Silly question(s) - for Yosemite visit

[RandySmith]

I'm going to try to go over and spend the weekend at Yosemite... going to try to stay at Curry Village. Although, without a doubt, I will not be disappointed anyplace I go there, however, since my time will be a tad short, I might be disappointed to spend 4 hours hiking to one(1) great spot to learn that I could have explored 2-3 other spots in the same timeframe. But then again, sitting under a tall tree admiring bridal falls for a couple of hours wouldn't be a bad way to spend an afternoon either.

Shortest (widest) lens I have with me is 85 1.8, along with 100mm macro, and 300mm f2.8 with 1.5x & 2.0x

Any suggestions appreciated.
Randy

[AllenAyres]

Yosemite is so beautiful, as long as exposure is correct, you really can just about point any direction and get great photos

[AllenAyres]

I do remember hiking up the side of the mountains/cliff by the large lodge (yosemite lodge? - if I remember right when you walk out the door to the lodge it's across the parking lot) - where the water runs down the sheer side of the cliff - you can hike 30 min up that direction for a great view of the valley from a rock out-cropping. It has been 16 years tho, so my directions may be a little fuzzy :)

[jengels]

Wander along the river. Walk west (downriver) from the Ahwahnee Hotel, following the hiking path and/or the river. You can also walk east upriver too. Just take a gander at where the better trees are and try that direction.

Also, the waterfalls should still be fairly full. There are a number of trails and spots over near Yosemite falls.

Classic shots are located all up and down the river in the valley - many of the famous Yosemite shots are from mid-valley on further west (downriver). If you're interested in shooting the classic 'Valley View' sunset of El Capitan and the river, be aware that many photographers get there early and park their tripods well ahead of sunset.

Note - I hear the north drive along the valley is shut for road work now. It might actually be quicker to get to Valley View by parking at Bridal Veil falls and walking west (opposite normal traffic).

If Glacier Point Road opens by the weekend (tentatively scheduled for 5/2), it may be worth driving up top to check out the classic Half Dome view from there too. Bring a coat, it's pretty chilly from up there this time of year - snowy too.

[HFMarshburnJR]

Randy -

I was there 2 years ago at just about this time. Just hike the valley from where you are...there are phenomenal shots everywhere...Here are a couple of things to think about:

1. If you are on the bridge at the base of Yosemite Falls when the first rays of sunshine hit the mist (about 7:15-7:30AM), you will see a rainbow in the falls...Your 85mm will work fine here...be prepared to get wet - take something to keep the water off your gear.

2. Mid Morning to Mid-day - Hike across the meadows in the valley, capturing macro shots (dogwoods and wildflowers are in bloom now). Make your way over to Yosemite Chapel and turn around and look for dramatic clouds drifting behind Yosemite Falls. A CP will be useful for these shots.

3. After your lunch break, make your way over to Valley View for sweeping vistas of El Capitan, the Merced River, and half dome in the distance

4. Mid afternoon - drift across the valley toward Bridalveil Falls, but go past the cutoff to Fern Spring. This is a very small waterfall with crystal clear water and dappled sunlight all around...Opportunities abound.

5. Around 4PM head up to Tunnel View and get set up with your 300MM. As the sun lowers its angle and starts to cast shadows across the valley, the last intense rays hit the mist at the base of Bridalveil Falls and it throws up a magnificent rainbow.

6. Make your way back to Curry Village for a dinner break. After you finish your dinner, head over to the meadow below Half Dome. There will be all kinds of wildlife out for their dinner. The 300MM will serve you well. Then watch as the last rays of the setting sun walk their way up Half Dome. For a brief shining moment, they will illuminate only the face of this majestic edifice while the surrounding granite is in the shadows of the impending darkness.

Did I mention that I love this place?

What you have above is the itinerary from the first day of a photo workshop I attended out there in 2006. If you are interested, you can go look at some of my work from that trip at the following website.

http://lemmingswalk.smugmug.com/gall...78027262_FQFV6

Have the time of your life.

HFM

[digitalpixels]

The biggest problem I had was that my lens wasn't wide enough. I was on a crop body, but I think even if I wasn't, I still would have a problem. It's just almost impossible to get everything in as Yosemite is so vast. I was shooting wide at 28 the whole time.

[HFMarshburnJR]

I shot a lot of my work wide (18-35 on a crop body), but I shot a lot with my 24-60 lens as well. I shot with the 80-200 from tunnel view. Don't forget tat you can always stitch into a pano if you aren't wide enough...and you may be better off for it. For examples of that, look at some of Jeff Kohn's work in this forum.

Creativity is your friend in a place like this. The other advice that I found helpful regarding Yosemite was to remember that with all of the grand panoramas around it is easy to forget that there is real beauty in the details at Yosemite.

HFM

[RandySmith]

Appreciate the ideas and recommendations. Now all I have to do is try to avoid "working" all weekend, I'll know by 7-pm Friday.

Later

[RandySmith]

Best layed plans are always subject to change. Had to work all day today. Rats.

Maybe my next trip out here.

Thanks for the ideas anyway.
Randy