11. Tower Fall
Tower Fall presents photographers with a famous Yellowstone sight that has enthralled guests for more than a century thanks to its 132-foot plummet framed by striking pinnacles of volcanic rock. The primary viewing location offers a great perspective to fully appreciate the waterfall’s height and the nearby rock formations. Still, don’t limit yourself to this location; look around for original compositions and viewpoints. Here, early morning light performs best, lighting the eastern face of the granite spires and producing a warm glow on the cascading water. To lower glare on the water and improve the colours of the nearby plants, use a polarising filter. Long exposures can give the falling water a silky impression that contrasts exquisitely with the rough rock formations. Autumn is especially remarkable and picturesque in spring when the river flow is at its highest. Black bears and bighorn sheep abound in the vicinity of Tower Fall; always be aware of your surroundings and keep a safe distance. Add the meandering Tower Creek to your work to produce leading lines that point the observer towards the collapse. In winter, when access is limited to snowmobiles or snow coaches, the partially frozen waterfall creates amazing ice formations that offer a totally different photographic experience. The surrounding Tower-Roosevelt area provides further photographic opportunities including expansive views of the Yellowstone River Valley and the unusual basalt columns known as “The Narrows.” Particularly if you are using a wide-angle lens to record both the immediate foreground and the far-off waterfall, think about applying focus stacking techniques to guarantee sharpness from the foreground rocks to the distant fall. The region around Tower Fall has great chances to photograph Yellowstone’s varied vegetation. Wildflowers grow in the neighbouring meadows in late spring and early summer, offering your landscape compositions vibrant foreground accents. The landscape undergoes dramatic changes with the seasons; fall presents an amazing show of colours as the aspens and cottonwoods turn golden. This seasonal shift gives photographers an opportunity to produce photographs highlighting the dynamic character of Yellowstone’s ecosystems. For those like geology photography, the Tower Fall’s surrounding rock formations present interesting subjects. Created by weathering of rhyolite lava flows, the volcanic pinnacles chronicle Yellowstone’s explosive geology past. While wider views might highlight their commanding presence in the environment, close-ups of these structures can expose complex textures and patterns. To highlight the dramatic forms and textures of the rocks and waterfall on overcast days, think about turning your photographs black and white. The way light and shadow interact on the granite faces throughout the day produces constantly shifting images that reward photographers who have the patience to see and record these minute changes. Hike the little path to the fall’s base (when open and safe to do so) for a different viewpoint. From below, this vantage point lets you catch the force and scale of the cascade while the towering rock formations frame the heavens above. When filming near the base of the fall, be in mind that your camera equipment may be sprayed upon. Finally, don’t ignore Tower Fall’s evening photographic possibilities. The relative seclusion of the location from main light sources makes it a great place to photograph star trails or the Milky Way above the silhouetted terrain, producing rather remarkable photographs that highlight the natural beauty of the park under the night sky.
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