that the key to producing great landscape photos, is finding a great spot then just being patient and waiting for the right conditions to appear but I think there is a lot to said to moving around and following your gut as well. Glad you trusted your instincts and went to investigate the source of the water flow. You have a very fine composition here.
Registered on April 15, 2012, 107 Posts, 326 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on May 5, 2012 at 3:47 PM
Youssef, This is very nice! I like the comp you came up with and I love the looks of the water and motion. Nice work!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on May 5, 2012 at 4:02 PM
Splendid. The textures here are just incredible.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on May 5, 2012 at 4:35 PM
Wonderfully evocative image, both surreal and rock solid at the same time.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Robert Dayton on May 5, 2012 at 5:38 PM
I know this location and have seen several other postings of it. This rendition is superb, Ismail!
I can almost hear the cascading water. Also good positioning of the central subject. I believe
that your choice of shutter speed was just right. Well composed with the dark rock BG in-
cluded and the U shaped cascade in the upper left corner.
Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments
Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on May 6, 2012 at 4:48 AM
Great scene. i love the dramatic and the motion. Well composed. Great image :toast:
Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments
Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on May 6, 2012 at 1:01 PM
very nice motion here Youssef

well seen

Hamed
Registered on June 1, 2009, 372 Posts, 2282 Comments
Comment posted by Florian Aubin on May 6, 2012 at 6:53 PM
strengh, softness, beautiful cold hues, well done!
Registered on April 8, 2011, 8 Posts, 100 Comments
Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on May 6, 2012 at 8:35 PM
That creek/river is quite inspiring in the spring flood indeed! Nice take on those unfortunate trees. It's too bad that that other tree (the one just out of the top right corner) cramps the compositional opportunities, but you did well working within the constraints. Did you go down to the confluence further down? I love the power in that spot!
Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on May 7, 2012 at 1:19 PM
This turned out really well, Youssef. Very nice take on this spot!

However, with the biggest moon of the year on its way, I would expect to see the moon in the creek. I am most disappointed. :biggrin: BTW, the crowds in Sentinel Meadow photographing the moonbow were nuts. I was on my way back from the Sentinel Dome area and the meadow in the dark was packed with togs, with more showing up.
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Morris McClung on May 7, 2012 at 4:36 PM
Remarkable textures! Almost folding light. Superb image! :toast:
Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on May 8, 2012 at 10:34 AM
What a wonderful rendition Youssef. There's something magnetic about this location that draws us in - we were just there this past weekend as well. Great job with the shutter speed, exposure and colors here. Can't think of anything you could have handled better. Should make a fabulous print.

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 9, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Stunning - congrats on the WP!
Sandy
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on May 14, 2012 at 12:59 AM
This is absolutely beautiful! You did an extremely good job. Congrats on the well deserved weekly pick! :wavey:
Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments