Yosemite in June

[Joeymozzer]

Ill be up in Yosemite in the summer and I am still basically learning everything at a very slow pace. What are somethings to expect and look for when shooting up there? what should I try and use. thanks

[sparker1]

The waterfalls should be flowing really well. If you want "smooth" water, bring a tripod and CPL, ND filters possibly required. If you have time, drive over Tioga Pass and see Mono Lake, possibly Bodie Ghost Town.

[Joeymozzer]

ok thanks for the info, hope i get good shots and plenty of time...... a beginner question, i know its trial and error for the most part, but what kinda of shutter speed and app. should i be looking for?

[sparker1]

Originally Posted by Joeymozzer

ok thanks for the info, hope i get good shots and plenty of time...... a beginner question, i know its trial and error for the most part, but what kinda of shutter speed and app. should i be looking for?

Depends on the scene and what you are trying to do, but anything from 1/6 sec to multiple seconds will give you smooth water. I usually bracket with aperture from f8 to f29 with my 10-22 mm lens, I may have 4 or 5 shots with very little difference, then pick the one that feels best.

[Hikin Mike]

I always recommend the book from Michael Frye called, "The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite". I keep it in my camera bag.

[Joeymozzer]

Thanks, Is it newbie friendly? Atwater Village?

[Hikin Mike]

Originally Posted by Joeymozzer

Thanks, Is it newbie friendly? Atwater Village?

Yes, it is newbie-friendly. Here's his website: http://www.michaelfrye.com/index.html

And no, not Atwater Village (in LA), I'm in Atwater, CA; Central Valley....90 miles from Yosemite.

[jamganz]

Originally Posted by Hikin Mike

I always recommend the book from Michael Frye called, "The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite". I keep it in my camera bag.

If you don't get this beforehand, you can find this for around $10 in one of the gift shops while you are there.

[Hikin Mike]

Originally Posted by jamganz

If you don't get this beforehand, you can find this for around $10 in one of the gift shops while you are there.

Yep, that's where I got mine.

[Simplistic]

I still like the photos that Ansel Adams got of Yosemite the best

Don't forget to study him for inspiration!!!

[mzelmom]

Originally Posted by Hikin Mike

I always recommend the book from Michael Frye called, "The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite". I keep it in my camera bag.

I will be there in two weeks. I can't wait. Also, the book has an app for the iPhone. I think it was $6 or $7. Its pretty cool. Give you locations and the best times to shoot. Also give you info on sunrise/sunset, as well as tips on how to shoot. It's the first and only app I have ever paid for. So far so good, just haven't used it in action.

[Simplistic]

For those of you who have been shooting in Yosemite,

is a 10-22mm a great lens to use there?

[Cali_PH]

Originally Posted by Simplistic

For those of you who have been shooting in Yosemite,

is a 10-22mm a great lens to use there?

I've enjoyed using a 10-22mm with a T2i & 60D there, I'd definitely recommend that you take it with you. Although much of Yosemite is already 'wide' and a 24-105 or something like that would be used, there are times when I'm glad I had the 10-22 with me. Of course, I'd highly suggest supplementing that with 1-2 lenses with more reach (which you're probably already planning).

[PhotogNY]

After your trip, please stop back here and leave some tips that you discovered that you wish you knew beforehand. (and, of course, some pics).

[Cali_PH]

Some general tips:

- A lot of people just go into the valley and think that's about all there is to see. There's much more of Yosemite to experience, so if you have the time and the roads are open, go up to Glacier Point (I suggest doing at least the Taft Point hike, spectacular views into the valley from the rim). If Tioga Pass is open, that's also worth a drive, maybe even all the way through to Mono Lake if you have the time.

- If you're worried about road conditions depending on time of year (snow, chain requirements, road closures) , check here:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

- I have a link on my desktop to 3 Yosemite webcams to check the current snow/weather/etc. conditions:
http://www.yosemiteconservancy.org/webcams

- I've found this hiking website a great resource for getting info on hikes to explore and shoot:
http://www.yosemitehikes.com/
There's info on distance, elevation change, difficulty, scenery rating, maps, parking, etc. There's also pictures so you can get an idea of what you'll see.

- Park entrance is $25/car, for 7 days (at least back in February). If you're going to be visiting other NP's, considering ordering an America The Beautiful annual pass; $80 to get into all NP's for a year.
http://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html