...If you had only ONE day to photograph Yosemite...

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Going to San Francisco for a meeting Saturday March 24, so airfare covered. I've finally arranged to fly out on Thursday afternoon,3/22/12, arriving about 6pm. Planning on renting a car and driving to Yosemite that evening, staying at a motel outside the park entrance. Will get up early Friday and be in place for sunrise shots, and shooting throughout the day. Will need to be back in San Francisco late Friday evening.

So, If you only had ONE day to photograph your first visit to Yosemite, where would you start, and what would be your progression of photo sites throughout the day? I've never been there before, so learning all I can. Planning on bringing my Pentax 645N plus 45-85mm, 80-160mm, and 75mm lenses. Will bring lots of Velvia, TriX, TMax 100. Will also bring my Olympus XA. Please feel free to chime in with suggestions for film, location, technique, etc.
Sorry, I was only able to arrange one extra day off work. But that's my work situation at present. I envy all of those retirees out there...🙂
Thanks,
Kent
 
One tempting reply would be "don't take any photos and enjoy the views at peace".

You could either do what everybody does, and visit the places where thousands of tourists go to take photos of the waterfall and cliffs and so on (in the valley), or you drive west to Cedar Breaks and enjoy less spoiled nature.
 
Dear Kent,

Or to take another angle on Raid's view, why do you want to take the same pictures everyone else does? Go there; enjoy it; take pictures if and when you feel like shooting. There are no 'must take' images, or even 'must see' sights (though Bridal Veil Falls really is rather pretty).

After all, what are you shooting for? If you just wander around, sure, you'll miss some off the standard tourist shots, but with any luck, you'll see things that appeal to you personally, without being told (and indeed without feeling) that you 'have' to shoot them.

Cheers,

R.
 
I haven't been to Yosemite but I would do exactly what you're planning. Maybe slide film only, in my case, budget permitting.

Raid, Roger, you're eminently sensible, of course, but also years (decades?) removed from the excitement of seeing it for the first time. I think it's very natural to try and document that. Besides, yes, you can download the same views from flickr, or buy postcards, books, probably even a circa 1970 series of Kodachromes at the gift shop. I doubt you can get a 6x4.5 on Velvia any other way, though...

I went to the Southwest a couple of years ago, with only one week to do a 1,000 mile loop from Vegas. I came home with, yes, the same views everybody gets at Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend... Who cares. They're mine, and I mailed rolls off to Dwayne's from the road so I could have a slide show days after we were back home. It was a blast.
 
One of the Park Rangers interviewed on a PBS show about National Parks, was posed a similar question, "What would you do if you only had an hour to see Yosemite" --
His reply to the tourist's query, "I'd go over to that rock over there, (pointing), sit down and cry".

Enjoy your visit, post your results for us to see.

Thanks

(Smile)
 
Forget your camera. Go and enjoy the crowds of parents with whiney kids, guys on bikes who almost run you over, the ice cream stand etc. If you want pictures buy a postcard,
 
Geez, some of you folks sound like you need some Prozac! Seriously, this is not the only time I will be going! It's just that this meeting in SFO was hastily arranged and I have managed to squeeze one extra day to be in the park. I can't imagine going and not even taking one 645 transparency or B&W negative? 😕 I don't need a bucket list of everything to shoot in one day, just one or two suggestions. I know I can't see everything in a day, and would be content to stay in just a couple of locations...🙂
 
I am always surprised/bewildered when someone on here is going somewhere such as Yosemite, asks for advice, and is told to ditch the camera, buy postcards, etc. I see their point, I suppose, but I am willing to bet those same people have also been there already--and of course photographed it!

My advice? Bring a good camera and slide film and shoot away. Not at the expense of missing your surroundings and enjoying the majesty that is Yosemite, but enough to where you feel you have some good shots and won't look back years later fretting about having not taken any pictures of your trip.

Sure, you can buy postcards, but why do that? I don't see the point. I went to Yosemite my first and only time two years ago and both was able to take it all in AND take lots of photos. Yosemite has been photographed to death, making it very tough to come up with new and exciting ways to capture the iconic images we've all seen a million times already, but so what? It's your life, and you only get one. If I get to Egypt one day, I'm not going to pass up shooting the pyramids just because it's been done a billion times already!

My advice is: the drive from SF to Yosemite is quite picturesque on its own, so don't be afraid to jump out along the way. Once in the park, most likely the valley will be packed with tourists, but I still think it's worth going there. From there, there are any numbers of trails, and several roads, for you to take on short excursions, with stunning views everywhere. Your biggest obstacle will be time. There's never enough of it! Enjoy!
 
The advice was NOT to ditch the camera or buy postcards, but rather, to go in with an open mind. If you're trying to tick off pictures on a 'must shoot' list, you're missing actually seeing the place. Often, the best pictures I've made of often-photographed places are NOT the 'must shoot' stuff, but the stuff I've seen with 'beginner's mind'.

Cheers,

R.
 
To try to answer your question specifically, since, as Roland points out, it's a long drive from SF to Yosemite (and back), I'd recommend sticking to the Valley floor, concentrate on the waterfalls. We're having some rain and snow in NorCal at the moment, so while the falls won't be as spectacular next week as they were a year ago at the same time, they'll be good enough. Get out of your car and walk through some of the meadows along the Valley floor and along the Merced River. There are some nice views from the Merced River (in the area of Swinging Bridge?) back toward Royal Arches and the Yosemite Chapel. In March, there won't be a lot of tourists, so you'll have the place more to yourself.

If you had more time, I'd strongly recommend going up to Glacier Point (if the road is open), but it's too far given your limited time.
 
You could always search for GPS coordinates of places where famous photographers have taken their images and follow that. I'm not sure this is an ethical or legal procedure but if you only have one day.......😱

The other option, of course would be to merely enjoy taking in the area, take a few snapshots and make notes for a return trip.

On a recent, one week trip I made to Cuba, I had only a few hours at most in some very interesting locations. Not merely enough time to consider where I was and what pics I should take. The pictures I came back with are for the most part unsatisfactory.

Maybe just have a really nice time!
 
Realistically, because of your time limitation and possibly the weather as well, you will just be visiting the valley itself. For that, you don't need any advise. It is quite a small area and literally, nearly everywhere you turn you will be facing spectacular scenery and standing where many iconic images have been made (and remade). You'll see.
 
anjoca76 said:
I am always surprised/bewildered when someone on here is going somewhere such as Yosemite, asks for advice, and is told to ditch the camera, buy postcards, etc. I see their point, I suppose, but I am willing to bet those same people have also been there already--and of course photographed it!

My advice? Bring a good camera and slide film and shoot away. Not at the expense of missing your surroundings and enjoying the majesty that is Yosemite, but enough to where you feel you have some good shots and won't look back years later fretting about having not taken any pictures of your trip.

Sure, you can buy postcards, but why do that? I don't see the point. I went to Yosemite my first and only time two years ago and both was able to take it all in AND take lots of photos. Yosemite has been photographed to death, making it very tough to come up with new and exciting ways to capture the iconic images we've all seen a million times already, but so what? It's your life, and you only get one. If I get to Egypt one day, I'm not going to pass up shooting the pyramids just because it's been done a billion times already!

My advice is: the drive from SF to Yosemite is quite picturesque on its own, so don't be afraid to jump out along the way. Once in the park, most likely the valley will be packed with tourists, but I still think it's worth going there. From there, there are any numbers of trails, and several roads, for you to take on short excursions, with stunning views everywhere. Your biggest obstacle will be time. There's never enough of it! Enjoy!
Click to expand...

Sounds like some of the best advice so far. I have been to places that have been photographed to death, and shot the same photos as on the post cards and in books. But yes, they are mine. I don't need to give anyone else credit for them, nor pay anyone for doing what I am doing. And I get to see the places in person. I do agree with trying very hard to enjoy the sights personally as well. And I am sure you will. Hope we get to see some of your shots.
 
To expand a bit... First of all, late March can be a great time to visit Yosemite precisely b/c the Park is not "packed with tourists." But you should be prepared for winter weather. Storms in the Valley can make for some dramatic shots (mist, low hanging clouds). Bring a warm jacket and appropriate footwear for wet and cold conditions.

Second, the access road into the Valley is one-way, and will route you counter-clockwise up one side to Sentinel Bridge, and then back the other side of the Merced River toward exit routes out of the Park. It's easy to pull over along this road, get out, walk around, admire the scenery, and concentrate on shots that interest you. Some possible places to stop include Pohono Bridge, Bridalveil Fall (as Roger mentioned), the meadow directly opposite Bridalveil Fall (other side of the road, great view of both Bridalveil Fall and Yosemite Fall), Cathedral Beach, Swinging Bridge, Sentinel Bridge, and then back down past Yosemite Falls, Cathedral Rocks Vista, El Capitan Meadow, and Valley View (just before the outbound route intersects with the inbound road). As I previously mentioned, pull over, walk into the meadows, check out the Merced River. Often the best views of falls are from the opposite side of the Valley floor or from one of the meadows along the Merced River.

You can drive up to Happy Isles (the base of the trail up to Vernal and Nevada Falls), but you can no longer park there. And you can also get close to Mirror Lake, beneath Half Dome, but your best opportunities for photography will probably be along the route summarized above. And some of your options will depend on the weather.

There's a store at Yosemite Village where you can grab some lunch and water. The Ansel Adams Gallery is nearby. BTW, there is a small paperback by Michael Frye titled "The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite," which has suggested locations and general advice. You may be able to pick up a copy at the Yosemite Village Store or the Ansel Adams Gallery. But you're probably best off using the map you'll get at the Park entrance, and making frequent stops along the road on the Valley floor.

Have fun, and post some pix here when you return.
 
A stroll up to mirror lake gets you a lot of the Half Dome and Tenaya awe.
But really approaching and seeing the valley is really inspiring, just drift along...

Joerg
 
Just in time for Spring, Winter is Coming. Sorry, I just had to. Anyway, we've just started what looks to be a week and a half of steady storms, which will likely bring snow to Yosemite. Make sure your rental car has chains and that you know how to install them, even if you get 4wd.

Check this site, often: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

The first time I visited, during the month of April, it started out as summer-like, but ended with snow, and that was just in 3 days. I had to leave by Hwy 140, as 120 was either closed or only drivable with tire chains, which I didn't have. 140 follows the river out, so I ended up with good photographs anyway, so I was happy.

There's nothing wrong with sticking to the valley floor, especially since you'll probably be unable to go anywhere else. With the weather this time of year, you'll get plenty to photograph, and you might just get a different view of the same site an hour or two later.

Have fun! Film is cheaper than airfare, so bring lots and shoot it all.
 
I would use slide film for such a beautiful scenery. A tripod is also needed for tack sharp photos. I foubd the 24mm lens most useful. A macro lens is also useful for close ups. Bring with ten rolls of film per day. Have fun.
 
raid said:
I would use slide film for such a beautiful scenery. . . . I found the 24mm lens most useful. A macro lens is also useful for close ups....
Click to expand...
Whereas I got pictures I liked with a 400mm on B+W, and never even considered the need of a macro -- which illustrates the danger of relying on others' recommendations...

Cheers,

R.
 
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