Yosemite National Park in Spring (No. 2)

Ansel Adams said that "The negative is comparable to the composer's score and the print to its performance. Each performance differs in subtle ways." Since getting back from Yosemite National Park (about four weeks ago), I've been working on my initial digital images (the "scores") and trying to make the best possible "performance" (final image) from each one. Here is the next batch of my Yosemite photographs. If you missed my first Yosemite post, you can find it HERE. To purchase any of my photographs, visit my ETSY SHOP.

Peaceful morning on the Merced River
(seen from El Capitan Bridge).

Glacier Point at twilight
with moonrise.

Sunset at Tenaya Lake .

Three Brothers with morning light. 

Tree in Merced River at Happy Isles.

Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls
in morning light.

Yosemite Falls at night with moonbow.

Merced River with reflection of
El Capitan.

Close up of Yosemite Falls.

Meadow, trees and Half Dome:  Last
Light in Yosemite Valley

Yosemite National Park in Spring (No. 1)

I recently returned from a "bucket list" five day trip to Yosemite National park.  I am fortunate to have traveled there several times before (most recently five years ago, with my wife and sons).  This recent trip was specifically to photograph Yosemite's magnificent landscapes and nature.  I chose to travel in Spring, in order to see the waterfalls and rivers at their fullest, and to see dogwoods and other wildflowers.  Below are the first ten of my images.  To see more of my Yosemite photographs, click HERE.

Bridalveil Falls at Sunset

Moonrise over Gray Peak (from Glacier Point)

Morning View of Upper Yosemite Falls and Reflection
(from Swinging Bridge)

Tunnel View Silhouette (before Sunrise)

Morning Reflection of El Capitan in the Merced River

Rush of Water:  Merced River at Happy Isles

Half Dome at Sunset (from Yosemite Valley)

Dogwood and Incense Cedar

Half Dome at Sunset (from Glacier Point)

Yosemite Valley at Dusk:  Meadow, Trees and Cliffs 

For most of my time in Yosemite, I was part of  a photography workshop led by GARY HART and co-led by DON SMITH - two extremely talented photographers (and very nice, engaging guys).  Gary has an infectious love of photography, and he consistently put us in "the right place at the right time" (for great light, wonderful vantage points, unique experiences, etc.) The other nine participants in the group were a diverse, interesting, extremely friendly and very skillful group of professionals who shared my enthusiasm for photography and the outdoors.  They not only provided companionship in Yosemite, but we learned a great deal by seeing each other's work.  On my last day in Yosemite, I was extremely lucky to have a private workshop with MICHAEL FRYE.  Michael is one of the present gurus of Yosemite photography, and he wrote several beautiful and extremely useful landscape photography books, including:  The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite