A Year at Fall Creek Falls
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
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....
Herold wanted plenty of angle test photos to choose from. The goal with our first trip in Winter was to capture multiple angles of a full panorama. This included trekking off the road in 4 foot deep snow risking accidentally walk into the cliff overhang. Four angles were tested, three were liked, one angle was a clear winner.
I wanted each season to match, so I kept the same angle, lens, and time of day. I went back once per season between 11:00 and 12:30. I set my tripod on the same rock line each visit and checked the edge of the cliff to line up the frame. Clear days helped keep colors consistent. After each shoot, I compared the new images to the last set to match framing and waterline placement. I brought all four photos into Lightroom and made small exposure and color adjustments so they felt balanced. I blended them in Photoshop and kept the transitions soft so each season stayed easy to follow.
Pre vs. Post Color Adjustment
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.
Another concern was a growing wildfire near the valley. Smoke kept moving closer to the view we needed. If we had waited one more day, the whole scene would have been covered. Shooting when we did was the only way to keep the colors and clarity we needed.
Here is an example from one of the angles 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.
Ignore this section. still deciding if i want it
Winter
The mountian and sky were selected because
Spring
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Summer
Summer offered —– which is why it was choses for the —
Fall
The leaves on the fall trees brought a clear separation compared to the winter mountains. This helps the viewer more quickly realise the different seasons within the blend.