Behind the Photograph - The Sentinel of Yellowstone Falls

Those who have visited the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone know the visual magnitude of it. It is difficult to describe the canyon in words and even more difficult to accurately capture the overwhelming vastness of scale and rich, vibrant colors via the art of photography. Enter Thomas Moran, the English American painter whose oil on canvas masterpiece accurately captured the sheer beauty of the canyon as well as the hearts and minds of those in Congress. His painting was pivotal in establishing Yellowstone as the nation’s first National Park. Thomas Moran was a giant, whose shoulders landscape photographers have tried to climb countless times over the last century. His replication of the canyon’s colors is simply unmatched.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is an oil on canvas painting by English American artist Thomas Moran, created in 1893-1901. It is held at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, in Washington, D.C.

In 2020, I embarked on the daunting challenge of photographing the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone with the hope of creating an accurate image worthy of its grandeur. The challenge with photographing the canyon is accurate color rendering. Many variables come into play including lens choice, lens filters, digital sensor used, RAW file type and converter utilized, monitor calibration, and the influence of ambient light during post-processing. The gauntlet was set.

While scouting the canyon, I noticed a lone tree perched on a rock outcropping (circled in red) which, if I could locate an optimum vantage point to photograph it, would have the majestic Yellowstone Falls as the backdrop. As seen in the out-of-the-camera image below, the availability of a safe access point would be crucial if I had any chance of success. I was cautiously optimistic that I would locate a vantage point in time to have the sun in my favor.

Note the flat tones and dull colors of this out-of-the-camera RAW image converted to JPEG. Very disappointing, considering how vibrant the scene was when I took it. Copyright John Hamlon, 2020. All rights reserved.

After several hours, I located a safe access point and was able to frame the photograph as I had imagined it. The sun cooperated with my efforts and I spent the late afternoon basking in the vibrant beauty of Yellowstone. On and off over the next two years, I experimented with ways in which I could accurately extract all of the rich, vibrant colors I observed that day. I almost gave up, when I remembered Thomas Moran and his masterpiece. Using his painting as my “color checker,” I was able to accurately render the RAW image file. Moran was a giant who captured the true spirit and colors of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. I was honored to ride on his shoulders in the creation of “The Sentinel of Yellowstone Falls.”

“The Sentinel of Yellowstone Falls,” by John Hamlon. Copyright John Hamlon, 2020. All rights reserved.

Full-resolution preview of “The Sentinel of Yellowstone Falls” by John Hamlon. Copyright John Hamlon, 2020. All rights reserved.