Clearing Storm: Valley View

[Donald]

I like my story related to capturing this one. But before that:- Is this one of the most photographed views in the world? Very likely. Every day there are hundreds if not thousands of photographs taken of this view. The challenge in Yosemite Valley is to make an image that has not been made a hundred times before. Okay, we all bring our unique stamp to image-making and every moment is different when it comes to capture. But it's still a challenge. Anyway, this is my effort to add to the catalogue of images of Valley View, or 'Gates of the Valley'.

My story - About 2:15pm. I was lying in my bed in my room after having been out shooting early in the morning through to about mid-day. I heard a noise. I listened. I heard it again. It was thunder. Thunder means clouds. So I grabbed my camera bag, got my boots on. Mentally went through my check-lost to make sure I had everything, including room key and set off at the edge of the speed limit in the park, to Valley View. I knew that's where I wanted to be if there was any hint of a storm (some other guy did a decent pic of a storm from Tunnel View about 60 years ago).

And this is the result for your comment and analysis. I stayed on location for about 3 hours. I felt this was the best of the series of pictures that I captured during that time.

[JBW]

me critiquing you is ridiculous. Nevertheless, almost the instant I saw this shot I thought to myself 'the left side is missing.'
B.

[Mike Buckley]

Lots of texture and layers! I also like the shape of the valley in between the mountains on the left and right.

[Donald]

me critiquing you is ridiculous.

No it's not. You have views about what works and what doesn't. And critiquing is, as we know, a wonderful way of learning about our own work. So .............

Nevertheless, almost the instant I saw this shot I thought to myself 'the left side is missing.'

My image is, of course, square. The images you usually see of this view are in standard landscape ratios (3:2; 4:3; 5:4; 7:5). That inevitably means a wider view. Maybe people will feel that the square format 'tightens' this scene too much.

[Manfred M]

Donald - I know you like the square crop in your work, but I think in this case, you are trying to force a scene that is screaming out for a wider perspective into that format. The image seems a bit "cramped" and I agree with Brian's comments. He is onto something and a 4x5 ratio (horizontal) would open the view up just enough on the left hand side to balance the view. Of course, I don't know if the way you framed the shot would let you do that.

Other than that, I like the shot very much; the clarity of the image and the other PP choices are definitely to my taste.

[ScoutR]

I really like this Donald, and I like the format as is.
That others want to see more to my mind is a good thing. To my eye this shot is well balanced and having both peaks on the edges creates a beautiful frame. If one side was a partial peak and the other side cut off it would look like you could not get back far enough or something... it would look unbalanced, but this does not look unbalanced or incomplete to me at all. The way you have framed this first I see the peaks and stormy sky, but then my eye comes down to the creek and all the lovely tones and textures in the foreground. I like the composition and I think the square crop works very well.
Of course there is a landscape shot there showing the whole vista, but that is a different shot altogether.

[Mike Buckley]

Completely agreed with every detail of Wendy's post

[madcrow]

That is one great image.

[tbob]

Maybe one of the most photographed spots, but I bet those clouds weren't there, the light was not on the rocks like that and the river was different. And more importantly; Donald MacKenzie was elsewhere in a very high percentage of the rest. Until there is a limit on beauty and joy in this world, I say go for it.

I will not comment on your stylistic processing choices as you have a unique style. Well maybe one comment. Did you consider mucking with the clouds a bit to bring out more tonal variation?

[Donald]

I will not comment on your stylistic processing choices as you have a unique style. Well maybe one comment. Did you consider mucking with the clouds a bit to bring out more tonal variation?

Yes .... but decided that this was the right amount of contrast and structure in the clouds to complement the light on the rock, particularly El Capitan (on the left).

Thank you too to everyone else who has commented. The discussion re square crop or not just serves to illustrate that we are making many subjective judgements, alongside a few objective ones. I'm pleased that my image stimulates such discussion.

[Jimr1961]

Having seen this view many times, I think you captured it wonderfully, just as it is.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Donald,

I'm another that can live with the square crop on this, perhaps because the viewpoint is not familiar to me.

If I were to change anything, it would be a bit of a burn to a few bright areas near the edges of frame that I find attract my eyes.

While I'm glad you didn't go overboard with the thunder clouds, I have to say that I also thought a little more could be brought from them, but your choice is your choice and that's fine - and it seems I correctly guessed the reason from your subsequent post above.

Cheers, Dave

[Shadowman]

Donald,

Does your check list include any type of umbrella, protective covering for your gear? I've been hearing some photographers say embrace the wetness and some saying I ruined my gear because of the wetness. I will risk my gear in a slightly mild dusting of snow but am leery of too much rain. This summer I was caught at a festival in near monsoon conditions and although my gear survived, my telephoto soaked up quite a bit of moisture.

Regarding your image, nice composition, really have a desire to see what's on the other side.

[Donald]

Does your check list include any type of umbrella, protective covering for your gear? .

I have two Storm Jackets (one for a body and short lens; one for a body and long lens) in the bag.

The other thing, of course, is that different cameras/lenses have different levels of weather sealing. I am fortunate in that regard in that I have Canon 'L' lenses and a 5DS and 7dMkII bodies. So I am in a position to 'embrace the wetness'.

If I were to change anything, it would be a bit of a burn to a few bright areas near the edges of frame that I find attract my eyes.

Point taken.

[skitterbug]

Another winning capture of nature! I like it! Makes me want to grab my walking stick, camera and go roam!

[ccphoto]

It seems a bit too "crunchy" to me as if you hit the sharpening a little heavy handed. Not enough to leave halos but crunchy none-the-less. I agree as to the crop limitations. I like square crops and always have but I've stood on that side of the Merced River enough to know it loses a bit without all the left side. I'd give further thought to a 4x5 crop. It is a lovely place. Did you get any lightning shots? On Half-Dome when the lightning strikes the face, it dances around all the pitons climbers have left over the years. Quite spectacular.

[FootLoose]

Well I am not familiar with the physical scene nor other photos of it, so I am not burdened with "historical" expectations about it. I think it is good composition, and I am always impressed with the consistency of Donald's b&w conversion techniques. What Donald is presenting in this series is Yosemite in his own style, not an imitation of what has been done before.

[rpcrowe]

Well I am not familiar with the physical scene nor other photos of it, so I am not burdened with "historical" expectations about it. I think it is good composition, and I am always impressed with the consistency of Donald's b&w conversion techniques. What Donald is presenting in this series is Yosemite in his own style, not an imitation of what has been done before.

Exactly! Ansel Adams, whom I always refer to as "The Red Filter Guy" seems to always show the skies above Yosemite as very dark, contrasty and brooding.

https://www.google.com/search?q=anse...sAQIGw&dpr=0.9

Either style is legitimate but, just equating any photographer to "The Red Filter Guy" is quite a compliment...

[NorthernFocus]

Donald, it's not your fault for not being the first to photograph that particular spot. Besides, there's still always the opportunity to do it better than anyone else

Similar to some of the prior comments, my only critique/suggestion is in regards to bringing a little more texture out in the clouds and/or making them look a bit more stormy. But overall another lovely shot supplemented by interesting commentary. Reading your descriptions of your preparation, planning, and pre-conception of images, I'm left feeling rather lazy in my approach to the craft.

[Mike Buckley]

Ansel Adams, whom I always refer to as "The Red Filter Guy" seems to always show the skies above Yosemite as very dark, contrasty and brooding.

That's a common misperception proved to be so by the link you provided. Though that style and locality are hallmarks of Adams, he didn't even come close to using that style exclusively in Yosemite or anywhere.