A Year at Fall Creek Falls

Winter (Sky/Mountain)

Spring (Water/foliage)

Summer (Waterfall)

Fall (Tree Line)

One day the owner of the BYU-I Outdoor Resource Center, Herold, came to me with a unique request. He wanted four photos from the same spot at Fall Creek Falls in Swan Valley blended into one final image to show all seasons. The project took a full year and pushed me in new ways. I returned each season to capture the same angle at the same time in mid afternoon. The goal was clear, show the falls in a way that stayed true to the place and each season. His plan is to print the final piece at forty by eight feet and mount it on the side of a shipping container.

Location, Location, Location….

I tested different shooting locations from above the falls. One angle stood out as the most readable and balanced according to Herold.

The hardest moment came in Fall. A strong storm hit the night before and stripped most of the leaves from the trees. This changed the look of the valley and forced me to rethink how to keep the fall season clear. The only way to fix it was in Photoshop. I used new techniques, pushed through several drafts, and tested different color corrections. After a lot of trial and error, I brought back warm tones that felt true to fall.

Here is an example from one of the angle we tested showcasing each frame before they were merged

I learned a lot from this project. I enjoyed the challenge and the steady work it took to stay consistent across a full year. This pushed me past what I thought I was ready for and forced me to slow down, plan, and trust the process. I came out of it with stronger shooting habits, better editing skills, and a clearer sense of how to match a scene over time. Most of all, I walked away with more confidence in my ability to take on bigger projects and see them through.