aaronmmoshier
FollowI was fortunate enough to shoot this shot at sunset in Yosemite Valley. The descending storm clouds had strangled off all light, prompting most photographers to...
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I was fortunate enough to shoot this shot at sunset in Yosemite Valley. The descending storm clouds had strangled off all light, prompting most photographers to pack up and call it a day. A handful of us stayed and were able to bear witness to a fiery strip of sunlight burning its way through the clouds onto the western face of El Capitan.
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Awards
Chatter Award
Zenith Award
Creative Winter Award
Curator's Selection
Legendary Award
2020 Choice Award
Winner in Fire and Water Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in The Creative Landscape Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Monthly Pro Vol 18 Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 5
Contest Finalist in Covers Photo Contest Vol 26
Staff Winter Selection 2015
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Superior Skill
Love it
Genius
Virtuoso
Top Ranks
stormslinger1
January 07, 2016
Absolutely AMAZING!! Bravo! Patience is a virtue and it paid off for you here BIG TIME!
dieterberghmans
January 28, 2016
This photo is just spectacular. What an amazing play with the light! Really fantastic!
georgeshackelford
January 28, 2016
I think only a few times in life ones genius melds with skill to produce an image such as this. It's a masterpiece I would love to display in my home.....
georgeshackelford
January 28, 2016
Did I mention this photo also brings one quite a bit closer to tossing the old Brownie straight into the trash......... Very humbling!
sbmasterpieces
February 26, 2016
What an amazing image!! Just goes to show that having a little patience can really pay!!
kathleenparry
March 20, 2016
Crazy! I didn't know what I was seeing until I read your description. Once in a lifetime shot.
bennettcphotography
September 02, 2016
Love how the big red mountain stands out agaist the vast white and grey scene.
Chelle-s
October 24, 2016
Superb shot. I do believe you found gold in Yosemite! This is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. Can't give you enough props for this stunning shot!!
jimfbauty
February 15, 2017
Just had to read your description... looked as if the top of the mount was getting ready to blow. Incredible capture!!
pattymo
March 19, 2017
What month was this taken in Yosemite? Where in the valley was this shot from? I grew up going to Yosemite several times a year during all seasons
Sindiswaonline
February 02, 2018
Join the conversation. Add a comment or even better, a critique. Let's get better together!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
I took this shot in Yosemite Valley on thanksgiving day 2016 from the much overshot "valley view". This particular shot was pretty special to me however - I'd just spent a brutal night atop Yosemite Point in some sub-zero high-wind conditions. Id failed to catch what i set out looking for, and exauhstedly made it back down with my 80 lb pack full of gear to sit utterly spent on a rock to watch the sunset here. The clouds had stifled the light and all but 3 or 4 shooters had packed up and called it quits - I only stayed because I was too tired to move. As a result, I was treated to this spectacular view for about 5 seconds as the clouds parted and let this band of fiery light strike the face of El Capitan.Time
Sunset, at the last possible second after most shooters had given up on the light and weather. A momentary break in some serious storm clouds made this one possible.Lighting
The fact that almost no work was done in post on this, other than some sharpening and raising the shadows. This is as close to what my eye saw as i could possibly get it. Amazing light, and a real pleasure to have been present for it.Equipment
I shoot with a canon 6d, canon 24-70, and a benro ballhead tripod. was using an offbrand remote release as well.Inspiration
Exaustion. this was the one place i knew of that i could quickly make it to after a greuling hike up, subzero night on, and painful descent down from Yosemite Point.Editing
I do, but for this shot very little was needed. I raised the shadows a bit here in lightroom and then sharpened in photoshop.In my camera bag
Way too much - and im trying to learn to be more selective to allow mysef to be more mobile. I typically hike with either a Marine Corps issue ILBE pack (Im a Marine Officer by day) or an older ftstoogear pack depending on how much I need (want) to carry. For this trip I was pretty loaded down - my camera body, tripod, rokinon 14mm, canon 24-70 f/2.8, canon 70-200 2.8, assorted accessories, and a ton of cold weather gear and a tent to be able to handle the elements. A jetboil is always in my pack for winter trips as well, and was a life saver for boiling snow into water, filling a camelbak with hot water for warmth at night, and cooking some dehydrated meals. i even used it to dry my soaked boots! (not-reccomended). since then i have added a canon 300mm with extender, canon 16-35, 3dr solo drone and an emotimo 3-axis robot with slider rail to my arsenal. looking forward to working with the drone and timelapse slider when i get home from my current middle east deployment.Feedback
Be patient, always see it through till the last light. when other photographers start packing up and going home, stay the extra few minutes and see what unfolds. It may lead to you catching something unique or amazing that most will miss.