Half Dome and Tenaya Canyon Photo

Photographer’s Note

Half Dome,
Yosemite National Park, California

Scene
Half dome and Tenaya Canyon from Olmstead Point. This view of Half Dome is not the iconic view as seen from the west or the valley floor but is the northeast view. We can see some of the backside of the truncated dome from this position. This view is also the route rock climber’s use to scale the dome. Hikers can climb the dome from a trail from the valley floor up the Merced River, pass Vernal and Nevada Falls, and then a series of stairs and cables up the south side. This is a strenuous hike and should not be tackled by inexperienced hikers and be prepared for a line to climb the stairs. Some even recommend this as a two-four day trip so that you can rest and be first on the steps at sunrise. We are looking down Tenaya Creek and Canyon and this is also a very difficult hike back into the valley and requires experience to navigate the trail and the rocks as the trail descends into the valley. The creek drains Tenaya Lake which behind and to left of this view.

Background
I was on a short get away to the east side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to photograph Mono Lake, Bodie, and the Ancient Bristlecones in the White Mountains. On my drive to the east I transited Yosemite National Park as it is the shortest route to Mono Lake from Fresno. I stopped at Olmstead to view Half Dome and decided I needed to come back at sunrise and capture this beautiful rock. I returned two days later to cloudy conditions and cold. I was not prepared for the cold but I did have a sweat shirt and fleece jacket. I arrived well before sunrise and sat in the parking lot waiting for the light. While in the dark I thought I spotted a light on Half Dome. I got the binoculars out and spotted several lights on the east face of the rock where most of the climbers ascend the rock. When sunrise was to occur it was overcast and windy. I waited until about 0800 and did get a few fleeting moments when the sun penetrated the clouds. Since the lighting was so poor and with the scene being so mono-toned I felt a B&W conversion would be a better presentation.

feather, Bruno40, plimrn has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

dkeus31 (26503) 2009-08-17 11:07

Hi John
interesting BW, I may prefer some more contrast, it seems light, except the darker trees.
have a nice day
didier

feather (50560) 2009-08-17 13:58

Is this to tease Rob? :D It looks very bright considering the sun was fleeting. It's only when you examine the image that the scale becomes apparent and I was surprised to see the FL was 40mm as it has a WA appearance. In comparison to the scene as a whole the trees look like miniatures. It's a view of Half Dome I haven't seen before. well done
Kath

jhm (83786) 2009-08-19 4:32

Hello John,

You experiment with a black and white picture, I am not the great fan, therefor I would always as secound picture the colour version places.
Very well perspective, pleasant for look at.
Good composition too. TFS.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Bruno40 (6442) 2009-08-19 6:27

Hi John,
A origial, at least for me, POV of the Half Dome. I like the compo and the wide view of the famous landscape.
I am more fond of color photos, but this place is famous for beautiful B&W work, so it is hard not to compare with Ansel :-)
I find quite soft tones, like harsh light. Did you use polarizer?
I like it, but I prefer stronger contrast. Still, I think this is an underrated photo.
Good work
cheers
Jorge

gunbud (28295) 2009-08-19 19:03

Hi John,
The black and white treatment makes the eye concentrate on the beautiful lines and rich textures of this fantastic landscape.
Love the contrasting light and shadows.
Regards, Tom

plimrn (19872) 2009-08-25 13:23

Hi John,
I very much like this POV, the detail is splendid as well. Your note reminds me that when Chris was 18 months old, we carried him up this trail, includidng up the rock!! We did leave the dog at the base of the rock. Now it's something that I can barely imagine doing myself. This weekend Chris starts a month-long trek on the Pacific Crest Trail - He'll be in Tuolomne Meadows on June 2. I don't know that I told him about the trip - guess I will.
HLJ, Pat

mporterf (461) 2009-08-27 9:10

John,

Looks like we may have crossed paths at Yosemite unknowingly. This is a beautiful landscape, although there are some areas which are blown out. I had similar as well as opposite problems with my photos because of the sunny weather and harsh shadows. Have a look at my workshop and let me know what you think.

TFS,
MP

[workshop] [compare] +

Waylim (11339) 2009-10-20 16:11

Hi John,
I like black and white shot, but I think for whatever reason, this one got lost in the sea of color images. Perhaps it because the overall image lack contrast and a strong point of attention. the Half Dome would have been it, but it is still far away and does not draw attention to it. If there were a tree in the foreground or a large rock or even a person looking into the photo at the subject would have anchor our vision, and the over cast light also kind of washed out the contrast in a large portion of right side. Perhaps a color version of this one would have worked out better and draw more attention and provide more details of the geological feature of the area. because I can actuall see good sharpness and clarity, but the gray just sort of blending too much. Just my thought.
Way