After 10 days of living on a tiny portal edge on the side of El Capitan, you might think I would have exhausted every photographic opportunity possible. At least that’s how I was beginning to feel.
Great photography isn’t luck. It’s about putting yourself into the right position, having the endurance to stick it out, and having the ability to see and capture those decisive, fleeting moments before they pass you by.
As you know, this January, Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson, two world-class rock climbers, achieved a first for their sport: a free ascent of the Dawn Wall of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. I had the opportunity to join Tommy, Kevin and Brett Lowell for 10 days, and document the action as it unfolded.
It was incredible to see how the world responded, and take interest in a sport that we climbers have always loved and known to be special. You can read my re-cap of the entire Dawn Wall epic here.
In my latest Tech Tip for Adorama TV, I wanted to talk about arguably my most widely published image from the Dawn Wall. I took this picture on one of my last days there. Simply by being open to the creative process – and with the help of some extraordinary, dramatic evening light – I was able to get this picture, which has really come to symbolize what this adventure was all about.
Whether you’re up on a big wall, or out in your local outdoors at night, the lesson remains: even when you think you’ve exhausted every scenario, never stop taking pictures and always be looking out for those rare fleeting moments before they pass you by.
Hope you enjoy this latest Tech Tip, and be sure to check out more videos like on adorama.com.
Also be sure to check out my Story Behind the Image on this picture.
