Reader Abhi wrote in to ask about photography in Winter.
A few friends and I were keen to head out there to enjoy a different side of Yosemite and hopefully be able to take some good pictures. Trouble is, we’ve only been in the summer and can’t
really find any recommendations for good places to be at different times in the day.
Winter photography in Yosemite really depends on the weather when you’re there. On bright sunny days it can be nothing short of heart breaking as the shadows from the south rim are long and there’s much too much contrast for a camera to render accurately. If you have a camera that accepts screw type filters I definitely recommend getting a split Neutral Density filter and using the gray area to cover the brightest part.
On overcast days I tend to look down to shoot. The light is much more even on cloudy days and there’s a never ending supply of things to shoot.
Shooting during the “golden hours” (about an hour before sunrise and an hour after the sun sets) tends to minimize shadows, create even light, and create a sense of drama in your shots.
Here are some of the things I look for in different conditions. Things to look for on clear days:
Early morning fog on the meadows
Rainbows in Lower Yosemite Falls
Morning light on El Capitan
Evening light on Half Dome
Evening light on El Capitan
Evening light on Bridalveil Falls
Washington Column and Mirror Lake (err…pond…sandbar)
Firefall on El Capitan
On cloudy days photography can be good all day long. I look for:
Tunnel View
Snow on trees
Interesting rock formations
Merced River
Fern Spring
People
Lower Yosemite Falls
Bridalveil Falls
Vernal Falls
Tree Trunks
Leaves (by water is good)
Wildlife
Ideally a partially cloudy day makes for the most dramatic photos but will still require the use of the ND filter most of the time. Just remember, though your eye may have no problem seeing the things in both bright light and dark shadows your camera won’t.
Good luck and have a great trip.