Here is a photograph of Yosemite falls, taken by Carleton Watkins in 1861.
I can't tell for definite but to me it seems like one of the earliest photos taken of Yosemite falls. I believe this because in more modern photographic depictions of it, the greenery surrounding it is in the foreground and the waterfall itself is in the background. However in this picture Yosemite falls stands in the foreground despite being in the back of the picture. This could just be down to the fact that colour photography wasn't around in 1861, but photographers were still aware of the optical illusions they could create with lighting. They have made the waterfall the main object of this photo, taking it from an angle showing its might. It towers above the beautiful landscape that it leads in to.

Also, what strikes me about this photograph is the fact that it isn't showing the marvellous view from the top of the waterfall or even a close up of the plunge of the upper falls, it is a far away shot absorbing every single aspect of the waterfall and what surrounds it. To me this makes the photo very reminiscent of the time it was taken in. Because it is a photo that shows excitement about the very existance of the waterfall. New people living in America would've seen this photograph as representing theur strength and unity, as everything in the photo surrounds the waterfall yet at the same time comes together to make something beautiful.

There are no wildlife present in this photo, not even birds high up in the sky. I believe this has been done deliberately, to show the tranquility of the waterfall and the forest it leads to. It is showing the people of America how lucky they are to live there, and what a picturesque place they live in.

I enjoy this picture so much because I know that in today's times not very many families would stay at this view of it for long, they would be more interested in the top, and the majestic view from the top, rather than the wonder of the waterfall itself that was held by people in the 19th century.