Lewis Falls

Lewis Falls is a compact but powerful 30-foot waterfall on the Lewis River in Yellowstone, easy to reach and rewarding to shoot. A short path from the roadside pullout brings you to the edge of the gorge, where you can frame the falls with the surrounding pine forest and volcanic rock walls. Get low near the bank to include the rushing water in the foreground and use the canyon walls to frame the drop. A wide-angle lens works well here to capture the full scene, while a longer exposure will smooth out the white water for a more dramatic effect; bring a tripod and a polarizing filter to cut the glare and boost the colors in the surrounding rock. Overcast days are ideal since the canopy and canyon walls create harsh shadows in direct sunlight. Midday light in open sky conditions is the toughest to work with, so aim for early morning or an overcast afternoon. (Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States)