2. Landscapes

Yosemite and California, February 2010

With each February trip to Yosemite I discover more of Yosemite's winter glory. It is now my favorite stop for winter as well as spring photography. Regardless of the time of year, a very wide angle lens is needed to capture the tall mountain scenes and the Merced River at the same time. The Merced runs so close to the peaks such as El Capitan that even 10MM ( APS-C format) is not wide enough to get the reflection and the mountain in one landscape format shot without panorama stitching. Even during warm spells, temperatures are below freezing in the morning, so dress warm for the sunrise opportunities. On a cloudy day or in the shadows anytime, shoot RAW or bring a gray card to set custom white balance-there is a strong blue shift in those non-sunlit snow scenes.
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  • Yosemite Chapel from the meadow behind. February 13, 2010.

    Yosemite Chapel from the meadow behind. February 13, 2010.

  • Feb 17, 2008, Cathedral Rock, Yosemite National Park. From here you get three inspiring mountain views including Three Brothers Peaks (behind the camera), El Capitan to the right, and Cathedral Rock shown here. Half Dome is to the photographer's backs. The air that morning was perfectly still, cool, crisp and refreshingly rich with oxygen.

    Feb 17, 2008, Cathedral Rock, Yosemite National Park. From here you get three inspiring mountain views including Three Brothers Peaks (behind the camera), El Capitan to the right, and Cathedral Rock shown here. Half Dome is to the photographer's backs. The air that morning was perfectly still, cool, crisp and refreshingly rich with oxygen.

  • El Capitan in the early morning, approx 7:15 AM, Feb 14, 2010. I was tightly lined up in a "tripod row" with 8 other photographers, most with serious equipment and purpose, capturing this scene on a small spot by the Merced River-one of the few level areas at the waterline which was tripod friendly. Thirty yards to our right, four more photographers were snapping pictures of a relatively mundane frozen pond in which I failed to see the beauty, especially compared to this sight. There was no room next to us anyway! It was 30 degrees. I hope to see the pond postings some day, somewhere. The area was very quiet this early, and the photographers around me moved slowly and spoke softly, as if in reverence of the view.

    El Capitan in the early morning, approx 7:15 AM, Feb 14, 2010. I was tightly lined up in a "tripod row" with 8 other photographers, most with serious equipment and purpose, capturing this scene on a small spot by the Merced River-one of the few level areas at the waterline which was tripod friendly. Thirty yards to our right, four more photographers were snapping pictures of a relatively mundane frozen pond in which I failed to see the beauty, especially compared to this sight. There was no room next to us anyway! It was 30 degrees. I hope to see the pond postings some day, somewhere. The area was very quiet this early, and the photographers around me moved slowly and spoke softly, as if in reverence of the view.

  • 10 image stitched panorama. Yosemite, Feb 14, 2010

    10 image stitched panorama. Yosemite, Feb 14, 2010

  • Three Deer in front of Upper Yosemite Falls, 2-14-2010, early PM

    Three Deer in front of Upper Yosemite Falls, 2-14-2010, early PM

  • The fading sunlight made these mountains look almost like a painting. Yosemite in winter sunset-- Feb 13, 2010. This section of the Merced River has pooled up behind a natural dam of fallen trees, making the river mirror smooth.

    The fading sunlight made these mountains look almost like a painting. Yosemite in winter sunset-- Feb 13, 2010. This section of the Merced River has pooled up behind a natural dam of fallen trees, making the river mirror smooth.

  • The Tunnel View, the famous vista from the main entrance road to the Park, just before you descend to the Valley floor. This is around 11:00AM Feb 13, 2010.

    The Tunnel View, the famous vista from the main entrance road to the Park, just before you descend to the Valley floor. This is around 11:00AM Feb 13, 2010.

  • Cathedral Rock and Merced River, Yosemite, 6:45 AM, 2-14-2010

    Cathedral Rock and Merced River, Yosemite, 6:45 AM, 2-14-2010

  • A sharp turn in the Merced River, with Half Dome peeking around in the distance, as seen from the well-groomed riverside trail. A very short walk is required to get to this spot but, if you keep looking back, this view is visible from the Park exit road. The afternoon light makes it worth the effort. Mid-afternoon, February 13, 2010.

    A sharp turn in the Merced River, with Half Dome peeking around in the distance, as seen from the well-groomed riverside trail. A very short walk is required to get to this spot but, if you keep looking back, this view is visible from the Park exit road. The afternoon light makes it worth the effort. Mid-afternoon, February 13, 2010.

  • Wider angle view of the previous photo. The calmness of the Merced in winter adds a lot to landscape photos. Feb 13, 2010.

    Wider angle view of the previous photo. The calmness of the Merced in winter adds a lot to landscape photos. Feb 13, 2010.

  • Merced River vista on Yosemite exit road. This famous spot is a small parking area beside the road on the left as you exit the park, marked by a huge fallen tree at the near side water's edge. Taken around 2:00PM, Feb 14, 2010. Focal length is about 12 MM. Most of these wide angle shots were captured through a Moose Polarizing filter with a warming element, generously on loan from fellow photographer and friend Wayne Wendel. Thanks, Wayne!

    Merced River vista on Yosemite exit road. This famous spot is a small parking area beside the road on the left as you exit the park, marked by a huge fallen tree at the near side water's edge. Taken around 2:00PM, Feb 14, 2010. Focal length is about 12 MM. Most of these wide angle shots were captured through a Moose Polarizing filter with a warming element, generously on loan from fellow photographer and friend Wayne Wendel. Thanks, Wayne!

  • Yosemite Falls through a very wide angle lens. 2-14-2010.

    Yosemite Falls through a very wide angle lens. 2-14-2010.

  • Sunset on El Capitan, Yosemite, 2-13-2010

    Sunset on El Capitan, Yosemite, 2-13-2010

  • HDR image of Merced River and Three Brothers peaks with polarizing filter and Light Strength increased to show the river bottom on the opposite bank, Feb 14, 2010, 7AM.

    HDR image of Merced River and Three Brothers peaks with polarizing filter and Light Strength increased to show the river bottom on the opposite bank, Feb 14, 2010, 7AM.

  • Yosemite Chapel from roadside vantage point.

    Yosemite Chapel from roadside vantage point.

  • Most people look the opposite direction when they are on this stone bridge over the Merced River, as Half Dome centers the other view with a spectacular and famous scene. This direction, however, is pretty nice too. Early afternoon, February 14, 2010.

    Most people look the opposite direction when they are on this stone bridge over the Merced River, as Half Dome centers the other view with a spectacular and famous scene. This direction, however, is pretty nice too. Early afternoon, February 14, 2010.

  • This is the view from the previous photo's vantage point if you turn around. I captured this image in February 2008, but decided to add it to this gallery to show this view of Half Dome taken from the bridge over the Merced River when there was more snow on the ground. You need to get here well before dusk to get a prime viewing spot, even in winter, as photographers will be jockeying into position for one of America's most inspiring scenes.

    This is the view from the previous photo's vantage point if you turn around. I captured this image in February 2008, but decided to add it to this gallery to show this view of Half Dome taken from the bridge over the Merced River when there was more snow on the ground. You need to get here well before dusk to get a prime viewing spot, even in winter, as photographers will be jockeying into position for one of America's most inspiring scenes.

  • The dots on the snow are Jennifer and Greg sledding on the open meadow with Upper Yosemite Falls in the distance, Feb 13, 2010.

    The dots on the snow are Jennifer and Greg sledding on the open meadow with Upper Yosemite Falls in the distance, Feb 13, 2010.

  • Just hours ago these crystal clear waters of the Merced River were part of the snow and ice fields of the Yosemite high country plateau. Here they reveal the river bottom's details. These peaks are called Three Brothers. February 14, 2010, 6:45 AM. Pro Photographer Tibor Vari is in the black outfit, photographing Cathedral Rock behind me.

    Just hours ago these crystal clear waters of the Merced River were part of the snow and ice fields of the Yosemite high country plateau. Here they reveal the river bottom's details. These peaks are called Three Brothers. February 14, 2010, 6:45 AM. Pro Photographer Tibor Vari is in the black outfit, photographing Cathedral Rock behind me.

  • A shallow and faster moving section of the Merced River reflects the morning glow from Upper Yosemite Falls. Mist from the falls freezes overnight on adjacent rocks as it has here, then melts during a warm day. It was unseasonally warm during our visit, creating higher than usual melting and greater flow on the waterfalls. 7:50AM, Feb 14, 2010

    A shallow and faster moving section of the Merced River reflects the morning glow from Upper Yosemite Falls. Mist from the falls freezes overnight on adjacent rocks as it has here, then melts during a warm day. It was unseasonally warm during our visit, creating higher than usual melting and greater flow on the waterfalls. 7:50AM, Feb 14, 2010

  • These trees are massive and well over 100 feet high. This scene is on the winding exit trail to the right of Lower Yosemite Falls. To get there, exit right from the Lower Falls viewing bridge (over the creek). February 14, 2010

    These trees are massive and well over 100 feet high. This scene is on the winding exit trail to the right of Lower Yosemite Falls. To get there, exit right from the Lower Falls viewing bridge (over the creek). February 14, 2010

  • Upper Yosemite Falls, Feb 14, 2010, early PM, from the parking lot of Yosemite Lodge.

    Upper Yosemite Falls, Feb 14, 2010, early PM, from the parking lot of Yosemite Lodge.

  • Yosemite Falls from second trail.

    Yosemite Falls from second trail.

  • Half Dome in the afternoon, Feb 13, 2010

    Half Dome in the afternoon, Feb 13, 2010

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    A shallow and faster moving section of the Merced River reflects the morning glow from Upper Yosemite Falls. Mist from the falls freezes overnight on adjacent rocks as it has here, then melts during a warm day. It was unseasonally warm during our visit, creating higher than usual melting and greater flow on the waterfalls. 7:50AM, Feb 14, 2010
    These trees are massive and well over 100 feet high. This scene is on the winding exit trail to the right of Lower Yosemite Falls. To get there, exit right from the Lower Falls viewing bridge (over the creek). February 14, 2010
    Upper Yosemite Falls, Feb 14, 2010, early PM, from the parking lot of Yosemite Lodge.