High Sierra Topix

I was able to get up to Yosemite after a 2-year absence last Friday. This was also the first time that I photographed Half Dome from the Valley. I usually head up to the high country, but since Tioga was closed, I spent the day in the Valley.

Here are my favorites...

Nice shots, Mike. Thanks for posting.

Thanks Mike

Been missing your photos!

Mike

Some nice shots Mike! Good to see you were able to get up there - must've been a lot of fun after the long absence.

Nice Mike, #4 is the winner for me.

Thanks! It was nice to get back out again. I need to do this again....soon.

Nice capture Mike with #4 with a good sunset sky and reflection. During many falls unlike this droughty year of very low flows, the residual Merced water flow is enough to cause continuous small waves in the water. That spot with the fall leaf aspen and cottonwood has been a favorite site for tripods over long years.

At this time of year with the setting sun some 20 plus degrees south of due west, the face of the dome never is fully illuminated thus in partial shadows at best, as can be seen in image #2. That can be understood by looking at the topo. Thus potential better light for more even illumination will be after sunset on the dome IF there are clouds to reflect light down from. Blue skylight alone on sunny days is simply too cool unless one strongly manipulates in post processing. That is why the best time of year for highly detailed large images is best at mid summer about the solstice when the sun sets about 30 degrees north of due west and for this person that is usually about 5:30pm to 6:30pm before the sun altitude lowers so much that the lower heavy atmosphere to the west weakens the illumination. The classic telephoto shot of the face I've been wanting for years is from the meadow in May after a cold late season snowstorm is being pushed east late afternoon by usual cold clear air behind a front. That leaves its cliff ledges and helmet cap aesthetically covered by fresh snow. An additional bonus would be a mix of deep blue sky and a few nice clouds behind the dome.