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About Our Company
The Alluring Magic of Yosemite’s Firefalls
Published November 17, 2023
Every February, the breathtaking spectacle of the Firefalls graces the iconic valley of Yosemite National Park. This natural phenomenon, which only occurs for a brief window every year, transforms a cascading waterfall on El Capitan into a radiant display as it catches the golden glow of the setting sun. This results in one of the most surreal and impressive natural occurrences on earth creating a cascade of bright orange, yellow, and red light pouring over the edge of towering granite cliffs.
If you’ve been dreaming of capturing Yosemite’s Firefalls for yourself then keep reading! You should also check out our Yosemite in Winter photography workshop as this is timed perfectly to coincide with the Firefalls.
If you’ve been dreaming of capturing Yosemite’s Firefalls for yourself then keep reading! You should also check out our Yosemite in Winter photography workshop as this is timed perfectly to coincide with the Firefalls.
What Exactly is Yosemite’s Firefalls?
Nestled on the eastern face of El Capitan plummeting off the top of the cliff, Horsetail Falls often goes unnoticed. After all, it is a relatively small waterfall compared to the massive Yosemite Falls and other prominent features in the valley. And for most of the year, it is in fact dried up and not running at all.
However, for a brief moment every winter, this hidden gem steals the spotlight and takes center stage. Fueled by melting snow, Horsetail Falls begins its annual cycle and releases water to the forces of gravity. The waterfall is beautiful in its own right but the magic really happens when, for approximately two weeks each February, the setting sun aligns perfectly to cast its final rays on Horsetail Falls.
On clear February evenings, this celestial alignment turns the silvery waterfall into a spectacle of vibrant oranges, yellows, and reds, creating an awe-inspiring scene that lasts for a brief 5 to 15 minutes. This is a truly magical event that should be on the shortlists of any passionate landscape and nature photographers.
Nestled on the eastern face of El Capitan plummeting off the top of the cliff, Horsetail Falls often goes unnoticed. After all, it is a relatively small waterfall compared to the massive Yosemite Falls and other prominent features in the valley. And for most of the year, it is in fact dried up and not running at all.
However, for a brief moment every winter, this hidden gem steals the spotlight and takes center stage. Fueled by melting snow, Horsetail Falls begins its annual cycle and releases water to the forces of gravity. The waterfall is beautiful in its own right but the magic really happens when, for approximately two weeks each February, the setting sun aligns perfectly to cast its final rays on Horsetail Falls.
On clear February evenings, this celestial alignment turns the silvery waterfall into a spectacle of vibrant oranges, yellows, and reds, creating an awe-inspiring scene that lasts for a brief 5 to 15 minutes. This is a truly magical event that should be on the shortlists of any passionate landscape and nature photographers.
Capturing the Moment
Photographing Yosemite's Firefalls requires precise timing, knowledge of the area, and specific camera techniques. Of course, it is possible to photograph this event for yourself but experiencing this on a guided photography workshop takes all of the planning and logistical stress out of the equation. At BCJ we’ve been running our Yosemite in Winter trip for years and have extensive knowledge and experience when it comes to getting the perfect Firefalls shot. That being said here’s some advice on how to get the most out of your own Firefalls experience:
When it comes to lenses, there are two options that I would recommend regarding focal length. Opting for a 24-70mm or equivalent and a 70-200mm or 100-400mm is strongly recommended. Due to the distance you will be from the falls to get the ideal perspective and composition, these focal lengths will give you the flexibility you need to capture stunning images. The versatility of these lenses allows for different perspectives, whether it's capturing the broader landscape or focusing tightly on the Firefalls while maintaining the backdrop of El Capitan.
Additionally, a sturdy tripod is essential for capturing the Firefalls during sunset. Because there is less environmental light and because you may want to shoot at a narrow aperture, a tripod will allow you to capture images at longer shutter speeds which may be necessary.
Another thing to take into account is the very wide dynamic range that will be present in your images with the bright highlights of the illuminated waterfall and the dark shadows of the cliff wall. Careful consideration of dynamic range is crucial and I would recommend metering specifically for the bright falls to avoid overexposure. Multiple exposures at different brightness levels can be merged to HDR during post-processing if needed but in most modern cameras if you expose for the highlights and ensure you’re not clipping them, you should be good to go.
Apart from these basic recommendations, I encourage you to experiment when possible. Explore a variety of compositions at different focal lengths, experiment with different shutter speeds and apertures, and really get the most out of this experience. That being said the peak color and activity of Firefalls only lasts for a brief moment so make sure you’ve planned ahead and set yourself up for success when the time comes to get the perfect shot!
Photographing Yosemite's Firefalls requires precise timing, knowledge of the area, and specific camera techniques. Of course, it is possible to photograph this event for yourself but experiencing this on a guided photography workshop takes all of the planning and logistical stress out of the equation. At BCJ we’ve been running our Yosemite in Winter trip for years and have extensive knowledge and experience when it comes to getting the perfect Firefalls shot. That being said here’s some advice on how to get the most out of your own Firefalls experience:
When it comes to lenses, there are two options that I would recommend regarding focal length. Opting for a 24-70mm or equivalent and a 70-200mm or 100-400mm is strongly recommended. Due to the distance you will be from the falls to get the ideal perspective and composition, these focal lengths will give you the flexibility you need to capture stunning images. The versatility of these lenses allows for different perspectives, whether it's capturing the broader landscape or focusing tightly on the Firefalls while maintaining the backdrop of El Capitan.
Additionally, a sturdy tripod is essential for capturing the Firefalls during sunset. Because there is less environmental light and because you may want to shoot at a narrow aperture, a tripod will allow you to capture images at longer shutter speeds which may be necessary.
Another thing to take into account is the very wide dynamic range that will be present in your images with the bright highlights of the illuminated waterfall and the dark shadows of the cliff wall. Careful consideration of dynamic range is crucial and I would recommend metering specifically for the bright falls to avoid overexposure. Multiple exposures at different brightness levels can be merged to HDR during post-processing if needed but in most modern cameras if you expose for the highlights and ensure you’re not clipping them, you should be good to go.
Apart from these basic recommendations, I encourage you to experiment when possible. Explore a variety of compositions at different focal lengths, experiment with different shutter speeds and apertures, and really get the most out of this experience. That being said the peak color and activity of Firefalls only lasts for a brief moment so make sure you’ve planned ahead and set yourself up for success when the time comes to get the perfect shot!
Yosemite in Winter
While Yosemite's Firefalls draws considerable attention in the winter season, the valley offers numerous other photography opportunities. Winter conditions, especially with snow and ice, elevate iconic landscape shots such as Tunnel View, Half Dome, and Valley View to a whole new level.
Our upcoming 2024 departures provide a chance to immerse yourself in the beauty of Yosemite during this enchanting season. Join us this February on the trip of a lifetime, and explore the wonders of Yosemite, from the mesmerizing Firefalls to the stunning landscapes draped in winter's serene beauty.
We hope to see you out there soon and encourage all landscape and nature photographers to experience this mesmerizing natural event for themselves.
Learn more about our Yosemite in Winter photography workshop!
While Yosemite's Firefalls draws considerable attention in the winter season, the valley offers numerous other photography opportunities. Winter conditions, especially with snow and ice, elevate iconic landscape shots such as Tunnel View, Half Dome, and Valley View to a whole new level.
Our upcoming 2024 departures provide a chance to immerse yourself in the beauty of Yosemite during this enchanting season. Join us this February on the trip of a lifetime, and explore the wonders of Yosemite, from the mesmerizing Firefalls to the stunning landscapes draped in winter's serene beauty.
We hope to see you out there soon and encourage all landscape and nature photographers to experience this mesmerizing natural event for themselves.
Learn more about our Yosemite in Winter photography workshop!
We offer world-class travel photography
experiences around the world.
Each tour is bundled with lodging, meals, and transportation between workshops included, allowing you to focus on photography instead of the stress of traveling.
experiences around the world.
Each tour is bundled with lodging, meals, and transportation between workshops included, allowing you to focus on photography instead of the stress of traveling.
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"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
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Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2025
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2025
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.