Posts Tagged yosemite
What lens should I bring?
Posted by backup in Photography on March 11, 2010
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It’s a question that you see all the time in photography forums: I’m going on a once in a lifetime trip to X what lens should I bring? I always answer the same way: All of them. While forcing yourself to use a single lens can be a great teaching device, having options is always a good idea; especially if you’ve only got one shot at it.
In Yosemite, Highway 120 crosses Cascade and Tamarack creeks right where they come together at the top of a water fall know as The Cascades. It has a fairly small water shed, so it dries up early, but it’s a very pretty area. While it’s possible to scramble down to the creeks, when with a workshop, we just shoot from the bridge that passes over.
To get this shot I had to drop my tripod to it’s lowest level, shooting through the bridge railing and some overhanging trees. That vantage put me almost level with the surface of the water before it tumbled down another cascade. To isolate the scene I used my Canon 100-400, zoomed all the way to 400mm. Since I was using my Canon 7D that gave me an effective magnification of 640mm. Had I succumbed to the notion that “Yosemite is a wide angle spot” I’d never have gotten this shot. While having the long lens adds a few pounds to the camera bag I wouldn’t dream of a Yosemite trip without it.
Cheers
Sometimes you just can’t help yourself
Posted by backup in Photography on March 9, 2010
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Last week I talked about trying to find fresh images in a very heavily photographed National Park. Today’s image is the result of succumbing to the urge to “shoot the icon.” While I normally go out of my way to avoid this type of shot, sometimes you just can’t help yourself.
This is another image from last month’s workshop. We woke to a clearing storm and fresh snow in Yosemite valley. Knowing that the morning sun would quickly erase the night’s work, we rushed our group to as many icons as we could before the light got too harsh. One of those iconic shots was the Elm tree in Cook’s Meadow. A number of photographers, Ansel Adams included, have some pretty well known images of that scene.
After giving the group far too little time, to do the scene justice, we called for them to return to the cars to head to the next spot. The sound of snowing already dropping from the trees added to the sense of urgency. While folks packed up their gear I stood, next to the car, looking up at the falls. The frosty granite, the snow in the trees and the tremendous depth of the scene was just too much to resist. I grabbed my camera and fired off a couple of shots. Sometimes you just have to give in.
Cheers
On frozen pond
Posted by Doug Otto in Photography on March 2, 2010
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Couldn’t you just do that in Photoshop? During the last workshop that was the running theme. The conversations varied from whether it was appropriate to add a moon to a scene to “I don’t use filters because I can do everything in Photoshop.” I suppose that’s correct to a certain degree but there’s one filter that Photoshop will never remove from my bag; the polarizer. Adding the moon? I won’t go there.
I’m often surprised to see folks, shooting landscape images, who either eschew or ignore something I consider to be essential. Regardless of your skill, a properly adjusted polarizing filter has no Photoshop analog. Oddly enough those same folks who would never think of using a polarizer often insist on having a, useless, UV filter on their lens at all times. I like to consider the end result when considering any filter or technique; if it’s not making a positive change I won’t bother. In the case of the UV filter, they increase lens flare and cheaper ones actually degrade overall image quality. I believe people come to use them largely because of camera store fear-mongering. If you drop the lens off of a truck, that UV filter isn’t going to save it. Concerned about your front lens element? Use your lens cap.
This shot wouldn’t have been possible without a polarizer. Most people just think about their effect on blue skies, not what really makes them tick: reflections. The ability to increase or negate the impact of reflected light can make or break an image. In the case of foliage, removing surface reflections makes colors really pop; no saturation slider required. In the case of this image, I was able to completely remove the reflection from the surface of this ice. Without the filter, the leaf was completely obscured. Because the polarizer is adjustable, I was able to bring back just enough reflected light to let you see the texture on the ice while letting the leaf shine through.
Got a polarizer collecting dust in your bag? If the answer is yes, throw away that UV filter and start using the polarizer. Don’t be content to just screw it on your lens, check and adjust it on every shot. You’ll be glad you took the time.
Cheers
Nature’s Monochrome
Posted by Doug Otto in Photography on February 25, 2010
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Some photographers choose to shoot in color, some in black and white. Occasionally, nature makes the decision for you. Often, I write about the differences between our own vision and that of the camera. Effective photographers exploit those differences rather than bemoan them.
On my most recent trip to the valley, Mother Nature really kept things mixed up. I can’t even count the number of times the conditions swung from rain to snow, from snow to clearing and from sunny back to rain. The constantly changing conditions made for a physically demanding 4 days. The swiftness of those changes required that we push the workshop group pretty hard. I’m not ashamed to admit I was a bit gassed after 4 days of nearly non-stop nature photography. I’m always a bit melancholy at the end of a workshop, but this time the feeling was accompanied by a slight sense of relief.
I made this image near Swinging Bridge in Yosemite last Monday morning. While the group was soaking up the classic reflection scene of Yosemite Falls and the Merced River, I was looking for other compositions. Honestly is wasn’t that hard. When covered in snow, just about the entire park is photogenic.
To isolate this scene I used my Canon 100-400 on my 7D body. The sky was still very cloudy from an overnight storm giving a “soft box” effect to the whole park. The resulting light effectively removed any trace of color from this winter scene. To my eye, the color was perceptible. In the camera the subdued lighting and the compressed tones were rendered as nearly colorless. In a genre of photography where the saturation adjustment slider, in Photoshop, is notoriously abused I’m okay with that.
Cheers
World’s greatest taco stand
Posted by Doug Otto in Geek, Photography on February 9, 2010
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While Mexican food and landscape photography don’t generally share a common bond, that isn’t the case with this image.
The first step to overcoming an addiction is admitting that you have a problem. If you know me personally it’ll come as no shock to hear that, yes, I am taco junkie. I’m not talking those cardboard and packaged meat things you get from TacoBell™, I mean real tacos; some spiced meat in a soft corn tortilla with just onion, cilantro and salsa.
Over the summer of 2008 I took the family on a 5 day backpacking trip in Yosemite. The high country, in Summer, is a great escape from the crowds in the valley. There’s a little spot along Yosemite creek, about 7 miles from the Tioga road, where we like to set up camp. From there it’s an easy day hike to North Dome, Yosemite Point & falls or El Capitan; where this image was taken.
Rather than rely on packaged food, we always cook and dehydrate our own meals. It’s easy to do and it tastes WAY better than the bagged meals. On this particular day, my son had set a goal:
We should have tacos on top of El Capitan!
After a moderate 4 mile hike we were treated to this view. While my son started setting up the Jetboil stove, I took the time to make this image. After a few shots I sat down and had lunch at the greatest taco stand in the world.
Cheers
Horsetail fall
Posted by Doug Otto in Photography on January 28, 2010
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Often the journey is more important than the destination. Nothing underscores more for me thanHorsetail fall (Yosemite).
First made famous by the late Galen Rowell, Horsetail fall is a tiny water fall that can sometimes be seen on the side of El Capitan. What really makes it special is the treatment it gets, at sunset, during just a couple times each year. Fed by only a 30 acre watershed it often doesn’t flow at all, but when weather conditions are right it puts on an amazing show. Best viewed backlit, the fall appears as a river of fire down the side of the granite face.
Because of the special conditions, and timing required, Horsetail can be very elusive to photograph. While technically possible in the fall, due to the angle of the sun, Horsetail fall is traditionally photographed in middle to late February. Huge crowds of photographer arrive, each year, all trying to get the classic shot. Ironically, my best memories of Horsetail are of standing in the snow, shoulder to shoulder with some other photographers joking and laughing as we clicked away at the display. The photography was completely secondary. Even after “getting the shot” several times I still go back each year just for the experience.
This particular image was taken in late January from a less traditional location. Still early in the season for the full display, I liked it because of its different perspective. I took this shot with my Canon 100-400 from the edge of Southside drive, not far from Sentinel Beach.
Cheers
Just a leaf
Posted by Doug Otto in Photography on January 14, 2010
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If you’re a regular reader of this blog you know I often eschew the grand vista in favor of a more intimate view of the world. Such was the case with this image from my last Yosemite trip.
Along Southside drive in Yosemite, there is an unmarked parking area with two large trees protruding from the asphalt. Not far from Cathedral beach, it’s about the only location where you can see El Capitan from end to end. (Capturing that view requires a pretty wide lens) Since El Capitan gets its first light roughly 30 minutes after sunrise this location is a great place to head after you finish shooting sunrise.
On this particular morning I’d stopped, waited for the light and decided that breakfast was calling. The only clouds in the sky were jet trails and the light just wasn’t very interesting. On my trek back to the car I walked past this leaf. The frozen texture was what initially caught my eye but the angles of the branches is what really tied it together. With nothing but snow in the background it was a perfect setup for a high key approach.
The exposure was very simple. With the aperture set to f/11 I dialed down my shutter speed until my meter read +3 and took the shot. Overexposing the snow caused the entire background to go white, removing any distracting elements.
Cheers
Mount Hoffman
Posted by Doug Otto in Photography on January 11, 2010
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While not one of Yosemite’s tallest peaks, at nearly 11,000 feet Mount Hoffman is still respectable. The spelling of the name seems to vary between Hoffman and Hoffmann I’m not sure which is correct but Ansel Adams referred to it by the former and that’s good enough for me.
I took this shot on the same evening as a previous post. Shooting star trails were the goal of the trip for me so this was just a bonus. Having endured many a cloudless sunsets from the top of Sentinel dome, this one was a real treat. The big lenticular cloud over Hoffman was the icing on the cake.
To make this image I used my Canon 5D. The relative closeness of the scrub in the foreground required an aperture of f/16. At this point some folks would be reaching for a hyperfocal chart but that’s all a bit too formal for me. When dealing with such a large depth of field (DOF), I generally will focus on the foreground element most important to me and then adjust the lens to just beyond that point. The result is a sharp foreground and an acceptably sharp background.
Cheers
Last light on Half Dome
Posted by Doug Otto in Photography on January 7, 2010
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This morning I worked on a talk that I hope to give at the NANPA Summit in February. The theme of the nights program is Discovery. My first experience with this location turned out to be a discovery that really wasn’t.
As I’ve mentioned before, we snow camp in Yosemite for New Years. Last year, 2008, my wife and I donned the snow shoes on New Year’s eve morning. We parked near Ahwahnee Meadow and made our way towards the Merced River. We trudged along through fresh snow, the only footprints around were from an occasional dear or small furry thing. We felt like we were the only people around for miles. During our walk I took pictures of the snow, the frost in the trees and reflections in the river.
After a couple of hours we popped into a clearing and were gifted with a view much like above image. I quickly set up my gear and took a number of photographs from this newly found “secret spot.” After I’d worked the scene to my satisfaction, I turned around and noticed the snow covered picnic tables. Behind the tables was a parking lot that we could have driven to. So much for my discovery.
The area is called Camp 6 and is just across the road from Yosemite Village. Even though it didn’t turn out to me “my spot” I still return there from time to time. While a classic view, it’s not as frequently photographed as many other locations. This image was taken last Wednesday evening, shortly after we arrived in the park.
Cheers
Happy 2010
Posted by Doug Otto in Photography on January 5, 2010
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To steal a quote, stumbled upon while browsing the net, “Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer you are to the end, the faster it goes.” After how fast 2009 seemed to blaze by, I think it’s appropriate. I hope the New Year finds you and your loved ones well.
It’s a challenge to go to a place as widely photographed as Yosemite and come back with fresh images. The challenge isn’t the availability of the subjects as much as learning to see them. Once seen, the next step is figuring out how to make it into an image.
On New Year’s day morning, I did what I often do when presented with overcast skies, I went to Bridal Veil fall. Bridal Veil is one of the few waterfalls in Yosemite that flows all year. While the water fall is a beautiful sight, most of the photographic opportunities are in the three streams flowing out from its base. Often requiring scrambling over rocks, you can be completely alone while the tourists stream up the path to the viewing area at base of the fall.
What caught my eye here was the foam on the top of the water. Directly above my location was a small cascade that was creating these bubbles on the surface of the water. Caught on a long exposure, I knew they would imply motion. The trick was finding something else to put in the frame. I walked around the area, doing my best to keep from falling in, looking through my camera to find a scene. (When shooting in the area, my Canon 100-400 is my most useful tool. Using a long lens helps compress perspective and lets you “carve” out scenes and make them stand alone.) After finding this leaf, I knew I had my shot. While seemingly simple enough it took 10 frames, at varying exposures, to get this pleasing pattern. I settled on f/16 and 3.2 seconds.
Finding a scene like this is far more satisfying than creating it. While I didn’t place this leave, in the spirit of full disclosure, I did wash away some foam stuck to the near side of the rock. I almost never place a subject but I have no issue with removing a distraction. While something that could easily have been taken care of during processing I prefer to do it in the field.
Cheers
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