Yosemite: Heading to Yosemite soon. Photographers paradise. Hoping that there may still be water flowing in the waterfalls, and the haze from the fires not too limiting, though may...

dsolimini Loc: C'Ville Virginia

Heading to Yosemite soon. Photographers paradise. Hoping that there may still be water flowing in the waterfalls, and the haze from the fires not too limiting, though may make attractive sunrise/sunsets. Read about all the obvious picture locations. Wondering if anyone has hints about 'off the beaten path' locations? Thanks in advance.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I see these questions quite often. As you pointed out, there are the usual locations. The usual locations usually render the same scenes everyone else has shot. Your best bet is to look around and find those hidden treasures on your own. Additionally, taking a photograph that presents in a unique manner those time-worn obvious locations can produce that stunning photograph.

For example, a friend of mine has been invited to numerous rocket launches at Cape Kennedy. Year after year everyone there produced the same rocket lift-off photographs. One year, they photographed a wired picket fence that had sustained the winds produced by numerous launches. The fence was partially blown over and sand crept up to and on its pickets. That photograph won an award. Yes, they were looking for something unique.
--Bob

dsolimini wrote:

Heading to Yosemite soon. Photographers paradise. Hoping that there may still be water flowing in the waterfalls, and the haze from the fires not too limiting, though may make attractive sunrise/sunsets. Read about all the obvious picture locations. Wondering if anyone has hints about 'off the beaten path' locations? Thanks in advance.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

dsolimini wrote:

Heading to Yosemite soon. Photographers paradise. Hoping that there may still be water flowing in the waterfalls, and the haze from the fires not too limiting, though may make attractive sunrise/sunsets. Read about all the obvious picture locations. Wondering if anyone has hints about 'off the beaten path' locations? Thanks in advance.

I used to go to Yosemite every fall. Don’t expect too much water.

If you are able, get away from the valley and go on some day hikes. Even better, backpack in and stay overnight. That way you will get sunset and sunrise light.

May Lake is an easy backpack site and scenic.

Explore have fun be creative. Lots to see.

Photocraig

JD750 wrote:

I used to go to Yosemite every fall. Don’t expect too much water.

If you are able, get away from the valley and go on some day hikes. Even better, backpack in and stay overnight. That way you will get sunset and sunrise light.

May Lake is an easy backpack site and scenic.

Explore have fun be creative. Lots to see.

Triple plus on May Lake. There is also a High Sierra Camp there with Cabins and meals. Usually booked, but check if some space is available. Also transient tent sites that may be available.

Remember, Entrance is for those with reservations ONLY. The fires are quite large, and although I haven't been there lately, I'd expect the smoke to be moderate to thick.

Even the "trophy" shots can be made more unique by shooting wider or tighter. Adding a foreground that hasn't been seen before is one way, move 20 feet to the left and frame on a 1/3 line and you'll get different results. Work the scene, ALSO right now the moon is RED! and teh Sun is very filtered red-orange. all from teh smoke. If you're expecting to return with Nat'l Geographic or Postcard results, this isn't a good time. And I wouldn't expect more than a trickle of water.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

rmalarz wrote:

I see these questions quite often. As you pointed ... (show quote)

tcthome Loc: NJ

delete

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

rmalarz wrote:

I see these questions quite often. As you pointed ... (show quote)

I totally agree. Find something unique. Avoid the trite and the mundane. Work the scene. But I hardly ever do all of this, usually just snap away and document things. Sometimes I get lucky and have an artsy one.

Gatorcoach Loc: New Jersey

Just came back from there 2 weeks ago and, unfortunately your fears are present. Smoke (haze) blocks many of the vistas from the high points - El Capitan is OK because you are right beside it but forget Half Dome unless you take the long hike to it. The falls are mostly dry and Mirror Lake is virtually non-existent.

Hate to be a downer but the trip was still great and fun. For me, photographically it wasn't the most successful but I did get some beauties - just not representative of Yosemite.

Good luck and enjoy!

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

dsolimini wrote:

Heading to Yosemite soon. Photographers paradise. Hoping that there may still be water flowing in the waterfalls, and the haze from the fires not too limiting, though may make attractive sunrise/sunsets. Read about all the obvious picture locations. Wondering if anyone has hints about 'off the beaten path' locations? Thanks in advance.

You gotta shoot quarter dome.

It used to be called half dome but that was before inflation knocked it down.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

dsolimini wrote:

Heading to Yosemite soon. Photographers paradise. Hoping that there may still be water flowing in the waterfalls, and the haze from the fires not too limiting, though may make attractive sunrise/sunsets. Read about all the obvious picture locations. Wondering if anyone has hints about 'off the beaten path' locations? Thanks in advance.

Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, and keep driving to Donner Pass (don't stop for a meal) and maybe over to Bodie Ghost Town right off the US-395. All worthy. Smoke from the Lake Tahoe fire is horrible going to bet Yosemite is smoky, however winds have been more favorable as of late.

Good luck! PS-I have heard the water is very low in most places up there now.

rodbarr Loc: Maryland

At this time of year it might be a good plan to cross Tioga Pass to visit Mono Lake (if it hasn't been drained by LA), and especially Bodie, the best ghost town in the USA, bar none, where it is always DRY, although smoke from fires may be a problem everywhere east of the Sierras. Lee Vining is a good base on the east side. There are a number of motels there, and camping should be available at several nice Forest Service campgrounds off the Tioga Pass Road, some miles west of the US 395 intersection. The Mono Lake tufas and Glass Mountain are definitely photo- worthy. There is a very nice, and helpful, Visitor's Center on 395 just north of Lee Vining.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

Check on the status of park openings before you head to Yosemite. I think I saw an article during the week that all national parks in CA are closed do to the risk of fire or fires already burning.

10MPlayer Loc: California

Doubtful any water is flowing over the falls this time of year with the drought and everything. Sometimes I get a kick out of shooting pictures of the people. All the tourists with their iPads, shooting pics of the valley, they do the most ridiculous things. One of my faves was a capture I got of a pretty young lady shooting selfies at Yellowstone. It was the first time I'd seen a selfie-stick. I thought it was funny that here is in one of the most exotic locales on Earth and she's shooting pictures of herself. Anyway, it's a thought. The human species is always coming up with something new to photograph. Put your imagination to work.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Lake Lundy is also on east side if Sierras near Lee Vining. Some beautiful views there too.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

dsolimini wrote:

Heading to Yosemite soon. Photographers paradise. Hoping that there may still be water flowing in the waterfalls, and the haze from the fires not too limiting, though may make attractive sunrise/sunsets. Read about all the obvious picture locations. Wondering if anyone has hints about 'off the beaten path' locations? Thanks in advance.

Yosemite is open.

Nothing wrong with visiting the usual suspect sites at weird hours - twilight is great for interesting results. Most people are not out at those times.

However, if you have no reservations, good luck. Covid-related restrictions limit the daily visits - and having a lifetime or annual pass is no advantage - you still need a reservation to visit, at least until 9/20.

Yosemite falls is dry, Vernal and Nevada are dripping, Bridalveil is described as low-flow.

Hate to rain on your parade, but a better time to visit might be in mid-late spring. Less bear activity, fewer tourists, more water in the falls, fewer fires, etc.