Hiking, Exploring & Travel

Personal adventures in hiking and exploring various countries, cities and geographical areas.

Half Dome Everywhere – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 240

Jeff

NOTE – Over the next week or so, STATUS QUOtes posts may be sporadic or postponed entirely. Other obligations may consume more of my time and prevent me from posting. Thank you for visiting JBRish.com and I hope to back on schedule soon!

 

Can you locate Half Dome in the picture below?

Half Dome from Olmsted Point

Half Dome plays hide and seek

I feel that most people who have knowledge of our national parks have heard of Half Dome. I knew of Half Dome long before I visited Yosemite National Park. My Macintosh desktop had Half Dome as its default image at one point.

This large monolithic feature has become a symbol to a number of businesses, sports enthusiasts, etc., but it remains hard to grasp how omnipresent it is at Yosemite National Park. It reveals itself time and time again.

There were instances when we looked up above the trees and there it was. No fanfare or spectacular view, just Half Dome towering above it all. There were other times when it was somewhere along the horizon, but had to be sought out. From Olmsted Point without any visual aides, it might be difficult to discern, but it was there for sure! (see below)

Half Dome above the trees Lake

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Half Dome – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 239

Jeff

NOTE – Over the next week or so, YOY posts may be sporadic or postponed entirely. Other obligations may consume more of my time and prevent me from posting. I will, however, complete the YOY project by posting a year’s worth of Yosemite National Park photos and commentary. Thank you for visiting JBRish.com and I hope to back on schedule soon!

Half Dome above the trees

Half Dome rises above the trees

Yesterday’s post, YOY Day 238, we showed Half Dome’s across-the-street-neighbor, North Dome (located northwest of the Yosemite celebrity), rising above the trees. Well Half Dome obviously rises above the trees as well.

This is one of more than a dozen photographs I snapped from the meadow area between Yosemite Village and Half Dome. It is one of the best vantage points for a ground level photo of this icon.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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North Dome – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 238

Jeff

orth Dome rises above the trees

North Dome rises above the trees

As far as I can discern, North Dome is one of the less touted features at Yosemite National Park. The photograph above was captured as we hiked the trail(s) around Mirror Lake.

North Dome is impressive in its own right although it does have to compete with Half Dome, the grandaddy of Yosemite Domes, Sentinel Dome which is very impressive for its views and Lembert Dome in Tuolumne Meadows.

Apparently there is a fantastic view of Half Dome from North Dome. You can read more about that hike at Yosemite Hikes.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Nikon D3300

 

Tenaya Lake – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 237

Jeff

Tenaya Lake

A picturesque view of Tenaya Lake

Just a few days prior to taking this photograph, we were driving along the main road into Yosemite National Park and there were ice floes on Tenaya Lake. As you can see, they were soon gone. The sky was clear blue and the near mirror-like reflections were impressive and no ice was to be found.

There were a number of cars parked along the road with roadside picture takers, but just a short walk along the shore, brought us to this spot where we were met by only a few other visitors.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Nikon D3300

 

Tunnel View Moving In (4/4) – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 236

Jeff

Tunnel View

Vertical photograph from Tunnel View

Over the last few days, I was addressing the issue many amateur photographers have when they come upon a magnificent scene and try to decide the best way to frame that photograph for maximum impact.

The photograph above is my last example in this series and as readers will readily note, I decided upon a portrait (vertical) orientation to position the two major icons, El Capitan and Half Dome, where they would receive the most attention and balance the picture.

I am going to create a post about this particular picture and how I edited it to maximize the impact it makes. I will alert YOY readers when it is available.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

 

Tunnel View Moving Closer (3/4) – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 235

Jeff

Tunnel View

Another Photo from Tunnel View

As I explained yesterday, I was trying to capture the “best” picture of El Capitan and Half Dome from Tunnel View. My system theoretically held the formula. I would start with wide shots and zoom in closer and closer to try to capture the most appealing picture.

This is another photo from near the same vantage point as that in the previous post. I tried to use silhouettes of the trees to help frame the icons, but I don’t think it works as well as I had envisioned. Of course Half Dome and El Capitan show well, but I think the silhouettes are distracting. Thank goodness for digital cameras and more attempts!

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

 

Tunnel View Moving On In (2/4) – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 234

Jeff

Tunnel View

El Capitan and Half Dome – the stars of Tunnel View

Yesterday’s post showed a picture I took several minutes prior to this one in which I tried to capture the complete scope of Tunnel View from where I was standing. Of course the major attractions did not appear at their best since they were dwarfed by the wide and distant scene. There I was at Tunnel View with El Capitan and Half Dome looming large before me. The three brothers were off to the side.

I wanted to come away with the best picture I could capture. The problem was, I couldn’t decide which shot that was to be. Imagine visiting this area and not being able to find to frame the best photograph; forget about the perfect shot.

The approach I adopted was not “spray and pray,” but instead, I started wide and worked my way in. This was my systems approach. I didn’t have a wide angle lens and needed to do the best I could with the equipment I had.

I began to narrow in on the features I thought would be given center stage and move in for increasingly tighter shots. I needed to avoid the disappointment of not being able to record a photograph that would satisfy me. I wanted to “do justice” to the iconic features of Yosemite.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

 

Tunnel View (1/4) – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 233

Jeff

Tunnel View

An encompassing photo of the valley from Tunnel View

Much of the literature about Yosemite National Park refers to the Tunnel View overlook as a “must see” stop for any visitor. This vantage point is held in such reverence by those who have visited the park and have written about it, that it becomes a figurative “do or die” goal for many.

Considering the popularity of Tunnel View and the number of people who are drawn to it, it has a limited parking area the geography being what it is. There are actually two areas; an upper and a lower. If you have patience, you can wait for a spot to open. If you have two or more people in your group, you can take turns behind the wheel while the others stop to visit the overlook and capture some memorable photos.

The vista is certainly a beauty. At the time we took the above picture, it was nearing the “golden hour” for photography and the colors were delightful.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

 

Steal the Scene from Liberty Cap – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 232

Jeff

Liberty Cap

Liberty Cap seen from Glacier Point

Yesterday’s post discussed how some Yosemite features “suffer” from comparison to the more iconic and more easily recognizable sights of the national park. It is hard to be located adjacent Half Dome and try to draw attention to yourself.

This photo demonstrates the “location conundrum.” While Liberty Cap is located near the center of the photograph, Half Dome pulls our attention to the left of the frame and perhaps another pull comes from the waterfalls on the right.

Liberty Cap is trying to make a statement and avoid “blending in.”

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

 

Liberty Cap – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 231

Jeff

Lizard on the Taft Point Trail

Liberty Cap Mountain and Nevada Falls

Let’s be honest. If I asked you to name the major attractions at Yosemite, would you refer to the mountain in the photo above? This is a massive granite mountain just north of Nevada Fall.

I am willing to wager that many visitors to Glacier Point, the overlook from where this photo was taken, skip over this feature because it tends to be overshadowed by Half Dome, even further to the north (not in the photo). When the water is flowing, Vernal and Nevada Falls also draw attention away from the surrounding mountains, hills, etc. and grab the spotlight. This large feature becomes an unknown co-star for most visitors.

I had never heard of Liberty Cap before out trip to Yosemite and I think most people would share that sentiment as well. A good number probably would not be able to recall it even after visiting Yosemite. That is one of the reasons I love photography. My record is saved for posterity and, if necessary, a Liberty Cap memory jog!

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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