Last Stop, Yosemite Valley
Mar, 2016Views
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Contest Finalist in A Black And White World Photo Contest
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at the last parking lot pull out on Northside Drive in Yosemite Valley National Park. This is the last vista pullout on the valley floor, looking back at El Capitan and Bridalveil Falls. This is a spot I have always wanted to stop, but never have, mostly due to it being over crowed and no parking available.Time
This photo was taken February 13, 2016. I went to Yosemite with a friend to try and teach him some new photography techniques. This trip just happened to be a week before the window for the infamous "Fire Fall". As we headed out of the Valley at sunset we saw an open spot at this turn off and quickly pulled in. The time was 4:48, and with the sun setting, El Capitan was brightly lit while the meadow in the foreground was in shadow.Lighting
At sunset during February in Yosemite, the sun sets angled down the valley. During this time of year as the valley begins to sink into shadow El Capitan is lit up in an orange glow.Equipment
This was show with a Canon 7D Mkii, 10-22mm at 10mm with a 10x ND, f/8, 30sec on a Giottos tripod with a remote timer.Inspiration
This location is one that I had long awaited to shoot. When the time finally came it put on a show. The bright orange that El Capitan was during this particular sunset required an immediate stop in everything else I was trying to do (leave the park). The Merced River was still flower rather slow, yet to be filled with the winter snow melt. As I set up to take this shot, the sun was naturally highlighting El Capitan, leading to this image.Editing
I do 99% of my post-processing is done in Lightroom 6. This image I knew immediately was going to be precessed to B+W. From there it is a continual battle between exposure, contrast, highlight, shadow, etc. until I end up with an image I love.In my camera bag
In my bag I carry my Canon 7Dmkii Canon 10-22mm Canon 18-135mm Canon 24mm Sigma 70-200mm Opteka 6.5mm 10x ND filter Giottos Tripod remote timer Extra BatteryFeedback
You will want to get to this particular spot a good amount of time before the time you want to capture (this spot is best at sunset). Make sure to track the alignment of the sun with tools such as the photographers ephemeris, I was fortunate enough that during February the sun sets the way it does in Yosemite Valley. And always double check to see what other events may be happening in the location. One week later and Yosemite becomes a flood of photographers for the Fire Fall, and this spot would be over filled and difficult to get to.
