The photograph in the last post is of Tunnel View, the most iconic scene in Yosemite. This photograph is of Valley View, or as many call it, Gates of the Valley. The scene is framed by El Capitan on the left, Cathedral Rocks and Bridalveil Fall on the right. This was shot as the sun was setting, casting a warm glow on both El Cap and Bridalveil. The Merced River was moving too swiftly to get a mirror reflection, so I just focused on trying to frame a decent shot with something in the foreground. People will seem to bother you when you’re lying flat on your stomach trying to compose a shot, won’t they? First, some deranged woman who claims the National Park Service had sent her off on extended leave had to ask me what I was doing (
Hmmmm. Camera. Tripod. Remote release. Yosemite. What do you think, lady?). Then there was a Chinese guy who bounded out of his car, ran right down to where I was perched to point at my camera and ask me what lens I was using. He then ran back up to his car, grabbed about $5,000 worth of gear, and set up shop right next to me. That used to make me mad, now it’s a little flattering.
I continue to be impressed with the black-and-white conversion capabilities of Photoshop Lightroom CC. Seriously solid. I continue to be disappointed with how Lightroom sharpens images, though maybe I'm just not good at it. I use Smart Sharpen in Photoshop CC. EXIF for this image is f/11 for 1/60th of a second, ISO 100, +1/3 stop exposure compensation.
