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Golden Moment

© Francis Cailles

Golden Moment

Uploaded: December 20, 2004

Description

Yosemite Valley, CA. This was shot after a snowstorm had just passed over Yosemite Valley. When I first got here, I can barely see El Capitan's glow through the thick fog/clouds that fully engulfed the granite monolith, so I was a bit disappointed. Hoping for the best, I proceeded anyway to compose a shot using the perfectly still Merced River and a partially submerged tree branch covered in fresh snow as my foreground elements. I metered for the snow, locked my camera in place, and waited. I paced about to keep warm, keeping an eye on El Capitan...after what seemed like an eternity, the fog/clouds engulfing El Capitan cleared revealing the most beautiful light I have ever seen. I managed to fire a couple or so shots, and within what seemed like a few seconds (could be a lot longer, but time sure flew!), El Capitan was engulfed once more. I checked my camera's LCD to see what I got, and I smiled to myself...how lucky can one man get?



Comments

Marcie A. Fowler December 20, 2004 0

Absolutely gorgerous. The colros are fantastic and the clarity is right on. #197754

ashley nicholas level-classic December 20, 2004 0

Another beautie Francis, nice and clear. #986870

Leesa White December 20, 2004 0

This is beautiful!! Your gallery is also beautiful Francis! #986942

Costas Partassides December 21, 2004 0

wow :) #989533

Beverley Lu Steeves December 21, 2004 0

This is simply gorgeous Francis!! #989583

Paula Showen December 22, 2004 0

Gorgeous!!! #990792

Kelly Heaton January 18, 2005 0

Wonderful Capture! Congratulations! #1042036

Joannie Bertucci level-classic January 18, 2005 0

Hi Francis and congratulations on Finalist, but I'm not a bit surprised! Looks like Dr. D was a fine inspiration on this one :-) #1045286

Francis Cailles January 19, 2005 0

Wow! A Finalist..What a pleasant surprise!

Thanks all for the wonderful comments. Very much appreciated!

Thanks Joannie. You make me smile! :-) #1045751

Paula Showen January 19, 2005 0

Gorgeous! Congratulations! #1046014

Ed Heaton January 19, 2005 0

Outstanding image Francis,
Congratulations on your finalist :-) #1046043

Jennifer Rennison January 19, 2005 0

Gorgeous, Francis!! Congratulations on your finalist! #1046144

Brenda W. LaFleur level-deluxe January 20, 2005 0

This is WooHoo quality, Frances :)

Congrats!! #1049387

Sherrye Nozaki January 20, 2005 0

This is absolutely spectacular. It should be on the front cover of a magazine.

Aloha,
Sherrye Nozaki #1049592

Judy S. Fung January 20, 2005 0

Congrats on your first place win, Francis! #1049647

Jordi Delgado January 20, 2005 0

AMAZING SHOT, AMAZING WIN, FRANCIS!!!

CONGRATS!!!

:-)) #1049655

Paul C. Gazzanigo January 20, 2005 0

Congratulations! #1049706

William C. Raco level-classic January 20, 2005 0

Congratulations, Francis!
What a beautiful photo.

bill #1049799

Cathy Gregor January 20, 2005 0

A gorgeous scene, Francis! Congratulations!
-cathy #1049819

Francis Cailles January 20, 2005 0

Thanks all for the wonderful comments! This is unbelievable! Woo-hoo!! #1050220

Wendy Stevenson January 20, 2005 0

Congratulations Francis on this stunningly beautiful, FIRST PLACE win!!!! #1050284

Judith G. Secco January 20, 2005 0

Wonderful! congratulations to you. #1050313

Darren K. Fisher January 20, 2005 0

Man oh man. No surprise here well yea it is, I was thinking grand prize. You and Donna sure did rack up some awesome images from this trip and this one is just icing on the cake. A big congrats to you. Now the two of you Donna and yourself are two people I really need to catch up with some time and shoot with, that is on my wish list. OKAY? #1050528

Lisa Deaton January 20, 2005 0

Simply Beautiful!!! Congrats on your win!!! #1050745

Jill Flynn January 20, 2005 0

Congratulations on your First Place win Francis. Beautiful and spectacular photograph! #1050792

Audrea Telkamp January 20, 2005 0

Congratulations Francis!! What gorgeous light!! #1050905

Brenda W. LaFleur level-deluxe January 20, 2005 0

Yep, a big First Place Win Woo Hoo!! Way to go Frances. A most deserving recognition. #1050907

Kay Beausoleil January 20, 2005 0

Congratulations on your First Prize, Francis -- El Capitan looks lit from within! #1050952

Kathleen R. Struckle January 20, 2005 0

Congrats on your win Francis!! #1051373

Patrick Campbell January 20, 2005 0

Congrats Francis on your win! A gorgeous Yosemite landscape! #1051506

Jennifer Rennison January 20, 2005 0

Congratulations, Francis, on your beautiful first place win!! #1052095

Debra Booth January 21, 2005 0

Congratulations!! #1052124

Donna La Mattino Pagakis January 21, 2005 0

Wow, this is amazing!! The lighting is perfect. Very well deserved!!! #1052239

Nemil B. Chabebe January 21, 2005 0

This is one beautiful picture. The composition, light and balance are perfect. #1052434

Kip T. Berger January 21, 2005 0

Congratulations on your win Francis for this beautiful scene! #1052613

Susana Matos January 21, 2005 0

wonderful photo! Congratulations!!
Cheers from Portugal, Su #1054441

Kristi A. Howson January 21, 2005 0

Wonderful capture and presentation of this beautiful place...love this composition. Congratulations Francis!!!!! #1054515

Eric Highfield level-classic January 23, 2005 0

Congratulations of your fantastic win, Francis! I've enjoyed the TimeCatcher website very much. You and the team do excellent work, and this is a great addition to the collection! Well done! #1057258

Leonard Pierce January 24, 2005 0

Congratulations on your First Place win Francis!!! #1058834

Francis Cailles January 24, 2005 0

Thanks all for looking and commenting. Very much appreciated! #1059010

ricky A. riddle January 25, 2005 0

Amazing Photo Francis Congrats. #1061090

Nancy Grace Chen January 31, 2005 0

Lovely lighting and scene. A late congrats to you on your first place winner!!

Nancy #1075598

Lori Carlson February 21, 2005 0

Wow Francis!! When I just went back to the home page and this photo appeared I gasped!! True sign of a breath taking photo,huh!? :0)
Congratulations!! It's gorgeous.
#1122401

William Neill March 10, 2005 0

Congrats Francis. As the saying goes, "there is only one thing wrong with this photo. Its not mine!"

Keep up the good work!

William Neill #1162199

Keith L. Clayton July 11, 2005 0

Absolutely awesome! #1581861

Wanda-Lynn Searles level-classic November 01, 2007 0

WOW! What an awesome photo and colors!
Just amazing!!
Congratulations on your First Place win Francis! #5013002

Francis Cailles March 07, 2009 0

Devil's Elbow area, Yosemite Valley, CA. This was shot after a snowstorm had just passed over Yosemite Valley. When I first got here, I can barely see El Capitan's glow through the thick fog/clouds that fully engulfed the granite monolith, so I was a bit disappointed. Hoping for the best, I proceeded anyway to compose a shot using the perfectly still Merced River and a partially submerged tree branch covered in fresh snow as my foreground elements. I metered for the snow, locked my camera in place, and waited. I paced about to keep warm, keeping an eye on El Capitan...after what seemed like an eternity, the fog/clouds engulfing El Capitan cleared revealing the most beautiful light I have ever seen. I managed to fire a couple or so shots, and within what seemed to be a few seconds (could be a lot longer, but time sure flew!), El Capitan was engulfed once more. I checked my camera's LCD to see what I got, and I smiled to myself...how lucky can one man get? #7255235

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