after numerous laps around the valley, the day was drawing to a close. after missing the light on half dome i decided that i wanted to see if i could catch the last light of the day on el cap. i stopped at el cap meadow for a little while but decided to head on down the road to valley view. turns out the same idea occurred to a few others, as well. the spot i had shot from earlier in the day was was already covered so i mover a little farther to the right. i watched as the light traveled up the face to the top and faded out. i was cold and had been kneeling in the snow most of the day and just about ready to leave when somebody said, "don't go, it's not over". i was doubtful but i figured a couple more minutes wasn't gonna kill me. then, i saw the orange light start hitting the slope to the left. i watched as it worked it's way over to el cap and start heading towards the rim of the valley. i had set up to shoot vertical in order to keep the other photographers out of the frame. i was so absorbed in the show, as the orange light turned to red and climbed the face of el cap, that i only shot ONE frame in a landscape orientation. i'm very happy with how it came out and feel fortunate to have witnessed the sunset. i think many people consider half dome THE yosemite icon, but for me it's el cap.
That is very cool looking. When El Cap lights up like that in the winter it is an awesome sight. It looks like there is a new dead fall out in the Merced there? That's a bit distracting. Looking at this it seems that shooting a bit more to your left so that there were more snow capped objects in the foreground would have really been awesome.
that is just insanely killer...just confirms I have to go back when there is snow...I love them both, but the orange glow on the water being stronger wins it for me...and I like the wide orientation of that one more.
Question...how hard is it to get around there when there is snow? 4 wheel drive I am sure is a must...just curious.
This is the holy grail shot for me as well. I haven't gotten it yet. Surprisingly hard to get haha. The first time I saw this light band was also a winter shot from Michael Frye and ever since I've tried to chase type of light and with snow. It's a pretty tough combo haha. I'm glad you were able to see this and capture it!
Travis Rhoads wrote:
Question...how hard is it to get around there when there is snow? 4 wheel drive I am sure is a must...just curious.
I have never been able to NOT go into yosemite with just tire chains. Once your on the valley floor, sometimes chains is not even required. Most of hte time the dangerous portion is highway 120 and the hill climb to tunnel view. The higher elevations usually call for chains required by the park rangers and fear of black ice. You can take the lower road 140 which usually is safer since there isn't much hill climbing.
I've been there with a regular corolla and tire chains in snow conditions heavier than the photo above. You can always check the park site for road conditions the rangers will let you know.
What Jason said.
Have chains if there's been any snowfall since they may require to have them with/not necessarily installed. If in doubt I ask at the ranger station at an entrance. I have AWD but it's not required.
Todd wrote:
Awesome colors, beautiful scenery. I would like to see the second image with the same composition is the first image but they're both great
todd-
i would love to see it, too! but, alas, i was so caught up in watching the show, i only shot the one frame horizontal.
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OregonSun wrote:
Sweet light well captured.
Heron
heron-
thanks for the compliment.
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JimFox wrote:
Hey Seann,
That is very cool looking. When El Cap lights up like that in the winter it is an awesome sight. It looks like there is a new dead fall out in the Merced there? That's a bit distracting. Looking at this it seems that shooting a bit more to your left so that there were more snow capped objects in the foreground would have really been awesome.
Jim
jim-
it's the first time i've witnessed a light show like that. i haven't been to the valley in years, so i don't know if the log is new. i would have loved to be farther to the left but there was no room- too many other photographers were already there. i think the reflection would have been better there.
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susieknudsen wrote:
Would like to see that one day, it's beautiful. One of my favourit spots.
it IS beautiful!
