This black and white landscape photo of Palouse Falls in Washington State holds a special place in my heart. I captured it in 2013 during an early spring road trip across the state to Idaho with my daughter. Our schedule was tight, but we squeezed in a detour to the falls on State Route 261.
Though technically the first day of spring, the air still held a winter chill. Thankfully, the sun shone bright, making the cold bearable. Aside from some curious marmots, we practically had Palouse Falls State Park to ourselves.
We spent an hour exploring, snapping images of the dramatic waterfall and canyon from different vantage points. I couldn’t have orchestrated this photograph any better – it was a “right place, right time” situation. I was drawn to how the sun pierced the canyon walls, sending a beam of light to spotlight the mist rising from the falls.
Recently, while digging through older photos, I rediscovered this image. With updated software and honed editing skills, I gave it a fresh look. It’s incredible how revisiting past captures with a new perspective can be incredibly rewarding.
A Little Background on Palouse Falls
The Palouse Falls plunge roughly 200 feet into a deep gorge in southeastern Washington’s Palouse region. From there, the Palouse River continues its swift journey through a basalt canyon until it joins the Snake River four miles away.
This breathtaking waterfall is a remnant of the Missoula Ice Age Floods that swept across eastern Washington over 13,000 years ago. Their relentless power carved out the channeled scablands we see today, leaving behind a landscape of canyons and coulees across the Columbia River Plateau.
Palouse Falls remains one of the few active waterfalls along the path of those ancient floods. It’s so stunning that it holds the distinction of being Washington’s official state waterfall. If you ever get the chance, go see it for yourself!
This black and white landscape photograph of Palouse Falls in Washington State captures the power and serenity of nature. The stark contrast between the light and dark tones creates a dramatic effect, while the smooth flow of the water conveys a sense of peace and tranquility. The composition is carefully balanced, with the leading lines of the rocks drawing the viewer’s eye toward the cascading waterfall.
This piece would be a stunning addition to any art collection and is sure to spark conversation among guests. It would be particularly well-suited for a collector who appreciates landscape photography or minimalist art.
If you love the drama of this image, I invite you to visit my website. You’ll find a selection of prints of Palouse Falls and other gorgeous Pacific Northwest black and white landscapes available. These prints will bring a touch of natural wonder to any space. Click the button below to browse my collection and bring a piece of the wild indoors.
