top of page
Writer's pictureJared Weintraub

How I Got the Shot: Firefall in Yosemite

Editor's Note: Our "How I Got the Shot" feature talks with today's leading outdoor photographers to get the story behind their most captivating photos. This article features photographer Jared Weintraub.



"Firefall" – a name that ignites the imagination, much like the journey I embarked on to capture this extraordinary moment during Yosemite's annual firefall event.


Leaving my school, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, at midnight, I adventured on a solo journey to witness this natural phenomenon.


With determination as my guide, I arrived at Yosemite just as the first light of dawn began to paint the sky. 

The trek up the west side of the valley was no easy feat, but with each step, anticipation grew. And then, I came to this viewpoint.


All the elements aligned perfectly.


Clear skies stretched out to the west, allowing the warm hues of sunrise to bathe the landscape in a golden glow.


The snowmelt fed the falls, creating a torrent of fiery brilliance cascading down the cliffs. And a subtle wind blew the water off the face of El Capitan just perfectly. 


For more of Jared's photography, visit his website.


Comments


bottom of page