Awesome images! I was there on black Friday and had the exact opposite effect, the snow had already melted and there seemed to be a million people there... Work has been real slow so can't afford the gas for another day trip but hopefully soon I can get up there with some snow and not many people
I so want to go to Yosemite again, especially with some wild weather. If Tenaya Lake freezes this year with the cracks I'm going to try my best to get there.
boingyman wrote:
I so want to go to Yosemite again, especially with some wild weather. If Tenaya Lake freezes this year with the cracks I'm going to try my best to get there.
Hit it on opening day for Tioga Road or as close as possible. Usually none of the high-country lakes are melted out that soon, and ice still covers most of the lakes.
Phil you are breaking my heart with these awesome images. I use to get to Modesto, CA often taking care of the companys computers and alway though I would have time to get over to Yosemite .......... never was able to get time as the company jet was always leaving early or the schedule changed. Now I'm retired with no free ticket so I'll never get to make it. Anyway I'll just enjoy your excellent images.
Fantastic pictures Phil.
I am heading to Yosemite this weekend. Is anyone gonna be there? Not knowing what the heck I'm doing and I don't want to be in the park by myself...
Great pictures. And believe me, if Yosemite was easily accessible, I would be there all the time. Unfortunately I am on the wrong side of the country...
You certainly won't be there by yourself, Quang - though you also won't encounter the frequent huge crowds that you see at other times of the year. (I'll be there today, as it turns out...)
If this is your first visit, a few quick thoughts about photography and other things:
1. The shooting hours start later and end earlier in the winter with the shorter daylight hours. Because the Valley is oriented in a roughly east-west direction with tall mountains to the east, certain places tend to get better light at somewhat specific times of day. The south side of the Valley can get little (or in a few cases, no!) sun at this time of year, while the north side tends to be warmer and often better lit. Shooting dawn can be a bit tricky here, as you don't easily get wide open, unobstructed views to the east.
2. It will be cold. If you start out very early in the morning, expect it to be in the twenties. It may not get much above 40 all day, if that, though there are (colder and warmer) variations depending upon where in the Valley you go. The current weather forecast, which can change, suggests that you probably will have relatively clear weather.
3. For first-time Yosemite shooter, starting out by photographing a few icons is a fine thing. A few that could easily be on your list include "Tunnel View" (from the Wawona Tunnel overlook) in the evening, Sentinel Bridge with its view of Half Dome, Awhahnee Meadows between the park housing near Yosemite Village and the Ahwahnee (often with nice low fog in the mornings), "Gates of the Valley" (known by other names as well) along the Merced River along Northside drive as you head west toward the park exits. There are tons of other opportunities too numerous to name, so wander about a bit and enjoy.
Gorgeous!! I was in Yosemite once years ago (long before I got into photography) and have really wanted to go back. Might have to make another road trip.
gdanmitchell wrote:
You certainly won't be there by yourself, Quang - though you also won't encounter the frequent huge crowds that you see at other times of the year. (I'll be there today, as it turns out...)
If this is your first visit, a few quick thoughts about photography and other things:
1. The shooting hours start later and end earlier in the winter with the shorter daylight hours. Because the Valley is oriented in a roughly east-west direction with tall mountains to the east, certain places tend to get better light at somewhat specific times of day. The south side of the Valley can get little (or in a few cases, no!) sun at this time of year, while the north side tends to be warmer and often better lit. Shooting dawn can be a bit tricky here, as you don't easily get wide open, unobstructed views to the east.
2. It will be cold. If you start out very early in the morning, expect it to be in the twenties. It may not get much above 40 all day, if that, though there are (colder and warmer) variations depending upon where in the Valley you go. The current weather forecast, which can change, suggests that you probably will have relatively clear weather.
3. For first-time Yosemite shooter, starting out by photographing a few icons is a fine thing. A few that could easily be on your list include "Tunnel View" (from the Wawona Tunnel overlook) in the evening, Sentinel Bridge with its view of Half Dome, Awhahnee Meadows between the park housing near Yosemite Village and the Ahwahnee (often with nice low fog in the mornings), "Gates of the Valley" (known by other names as well) along the Merced River along Northside drive as you head west toward the park exits. There are tons of other opportunities too numerous to name, so wander about a bit and enjoy.
Thank you for the tips. I'll need to get me a map to see where all these locations you mentioned are. I've been to Yosemite before but more for hiking then photography. I hope the weather will be nice with some nice clouds and fog. Any suggestions as far as lens goes?
Bring everything. It all works, from 15mm to 300mm. Give yourself the latitude to capture whatever presents itself.
I always tell my workshop students "Don't ask me what lens to use; trust your intuition and open your EYES and MIND to the scene in front of you and decide how YOU want it composed. I can make suggestions, but ultimately, it's YOUR feelings about the scene that are the most important thing."
You should savor the moment that you were the only photographer there to take such tremendous pictures. The first one is absolutely gorgeous, love the colors. The picture speaks for itself.
Thank you for the tips. I'll need to get me a map to see where all these locations you mentioned are. I've been to Yosemite before but more for hiking then photography. I hope the weather will be nice with some nice clouds and fog. Any suggestions as far as lens goes?
-Quang
If I didn't mention it before, you might consider picking up a copy of my friend Michael Frye's "Photographer's Guide to Yosemite." They had copies in the Ansel Adams Gallery when I was there yesterday. (Plus, stopping at the gallery is worth it for other reasons. ;-) There is also an iPhone app version of the text.
As far as lenses go, that is really a personal thing that depends a lot on what subjects you like and how you like to photograph them. In a very general sense you could do fine (assuming you shoot full frame) with something like an ultrawide (like a 17-40), a mid-range zoom (like 24-70 or 24-105) and a telephoto zoom (like a 70-200) or some equivalent set of lenses for your camera. When I go, I like to be able to cover 17mm-400mm, but that doesn't mean that you should, too.
One small hint: At this time of year, especially when there is some snow on the ground, you have a bit better chance of seeing things like coyotes and bobcats in the Valley, so keep an eye out! Early morning and then evening fog in the meadows often forms in the winter and can be a wonderful subject, too.
My 1st trip to Yosemite was 2 years ago & I only had 2.5 days. The first few hours I had to keep picking my chin up off of the ground ! I'm back there in late August this year for a whole 7 days of just looking and photographing. That week is on my "bucket list".
Phil - thanks for posting those beautiful shots of one of my fav places
Nice work 
