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Analysis: Vernal Falls Photos
"If there were to be waterfalls in the picture, pictures had to be made in the spring, when the falls were high. Uncle was never satisfied with his pictures, and was always taking new ones. This was particularly true as new film and filters came out so that he could get more and better cloud effects. He might make a decision at a moment, and off we would go. I remember one trip to Lady Franklin Rock, the best spot for pictures of Vernal Falls. We were off shortly after breakfast, parked at Happy Isles, and carried all the gear to be there before 10:30 when the shadows at that time of year were just right. The cameras were all set up, and ready to go, well before 10:30. Uncle watched, and we kids played until he called that the clouds were right. Before too long, the cameras were back in their cases, and we were carrying tripods and cases back down the trail."
- Excerpt from a letter to Steve Harrison - a US Park Ranger doing research on Pillsbury. The entire correspondence will be available soon under Archives.
COMPARING 3 VIEWS OF “VERNAL FALLS”
Matching the Norsigian print of "Vernal Falls” (1a), to Pillsbury postcard (1b), and Pillsbury photo “Canon View of Vernal Falls” (1c)
Norsigian print of “Vernal Falls” (1a)
Pillsbury postcard: “VERNAL FALLS”
P.P.CO. NO. 1054 (1b)
Pillsbury’s “Canon View of Vernal Falls” (1c) (Photo illustration from the 1921 edition of “YOSEMITE AND ITS HIGH SIERRA by John H. Williams; pg 89).(1c)
2a. Detail of Norsigian photo (1a) - pointing to branch in front of rocks
2b. Same branch & rocks in Pillsbury (1b)
2c. Same branch & rocks in Pillsbury (1c)
3a.Another close-up of branch & rocks - Norsigian photo (1a)
3b.Another close-up of Pillsbury (1b) with same branch & rocks - close match to Norsigian photo (1a) but water & lighting different
3c.Another close-up of Pillsbury’s “Canon View of Vernal Falls” (1c)
SAME branch & rocks as (1a) & (1b). Slight “shift of perspective”
4a. Detail of Norsigian photo (1a) - pointing to a specific tree in relation to “Liberty Cap” in background
4b. Detail of Pillsbury postcard (1b) very close match to Norsigian photo (1a) for ALL trees (size & location)
4c. Detail of Pillsbury photo (1c) showing “shift in perspective” compared to (1a) & (1b) - due to lower camera angle.
Double click here to add text.
5. Norsigian print of “Vernal Falls” – same as (1a)
7. Pillsbury’s “Canon View of Vernal Falls” published in Williams book
“YOSEMITE AND ITS HIGH SIERRA” 1921 ed. – same as (1c)
8. “Vernal Falls From Lady Franklin Rock”
6. Pillsbury postcard: “VERNAL FALLS”
P.P.CO. NO. 1054 same as (1b)
