Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

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Archive 2009 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

TBannor
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p.3 #1 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

Well lookie here. Somebody else got a shot from the same spot. Not technically as good, but close to identical point of view.

Not fake.

Feb 09, 2010 at 01:02 AM

Henry W
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p.3 #2 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

Enough!
Here is a photo from just below Half Dome looking WEST. This view point is easily in the faked photo. Where is the Central Valley?
I posted a MUCH larger image than usual so you can scrutinized the details.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Feb 09, 2010 at 01:13 AM

ButterflySis
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p.3 #3 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/weblog/permalink/can_you_see_half_dome_from_the_central_valley/

http://geotripper.blogspot.com/2009/11/got-my-own-shot-this-time-half-dome.html

Feb 09, 2010 at 01:29 AM

Greg Campbell
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p.3 #4 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

Henry, the view in question is to the WSW. As viewed from the shoulder of HD, where your picture was taken, the line of sight lies directly behind Half Dome! The most crucial "detail," the low angle view down the Merced River Canyon, is blocked! I suspect there may be some central valley visibility buried in the haze just to the left of HD.

The view you want is 7 seconds into this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XomPFy8vVVg

Feb 09, 2010 at 01:41 AM

Steve Sieren
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p.3 #5 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

Greg, in your example, is it even to scale? Is it 2 images old images blended together to show how things line up? Does half dome look even slightly as big from a 400mm taken on the Diablo range? Maybe on one of the high mtns in the Diablo Range but from the floor of the central valley? It's definitely one of those shots that needs to be proven. The guy in the picture was on a lunch break from working in Curry Village, he just teleported through that magic 400mm lens.

This was taken with a focal length of about 100mm, how high up is the far mtns? How far back or how high do you have to be to see half dome?

This image is copyrighted by the owner

PS, it's not a master piece, I'm only human.

Edited on Feb 09, 2010 at 02:41 AM · View previous versions

Feb 09, 2010 at 02:26 AM

OBsurfr
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p.3 #6 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

Henry W wrote:
Enough!
Here is a photo from just below Half Dome looking WEST. This view point is easily in the faked photo. Where is the Central Valley?
I posted a MUCH larger image than usual so you can scrutinized the details.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Henry's photo is an obvious fake!
There are not enough people in the image!
Everyone knows how crowded that spot gets!

George

Feb 09, 2010 at 02:32 AM

evosia
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p.3 #7 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

This looks possible. Given at least 7 different photos by 5 different photographers at the spot all showing a view of half dome from the valley, this doesn't look faked.

Here are some of the photos (you have the option to see 100% crop on most of them)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/trimmoos/3307713413
http://www.flickr.com/photos/trimmoos/3294080995
http://www.flickr.com/photos/trimmoos/4284551519
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23457900@N05/4307009929
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cmpnguy/3337251856
http://www.flickr.com/photos/imagesinthebackcountry/3346134950
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrphancy/4299269938

Why, and how, would they all fake this in photoshop? Check the 100% crops most of them offer.

They have to be extremely good to fake those. I can't find any signs that point to being photoshopped. EXIF data are intact on them as well.

The thing we have to remember is that this is not a view seen with your naked eye. You won't see this just by driving down the 99. I know because I've driven by that area a number of times and if I saw Half Dome, I would have noticed. This is a view seen with a telephoto lens and in the case with the flickr image, 200mm + Nikon crop body (1.5x) + 2x TC = 600mm.

For perspective, check out the street view from google maps of the approx. location by doing a search for 5278 Hall Rd, Denair, CA, United States. The barn tower in the foreground of the picture is barely visible with the naked eye on streetview.

Keep in mind also that half dome is HUGE. Trying to spot any details of the valley (road, cars, barn tower, etc) from half dome would probably be like trying to spot people standing on top of half dome from the valley.

Also, no one takes a long telephoto up to half dome to check if they can see the valley. Well, maybe now we will! But again, being visible would not necessarily mean visible with the naked eye. You'll probably need a long telephoto, and know where to look, to spot it.

Just some food for thought.

Edited on Feb 09, 2010 at 03:20 AM · View previous versions

Feb 09, 2010 at 02:43 AM

BryanSwan
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p.3 #8 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

Do the math folks, it doesn't lie. Half Dome is visible from Turlock when the air is clear enough.

Feb 09, 2010 at 02:48 AM

Chaz
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p.3 #9 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

I started this post last year and now see the pot starting to boil again.

I'm in the camp that believes Half Dome CAN, in fact, be seen from the Central Valley for a number of mathematical reasons enumerated here as well as from the photo evidence submitted.

Here is a snap shot from my Half Dome hike last October 2009. I upped the contrast sharply to define the far mountain detail. This view would be looking essentially northwest from the summit of Half Dome.

The Central Valley can be discerned at the base of the Diablo Range.

I'll be anxious to venture out to look and shoot for myself.

2012 © Chaz

Feb 09, 2010 at 03:20 AM

evosia
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p.3 #10 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

There's no doubt about it. It's simply true. I have no reason to doubt the half dozen photographers who have provided photo evidence. And your photo from half dome only confirms the unobstructed view from the other side.

The only people who have no evidence are the ones who say it isn't true. No idea why they are so adamantly against it unless they've been to those spots, viewed it with a long lens, and can't spot anything.

Technology certainly changes things a lot. Our ancestors didn't have the 600mm telephoto we can enjoy today, hence they were probably not able to see half dome from that spot and distance.

Feb 09, 2010 at 03:45 AM

TBannor
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p.3 #11 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

Ya gotta ask, what's the motivation to fake it? An evil plot by the Denair Chamber of Commerce to get you to go there to see for yourself? And, just because you can't see a valley floor through haze on a particular day doesn't mean a person in the valley can't see the peak you're standing on.

Feb 09, 2010 at 03:59 AM

Greg Campbell
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p.3 #12 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

Steve Sieren wrote:
Greg, in your example, is it even to scale? Is it 2 images old images blended together to show how things line up? Does half dome look even slightly as big from a 400mm taken on the Diablo range?

400mm

Nowhere on that page is the lens discussed. All it says is "on a glass plate." I'm assuming that someone used a relatively small scope to take the picture, one equipped with a plate camera and the ability to point to a slightly negative altitude.

Maybe on one of the high mtns in the Diablo Range but from the floor of the central valley? It's definitely one of those shots that needs to be proven.

So, do you believe the Mt. Hamilton shot, or not?

As for proof of visibility from areas in the central valley, well, how much do you need? Scroll up a few posts to see evosia's gob of pictures. Do all these 'need to be proven' ?

Why is is so difficult for several of you folks to consider the possibility?

The guy in the picture was on a lunch break from working in Curry Village, he just teleported through that magic 400mm lens.

This was taken with a focal length of about 100mm, how high up is the far mtns? How far back or how high do you have to be to see half dome?

PS, it's not a master piece, I'm only human.

Remember that the valley, while wide, will also be radically foreshortened due to the angle of view, as well as the curvature of the Earth. The thin band of haze just shy of the coastal ranges could easily conceal tens of miles of valley floor.

Feb 09, 2010 at 04:38 AM

Greg Campbell
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p.3 #13 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

TBannor wrote:
Ya gotta ask, what's the motivation to fake it? An evil plot by the Denair Chamber of Commerce to get you to go there to see for yourself?

Dude! The Denair Tourism Bureau will not be amused to see you making these sorts of revealing statements in public! I'd load the 12 gauge and double check that all your doors are locked before going to bed tonight!

Not that these actions will do you any good. Those Denarians are RUTHLESS! (It's been nice knowing you!)

Feb 09, 2010 at 04:46 AM

TBannor
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p.3 #14 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

They'll have to get through a monster blizzard tonight and tomorrow. No worries.

Greg Campbell wrote:
TBannor wrote:
Ya gotta ask, what's the motivation to fake it? An evil plot by the Denair Chamber of Commerce to get you to go there to see for yourself?

Feb 09, 2010 at 05:19 AM

xato
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p.3 #15 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

This is interesting. Go onto heywhatsthat and apparently you can generate a map of points that are visible from any particular point in the US. You have to use the visibility cloak button (no this has nothing to do with Romulans and Klingons). Note that I haven't tried this myself.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/trimmoos/3662612548/

or really large:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/trimmoos/3662612548/sizes/o/

http://www.heywhatsthat.com/faq.html

Warren

Feb 09, 2010 at 05:22 AM

Greg Campbell
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p.3 #16 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

Here's YET ANOTHER lively discussion of the topic, with several more pictures, including one take with a cheap-ish digital P/S!

http://supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=1061402

Xato. Yes, that site rocks, although I must say the Cloak button was a severe let down. I was REALLY hoping that I'd become invisible.

Feb 09, 2010 at 06:11 AM

Steve Sieren
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p.3 #17 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

Just wanted to see the proof!

Why hasn't anyone shot a reflection shot from Lake McClure? Go now!

Feb 09, 2010 at 06:46 AM

anorphirith
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p.3 #18 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

you can also do a simple flickr search:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23457900@N05/4307009929/

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Feb 09, 2010 at 07:24 AM

b.a. fog
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p.3 #19 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

i've seen it myself. even showed on garmin topo map how it's possible from the spot in denair n 37.54160, w 120.73720.

and here's my poor attempt at taking shots. i came a day too late last year, as smog was building up in the valley again. with a 70-200mm + 2TC.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12442123@N00/3340022135/sizes/l/

and the topo outline from denair to top of half dome. you can do it yourself if you have a topo map program

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12442123@N00/3340022715/sizes/l/

Feb 09, 2010 at 07:47 AM

Geotripper
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p.3 #20 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

Hi everyone! I was wondering why an old blog post was getting so much action tonight, and I see that Butterflysis linked to my Half Dome picture at http://geotripper.blogspot.com/2009/11/got-my-own-shot-this-time-half-dome.html

That is in fact Half Dome in the picture, taken from close to Keyes Road and Oakdale Waterford Highway. I have 4 or 5 others showing the same thing (with the same low quality). I've lived here 20 years, and never thought I could see it until I knew where to look. I've seen a few more times on clear days as well.

Feb 09, 2010 at 09:31 AM

Henry W
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p.3 #21 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

OK! Alright already!
I hate to admit I was wrong. It must be real.

But on the brighter side I sure found some cool sites like heywhatsthat,com.

Feb 09, 2010 at 03:06 PM

Greg Campbell
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p.3 #22 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

Henry W wrote:
OK! Alright already!
I hate to admit I was wrong. It must be real.

But on the brighter side I sure found some cool sites like heywhatsthat,com.

Is it such a horrible thing to be wrong once in a while?

Feb 09, 2010 at 05:05 PM

Doug Otto
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p.3 #23 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

Greg Campbell wrote: Is it such a horrible thing to be wrong once in a while?

I'll letcha know sometime.

Feb 09, 2010 at 05:07 PM

evosia
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p.3 #24 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

Damn, maybe it wasn't such a good idea to prove this is true. Instead of just a few "true believers," now there's going to be a ton of photographers heading to Denair to get this shot.

Ah well, it'll be good for the local economy.

Feb 09, 2010 at 05:28 PM

Greg Campbell
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p.3 #25 · Why Go To Yosemite (UPDATE)

Doug Otto wrote:

"Sorry, but no."

Doug Otto wrote:

Greg Campbell wrote: Is it such a horrible thing to be wrong once in a while?

.
.
.
I'll letcha know sometime.

Is that to say you're still in denial?

Feb 09, 2010 at 05:55 PM


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