This museum grade fine art photograph is available in a fine art limited edition of 200, signed and numbered with a signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided for additional provenance.
Hideaway - Horsetail Falls and Bigleaf Maple Fall Colors in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon
Horsetail Falls, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon
Horsetail Falls Framed by Bigleaf Maples and Shrubs Ablaze with Fall Colors in the Autumn in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon
Horsetail Falls tumbles 176 feet over the columnar basalt cliffs of the Columbia River Gorge as it sits framed by Bigleaf Maple trees and understory shrubs lit aflame with brilliant fall colors of red, yellow and gold. Bigleaf Maple trees are common in the Columbia River Gorge, thriving on the basalt cliffs here as well as Oregon's river valleys and forests, both of which also occur in the Gorge. This has earned them the nickname "Oregon Maple." Their 12 inch across leaves are the largest of any variety of Maple tree, and they create radiant colors every fall in the Gorge and along the Columbia River.
Common varieties of native understory shrubs found in the gorge are Osoberry (Indian Plum), wild Red Flowering Currant and Poison Oak, with Osoberry turning yellow while Flowering Currant and Poison Oak turn shades of red. Poison Oak is found through the Columbia River Gorge, and although it can look beautiful in the fall, it's something everyone needs to be aware of when bushwhacking here.
Oregon's Horsetail Falls flows along Horsetail Creek in the waterfall corridor of the Columbia River Gorge. It's not the only major waterfall on the creek, as Ponytail Falls occurs upstream from here higher up on the basalt cliffs of the Gorge. Horsetail Falls gets its name from the horsetail shape of the water as it flows over the cliffs, and during peak fall color seeing it surrounded with vibrant yellow, orange and red is a stunning sight. The Columbia River Gorge has some of Oregon's best fall color displays, and seeing the autumn hues mix with waterfalls in the forest here is always a stunning sight.
This luxury limited-edition museum-grade print captures Horsetail Falls with Bigleaf Maples during peak fall color in the Columbia River Gorge. It is part of James Mead's fine art documentation of the Columbia River Gorge, and is available as a luxury museum-grade limited edition print by James Mead.
The Majesty of Horsetail Falls and the Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn
Autumn in the Columbia River Gorge is underrated. The fall colors here are absolutely breathtaking, especially set against the majestic waterfalls of the famous waterfall corridor. Growing up roughly 45 minutes from here, I've been visiting the Columbia River Gorge for my entire life. My parents would bring me here in a carrier, and over 4 decades later it's still a place which captivates my soul.
There's something magical about seeing a blanket of yellow and red fall colors below set against the water of Horsetail Creek in the Columbia River Gorge which takes my breath away. It's not to be confused with the much more famous Horsetail Fall in Yosemite which creates the magnificent "Yosemite Horsetail Fall Firefall" every year, but it's equally beautiful in its own right and far less crowded. Unlike the Yosemite's Horsetail Fall Waterfall which is highly ephemeral and does not flow year round, Oregon's Horsetail Falls flows year round and it's substantially larger. Seeing the lichen and moss hug the basalt cliffs of the Columbia River Gorge as Oregon's much less famous Horsetail Falls gracefully flows 176 feet over the basalt cliffs down towards the Columbia River is always a beautiful sight, but it's especially beautiful surrounded by fall color as seen here or covered in a blanket of ice in the winter.
I love the cold, fall evenings here. The feeling of the cold, crisp air brushing against my face always seems to make time slow down, and there is something about the sound of water rushing by which creates a feeling of peace and tranquility. It feels like nature's little hideaway tucked beneath the towering cliffs of the Gorge, a feeling very befitting of one of Oregon's holiest natural temples of water, basalt and moss. Water flow is always a little higher in the fall, and the cloud cover we often get here in the autumn makes for some spectacular, even light. I've been visiting this spot since I was in pre-school, and over 4 decades later it still creates the same feelings of peace and tranquility it did when I first laid eyes on it as a child with my parents. Over 40 years later, I visit this place with my wife and son, which seems fitting. My parents passed their love for the Columbia River Gorge to me, and now I do the same with my family.
Technical Specifications
- Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
- Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
- Settings (Water, Rocks, Sky): 24mm | f/8 | 13 Seconds | ISO 800
- Settings (Foliage): 24mm | f/2.8 | 1/4 Second | ISO 3200
- Process: 4-Image Focus Stack for Depth of Field | Successive Back-to-Back Exposures | Bespoke Multi-Layer Noise Management (Manual Masking to preserve Details)
Note on Provenance - Fall Colors at Horsetail Falls in the Columbia River Gorge
This photo uses a method of focus stacking employing different ISO speeds to minimize movement in the trees and foliage while ensuring proper detail throughout the shadows and throughout the frame. It is natural to the scene as it was taken. Exposures were taken back to back, one immediately after the other. As always, no generative AI is ever used in my work.
Photo © copyright by James Mead.
Chromaluxe® Metal Prints | Gallery Float Ready to Hang
Vibrant. Modern. Impactful.
My Chromaluxe® Metal Fine Art Prints offer a sleek, modern presentation that’s both bold and beautiful. Using a high-heat dye sublimation process, each image is infused directly into a specially coated aluminum panel resulting in vibrant colors, ultra-sharp detail, and a striking glossy finish. The dye sublimation process infuses the image directly into the metal, creating a scratch resistant surface while helping provide permanent protection.
These prints feature:
• Vivid, color-rich surfaces ideal for modern spaces
• High contrast and incredible sharpness: perfect for clean compositions and bold landscapes
• Durable and lightweight aluminum construction
• Float mount backing for a frameless, floating display. Ready to hang out of the box
• Signed and Numbered Limited Editions of 200
• Signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided for additional provenance
• Hand Crafted in the USA by our master printmakers
Please contact me for Alaska, Hawaii, and international shipping rates. Please allow 3-4 weeks for production and delivery.
These metal prints are ideal for collectors seeking a contemporary look with museum-quality output. Resistant to scratch, moisture and UV fading, they work beautifully in both home and office settings.
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Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic HD Fine Art Prints | Gallery Float Ready to Hang
Museum-Grade Brilliance. Gallery-Worthy Depth.
Bring home the brilliance of nature with the industry’s finest print medium. My Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic HD Fine Art Prints are crafted using a state-of-the-art process that infuses archival pigments into a transparency layer, backed by a clear acrylic backer and mounted under crystal-clear TruLife® acrylic. This creates a luminous, almost 3D effect. Colors appear to glow from within.
These gallery-grade prints feature:
• Incredible depth and clarity, fine details leap off the wall
• Exceptional color fidelity with deep saturation and smooth tonal gradations
• Anti-reflective, scratch-resistant museum grade 1/8” TruLife® acrylic offering unmatched viewing clarity under all lighting
• UV Resistant: TruLife® acrylic blocks up to 99% of UV rays
• 1/8" clear acrylic backer mounted using an archival adhesive layer
• 1.25” Roma wooden rear float mount frame inset 2” from the edge for a clean, frameless display that is ready to hang
• Signed and Numbered Limited Editions of 200
• Signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided for additional provenance
• Hand Crafted in the USA by our master printmakers
• Ready to hang out of the box: no glass or framing required
Please contact me for Alaska, Hawaii, and international shipping rates. Please allow 3-4 weeks for production and delivery.
Whether you're designing a luxury interior or curating a personal gallery, these prints are built to impress and designed to last a lifetime.
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Roma Framed Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic HD Fine Art Prints | Museum-Quality Ready to Hang
Timeless elegance. Unrivaled depth. A true centerpiece.
My Roma Framed Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic HD Fine Art Prints represent the pinnacle of archival display. These statement pieces combine the award-winning brilliance of Lumachrome HD with the craftsmanship of custom Roma wood mouldings, transforming your chosen image into an heirloom-worthy work of art.
Each piece is handcrafted by master printmakers and framers in the USA using museum-grade materials. The print itself is infused with archival pigments into a transparency layer, mounted to an archival acrylic backer and face-mounted and sealed under a 1/8" layer of crystal-clear TruLife® acrylic: a premium optically-coated surface that eliminates reflections and enhances depth, vibrance, and clarity.
Surrounding this luminous presentation is your choice of genuine Roma Moulding, hand-built with a choice of 3.5" or 4" Italian made wooden Roma frame with a 3" black linen liner for a refined, framed, museum grade appearance. This adds approximately 13 to 14 inches to both the height and width of the final piece. This level of finish is rarely seen outside of luxury interiors and gallery exhibitions.
After placing your order, I’ll reach out personally to confirm your ideal frame and liner pairing from my curated Roma collection. If you’d prefer to finalize your framing choice in advance, feel free to reach out any time for a custom recommendation.
These museum grade works of art feature:
• Gallery-grade presentation with luminous depth and 3D effect
• TruLife® acrylic: anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, and blocks 99% of UV
• Archival quality construction with pH-neutral adhesive and backer
• Available in your choice of 3.5" or 4" Roma wood mouldings with a black linen liner for a framed, museum-grade appearance
• Museum-grade 3" black linen liner for added depth and visual separation
• Signed and Numbered Limited Editions of 200
• Signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided for additional provenance
• Hand Crafted in the USA by our master printmakers
• Ready to hang out of the box: no glass or framing required
Please contact me for Alaska, Hawaii, and international shipping rates. Please allow 4-5 weeks for production and delivery.
Whether displayed in a luxury residence, corporate lobby, or fine art collection, these framed prints command attention and offer a sense of permanence few art mediums can match.
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These are investment-grade art pieces designed to last generations. If you have any questions, need any mock-ups or if you need anything else before purchase, please reach out and I will be in contact shortly.