Upper Yellowstone Falls

Upper Yellowstone Falls is a powerful 109-foot waterfall where the Yellowstone River plunges over a dramatic geological boundary, making it one of the most striking natural subjects in the park. The brink overlook puts you right at the edge of the drop, giving you a close perspective on the churning water and mist, while the Uncle Tom's Trail descends steeply to a platform that offers a more dramatic, looking-up angle toward the falls face. A wide-angle or mid-range zoom works well here since you are often shooting at close range with a lot of vertical movement to capture. Midday light can be harsh, but it also produces rainbows in the mist on sunny days, so late morning is worth timing if you want that effect. Morning generally offers softer light and fewer crowds. Wear grippy shoes if you plan to use the metal staircase on Uncle Tom's Trail, as the steps get wet and slippery from the spray. (Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States)