Yosemite advice...

[Jamie W]

My wife, daughter and I will have about 2 1/2 days in Yosemite in the last week of July. I have done a bunch of reading on the park, activities, hiking trails, etc, to get an idea of how to "best" spend our time there.

I certainly want to take advantage of the photo opportunities, and thankfully my wife is very understanding and tolerant. My goal, I suppose, is to get a handful of really nice landscapes....and perhaps one nice enough to warrant a 16x20 hanging in our living room.

I would really appreciate any thoughts and/or advice on photo locations. We are planning on doing several hikes...I imagine the four mile trail, and others. Won't do the Half Dome trail (at least not entirely, if at all) because of its length, difficulty and having our daughter along. If it were just the 2 of us....we'd probably go for it.

Anyway.....photo advice?

--
Jamie W.

Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy. -- Benjamin Franklin

 

[Daniella68313]

well, don'T miss the view of the valley from the Merced river, it is called valley view and easy to access from the road:



and don't miss mirror lake, a one mile hike maybe both ways, so 2 to 3 miles round trip:



You can also walk along the river if you wish, and if you are in great physical condition, you may want to try the upper Yosemite fall...not sure it will be flowing in July but if it is dry, then it is more or less worth it since the only interesting thing to see then will be the valley from above. This is a stenious hike to do if it is hot. The sun reflect on the rock and there is some shade but not all the way...it can get really really hot.

I went there in spring and the waterfall was rushing:

My wife, daughter and I will have about 2 1/2 days in Yosemite in
the last week of July. I have done a bunch of reading on the park,
activities, hiking trails, etc, to get an idea of how to "best"
spend our time there.

I certainly want to take advantage of the photo opportunities, and
thankfully my wife is very understanding and tolerant. My goal, I
suppose, is to get a handful of really nice landscapes....and
perhaps one nice enough to warrant a 16x20 hanging in our living
room.

I would really appreciate any thoughts and/or advice on photo
locations. We are planning on doing several hikes...I imagine the
four mile trail, and others. Won't do the Half Dome trail (at least
not entirely, if at all) because of its length, difficulty and
having our daughter along. If it were just the 2 of us....we'd
probably go for it.

Anyway.....photo advice?

--
Jamie W.
Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy.
-- Benjamin Franklin

--
Minë Corma hostië të ilyë ar mordossë nutië të
Mornórëo Nóressë yassë i Fuini caitar.
Un thoron arart’a s’un hith mal’kemen ioke.
Saurulmaiel

 

[ichiu]

Hi,

1) Glacier point (half hour drive) there's a vista point on the way up where you can get a picture of El capitan on the left, Bridal Veil Fall on the right and half dome in the middle. I know it's cliche, but it's still a beautiful sight.
2) Vernal Fall & Nevada Fall hike (relatively easy hike)

3) The valley floor is good for taking pictures of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan and many more.

Good luck.

Ivan

My wife, daughter and I will have about 2 1/2 days in Yosemite in
the last week of July. I have done a bunch of reading on the park,
activities, hiking trails, etc, to get an idea of how to "best"
spend our time there.

I certainly want to take advantage of the photo opportunities, and
thankfully my wife is very understanding and tolerant. My goal, I
suppose, is to get a handful of really nice landscapes....and
perhaps one nice enough to warrant a 16x20 hanging in our living
room.

I would really appreciate any thoughts and/or advice on photo
locations. We are planning on doing several hikes...I imagine the
four mile trail, and others. Won't do the Half Dome trail (at least
not entirely, if at all) because of its length, difficulty and
having our daughter along. If it were just the 2 of us....we'd
probably go for it.

Anyway.....photo advice?

--
Jamie W.
Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy.
-- Benjamin Franklin

 

[Ian Porteous]

If you are interested in landscape photographs of Yosemite, then you can probably browse through existing ones and pick the one you want to take and try to figure out the location. There are some location like mirror lake, and the falls which vary by season, so you could find probably find the conditions ahead of time.

Just like any location, try scout the location during the day, and pick your spot for sunset and sunrise.

My wife, daughter and I will have about 2 1/2 days in Yosemite in
the last week of July. I have done a bunch of reading on the park,
activities, hiking trails, etc, to get an idea of how to "best"
spend our time there.

I certainly want to take advantage of the photo opportunities, and
thankfully my wife is very understanding and tolerant. My goal, I
suppose, is to get a handful of really nice landscapes....and
perhaps one nice enough to warrant a 16x20 hanging in our living
room.

I would really appreciate any thoughts and/or advice on photo
locations. We are planning on doing several hikes...I imagine the
four mile trail, and others. Won't do the Half Dome trail (at least
not entirely, if at all) because of its length, difficulty and
having our daughter along. If it were just the 2 of us....we'd
probably go for it.

Anyway.....photo advice?

--
Jamie W.
Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy.
-- Benjamin Franklin

 

[Robert Sheldon]

You can probably get your wife and daughter to agree to a late start on a day and you get out early to do a long hike if necessary. Or you may want to just take the time to let the morning light work on a scene. I know I never have a problem getting my wife to agree to a late start. She is sound asleep when I leave to take morning photos.

Bob Sheldon

My wife, daughter and I will have about 2 1/2 days in Yosemite in
the last week of July. I have done a bunch of reading on the park,
activities, hiking trails, etc, to get an idea of how to "best"
spend our time there.

I certainly want to take advantage of the photo opportunities, and
thankfully my wife is very understanding and tolerant. My goal, I
suppose, is to get a handful of really nice landscapes....and
perhaps one nice enough to warrant a 16x20 hanging in our living
room.

I would really appreciate any thoughts and/or advice on photo
locations. We are planning on doing several hikes...I imagine the
four mile trail, and others. Won't do the Half Dome trail (at least
not entirely, if at all) because of its length, difficulty and
having our daughter along. If it were just the 2 of us....we'd
probably go for it.

Anyway.....photo advice?

--
Jamie W.
Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy.
-- Benjamin Franklin

 

[MrFoopy]

You can probably get your wife and daughter to agree to a late
start on a day and you get out early to do a long hike if
necessary.

It'd have to be a pretty late start, indeed. That Half Dome trip is a doozy in a day--17 miles round trip, with a 4800 ft. vertical gain. Leave Big Ed behind.

-foop

 

[Jamie W]

Thanks for the input. Wonderful images. Thanks so much!

well, don'T miss the view of the valley from the Merced river, it
is called valley view and easy to access from the road:

--
Jamie W.

Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy. -- Benjamin Franklin

 

[davidroy]

You shouldn't have any problem getting getting a shot suitable for a 16X20 print on your living room wall. You should get many, there are so many great op's. if you are coming in through Tioga Pass you will find many places's to stop.
Tenaya Lake offers many points along it's shoreline.



Tuolumne Meadows is another place but may not have much water running through it in late July





Olmsted Point offers some great views on a clear day, lot's of boulder formations and stunted pines



Down in the valley the Merced River may not have much water in it but if it does there will be some good op's



And of course there's alway's Half Dome



Have a great trip and show us your images when you get back.
Regards,
Dve

My wife, daughter and I will have about 2 1/2 days in Yosemite in
the last week of July. I have done a bunch of reading on the park,
activities, hiking trails, etc, to get an idea of how to "best"
spend our time there.

I certainly want to take advantage of the photo opportunities, and
thankfully my wife is very understanding and tolerant. My goal, I
suppose, is to get a handful of really nice landscapes....and
perhaps one nice enough to warrant a 16x20 hanging in our living
room.

I would really appreciate any thoughts and/or advice on photo
locations. We are planning on doing several hikes...I imagine the
four mile trail, and others. Won't do the Half Dome trail (at least
not entirely, if at all) because of its length, difficulty and
having our daughter along. If it were just the 2 of us....we'd
probably go for it.

Anyway.....photo advice?

--
Jamie W.
Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy.
-- Benjamin Franklin

--
DavidRoy

 

[Daniella68313]

from there, look around north and watch out for very nice trees...they have the shape of bonsai trees.

http://www.pbase.com/zylen/tioga_pass_beauty

 

[Jung57676]

I have been to Yosemite once or twice every year for the last 15 years, but never in a July. I have done one backpacking trip and many long hikes over the years.

My recollection of long hikes in Yosemite were that I wished I hadn't carried as much with me. Once you leave the valley floor, you just go up and up and up, and it seems to take forever (4 hours of inclination) to get high enough for a view different from what you have already seen from the valley floor which is crowded with people.

I think you get the best bang out of your hiking bucks scenically sticking to the valley floor, and do it early in the morning and late in the afternoon to avoid the crowd. I would get up early in the morning, take picture, come back for breakfast, and go on shorter hikes with lighter camera equipment. The valley is beautifully quiet early in the morning, with lingering moke from hundreds of smothered camp fires (cough, cough..).

Have fun.

 

[Kung Pao Panda]

Will you have a car?

Approaching or in Yosemite Valley-

If approaching from Merced (highway 140) or Sonora (highway 120)-

check out the views of the Merced River (lots of interesting huge granite rocks in the river-)

Most views of Yosemite Valley have automobile turnouts (for the typical classic views)

IMHO - bring a tripod for those ultra sharp photos you can enlarge. Wide angle lens is a must. Normal lens is almost like a telephoto at Yosemite.

Tunnel View turnout- is a good place to take some shots of Half Dome, flanked by El Capitan.

Valley View turnout- good shots of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Three Sisters.

Inspiration Point- a classic viewpoint of the valley with El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridal Veil Falls. Best to go up an hour or so before sunset, and don't forget to wait for the alpen glow after the sunset.

Mirror Lake -is an easy hike, about a mile one way- but no longer a lake, just a nice meadow.

Sentinel Bridge- classic view of Half Dome with the Merced River in the foreground. Best shot in the afternoon near sunset.

Glacier Point- nice views of the valley and Half Dome from an aerial perspective. Best at sunset for the alpen glow if you are lucky.

Lots of roadside vistas throughout the park- take the loop around the park. It's an easy hike.

For the valley, early morning or late afternoon photography is best, depending. Good lfront lighting on Cathedral Peaks, and Three Sisters, El Capitan and the Merced River. Half Dome will be backlit. Early morning tule fog in the meadows can be awesome. Sunset reflections in the Merced River can make nice photos.

Take a free two hour guided photo tour of the valley offered by Yosemite staff photographer if offered.

Wherever you are are good places to take photos. Try macros of flora, or stitch a few shots to make a panorama.

Enjoy!

 

[C.Eaton]

and don't miss mirror lake, a one mile hike maybe both ways, so 2
to 3 miles round trip:



You can also walk along the river if you wish, and if you are in
great physical condition, you may want to try the upper Yosemite
fall...not sure it will be flowing in July but if it is dry, then
it is more or less worth it since the only interesting thing to see
then will be the valley from above. This is a stenious hike to do
if it is hot. The sun reflect on the rock and there is some shade
but not all the way...it can get really really hot.

I went there in spring and the waterfall was rushing:

My wife, daughter and I will have about 2 1/2 days in Yosemite in
the last week of July. I have done a bunch of reading on the park,
activities, hiking trails, etc, to get an idea of how to "best"
spend our time there.

I certainly want to take advantage of the photo opportunities, and
thankfully my wife is very understanding and tolerant. My goal, I
suppose, is to get a handful of really nice landscapes....and
perhaps one nice enough to warrant a 16x20 hanging in our living
room.

I would really appreciate any thoughts and/or advice on photo
locations. We are planning on doing several hikes...I imagine the
four mile trail, and others. Won't do the Half Dome trail (at least
not entirely, if at all) because of its length, difficulty and
having our daughter along. If it were just the 2 of us....we'd
probably go for it.

Anyway.....photo advice?

--
Jamie W.
Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy.
-- Benjamin Franklin

--
Minë Corma hostië të ilyë ar mordossë nutië të
Mornórëo Nóressë yassë i Fuini caitar.
Un thoron arart’a s’un hith mal’kemen ioke.
Saurulmaiel

 

[hockeynut]

How many 1 gig cards do you plan to bring? Or, buy a 20gig image tank or something comparable. I think if I were there, I'd want to shoot a lot, and sort through everything later...

Also, Zing makes a nice neoprene camera case w/ a neck strap/waist strap. You can find them on B&H or Adorama. I know a few people that use them.

 

[Jamie W]

I've got (2) 1 GB and a 512, so plenty of room for day outings. I really would like to take a Flashtrax portable HD along. I've been trying to find a used one to buy, but no luck so far. Worst case scenario, I'll take my notebook along with me. I don't want to, but lacking any other options, it's what I'll do.

How many 1 gig cards do you plan to bring?

--
Jamie W.

Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy. -- Benjamin Franklin

 

[hockeynut]

2 1/2 gig sounds fine. That's 330+ - shots in RAW. If you leave your notebook some place where you can dump at night, you should be fine.

I'd hate to try and hike w/ a storage device or a laptop.

 

[John Pinches]

Just came home tonight from 3 days in Yosemite and can say that you will not have a problem finding beautiful scenes to shoot!

I am sorry to say that the petrified tree atop Sentinel Dome was broken by either heavy snow or some moron sitting on it. I was trully bummed! Such a classic frame no longer recordable!

May I suggest you take your family to the top Vernal Fall on the Mist Trail! Very fun and not too tough. It will cool you on what will most likely be a very warm day. The falls are best photographed around 3PM. You may also want to try the Panoramic Trail which is seven miles. I didn't hike that but it was recommended to me late today by someone who knows the park pretty well.

Yosemite will be vey busy in July and you may want to study the shuttle routes as it could help getting around easier. Parking is becoming a big problem due to the reduction of parking spaces to just 1600 in preperation for the park to go carless in the coming years.

Definitely plan each day. Remember that most of the main features of the park have a western exposure so afternoon and evening will be the best times for most opportunities. Yet, there are early morning scenes to shoot like Mirror Lake. You will see plenty of wild life in the early AM. Try being around the valley meadows at sunrise. I walked within 30 feet of a bear and had deer within 5 feet of me in the early hours. As the other post said, morning is very quiet without many people at all surprisingly enough. But by 9-10 AM they start filling up the park. It's a great time to be able to enjoy the park and experience the tranquilty of such a beautifull place here on earth.

So don't tell any more people about the early morning hours okay! Otherwise there will bus loads there at 5:00 AM too. Enjoy youself.

Oh, and to keep this thread on topic, I agree that wide to 70mm will cover most of what there is to shoot. I did find a few uses for the 70-200, but the weight isn't worth carrying on long hikes. Carry a tripod to get the crispest frames.

John

My wife, daughter and I will have about 2 1/2 days in Yosemite in
the last week of July. I have done a bunch of reading on the park,
activities, hiking trails, etc, to get an idea of how to "best"
spend our time there.

I certainly want to take advantage of the photo opportunities, and
thankfully my wife is very understanding and tolerant. My goal, I
suppose, is to get a handful of really nice landscapes....and
perhaps one nice enough to warrant a 16x20 hanging in our living
room.

I would really appreciate any thoughts and/or advice on photo
locations. We are planning on doing several hikes...I imagine the
four mile trail, and others. Won't do the Half Dome trail (at least
not entirely, if at all) because of its length, difficulty and
having our daughter along. If it were just the 2 of us....we'd
probably go for it.

Anyway.....photo advice?

--
Jamie W.
Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy.
-- Benjamin Franklin

--
John
-
http://www.jbp-photography.net
Equipment List In Profile

 

[artie Schleifer]

Jamie,

The other suggestions are very good and I will add two others. If you would like to do a long hike, but not a hard one, you might try the panorama trail from Glacier Point. You can take a bus from the visitor center early in the morning up to Glacier Point and hike down the panorama trail. It is a 3/4 day hike but mostly down hill. There is only one up hill section. You will pass three water falls on the way down to the valley. I did this trail many times with my kids when they were in the 6 to 12 year old range.

The other photo location that is fun is to experience sunset from the meadow and watching half dome change color from gray to red/orange.

Enjoy your trip.

Artie

My wife, daughter and I will have about 2 1/2 days in Yosemite in
the last week of July. I have done a bunch of reading on the park,
activities, hiking trails, etc, to get an idea of how to "best"
spend our time there.

I certainly want to take advantage of the photo opportunities, and
thankfully my wife is very understanding and tolerant. My goal, I
suppose, is to get a handful of really nice landscapes....and
perhaps one nice enough to warrant a 16x20 hanging in our living
room.

I would really appreciate any thoughts and/or advice on photo
locations. We are planning on doing several hikes...I imagine the
four mile trail, and others. Won't do the Half Dome trail (at least
not entirely, if at all) because of its length, difficulty and
having our daughter along. If it were just the 2 of us....we'd
probably go for it.

Anyway.....photo advice?

--
Jamie W.
Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy.
-- Benjamin Franklin

 

[Jamie W]

I appreciate the input.

The other suggestions are very good and I will add two others. If
you would like to do a long hike, but not a hard one, you might try
the panorama trail from Glacier Point. You can take a bus from the
visitor center early in the morning up to Glacier Point and hike
down the panorama trail. It is a 3/4 day hike but mostly down hill.
There is only one up hill section. You will pass three water falls
on the way down to the valley. I did this trail many times with my
kids when they were in the 6 to 12 year old range.

The other photo location that is fun is to experience sunset from
the meadow and watching half dome change color from gray to
red/orange.

Enjoy your trip.

Artie

My wife, daughter and I will have about 2 1/2 days in Yosemite in
the last week of July. I have done a bunch of reading on the park,
activities, hiking trails, etc, to get an idea of how to "best"
spend our time there.

I certainly want to take advantage of the photo opportunities, and
thankfully my wife is very understanding and tolerant. My goal, I
suppose, is to get a handful of really nice landscapes....and
perhaps one nice enough to warrant a 16x20 hanging in our living
room.

I would really appreciate any thoughts and/or advice on photo
locations. We are planning on doing several hikes...I imagine the
four mile trail, and others. Won't do the Half Dome trail (at least
not entirely, if at all) because of its length, difficulty and
having our daughter along. If it were just the 2 of us....we'd
probably go for it.

Anyway.....photo advice?

--
Jamie W.
Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy.
-- Benjamin Franklin

--

--
Jamie W.

Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy. -- Benjamin Franklin