Thursday, May 20, 2010

Yosemite Valley: A different place at night

Yosemite Valley is famous for many things, not the least of which is huge crowds, all taking in the iconic views and recording millions if not billions of images. And that's just me. So I've found myself constantly trying to do something different, and one thing I've learned is that everyone goes to dinner and then to bed by 9 or 10 PM.

On a day that was indeed very crowded, we hung around until nightfall, and first walked up to Lower Yosemite Falls. There were a grand total of 8 other people that we saw in an hour. We had the waterfall to ourselves and it was beautiful, and all the more striking when the increasing darkness took away the visual sense, but heightened the others. The roar of the spring runoff is almost frightening in its intensity.

I was still experimenting with night shots, and had no real luck except for this very unusual view of Bridalveil Fall and the Cathedral Rocks from the Gateway View. I only lightened the exposure a little. Otherwise, that's what the camera saw as the crescent moon was setting, along with a few high clouds from a departing storm. It was a magical evening...

Yesterday's post is not forgotten. I'll try to fill you in shortly!

4 comments:

Jules said...

Garry, A gorgeous and awesome photo!

Anonymous said...

Wow, the picture is wonderful! I was at Yosemite last May, and the roar of the falls is entrancing.

Gaelyn said...

Your image is Outstanding. Almost looks like a painting.

It's true that most visitors go to bed early after a full day of exploring.

yosemite faith said...

i love yosemite at night. of course i love yosemite any time but falling asleep to the echoing roar of all the falls from valley end to end in the spring is ideal.