When I see images like this one, a trip to the south-west USA jumps up a couple of notches on my bucket list.
A great shot that is very effective, even though the light is not optimal.
Thanks for the comments...
Yosemite Valley has IMO the greatest collection of scenic beauty spots condensed into a relatively small area of any place I have ever visited... Everywhere I pointed my camera, there was a beautiful vista to photograph. This was virtually true 360 degrees from any place I was standing
I have some bits of advice for anyone visiting Yosemite.
1. Visit in the spring time rather than in the summer. The summer attracts enormous crowds. Spring time also usually has more water flowing over the various water falls.
2. If I visit again, I would definitely book lodgings within the park, rather than in any of the adjacent towns. Although there are towns close to the park entrance, it is a long way from the entrance to the Valley itself where most of the iconic sites are located. When I visited the park, there was a long line of cars waiting to enter the park and they were working on the road which delayed my entrance to the valley.
3. The book "Photosecrets Yosemite" by Andrew Hudson which is only available used https://www.ebay.com/itm/19370298720...3ABFBMyrmk2edf is one of the best guides to Yosemite for a photographer because the author describes the best time of day to photograph each of the iconic vistas. It will also recommend an itinerary so you can travel through the park on a one-day trip and see all the vistas at the best times to photograph them. Unfortunately, the traffic jams (they were repairing the road during my trip) delayed me and forced me to shoot at some other than advantageous times.
Last edited by rpcrowe; 28th February 2022 at 12:51 AM.
A very nice image.
You could lessen the impact of the harsh middday lighting somewhat with a little dodging of some darker areas and burning of a few lighter ones.
I lived in CA for 24 years before moving in 2008. I've been to Yosemite a LOT of times. I have found the best time to visit is either late fall or late winter. The valley floor when there is snow cover is AMAZING. AND, there are hardly any people there. Yes, it's different because the trees are bare but the winter scene more than makes up for it. Early spring is also good when the snow melt has all the falls raging, as mentioned. Those are some good shots, but, I would tone down the saturation a bit. They all seem a bit too brilliant, IMO. Composition is super.