Hello All,
I have been desperately searching for a copy of "The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite" by Michael Frye. Not one copy in sight for any decent price. Time is running out on me...I will be traveling to Yosemite this weekend. Does anyone in the Orange County or Northern San Diego county area have a copy that I could borrow for a few days? That would be awesome.
I have been calling all the bookstores I could find but no luck
Please help!
Rajesh
Yes...some people are out making money from this unfortunate situation.
Who could imagine a msrp of $9.95 being marked up to $150!!!
Thanks anyway "beerguy".
Can't even find a library which has this book in its collection...dammm.
In the meantime, there are quite a few of us here who photograph in the Valley a lot - you might try searching around here a bit. I know I've written some very lengthy posts here on the topic.
Or pose a few questions right here - I'm sure you'll get some useful responses.
You know, if this is your first time in the park you really don't need the book. (With apologies to Michael Frye, whose book really does have an outstanding reputation and who is an acknowledged expert on shooting in the Valley and in the Park. I hope the book is soon back in print at more reasonable prices - and new, so that he can benefit from the sales!)
Go ahead and shoot icons. There are plenty of them, and before you start to discover some of the more subtle aspects of the Valley it is a fine thing to become familiar with those astonishing icons that draw people there from around the world.
A few quick hints: It is harder to find dawn shots in the Valley than it is to find late afternoon and evening shots - to the east the Valley is blocked by high mountains while to the west it more or less opens to the Central Valley. Meadows are good places to shoot in the mornings. Sometimes you can follow the progress of light through the valley and away from the cliffs as the day goes on - it may be intensely sunny in the open areas out in the Valley, but there can still be beautiful diffused and shadow light along the edges of the Valley below some of the steeper cliffs. A visit to the higher country is worthwhile - again, for a first timer, I'd certainly put Glacier Point at sunset or sunrise (less crowded) on the icon list. If you have more time, spend some of it along Tioga Pass Road. Also, the sequoias are worth visiting - again, earlier in the day means fewer people.
That's crazy!!! Of course the best way to create a demand is to create a shortage.
The good part is the park is very photograpic and the iconic spots are certainly not secret nor are they difficult to find. It's just full of people (tourists and kids) during the summer months so it makes it a little more difficult getting around. Good shots are all over the park, the fun part is trying to capture something slightly different.
Enjoy your visit!
Randy
gdanmitchell wrote:
You know, if this is your first time in the park you really don't need the book. (With apologies to Michael Frye, whose book really does have an outstanding reputation and who is an acknowledged expert on shooting in the Valley and in the Park. I hope the book is soon back in print at more reasonable prices - and new, so that he can benefit from the sales!)
Go ahead and shoot icons. There are plenty of them, and before you start to discover some of the more subtle aspects of the Valley it is a fine thing to become familiar with those astonishing icons that draw people there from around the world.
A few quick hints: It is harder to find dawn shots in the Valley than it is to find late afternoon and evening shots - to the east the Valley is blocked by high mountains while to the west it more or less opens to the Central Valley. Meadows are good places to shoot in the mornings. Sometimes you can follow the progress of light through the valley and away from the cliffs as the day goes on - it may be intensely sunny in the open areas out in the Valley, but there can still be beautiful diffused and shadow light along the edges of the Valley below some of the steeper cliffs. A visit to the higher country is worthwhile - again, for a first timer, I'd certainly put Glacier Point at sunset or sunrise (less crowded) on the icon list. If you have more time, spend some of it along Tioga Pass Road. Also, the sequoias are worth visiting - again, earlier in the day means fewer people.
Good info here, however, I did use the book on my first trip in order to know exactly where to shoot the icons. If you're time constrained, it helps there tremendously.
Otherwise, I agree with you gdan. The place is overwhelming with opportunities, and the broad scope just doesn't lend itself to digging into the really good stuff in only a day or so for a valley noob (like me).
Thanks a ton to some very useful information. Can always count on FMers for that.
This is my second visit to Yosemite. The last time was in January of 2006, a day after a massive snowstorm. Though I got to see very little....but what I captured were some of my best landscape shots...I will cherish them for ever. Wish me luck for this time around...and the FULL moon is on the 7th!! I hope the night of the 4th will bring some moonlight magic!
If you are coming to Yosemite, we have a loaner copy of the Photographer's Guide to Yosemite at the film counter in The Ansel Adams Gallery. Michael told us that reprints of his book should be available in the park and elsewhere about mid-August. We will post their arrival on our blog.
Our staff photographers are always up on what is happening in the park, and available to answer your questions in the store, as well as on the phone.
Hope that helps you. The park is beautiful, and the smoke is not too bad. Great sunsets nightly!
If you are coming to Yosemite, we have a loaner copy of the Photographer's Guide to Yosemite at the film counter in The Ansel Adams Gallery. Michael told us that reprints of his book should be available in the park and elsewhere about mid-August. We will post their arrival on our blog.
Our staff photographers are always up on what is happening in the park, and available to answer your questions in the store, as well as on the phone.
Hope that helps you. The park is beautiful, and the smoke is not too bad. Great sunsets nightly!
Raj, I live in Santa Ana if that's close enough for you. I've got a copy of this great book if you want to borrow. I agree with the other posters here about it not being truly necessary for your first time at the park. You'll be overwhelmed with shooting opportunities for sure. Still, it's nice to have reading material for the ride up.
If you are coming to Yosemite, we have a loaner copy of the Photographer's Guide to Yosemite at the film counter in The Ansel Adams Gallery. Michael told us that reprints of his book should be available in the park and elsewhere about mid-August. We will post their arrival on our blog.
Our staff photographers are always up on what is happening in the park, and available to answer your questions in the store, as well as on the phone.
Hope that helps you. The park is beautiful, and the smoke is not too bad. Great sunsets nightly!
Claudia
Hey Claudia,
Welcome to FM Landscape! And what a great offer, no wonder Ansel's Gallery is one of my favorite spots in the park!
Funny, I called AAG based on Micheal's Blog to buy a book, and Claudia answered and offered to loan me the book when I get there on 7/25. Thanks Claudia!
This will be my 2nd time to the park...but the first time was nearly 20 years ago. LOTS of things have changed, film to digital, my experience as a photographer, and I am not able to hike as much either. We tent camped last time...this time we have a 20' Van with a sleep area, etc.
I am ordering a couple of other books, and will be looking over the sites mentioned here.
