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I'm hiking the JMT in Sept primarily to do landscape photography. I'm trying to get a list together of area's I can plan my days to shoot some landscape photos in. Now I already hiked more then half the trail back in 2000 but I missed the other part after I got hurt and I rejoined the PCT in Tuolemne Meadows. So we all know the areas in Yosemite. But I really want to know from you all the middle part . Banner Peak, Rae Lakes, Muir Hut, Mt Whitney, and others are some on my list so far. Does anyone have any others I could add to my shot list?
If you don't have it yet, get a copy of John Dittli's JMT book. That should provide lots of ideas and inspiration. There's a second printing still available. Here's the link:
And, of course, there's always Ansel Adam's book. It's the book that was given to Harold Ickes, FDR's Interior Secretary, who showed it to FDR, who promptly kept the book for himself. It 's what led to FDR supporting the creation of Kings Canyon National Park.
What is your goal? If it is to find scenery that is worth shooting, literally every mile of your trip will be worth shooting. Shoot what inspires you, not what someone else tells you is worth shooting. When youre out there and near the end of your day, maybe within an hour of wanting to set up camp, do it where you see potential for subject matter or light conditions that make sense for you. Rather than thinking of a shot list in terms of locations, you might consider coming up with a shot list of the aspects of your personal journey. Getting to the trail, packing, tent in different environments, trail life, friends you meet, natural scenes that speak to you, small element portraits of nature that help tell the story.. All of that will likely wind up being the most meaningful to you and because it is your experience and your perspective, it will likely be most interesting for others as well.
