Ahwahnee Meadow

Reflection of Half Dome – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 198

Jeff

Half Dome from the Ahwahnee Meadow with a reflection

Half Dome at the Ahwahnee Meadow with reflection

This may be bit like pointing out my blemishes after I am dressed and ready to go out, but in an effort to share my photography experiences, I want to have full disclosure. As we returned to Yosemite Village, I noticed that the light was turning very picturesque so I hurried to the meadow to see if I could capture an artistic image of Half Dome.

As noted a number of times in my Year of Yosemite series, there were significant rains prior to our visit. A number of large puddles formed in the meadow and several photographers were trying to find the “ideal” location from which to capture a “perfect image” of Half Dome.

The picture above is one of my attempts. I was working under a couple of handicaps with my lack of experience being a major issue. I had a new camera that I had used just a few times prior and I am not sure I felt comfortable with the metering mode I was using. One of the photographers standing next to me had a variety of neutral density filters which would allow him to take a longer exposure and/or cut down the glare from the puddle. I do not own a set of filters of any type at this point, however I do plan to purchase a polarizing filter in the near future.

Another problem with the photo above is my choice of vantage points. After looking at this photograph now, I think perhaps I should have moved back just a bit to include more meadow in front of the puddle. I think that might have set off the reflection just a bit more.

Nevertheless, I do like my attempt to portray Half Dome in an artistic light, but it is only an “average” picture in my opinion.

 
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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Meta Data – Day 198 YOY – Year of Yosemite

File Name: 0343.JPG
Capture time: 7:10:02 PM
Capture date: June 7, 2016
Exposure: 1/1000 sec @ f/3.5
Focal Length: 6mm
ISO 250
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

 

A Vertical View of Half Dome – Year of Yosemite (YOY) Day 197

Jeff

Half Dome from the Ahwahnee Meadow

A vertical picture of Half Dome from near the Ahwahnee Meadow

When confronted with such a recognizable landmark such as Half Dome, most photographers are anxious to get the definitive picture. There are two approaches to this task. One, which is not recommended and sometimes scorned by more experienced shooters, is called “Spray and pray” which refers to taking many, many photographs from all different angles and places hoping that the ideal picture will appear somewhere in the grouping.

A more polished method would encourage the photographer to carefully study the scene, understand models of composition and choose their captures selectively. I try to embody the more conservative, polished method. While using this approach, I attempted to compose a vertical shot (above) as opposed to YOY Day 196 which was horizontal. I also wanted to include more of the foreground to use as a leading line drawing the eye towards Half Dome.

I normally prefer a horizontal landscape as opposed to a vertical, but I do find the composition above interesting and at least partially successful. NOTE – The light was changing quickly as the angle of the sun was becoming sharper.

What are your thoughts? (Leave them in a comment)

 
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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Meta Data – Day 197 YOY – Year of Yosemite

File Name: 0280.NEF
Capture time: 7:07:13 PM
Capture date: June 7, 2016
Exposure: 1/15 sec @ f/14
Focal Length: 20mm
ISO 100
Nikon D3300

 

A View of Iconic Half Dome – Year of Yosemite (YOY) Day 196

Jeff

Half Dome from the Ahwahnee Meadow

A picture of Half Dome from near the Ahwahnee Meadow

Yesterday’s YOY 195 post showed a webcam picture of Half Dome that was taken from a spot very near to where I took the picture above. Of course my photo isn’t as dramatic because of the lighting and weather conditions present during the webcam shot.

Standing in the meadow, this seemed to be an “obvious” capture. I had no idea that there was a webcam nearby and it is tempting to say that “great minds think alike,” but anyone standing in this expansive, grassy area looking at Half Dome would be tempted by their artistic sirens. So snap away I did!

 
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.

***********************************

Meta Data – Day 196 YOY – Year of Yosemite

File Name: 0276.NEF
Capture time: 7:06:21 PM
Capture date: June 7, 2016
Exposure: 1/50 sec @ f/14
Focal Length: 40mm
ISO 100
Nikon D3300