hiking

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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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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Meta Data – Day 237 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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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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Meta Data – Day 236 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture date: June 7, 2016
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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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Meta Data – Day 235 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture date: June 7, 2016
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Focal Length: 33mm
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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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Meta Data – Day 234 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Exposure: 1/200 sec @ f/8
Focal Length: 8.9mm
ISO 100
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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Meta Data – Day 233 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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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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Meta Data – Day 232 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture date: June 6, 2016
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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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Meta Data – Day 231 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Lizard Tail on the Trail – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 230

Jeff

Lizard on the Taft Point Trail

Lizard along the Taft Point Trail

This was the second lizard of this type that we saw as we hiked along the Taft Point Trail. We passed one on the way to the point and this specimen showed up as we were on the way back to the parking area.

Interestingly enough, we saw both in the same area which was muddy from recent rains. As you can see, the shutter speed was a bit slow and the movement of his hind leg is blurred.

NOTE: In the YOY Day 38 post, we had a picture of a Sierra Fence Lizard taken during our Taft Point Trail hike and this appears to be the same species. This particular lizard looks as though he is regenerating a new tail which might have been torn off during an escape.

 
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 230 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Leaving Taft Point – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 229

Jeff

Looking back leaving Taft Point

Looking back towards Taft Point as we head back to the trailhead

After spending time soaking in the magnificent views offered to visitors at Taft Point, it was time to head back to the trailhead and parking area. As we made our way past the fissures, we took one last look back at the scene.

We had quite a day taking in valley views from both Glacier Point and Taft Point. These were adventures we will never forget!

 
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 229 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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