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

My advice would be to keep the pack light and pre-plan as little as possible. Find yourself a starting point and don;t overthink it. Don't look at postcards and don't go over any AA pics. The place is stunning (not that I have been there) but try to keep as fresh a perspective as you can, otherwise you will feel you are walking into other peoples photos all day long rather than enjoying the sense of discovery for yourself.

As beautiful as Yosemite is, I am sure there are an awful lot of photos that have yet to be taken there. Going in with a 'blank canvas' in your head will help better than lots of planning. Besides, this might be the first of many visits and it may be that on this trip you discover locations you ache to shoot in the future, under different conditions. If so, it will have been a resounding success even if you return with no photos to speak of this time.
 
I agree with the consensus that, for a first time day visit, you are better off just mooching about the valley floor taking in the splendour of the location. By all means take a few snaps, but I think it is unrealistic to plan ahead to do 'serious' photography without having had a prior visit or two and bearing in mind the time constraints you are under.
 
Some time ago, I hiked over the Cathedral pass, by Half-Dome, and down the Mist Trail past two magnificent waterfalls into the valley: Nevada Falls and Vernal Falls. Check the light and the right time of day for the falls, but I really enjoyed photographing there. It's quite a hike to the top of the upper (Nevada) falls, but the mist at the bottom of the lower falls is quite nice.

The other spot I wanted to reach was Glacier Point, but that's for another trip. Hope this helps.
 
Hi Kent,

Yosemite is a very special place for my wife and me. We try to go at least once a year, and our favorite times to go are winter and spring.

Even though you have limited time, I think it is still worthwhile to visit the major scenic points, if nothing else maybe it will inspire you to create your own version of what you see there. You don't even have to take pictures there, just visit them to enjoy the view. 🙂

At this time of year, Glacier Point road is closed, so you will not be able to go there. I recommend that you visit Tunnel View either at the beginning of your visit or at the end, on your way out of the park. In between, you should park your car at one of the public lots (Yosemite Lodge, Ahwahnee lodge, Curry Village, or Yosemite village) and take the park shuttle to get around the park.

As others already mentioned, you will have plenty of photo opportunities everywhere, at almost every place in the valley. A leisurely meandering walk along following the river, or in one of the meadows will be nice. Use the park map to plan your walks between shuttle stops. The shuttles stop at major park attractions, but instead of just seeing that particular attraction, plan to walk either around the area, or use that as the starting point for your valley walk.

Examples of walks:

- Yosemite Lodge to Swinging bridge and beyond.
- Lower Yosemite Falls to Yosemite Village
- Lower Yosemite Falls to Sentinel Bridge via a meadow
- Sentinel Bridge to Yosemite Chapel via same meadow as above
- Curry Village to Ahwahnee Lodge via a meadow
- Happy Isles to Vernal Falls (steep uphill walk, but worth the view of the falls).
- Mirror Lake trailhead (shuttle stop) to Mirror Lake
- Bridalveil Falls to El Capitan

Well, you get the idea. The meadow walks basically cross from one side of the valley to the other. You can follow the Merced river and Yosemite creek to get some nice river views that include the falls and granite in the background. To reduce the amount of walking, use the shuttle to get around between certain points. At this time of the year, if you prefer driving because of time constraints, you should not have problems with traffic, but I think it's more efficient and green to ditch the car until you're ready to leave the park.

I look forward to seeing some pictures of your experience posted here on RFF. 🙂

--Warren
 
I can't give you any help since I've never been there. I did notice you live down the road in Tyler. Any chance you can squeeze me into your suitcase? I'm on the small side. 🙂
 
Bard,
One thing to keep in mind is that a lot of the high overlook spots will still be inaccessible to cars in March, due to snow. So that cuts out a lot of the high-up views of the valley. The one high-up overlook that's alway's available (and most photographed from) is on Highway 140 at the Tunnel View turnout. (Highway 140 is the park entrance road if you're coming in from Merced) You never know... stopping there you might catch a "clearing storm" moment. 🙂

My other favorite area to photograph in, especially with medium or large format, is anywhere along the banks of the Merced River on the valley floor. Great views there of both the natural scenery, as well as of the other tourists. The bridges that cross over the Merced are excellent spots to try out.

Of course, don't forget to stop in at the Awhanee Hotel for a late afternoon beer out on the patio... one of the most amazing drinking spots in the world! 🙂

Have a great trip. I envy you... its been WAY too long since I've wandered the trails up there.
 
TXForester said:
I can't give you any help since I've never been there. I did notice you live down the road in Tyler. Any chance you can squeeze me into your suitcase? I'm on the small side. 🙂
Click to expand...

😀😀😀😀


Teuthida said:
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,
Click to expand...

I'd say bring your camera. Go and shoot the crowds of parents with whiney kids, guys on bikes who almost run you over, the ice cream stand etc.

Or, as Roger says- bring the camera but just treat it like any other walk with a camera. The postcard photographers are in the perfect spot in the perfect weather on the one day each season with the perfect light. They got the shot already. They spent five weeks getting it. Just go and shoot what you see. I'd much rather have pictures of Yosemite that couldn't be made by anyone else than crappier versions of the ones I could have bought in the gift shop for a buck (and I used to make those postcard images).
 
Yosemite falls is pretty and easy to get to, but really needs to be done early in the morning for the best lighting. Half Dome and El Capitan have multiple places you can get great shots...there are alot of pull outs along the loop around the park.

The best thing to do is get there early and drive the valley loop and see what sparks your interest and go from there.

I hope this is helpful!
 
Warren T. said:
Hi Kent,

Yosemite is a very special place for my wife and me. We try to go at least once a year, and our favorite times to go are winter and spring.

Even though you have limited time, I think it is still worthwhile to visit the major scenic points, if nothing else maybe it will inspire you to create your own version of what you see there. You don't even have to take pictures there, just visit them to enjoy the view. 🙂

At this time of year, Glacier Point road is closed, so you will not be able to go there. I recommend that you visit Tunnel View either at the beginning of your visit or at the end, on your way out of the park. In between, you should park your car at one of the public lots (Yosemite Lodge, Ahwahnee lodge, Curry Village, or Yosemite village) and take the park shuttle to get around the park.

As others already mentioned, you will have plenty of photo opportunities everywhere, at almost every place in the valley. A leisurely meandering walk along following the river, or in one of the meadows will be nice. Use the park map to plan your walks between shuttle stops. The shuttles stop at major park attractions, but instead of just seeing that particular attraction, plan to walk either around the area, or use that as the starting point for your valley walk.

Examples of walks:

- Yosemite Lodge to Swinging bridge and beyond.
- Lower Yosemite Falls to Yosemite Village
- Lower Yosemite Falls to Sentinel Bridge via a meadow
- Sentinel Bridge to Yosemite Chapel via same meadow as above
- Curry Village to Ahwahnee Lodge via a meadow
- Happy Isles to Vernal Falls (steep uphill walk, but worth the view of the falls).
- Mirror Lake trailhead (shuttle stop) to Mirror Lake
- Bridalveil Falls to El Capitan

Well, you get the idea. The meadow walks basically cross from one side of the valley to the other. You can follow the Merced river and Yosemite creek to get some nice river views that include the falls and granite in the background. To reduce the amount of walking, use the shuttle to get around between certain points. At this time of the year, if you prefer driving because of time constraints, you should not have problems with traffic, but I think it's more efficient and green to ditch the car until you're ready to leave the park.

I look forward to seeing some pictures of your experience posted here on RFF. 🙂

--Warren
Click to expand...

Now, that's Very helpful. Thanks to all who replied on this forum for the wide variety of advice. This is a great community!
Kent
 
Bard

I've been lucky enough to visit just once - for three days. The walk that I most remember being thoroughly enjoyable was from Glacier Point (we got a bus up) down to the valley floor - a most pleasant day, but this was September and I don't know how viable it would be now.

My opinion from my own experience is that, provided you don't just mooch around the car parks in the valley bottom, you can't really avoid being impressed and enthralled; its a fabulous place. I simply shot images of what I saw and wanted to photograph. I didn't research up on what had been done to death already and the images I took were for me. I have two framed up on my wall (Nevada Falls and Halfdome) which I still really enjoy looking at (as does my wife).

My only other comment is that it might be worth being selective over what gear you carry. Whatever you take will never be enough so carry what is comfortable and don't regret what you haven't got with you.
 
I didn't read all the replys, so maybe it was mentioned. I've been there, and done that. So why not just go, enjoy yourself, and shoot what grabs YOU... Don't worry about what other people think or look for, click what you feel moves you.
 
Remember the inverse-cube rule: the density of annoying tourists drops according to

~1/x^3

where x is the distance from the parking lot or trailhead. In other words, wear comfy shoes & use your legs. The trail up to Half Dome is an amazing hike, by the way.
 
SF to the Valley is 4 hours on good day via 120. 140 has a detour still (not verified). Weather permitting take 120.
After Crane Flat entrance on 120, once the road starts descent to the valley, there are numerous pull outs on the valley side. One of them is a gem with almost a straight on view of the valley looking EAST -El Cap to the left (north) Sentinel right Half dome further up. This is an evening shot locale, don't get up at 3AM to do this.
The valley road is basically one way counter clockwise. Consider shuttle bus if parking gets harder. El Cap can be done on your way in or out by car.

Check the road condition, today the valley appears all under snow cover according to NPS webcam.
Dont waist your time going on 140 from the valley. You will end up at a skiing area parking lot, not Glacier point (further 5 miles on cross country skis) if you get even that far. Or out the south entrance.
Best,
tom
 
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