Valley View Sunset in Autumn
2013. I had rented a 24-70 f-2.8 lens for a friend's grandson's wedding and still had the lens for the day after the wedding so we headed to Yosemite. This was...
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2013. I had rented a 24-70 f-2.8 lens for a friend's grandson's wedding and still had the lens for the day after the wedding so we headed to Yosemite. This was my first time ever stopping at Valley View. We just always drive right on past on our way home, probably because it's usually dark by the time we leave. I managed to politely find a spot between a couple of photography tour groups and camped out until the light faded. I had to swap out the 24-70 for the kit 18-55 lens for this shot, though, in order to include the rocks in the foreground. I know it's a shot every photographer has done, but it's one of those bucket-list shots that every photographer should take at least once.
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Aug, 2015Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
We live a couple hours away from Yosemite, but this was my first time stopping at Valley View. We always drive right on past on our way home, probably because it's usually dark by the time we leave and the Valley View parking lot is at the end of the valley one way loop near the valley exit. The river bank and this view are only a few feet from the parking lot. That's always a plus when you have mobility issues like I do.Time
This was taken at sunset on October 27, 2013 between 6:07 and 6:08 p.m.Lighting
I managed to politely find a spot between a couple of photography tour groups and dialed in the camera settings and composition, then waited for sunset. You get everything ready and then shoot through the good sunset light until it's gone. You never know what light you'll get from one minute to the next, especially on the Yosemite valley floor, and the dynamic range of light is usually pretty extreme at sunset. You can always blend the best parts of the light in post processing if you can't get it all in one shot. Just keep shooting through the sunset and cull the images with the best light when you get home.Equipment
Taken with my old Canon xTi and the 18-55mm f/3.5 kit lens. I had rented a 24-70 f/2.8 lens for a wedding and had it for another day, so decided to play with it at Yosemite. I needed 18mm to fit the foreground rocks in here, so switched back to the kit lens. A circular polarizer helped to enhance the reflection. When I'm going to be that long in one spot, I have a camping stool and use a cable release, so I can just camp out until the light fades. A tripod is essential for blending exposures and/or HDR, so that images line up.Inspiration
Yosemite is always gorgeous in any season, but Fall is my favorite. We try to spend at least one day there every Fall. Valley View is well known and is one of those bucket-list shots that every photographer should take at least once. The day and scenery take us somewhere different every time we're in Yosemite. This was my first time being at this specific location and we timed it right for sunset this trip. The river was low at this point in the year, exposing more of the rocks, and the foliage was at peak Fall color.Editing
It looks like I used 7 exposures for this HDR with the longest exposure at 4 seconds. The dynamic range of light is usually pretty extreme in Yosemite Valley at sunset. I always shoot a wide range of exposure brackets during Yosemite sunsets to make sure I have what I need for processing, even if I don't use them all. I usually combine the exposures into one HDR file, then bring out the best of that data. If needed, I'll layer and mask in areas from some of the individual exposures. The goal is to bring out both what I saw with my eyes, heart, and imagination in the final image. Sometimes I'll make multiple HDR files from when the lighting is different in different areas and blend those together, as well. This image didn't need much more than the base HDR merge and basic tweaks to bring out the color and enhance clarity. There's probably a small amount of dodging and burning and selective sharpening, too.In my camera bag
This was taken with a Canon xTi, but these days I use a Canon 7D mark II. I use the Canon 18-135mm lens most and have a 10-22mm for wider angles. I have a couple other lenses in a second bag in the car, but only use them if I need a closer zoom or shallower dof. I have a Vanguard tripod and a RRS ball head with the L bracket (worth every ounce and cent when it comes to stabilization and speed changing camera orientation). My other essential is a circular polarizer for enhancing or removing reflections and reducing glare on rocks. I also have a Breakthrough 6 stop neutral density filter I often use to smooth running water depending on how much light there is. I use the 10 stop less frequently. Xume magnetic adapters let me switch filters quickly with minimal vignetting.Feedback
Yosemite sunsets in popular locations can fill up quickly with photographers depending on the time of year. Summer is always insanely busy. Try to get to your location early and set up. If squeezing in between other photographers or workshops remember to be polite. You can usually find room, but give deference to those that were there first and ask if you can squeeze in. 99% of photographers are incredibly nice people who will usually work with you. Just don't expect anyone to give up their spot and move for you; they already have their composition and settings dialed in. Figure out your settings, focus, and composition as best you can before sunset, so that when the best light hits all you have to do is shoot; the light won't last long. Stay through the entire sunset; the light is always changing. You can always merge the best bits of light later in post processing. I recommend bracketing for HDR for Yosemite lighting conditions. Even if HDR isn't your thing, you can still shoot bracketed exposures in closer increments (0.5 or 1 stop) to make sure exposure is spot on or to give you blending options. I usually shoot brackets of 5 images 1 stop apart. If needed, I'll shoot a couple more darker and brighter than the base 5. It's not unusual for me to shoot a bracket of 11 images in Yosemite. A polarizer will always improve reflections. Longer exposures will give a nice motion blur to water and can improve reflections if there is some movement in the water. Bring a small stool and snacks and get comfy. Make some new friends. A cable release or the equivalent will let you continue to shoot from the comfort of your stool. It can also allow you to stand back from the camera some and allow more people to shoot around you.
