location/time

Black Pool,West Thumb Geyser Basin

midday

technical info

Nikon 8008s, 35-70mm lens, f8, 1/30 sec

Comments

I know, I know. Black Pool is, well, blue. Years ago, though, Black Pool used to appear black thanks to dark colored bacteria growing in it. Then the water temperature of the pool started to increase, thereby killing off the bacteria. As a result, the water "cleared up" so to speak and now appears as a gorgeous blue.

Photo Hints

Yellowstone was probably the first park I have ever visited where is can be amazingly productive and desirable to shoot pictures during the middle of the day. Generally speaking the magic hours around sunrise and sunset provide the most beautiful lighting. But when you are shooting colorful pools of water it was best to have the sun overhead to illuminate those thermal features.