Trip to Yosemite, best places to go ??

Hi,

My name is Angie and this is my first time posting to most any forums and I am hoping I am posting in the right place here on the forum. I took up photography about a year ago but really have gotten into it within the past 8 or so months. I very much enjoy it. It's the first hobby I have found where I can leave all my responsibilities, pressures from work, etc., behind just for a bit and all that matters when I am out shooting is what I am seeing through my view finder. I've had many hobbies and this is the first that has been truly therapeutic for me in this sense. I live in So Cal and have been traveling quite a bit throughout so cal and central cali here recently. I am planning my real first visit to Yosemite this coming weekend and I am at a bit of a loss as to where to go in Yosemite for the most scenic beautiful spots to take pics, although I am assuming that most of Yosemite is breathtaking anyway. I am looking to take pictures of not only landscape shots but wildlife, sunsets, sunrise, portraits, etc., just the whole gamut. I do have a 7 year old son so rigorous or strenuous hikes lasting all day more than likely will be out of the question for me. Although my most recent trip to Sequoia, he did tolerate a 5 mile hike categorized as easy to moderate pretty well. I haven't taken him on any hikes that are more rigorous but he no doubt loves to hike, the more rugged it is the more he seems to like it. He takes after his mom no doubt !!

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated and thank you very much !!!

Angie

Welcome to the forums.

"The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite". One of the best books you can buy.

http://www.amazon.com …oks&qid=1214276​015&sr=8-3

and the price is right (8.95)

Denny G wrote in post #5779609
Welcome to the forums.

"The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite". One of the best books you can buy.

http://www.amazon.com …oks&qid=1214276​015&sr=8-3

and the price is right (8.95)

+1. I keep mine in my bag.

For a quick overview there is a tram which goes around the valley floor I would also suggest taking the road to Glacier Point which overlooks the valley. How many days do you plan on spending there? There are several other things to do in the area IF you have the time. As of last Wednesday (June 18 ) Yosemite falls was still flowing.

The Yosemite NPS Web sight;
http://www.nps.gov/yos​e/index.htm


Wayne

tunnel view, and glacier point, welcome and good luck...

Half Dome, El Capitan, Bridal Veil, Yosemite Falls, Sentinel Dome, Tunnel View, Glacier Point, Nevada Falls, etc., etc. Get the idea? That's why everyone carries their copy of "The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite" with them. It's a great guide. Check out the bookstore in the village, too. They've got some good Yosemite books in stock. Have a great time.

Wow, thank you so much for the replies. Duh, on the Yosemite book, I should have known. LOL For the most part, I haven't had the greatest of luck on finding specific books for what I am looking for. One I would love to have though are prime spots in so cal for sunsets and sunrises at different times of the year but anyway. I checked out the links and no doubt will be picking one up tomorrow !!! Will make my life so much easier while out there.

I'll be out there through the weekend, hoping to get out there early afternoon Friday and staying through until Sunday night. Would love to stay longer but this trip just like all my last trips have been spur of the moment road trips. This is probably the first road trip that's been planned at least 5 days in advance. Most of them have been as last minute as you can get....one of those, hey, let's go to Sequoia or DV or where ever, a quick pack, and literally within a few hours we're out the door. Although not much preparation and planning, they've all been a complete blast. But since this trip is being planned out a bit in advance, won't waste too much time out there fiddling around trying to figure out the best places to go or driving around checking the area out. But at any rate, thank you so much everyone for being so helpful !!

Hikin Mike wrote in post #5779836
+1. I keep mine in my bag.

I second that notion, I keep that book w/me everytime I visit Yosemite.

The Ansel Adams Gallery offers free photography walks:
http://www.yosemitepar​k.com …urs_photography​walks.aspx

May not be too informative for experts, I am a beginner myself and I did it last year and the instructer was helpful with hints and advice like best locations, apertures, focusing techniques, etc. People attending had everything from high end gear to point and shoots.

I was just there on Monday hiking Half Dome, the fires that started on Saturday were causing a terrible haze. I understand it is even worse now nearly completely obstructing the sun with no falls, mountains, or domes visible. You may want to re-think your trip.

check out this site:
http://yosemitefun.com​/

pupule_04 wrote in post #5793445
The Ansel Adams Gallery offers free photography walks:
http://www.yosemitepar​k.com …urs_photography​walks.aspx

May not be too informative for experts, I am a beginner myself and I did it last year and the instructer was helpful with hints and advice like best locations, apertures, focusing techniques, etc. People attending had everything from high end gear to point and shoots.

I was just there on Monday hiking Half Dome, the fires that started on Saturday were causing a terrible haze. I understand it is even worse now nearly completely obstructing the sun with no falls, mountains, or domes visible. You may want to re-think your trip.

check out this site:
http://yosemitefun.com​/

OMG, that really sucks with the fires. Oy, I picked up the book that was recommended and no doubt it is a fabulous book. I can only wish there are more books like this for Sequoia, Yellowstone, etc., as these are places I will more than likely be going to within the next 6 months or so. Sequoia is relatively local for me, about 3.5 to 4 hour drive and have been there quite often these past few months but have never been to Yellowstone.

If anyone knows of any books similar to the one that was recommended The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite, please let me know. It would no doubt come in handy. Wow, unfortunately I've already booked our room in Yosemite. And according to the lady I spoke with, if you cancel within 6 days of the reservation date, they will still charge you for the first night. So if I don't go, I'm out some money. What a pain in my butt. I even picked up a polarizer today for pretty cheap, about 160 at Samy's http://www.schneiderop​tics.com …ail.aspx?CID=68​0&IID=5721 and was looking forward to using it.

I'm also fairly new to photography. Picked it up about a year ago. And ever since, have delved head first into it and no doubt is a passion of mine, still have a lot to learn though. But wow, that sucks and hopefully it's not too bad. It's such a beautiful place. But I'll check into it and how bad the fires are and if we should do the trip another time. Thank you very much for letting me know about the current conditions in Yosemite.

Angie

pupule_04 wrote in post #5793445
The Ansel Adams Gallery offers free photography walks:
http://www.yosemitepar​k.com …urs_photography​walks.aspx

May not be too informative for experts, I am a beginner myself and I did it last year and the instructer was helpful with hints and advice like best locations, apertures, focusing techniques, etc. People attending had everything from high end gear to point and shoots.

I was just there on Monday hiking Half Dome, the fires that started on Saturday were causing a terrible haze. I understand it is even worse now nearly completely obstructing the sun with no falls, mountains, or domes visible. You may want to re-think your trip.

check out this site:
http://yosemitefun.com​/

I just checked out the link and that's really bad and really sad. No doubt my trip won't happen this weekend. Oy, I'm going to call the hotel to see if there is anyway to push our reservations further up so I won't get charged for canceling it. Again thanks for letting me know.

Good luck with the reservations. Hopefully they will allow you to postpone given it could be a serious health issue.
This is the book I used for Yellowstone:
http://www.amazon.com …oks&qid=1214451​896&sr=8-1

Going to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons in July, 3rd year in a row. Got hooked on watching wolves and bears. Like Yosemite, a photographers dream!

Cali !! wrote in post #5793580
I just checked out the link and that's really bad and really sad. No doubt my trip won't happen this weekend. Oy, I'm going to call the hotel to see if there is anyway to push our reservations further up so I won't get charged for canceling it. Again thanks for letting me know.

You should be able to do that. I usually don't have to stay overnight....I'm fairly close, but every now and again my wife and I like to go for an overnighter. One time we had to postpone our trip and there was no problem.

Good luck!

Hikin Mike wrote in post #5794581
You should be able to do that. I usually don't have to stay overnight....I'm fairly close, but every now and again my wife and I like to go for an overnighter. One time we had to postpone our trip and there was no problem.

Good luck!

I'm absolutely amazed. I just spoke with a lady named Amanda and they have refused to reimburse or postpone the reservation for the first night. They will cancel or postpone the remainder of the stay but not the first night and I'll still be charged and no doubt not cheap. Wow, even with the health risks involved and given my son has asthma and the fact that I was not told by the lady that took the reservation of the potential health risk to those with pulmonary problems -- I wouldn't have made the dang reservation if I was told by the lady beforehand. It's no fault of my own and I had full intention of keeping the reservation. It's not like I changed my mind at the last minute because I just couldn't make it. total BS. It's not like I didn't check weather stats, etc., before going up there. I checked and the weather reported by the national weather service said conditions were wonderful with no problems. *sighing* It would be the negligence of the park not to inform the potential visitors who may have health problems of the dangerous air quality but rather I'm being reprimanded for it and forced to pay regardless at no fault to my own. Freakin' amazing and surprised at the response I got. I'll figure something out and maybe talk with someone else that is in higher managment. If not, I'll end up eating the cost or will just have my son stay home with his grandma or something.

Cali !! wrote in post #5798092
...I'll figure something out and maybe talk with someone else that is in higher managment. If not, I'll end up eating the cost or will just have my son stay home with his grandma or something.

That's what I'd do.