Yosemite Reflections #1 Buy limited edition print/license Buy open edition print
Location: Mirror Lake, Yosemite National Park, California
Story:
Mirror Lake is a short 2-mile hike from the nearest trail head but it seems a thousand miles away from the Yosemite crowds. As I
headed up, everyone was heading down so I had this place all to myself. I was quite surprised. While mirror lake is accurately
named, I still had to wait for the breeze to calm down for get these reflections. When it was windy, I put on my very dark filter for
some 30-second exposures with streaking clouds and water which look totally surreal.
Location: Mirror Lake, Yosemite National Park, California
Story:
Mirror Lake is a short 2-mile hike from the nearest trail head but it seems a thousand miles away from the Yosemite crowds. As I
headed up, everyone was heading down so I had this place all to myself. I was quite surprised. While mirror lake is accurately
named, I still had to wait for the breeze to calm down for get these reflections. When it was windy, I put on my very dark filter for
some 30-second exposures with streaking clouds and water which look totally surreal.
| Yosemite Although this is one of the best known parks in the world, and famous photographers have seemingly photographed every square inch of it, there are still lots of opportunities to see the park in a new light. Not only does the weather change dramatically, but the rivers, snow and ice are different every day. On a partly cloudy day, you can shoot almost all day. The sheer cliffs mean that the sun is always rising and setting off of one cliff or another every minute. Also, the clouds often enshroud the granite faces, making each photograph unique. And there seems to be an endless number of ways to compose every scene. |
Yosemite Reflections #2 Buy limited edition print/license Buy open edition print
Location: Mirror Lake, Yosemite National Park, California
Story:
This view is similar to Yosemite Reflections #1, but I moved in a little closer to include just one foreground rock and a closer view
of Mt. Watkins behind it. The light was good so I made many different compositions on this evening!
Location: Mirror Lake, Yosemite National Park, California
Story:
This view is similar to Yosemite Reflections #1, but I moved in a little closer to include just one foreground rock and a closer view
of Mt. Watkins behind it. The light was good so I made many different compositions on this evening!
Falls of Spring Buy limited edition print/license Buy open edition print
Location: Swinging Bridge, Yosemite National Park, California
Story:
The angle of the sun was getting to be just right for the best view of the 2425 foot high Yosemite falls from the swinging bridge.
But it was mostly cloudy. So I waited for an opening in the clouds to light up the falls. A group of photographers and other people
had showed up to see the view. They moved bridge around a lot and I wanted a 30-second exposure with my dark filter. I wanted
a stable platform, so I climbed down into a small space under the bridge on a concrete piling to make this image!
Location: Swinging Bridge, Yosemite National Park, California
Story:
The angle of the sun was getting to be just right for the best view of the 2425 foot high Yosemite falls from the swinging bridge.
But it was mostly cloudy. So I waited for an opening in the clouds to light up the falls. A group of photographers and other people
had showed up to see the view. They moved bridge around a lot and I wanted a 30-second exposure with my dark filter. I wanted
a stable platform, so I climbed down into a small space under the bridge on a concrete piling to make this image!
Half Dome Impressions #1 Buy limited edition print/license Buy open edition print
Location: Mirror Lake, Yosemite National Park, California
Story:
The clouds were moving quickly over the top of Half Dome, and the light looked good, so I put on my dark filter to make a long
exposure. Over the course of 30 seconds, the clouds moved a lot and the shadows of the clouds made for some good light
across the face of the cliffs. And the moving trees and reflections softened in the reflected light.
Location: Mirror Lake, Yosemite National Park, California
Story:
The clouds were moving quickly over the top of Half Dome, and the light looked good, so I put on my dark filter to make a long
exposure. Over the course of 30 seconds, the clouds moved a lot and the shadows of the clouds made for some good light
across the face of the cliffs. And the moving trees and reflections softened in the reflected light.
Half Dome Dusk Buy limited edition print/license Buy open edition print
Location: Mirror Lake Yosemite National Park, California
Story:
Last light on Half Dome. The warm light filled the entire cliffside giving off a reddish-orange glow. There was nobody here at mirror
lake at this moment. I could not believe that I had this view all to myself.
Location: Mirror Lake Yosemite National Park, California
Story:
Last light on Half Dome. The warm light filled the entire cliffside giving off a reddish-orange glow. There was nobody here at mirror
lake at this moment. I could not believe that I had this view all to myself.
Valley View #2 Buy limited edition print/license Buy open edition print
Location: The Valley View scenic area, Yosemite National Park, California
Story:
I wanted to try something different at the very popular 'Valley View' area. I noticed the glowing rocks under the swiftly moving
water and glimpses of the reflected cliffs on top of the water. So I used my very dark filter to make a 30-second exposure in the
middle of the day that shows the bottom of the river as well as a bit of reflection from the cliffs behind. Also, the clouds were
moving quickly so you can almost feel them moving in the sky in this image.
Location: The Valley View scenic area, Yosemite National Park, California
Story:
I wanted to try something different at the very popular 'Valley View' area. I noticed the glowing rocks under the swiftly moving
water and glimpses of the reflected cliffs on top of the water. So I used my very dark filter to make a 30-second exposure in the
middle of the day that shows the bottom of the river as well as a bit of reflection from the cliffs behind. Also, the clouds were
moving quickly so you can almost feel them moving in the sky in this image.
The Lower Falls Buy limited edition print/license Buy open edition print
Location: Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National park, California
Story:
It was a misty and foggy sunrise at 2425 foot Yosemite Falls. Here, only the bottom 320 feet are visible but it is still an impressive
waterfall when the volume is high, like on this morning. I got out onto some rather slippery rocks with my tripod and umbrella and
managed to get this image after quite a bit of effort. The sound of the falls is thunderous!
Location: Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National park, California
Story:
It was a misty and foggy sunrise at 2425 foot Yosemite Falls. Here, only the bottom 320 feet are visible but it is still an impressive
waterfall when the volume is high, like on this morning. I got out onto some rather slippery rocks with my tripod and umbrella and
managed to get this image after quite a bit of effort. The sound of the falls is thunderous!
El Capitan Spring Buy limited edition print/license Buy open edition print
Location: A curve in the Merced River, Yosemite National park, California
Story:
I liked this pleasing curve in the Merced River with El Capitan looming in the distance, so I returned when there was lots of mist,
showing how tall El Cap really is! A 30-second exposure smoothed out the flowing water to show how peaceful it felt on this misty
afternoon. I won't mention about how I had to hang off of the edge of a burned stump for a half-hour to get this open view. It
took a while to get the soot off my hands!
Location: A curve in the Merced River, Yosemite National park, California
Story:
I liked this pleasing curve in the Merced River with El Capitan looming in the distance, so I returned when there was lots of mist,
showing how tall El Cap really is! A 30-second exposure smoothed out the flowing water to show how peaceful it felt on this misty
afternoon. I won't mention about how I had to hang off of the edge of a burned stump for a half-hour to get this open view. It
took a while to get the soot off my hands!
The Lower Falls #2 Buy limited edition print/license Buy open edition print
Location: Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National park, California
Story:
A portrait version of the bottom 320 feet of 2425 foot Yosemite Falls. The difference here is that I wanted to show the texture of
the granite rock just 3 feet from the lens and how vertical this place feels. I almost went deaf from the thunderous noise from the
falls while waiting for the best time to shoot! Sunrise is best, so as to avoid the crowds and have better light.
Location: Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National park, California
Story:
A portrait version of the bottom 320 feet of 2425 foot Yosemite Falls. The difference here is that I wanted to show the texture of
the granite rock just 3 feet from the lens and how vertical this place feels. I almost went deaf from the thunderous noise from the
falls while waiting for the best time to shoot! Sunrise is best, so as to avoid the crowds and have better light.
El Capitan Sky Buy limited edition print/license Buy open edition print
Location: A bend in the Merced River, Yosemite National park, California
Story:
Topping out at more than 3,000 feet above the 4,000 ft elevation Valley floor, it is the largest monolith of granite in the world.
There are a few monoliths that are bigger on the sides of the Andes and Himalaya, but they are not pure granite. El Capitan is
opposite Bridalveil Fall and is best seen from the roads in western Yosemite Valley, including Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall area, and El
Capitan Meadow.
This is a bend in the river near the meadow. I had the lens as wide as I could get it with my 10-stop dark filter on to get a very
long exposure to show the clouds streaking over the top. This view is huge!
Location: A bend in the Merced River, Yosemite National park, California
Story:
Topping out at more than 3,000 feet above the 4,000 ft elevation Valley floor, it is the largest monolith of granite in the world.
There are a few monoliths that are bigger on the sides of the Andes and Himalaya, but they are not pure granite. El Capitan is
opposite Bridalveil Fall and is best seen from the roads in western Yosemite Valley, including Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall area, and El
Capitan Meadow.
This is a bend in the river near the meadow. I had the lens as wide as I could get it with my 10-stop dark filter on to get a very
long exposure to show the clouds streaking over the top. This view is huge!
Half Dome Impressions #2 Buy limited edition print/license Buy open edition print
Location: Mirror Lake, Yosemite National park, California
Story:
I used my almost black 10-stop filter to create a surreal view of the sky and water surrounding Half Dome. which rises over 5,000
feet from the valley floor. I really wanted to capture the way the light reflected of the wind swept mirror lake. It is not always like a
mirror, and that can be good sometimes!
You rarely see this entire view in photos because you need a very wide-angle lens to get it all into the frame in one shot.
Location: Mirror Lake, Yosemite National park, California
Story:
I used my almost black 10-stop filter to create a surreal view of the sky and water surrounding Half Dome. which rises over 5,000
feet from the valley floor. I really wanted to capture the way the light reflected of the wind swept mirror lake. It is not always like a
mirror, and that can be good sometimes!
You rarely see this entire view in photos because you need a very wide-angle lens to get it all into the frame in one shot.
Half Dome Reflections Buy limited edition print/license Buy open edition print
Location: Mirror Lake, Yosemite National park, California
Story:
Last light on 5,000+ foot Half Dome reflected into Mirror Lake. I had to perch on a very uncomfortable rock for quite a while until the
light became good. One slip and me and the camera would be in the water for sure.
There was no other place to get an open view. My other Half Dome images were taken on this rock too a few feet away. I try to not
have distractions around the edge, so sometimes you just have to get into inconvenient places for an open view!
Location: Mirror Lake, Yosemite National park, California
Story:
Last light on 5,000+ foot Half Dome reflected into Mirror Lake. I had to perch on a very uncomfortable rock for quite a while until the
light became good. One slip and me and the camera would be in the water for sure.
There was no other place to get an open view. My other Half Dome images were taken on this rock too a few feet away. I try to not
have distractions around the edge, so sometimes you just have to get into inconvenient places for an open view!
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Bridal Veil View Buy limited edition print/license Buy open edition print
Location: Yosemite National Park, California
Story:
Bridal Veil falls in Yosemite flows year-round, but in the spring it flows at its maximum rate as the high elevation snow melts. I
moved around to find an opening in the trees to show as much of the falls as possible. Also, I used a 2-second exposure to
maximize the reflections and color in the water.
Location: Yosemite National Park, California
Story:
Bridal Veil falls in Yosemite flows year-round, but in the spring it flows at its maximum rate as the high elevation snow melts. I
moved around to find an opening in the trees to show as much of the falls as possible. Also, I used a 2-second exposure to
maximize the reflections and color in the water.
Valley View #1 Buy limited edition print/license Buy open edition print
Location: The Valley View scenic area, Yosemite National Park, California
Story:
This is the classic view along the river near the entrance to the valley. Even though there is a nice car park just 100 feet away
from where I set the tripod, there was not another person in sight during nearly this entire sunset. I'm not sure why. Probably
because it had been raining and even snowing above 6,000 feet elevation until about 20 minutes before I made this image. It was
looking almost hopeless, but I could see openings in the clouds developing. And this spot seemed to have the best chance for
the best light. I had other plans for sunset, but the light was bad there.
Everything in the frame seemed alive, from the rock and grass in front, to the rapids in the middle, to the light on 3,000+ ft. El
Capitan and Bridalveil valls. I carefully composed this scene after waiting for about 30 minutes on a slippery small rock where you
had to jump across several other slippery rocks. I should have just taken my shoes off but standing on river-bottom rock for 30
minutes would have torn my feet up and it was snowing at 6,000 feet elevation at this time even though it was June. So the
water was cold! Yes, I should get wellies...
Location: The Valley View scenic area, Yosemite National Park, California
Story:
This is the classic view along the river near the entrance to the valley. Even though there is a nice car park just 100 feet away
from where I set the tripod, there was not another person in sight during nearly this entire sunset. I'm not sure why. Probably
because it had been raining and even snowing above 6,000 feet elevation until about 20 minutes before I made this image. It was
looking almost hopeless, but I could see openings in the clouds developing. And this spot seemed to have the best chance for
the best light. I had other plans for sunset, but the light was bad there.
Everything in the frame seemed alive, from the rock and grass in front, to the rapids in the middle, to the light on 3,000+ ft. El
Capitan and Bridalveil valls. I carefully composed this scene after waiting for about 30 minutes on a slippery small rock where you
had to jump across several other slippery rocks. I should have just taken my shoes off but standing on river-bottom rock for 30
minutes would have torn my feet up and it was snowing at 6,000 feet elevation at this time even though it was June. So the
water was cold! Yes, I should get wellies...
Morning in the Meadow Buy limited edition print/license Buy open edition print
Location: Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park, California
Story:
It was a nice sunrise, but the best light happened here about 30 minutes after sunrise as the light filtered through the trees in the
background. I found this composition and stuck with it. I had to wait for quite a while it seemed for the light to spread into the
right places. I wanted a dark background and brighter bushes in front so show how dramatic it feels to be here.
Almost everything was moving from the clouds, to the bushes and water. I used a very dark filter so that I could make a very long
exposure with relatively bright light. The long exposure was the best way to show just how much movement there was.
Location: Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park, California
Story:
It was a nice sunrise, but the best light happened here about 30 minutes after sunrise as the light filtered through the trees in the
background. I found this composition and stuck with it. I had to wait for quite a while it seemed for the light to spread into the
right places. I wanted a dark background and brighter bushes in front so show how dramatic it feels to be here.
Almost everything was moving from the clouds, to the bushes and water. I used a very dark filter so that I could make a very long
exposure with relatively bright light. The long exposure was the best way to show just how much movement there was.
