P#36: A Shot of Warren Harding Climbing Leaning Tower
An exhilarating shot of Warren Harding on the Leaning Tower overhang
You can get a sense of exhilaration and excitement just by looking at this photograph of Warren Harding climbing Leaning Tower. How did Ed Cooper capture such a thrilling shot? He revealed the secrets behind this photograph during his 7 Photography Questions interview.
Capturing a Legend
Ed Cooper: This photograph a picture of Warren Harding on the Leaning Tower. That Leaning Tower is the longest section of overhanging rock in the Sierra Nevada. This is just above Yosemite Valley. When you enter the valley, you can see Leaning Tower if you look off to the right. (click the image for a larger version)
Of course Warren Harding himself was a legend. He made the first ascent of the Nose of El Capitan in 1958 and he's made a number of other legendary climbs as well. I went up there with him just to get this picture. This is the very first pitch of the climb. He's firstly coming up the ropes to get to the end of the first pitch.
Audri Lanford: Where were you?
Ed Cooper: I was on a fairly safe ledge because you approach the climb right around this ledge that you see right along to the base of that shrub there.
Audri Lanford: Wow.
Ed Cooper: That's in the first book, The Soul of the Heights book as well.
In Summary
The climber in this photograph isn't just a model, it's the world-famous Warren Harding. This picture of Warren climbing Leaning Tower is the perfect example of why mountain photography can be such a thrilling occupation.
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