Iguacu Rainbow, a photo from Para, North

Photographer's Note

This is take on the Brazilian size of the Iguaçu falls.

In case you like to know how difficult it was for me to get here, read the story. This is my personal story of how much trouble I went through to come here. It was not my intension to criticize any country, in this case Brazil for its political rule and policy, so please do not take it personally.

Read only if you interested.
It was an ordeal for me to get here to the Brazilian side of the Iguaçu Falls. Canadians or Europeans do not need a visa to enter Brazil, passport is all you need. American Citizens need to have a visa to enter Brazil. Which is really not a big deal if you can just simple apply and wait for it, but you cannot get a visa by mail or internet, you have to go to the Brazilian Embassy in person, and you have to have an appointment which you can make on line. Three month before my trip, I tried to make an appointment, it was all booked out, and no appointment can be made for anything further than 3 months. There only 3 Brazilian Embassies in the whole U.S., Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington DC. If you live outside of this area, the only other way is to pay a travel agency to get the visa for you, which cost $300 instead of $100 if you were to go on your own. I wasn’t willing to pay $300 just to cross over to the Brazilian when I can see 2/3 of the Iguaçu Falls in Argentina.

One day, I went on line to see what was the schedule for the appointment, and to my surprise, there was an opening for appointment the next day. I checked the day before and there was nothing and suddenly it was available. I took off from work drove for an hour and a half up to Los Angeles to get my visa. While I was waiting, my friend called to tell me that Rio de Janeiro was just awarded the 2012 Olympic. So I joked with the Lady working at the embassy, “I guess you will be very busy for the next few years, since the 2012 Olympic will be in Rio de Janeiro.” She had not heard the news yet until I told her. I guess by than they would have to lift the Visa requirement for U.S. Citizens or make it easy to obtain a visa.

All that trouble for a half day in Brazil. It is worth the effort, but the weather was not very good and it is not easy to take picture with all the moister and mist in the air.

Little bit about the Iguaçu Falls:
The waterfall system consists of 275 falls along 2.7 kilometers (1.67 miles) of the Iguaçu River. Position is at latitude (DMS): 25° 40' 60 S, longitude (DMS): 54° 25' 60 W . Some of the individual falls are up to 82 meters (269 ft) in height, though the majority are about 64 metres (210 ft). The Devil's Throat (Garganta del Diablo in Spanish or Garganta do Diabo in Portuguese), a U-shaped, 82-meter-high, 150-meter-wide and 700-meter-long

jcpix, maloutim, fds, Subhogen, timecapturer, mkamionka, danos, nikkitta, ikeharel, Romano46, cornejo, ktanska, ruisc_pt, COSTANTINO, brianmcc, PaulVDV, delpeoples, Sonata11, Kielia, Didi, ChrisJ ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

Mics (1020) 2014-01-28 18:14

Hi Way,
Wow! what an ordeal just to get to this beautiful place. I also dream of seeing this wonderfully amazing falls.

While you may not have the "perfect" condition when you took the photo, I like the standpoint where you took the shot for you were able to show the sheer power, size and magnificent beauty of this falls, with the rainbow as an added delight

Good job and beautiful shot Way!

Kind regards,
Michelle

npecanhuk (79329) 2014-01-28 18:33

Hi Way!
Wow!
You found lots of water there! The last time I visited them there was much less water, but it was just as wonderful!
Superb picture... as usual with your work!
Sharpness, exposure, colors, horizontal format, chosen pov and compositon are all oustanding photo qualities!
That rainbow is so perfect that it doesn't seem to be real!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

jcpix (14030) 2014-01-28 20:39

Howdy Way,

I noticed this in the main gallery page a bit earlier, and was browsing through your older photos with the intention on commenting on something further back, but I found myself returning to this one tonight...it's really captivated my senses!

Not only is the visual spectacular, but just knowing what you went through to obtain this vantage point is worthy of its own praise. :) To state the obvious, it was worth the trouble...this is quite the view alright, dramatic and intense with a softer side of natures raw power and beauty. And how fitting to have obtained a rainbow, just perfect!

The heavier sky in the distance adds to the atmosphere, literally and figuratively, and the mist is virtually felt coming through the screen. So glad you were able to achieve this moment and placement. Thanks for sharing it with us. Have a great day ahead.

Friendly wishes,

Jason

abmdsudi (95869) 2014-01-28 21:47

Sabaidee Way
Such grandeur of the falls and sheer beauty, really cant imagine the tremendous amount of water thundering down & the sound are just awesome and to stand in front before the eyes it is just humbling. I like the pov you chose enhancing the height and depth immensely, great colours, light and details on this photo, and the way the water was captured with a great sense of movement. The rainbow is a plus point to complete this sensational shot, Congrats and tfs
Best regards

fds (9963) 2014-01-28 21:52

dear way lim another fantastic view tacken of the great point view over the great falls with fantastic suggestions and great Rainbow
fantastic schot dear friens

jjcordier (79299) 2014-01-28 23:19

Way
Très impressionnante photo de ces fantastiques chutes d'eau. Quel point de vue....et l'arc en ciel est la cerise sur le gâteau!
Amicalement
JJ

emka (157280) 2014-01-28 23:27

hello Way, I read this and found it interesting. There are still the countries that obtaining visa is a problem. I still need one for the USA, in case that American citizens do not need it for Poland, but it is not complicated and is for ten years for 100 USD. Not so bad. But to get Namibian visa I had to go to Berlin, which is farther than your driving. But the visa was ready the next day. Also not as bad. Burmese also in Berlin but with three weeks waiting. But the most complicated seems Russian visa. It is the reason I haven't been there although it is so close. (many but's :))
Splendid shot. You had some trouble, some luck (but the 2012 Olympic was in London, I suppose??)and you got reward - you saw Iguazu and had wonderful photo. It is my dream to see it but it is so far and expensive.
Warm regrads Malgo

Subhogen (4067) 2014-01-29 1:15

Hello Way,
Such a beautiful view of a majestic waterfall must have made you forget the hassles of travelling. Like the dynamism you have captured on those muddy waters. Your POV is intriguing it seems as if you were hanging on a rope over the falls when you took this shot. Top quality photo, like it a lot. Thanks for sharing.
Regards,
Subho

yquem46 (38752) 2014-01-29 1:24

hi Way
A gorgeous view of Iguazu, very impressive from so close
excellent compo with the rainbow as the cherry on the cake
I was in Argentina recently (Noroeste, salta) but not in the Missiones region
Obviously, if I return, I'll have to add Iguazu on my list
Best regards, have a nice day
patrick

timecapturer (49288) 2014-01-29 6:11

Hello Way
a stunning place and a stunning capture. As usual imagery and execution of the highest standard, being both beautiful and inspiring. Love it!

Brian.

danos (110407) 2014-01-29 8:19

Hi Way,
great the panoramic view of the Iguaçu falls with the rainbow to 'decorates' perfect the whole scenery. I like the fascinating and scectacular sight with the lot of waterfalls to make the image unique.Well done.

Regards,Danos

mkamionka (73256) 2014-01-29 8:27

Hi Way,
interesting story. I get that a lot as my case is always different from standard cases which officers are used to. I am still jealous that you made it. For me it was not the matter of visa but money. The trip to South America was already using up all our savings and we even got some debts and we could not afford to take too many internal flights anymore and I could not take too many vacation days so bus travel was not an option either. So I was very very close but I could not afford it. Still now I consider myself so very lucky as in the foreseeable future I would not be able to make trip like that anymore. Maybe even never in my life. But I focus on the glass half full of water watching Trek Earth photos over and over again :)

Spectacular view. Breath taking. I like the fantastic details. We can see the viewing platform and it allows to imagine the scale of this place. The weather seems quite dramatic with the dark clouds but the effect is thus even more impressive.
Excellent work!
M

PS
As emka has already mentioned as Poles we have to get a visa to USA as well. One on my friends going for vacations in Alaska had a visa but was not admitted. America has the right to send you back without giving any reason, and Polish citizens are basically treated like terrorists. I had no problem with visa to USA as I applied from Germany or Ireland but if you try in Poland they ask you strange questions and treat you like a criminal. Some types of visa take months to get. This discourages many people from USA in general. I heard Brazil treats other countries exactly as they treat Brazilian citizens. Not sure if it is true.

nikkitta (17070) 2014-01-29 9:34

Hola Way

REVENGE is the answer at your note
Till some years ago there was not need to obtain a visa to visit USA, so also not visa to enter Brasil for USA citizens as well as canadians and europeans as it is now
Them , after some “panic attack”, visa was requiered for citizens of some South America countries, between them, Argentina and Brasil
While Argentine complained and menace to do the same, Brasil did it
That s why you had so many problems to enter Brasil

Same procedure as yours, must endure any person wanting to visit USA ( the good new is that visa is valid for 10 years), but the main problem is for people living far from Buenos Aires, only city to do the process, so people must travel thousands of miles, obtain a number by Internet, wait outside in long queues and once inside , must left all electrical gadgets, then go to a big hall, wait and finally called for a personal interview where you are asked about incomes, reason of the visit, be fingerprinted and more for instance I was asked WHY I have been in China and Cambodia?
My answer to take photos and enjoy visiting these countries with some friends, adding, It has been a great experience
Also you must paid 230 dollars for it and add some extra to DHL that delives it at your home, living near the consulate once I asked permision to avoid it, going myself to search my passport, of course this procedure was denied

Now your capture
For the color of the waters, you must be there after heavy rains, so waters generally blue, are carring some red earth from Brasil , not blue sky but you obtained a quite personal and atractive composition with the rainbow at the front and the contrast between waters and vegetation
Maria
Not sure if it was my shadow or the one of an electrical pole

ikeharel (112395) 2014-01-29 9:37

Hello Way,
Majestic in view, waterfall's strong current as wide and far as the eyes can see.
The rainbow collected is a beautiful bonus on photo, the mist gave a mysterious sight to the impressive location.
Overwhelming nature. Fine taken from the POV.
Ike

Romano46 (18472) 2014-01-29 10:11

Ciao Way
indipendentemente dalla bellezza e appariscenza dell'arcobaleno la foto appare grandiosa e colpisce anche il diverso colore delle acque rispetto al colore immacolato della spuma.
Ottima la composizione e perfetto l'uso del grandangolo.
Piacevole anche il colore del cielo che con il suo grigio creea un piacevole contrasto.
Complimenti
Ciao e buona serata
Romano

cornejo (61504) 2014-01-29 10:52

Hello Way, excellent photography of these famous, interesting and beautiful waterfalls, beautifully composed and perfectly captured in this interesting image beautifully crafted, with good sharpness, light and color. Excellent and interesting job well done, congratulations my friend. Thanks for sharing this beautiful work.

Good afternoon and happy rest of the week.
Warm greetings from southern Spain.
Angel.

HimalAnda (10671) 2014-01-29 11:28

Hello Way,

This is an amazing place and a very nice, powerful, picture with a rainbow perfectly catched!

Stéphane

pajaran (114821) 2014-01-29 13:07

Pozdrav.
Interesantan i dobar tekst o Brazilu ...
Lep pogled i trenutak ...
Dobar trenutak snimka i perspektiva, lepo pokazano mesto i trenutak, lepe boje.
Lepa priroda.
Sve najbolje.
Paja.

Greetings.
Interesting and good article about Brazil ...
Nice view and a moment ...
Good time recording and perspectives shown good place and moment, beautiful colors.
Beautiful nature.
All the best.
Paja.

kwekwekan (1078) 2014-01-29 18:40

Hi Way,
Your vantage point over the falls - one I do not remember seeing before here on TE - is just spectacular. It seems as if you are suspended in mid-air above the turbulent pool of water and brilliantly defined rainbow below. The thin viewing platform that juts in from the right of your picture adds another element of interest, just in case the scene was not beautiful enough.
Have a great evening,
Caleb

Periko (9105) 2014-01-29 19:21

Impresionante vista. Pareciera que en Iguazú está toda el agua del mundo.

TFS

fabbs99 (17179) 2014-01-29 23:30

Hello Way,

Great show of the rainbow and the beautiful waterfalls.Misty conditions but still very clear image with good sharpness.Very well composed photo with excellent colors. TFS.

Regards
Farhat

ktanska (44446) 2014-01-30 5:04

Hi Way,
Really beautiful picture! This viewpoint shows thundering fall all around. And seeing such a bright rainbow below is surely unforgettable. Good that you got enough sunshine for that while the sky looks cloudy. There seems to be another viewpoint right on the edge.
Kari

ruisc_pt (11584) 2014-01-30 6:12

Hi Way,
AS I'm a Portuguese and I've been in Brazil 4 times I can realize very well how did you feel about your entrance in this country.
Brazilians differ from county to county but they are a very peculiar people, nice music, dancing, beer but there's a big problem there: CORRUPTION.. And the government is in serious trouble to attain in a "clean" way the Football world championship and the Olympics...
Well about you image and picture... it's simply astonishing.
All the best
R

COSTANTINO (115451) 2014-01-30 9:47

Hello my friend
how did you managed to do it?
original version with artistic details
destinated for an exhibition
the rainbow is a plus point added
to this magnificent shot
you are the master
greetings for your fantastic
and breathtaking shot
regards
Costantino

brianmcc (6223) 2014-01-30 11:24

hi way,
what an amazing landscape feature, and you have captured it perfectly. the inclusion of the rainbow is superb and a fantastic element to this image. great sharpness and detail. a fantastic image.
regards,
brian

PaulVDV (62770) 2014-01-30 13:43

Hello Way,
Unbelievable that you have to go to the embassy in person when there are only three embassies across the US. That makes that someone who lives in Texas for instance will never go to Brazil.
A very well balanced picture with views of the waterfalls on different levels.
The rainbow fills the foreground with its beautiful colours.
Very intriguing is that walkway at the right. Is that how you can have a view of the Devil's Throat?
Best regards, Paul

delpeoples (60342) 2014-02-01 20:51

Ciao NBF

Wow. For once I'm speechless, but don't worry I'll recover :) These Falls are of course stunning, probably among the most beautiful natural wonders in the world. It's hard to take a bad photo. But it's difficult to take a sensational photo, and you've done that with ease. The rainbow leaves me breathless, as does the wonderful sense of movement and Nature's power. The depth of field - as usual - is stunning and it's quite useless to talk of technical quality, when it's absolutely flawless in every respect.

Please give your Dad my love and to you and the rest of the family, a big hug. It's so sad to hear he is so unwell, but I am so glad to hear that he is surrounded by his loving family. You must be exhausted and I know that small things, like photography, the distraction of TE or a kind word mean so much more at the moment. Praying for you all xxx

Hugs
Lisa

Sonata11 (34119) 2014-02-05 20:22

Hello Way,
Wow!!! what a spectacular view. Beautiful composition and execution. Perfectly well done. Colors, sharpness, clarity are perfect. Love it. Tfs.
Best regards,
Barbara

Kielia (24077) 2014-02-26 7:27

Hello Way,
I loved reading your well written and appropriate notes. I totally agree to you but the result was really worth all the trouble. The accompanying photo is very interesting thus showing another spectacular place. Thanks for sharing!
Warm regards
Harriet

Didi (61589) 2014-02-26 11:31

This is the top of the top
Great picture with interesting lights diffusion and nice presence of the rainbow
It's magic
Best regards

macjake (98260) 2014-03-03 17:55

Hi Way
this is one of those wow type of photos's for me.
mother nature at her best!
in all honesty this is pretty damn spectacular.
love the rainbow, love the mist, and how the water is dark and brown in some places.
this is certainly a photo with lots of visual impact.
lucky you to have it in your gallery!
cheers
craig

corjan3 (2109) 2014-03-05 8:32

This is a fantastic image and I have looked at other images in your portfolio. It is clear that you are a very good photographer and this such a pleasure to view with the colours, composition and very good overall quality. Well done
Neels

ChrisJ (171146) 2014-03-11 5:01

Hi Way,

It is my dream to see this personally but it sounds like a mixture too with nightmarish visa controls. Love the fg rainbow. Good sharpness and a marvellous downward pov. I used to watch Tarzan as a kid and I am sure the opening sequence was filmed here. Tfs!

Gigidusud (21679) 2014-03-15 8:13

Hi Way,
Fantastic water falls with the raibow. Great shot, I like a lot!
Best regards.
Gigi