# Peaceful Valley (+revised) **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** landscape, black-and-white\ **Created:** [August 8, 2026, 1:36pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/peaceful-valley-revised/51854 "2026-08-08T13:36:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![John\_Williams](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/john_williams/32/28797_2.png) [@John\_Williams](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/John_Williams)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 1:36pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/peaceful-valley-revised/51854/1 "2026-08-08T13:36:42Z")
## Revised Version ### Revision 1 (latest) ![Revision 1 - 20250506 c npn.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/9/2/92c89e59135ac106e765b6bb0613c1d509ce1a7d.jpeg) **What changed:** I dodged a bit on the edges as suggested. Hopefully enough? Thanks for the feedback! _Added after receiving feedback from the community._ * * * ## Original Version ![Original - 20250506 c.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/d/2/d282ced78845e85cfffca2f7809413429481accd.jpeg) **Critique Style:** Standard The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below. **Feedback Focus:** Artistic + Technical ### About This Image It would be interesting to know what viewpoint around the world has had the most landscape photographs taken from. If there’s a spot that beats Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park, I’d like to know where. At locations like this, in my mind I tend to have a wrestling match with myself. I know I’m just photographing what thousands (millions in this case?) have before me; I’m not going to come away with anything new or earth shattering. But, on the other hand, these places are special for a reason, and coming away with a beautiful memory is still valuable to me. So nothing new here, but this is my favorite take from Tunnel view from our May visit. ### Feedback Requested When I do take an iconic view, I like it to at least pass muster. I’d love any tips and tweaks you can suggest. ### Technical Details Camera: NIKON Z 7\_2 Lens: NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR Focal length: 320mm Shutter speed: 1/40s Aperture: f/8 ISO: 64 ---
**Author:** ![Gill\_Vanderlip](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/gill_vanderlip/32/54254_2.png) [@Gill\_Vanderlip](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Gill_Vanderlip)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 2:02pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/peaceful-valley-revised/51854/2 "2026-08-08T14:02:18Z")
Very Cool John… The Tone and the Light works great in your B&W Image… I love the depth of this image. Its your vision and memory. Thats most important. Did you have fun taking the image ??? ---
**Author:** ![Preston\_Birdwell](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/preston_birdwell/32/374_2.png) [@Preston\_Birdwell](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Preston_Birdwell)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 4:18pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/peaceful-valley-revised/51854/3 "2026-08-08T16:18:27Z")
John, to my mind this speaks to a sense of calm, but also the drama that nature does provide when one stops to really see it, as you have done here. The flow of the clouds is wonderful, and the tonal values look great as presented. In a sense, I have some envy. I have been to Tunnel View more times than I can count, and I’ve never gotten an image from there that I felt measured up, or the conditions were not optimal. You.ve got a wall -hanger here. Nicely done, sir! -P ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Cothron](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/jonathan_cothron/32/87991_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Cothron](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Jonathan_Cothron)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/peaceful-valley-revised/51854/4 "2026-08-08T17:21:33Z")
Hello John, First, it’s new to me I haven’t been there nor seen images from there (that I realize anyway), and this one is fantastic. Second, I think you definitely passed the muster test. They layers of evergreens and the clouds separting create a terrific sense of depth. The image itself inspires calm, but also some tension because there is so much to examine in it. I’m not sure I would change a thing, but the only thing that sort of grabs my eyes is that small spot of trees in the URC. I might be tempted to dodge a bit or negative dehaze to sort of lighten those trees up a tad. It’s a small thing though, I love the image as is. ---
**Author:** ![Lon\_Overacker](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/lon_overacker/32/10929_2.png) [@Lon\_Overacker](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Lon_Overacker)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 7:44pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/peaceful-valley-revised/51854/5 "2026-08-08T19:44:05Z")
John, This is just outstanding. You’ve got a perfect mix of forest and mist. I love how the fog meanders, zig-zags through trees on the valley floor. I’ve seen this phenomena a number of times, but this capture is perhaps the best I’ve seen. Now I’m the nitpicky type, right? Well, I did my border patrol around the frame and dang-it, if there’s nothing that I can find to clone or correct! This is darn-near a flawless image. I suppose you could play with luminosity or contrast, but I feel any adjustments from here, even small tweaks would run the risk of ruining the mood. Fantastic image and take away from this iconic spot. It warms my heart you were able to come away with so many keepers and memorable moments. > [@](#): > > It would be interesting to know what viewpoint around the world has had the most landscape photographs taken from. If there’s a spot that beats Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park, I’d like to know where. I don’t think anyone can argue that point. Yeah, there are perhaps even more spectacular views, Toroweap comes to mind… but from a volume perspective and the sheer number of photographs from this view… probably not even close… 4+million visitors per year… ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Lowe](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/michael_lowe/32/7118_2.png) [@Michael\_Lowe](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Michael_Lowe)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2026, 11:37pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/peaceful-valley-revised/51854/6 "2026-08-08T23:37:59Z")
It’s an outstanding image for which I have no thoughts on ways to improve it, but I don’t consider it an iconic image of Tunnel View. That’s what I like about it. It could be anywhere. Are there distinctive trees in this section that make it recognizable as coming from the Tunnelview? ---
**Author:** ![Youssef\_Ismail](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/youssef_ismail/32/486_2.png) [@Youssef\_Ismail](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Youssef_Ismail)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 2:47am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/peaceful-valley-revised/51854/7 "2026-08-09T02:47:41Z")
John, An absolutely stunning photograph. The way the fog meanders through the tree gently leads the eye through the entire frame. Second, the way the trees pop out above the fog gives the eye ample time to pause and enjoy the sublimity of it all. I have attempted this type of photograph from Tunnel View many times and have never come away with anything as good as this. You absolutely nailed this one. It is definitely worthy of being printed large and hung on a wall somewhere. Intriguing question about the most photographed scene. I did a quick Google search and three places came up as the all time contenders for the most photographed landscape scene, at the top of the list was Tunnel View, Second was Mittens in Monument Valley, and third was Kirkjufell Mountain Peak in Iceland. I was not surprised that Tunnel View was at the top of the list. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Seaver](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mark_seaver/32/231_2.png) [@Mark\_Seaver](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mark_Seaver)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 2:03pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/peaceful-valley-revised/51854/8 "2026-08-09T14:03:16Z")
John, this is wonderful. There’s so much eye movement back and forth as well as up and down. The touch of brightness towards the top adds well to the sense of depth. I’m sure it’s millions, especially now that everyone carries a cell phone. I get a similar feeling at Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic, but I keep returning and taking photos since they are highly photogenic (or is that photogeneric?) and the light/conditions change constantly. Getting something that’s different, as this is makes it special. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Lowe](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/e36b37/32.png) [@Ed\_Lowe](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ed_Lowe)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2026, 10:48pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/peaceful-valley-revised/51854/9 "2026-08-10T22:48:17Z")
Hi John, If this viewpoint is not the most photographed it certainly is right up there. It may be the same location that countless other photographers have captured an image, but it is an icon for a good reason. The Tunnel View is such a grand scene with so many different elements to isolate and capture, plus conditions are always changing with the fog, time of day, light, etc that you can make something all your own. I really love the way the bands of fog are weaving their way through the evergreens creating this wonderful depth to the scene. I am also quite liking the B&W treatment as well. You definitely passed muster IMO. My only tiny nit would be to clone over those small trees in the URC as they do catch my eye a little. You guys were treated to some wonderful conditions on your trip and you certainly made the most of them! This is just so serene and soothing that you should make a print of this and find some wall space. ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2026, 11:54pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/peaceful-valley-revised/51854/10 "2026-08-10T23:54:16Z")
I’m late again but have to add my praise! I love the way the fog is wrapping around the trees and snaking between them, and this kind of fog is iconic for the valley, but I would not have guessed that this was taken from Tunnel View. It could be almost anywhere, which gives it a sort of appeal that I can’t describe. It is masterful in any case! I will toss in a tiny agreement about adding a bit of fog in the UR corner, though. ---
**Author:** ![alice](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/alice/32/83370_2.png) [@alice](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/alice)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 1:02am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/peaceful-valley-revised/51854/11 "2026-08-11T01:02:42Z")
I really love this image, and glad you see the value of the memories it will bring you. I think this would go on my wall or at least the next Christmas card. Alice ---
**Author:** ![David\_Haynes](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@David\_Haynes](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Haynes)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 2:42am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/peaceful-valley-revised/51854/12 "2026-08-11T02:42:47Z")
Sorry I’m so late to critique this one ,John. > [@John\_Williams](#): > > When I do take an iconic view, I like it to at least pass muster. Oh boy, does this pass the muster. There are hundreds of thousands of photographers who venture out to Yosemite every year hoping to get an image even half this good. The conditions you had on the last day of our trip were sensational. THIS is the image most hope to get and many, including myself have never been lucky enough to have the conditions that bring about the low lying fog in the valley like this. The undulating ribbons of fog dancing across the screen with just the tree tops poking out above the moisture is what we are all after and you nailed it. This could seriously go in one of the Yosemite art galleries in the valley. You should Google when you can submit photos for such a thing because I think this has a shot at center stage. I think the processing or lack there of is perfect. It’s so good I can’t tell if you’ve actually done anything other than convert this to a B&W. The depth in the image from deep blacks in the foreground to the soft foggy haze in the background pull the viewer in and around the scene. The only thing I notice is along the very top of the image from about the center to the right edge where this is a dark patch going across the frame that could be dodged and those trees in the very upper right corner. Perhaps you could also dodge the trees in the very lower right corner and also the tree hugging the right edge about 40% of the way up the frame from the bottom. This is an image I would love to have in my portfolio and I hope you make a print of this and hang it somewhere that makes you proud. I think this is the best image from the trip and there were some stunning images taken on this trip. I agree with you about Tunnel View and the sheer number of photographs that are taken from that spot every year. Likely millions each year and yet you grabbed THE shot few get the chance to see yet alone photograph. Kudos to you John. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Williams](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/john_williams/32/28797_2.png) [@John\_Williams](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/John_Williams)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2026, 3:38am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/peaceful-valley-revised/51854/13 "2026-08-14T03:38:02Z")
Thank you @Gill_Vanderlip , @Preston_Birdwell , @Jonathan_Cothron @Lon_Overacker , @Michael_Lowe , @Youssef_Ismail @Mark_Seaver @Ed_Lowe , @Diane_Miller @alice , and @David_Haynes . I’m a bit overwhelmed by your kind feedback! > [@Gill\_Vanderlip](#): > > Did you have fun taking the image ??? More than should be legal. 😀 > [@Preston\_Birdwell](#): > > I have been to Tunnel View more times than I can count > [@Youssef\_Ismail](#): > > I have attempted this type of photograph from Tunnel View many times and have never come away with anything as good as this. We were definitely blessed to have the conditions we did for this trip, and I kind of felt like the guy who walks up to the mining camp and finds the motherlode on his first day. > [@Lon\_Overacker](#): > > t warms my heart you were able to come away with so many keepers and memorable moments. It took a lot of years, but I finally discovered the secret to photography: Follow Lon around. > [@Michael\_Lowe](#): > > Are there distinctive trees in this section that make it recognizable as coming from the Tunnelview? That’s a great question. I suspect that veterans of Tunnel View would recognize the pattern?? > [@David\_Haynes](#): > > The conditions you had on the last day of our trip were sensational. The whole trip was just magical, but I can’t argue with you; that last morning was truly special. @Steve_Kennedy and I had arrived hoping to capture dawn color or the iconic valley view with clouds dripping in a little. Unfortunately, the clouds dripped in a lot and those views never showed up. If my memory serves me correctly, most of the crowd had wandered on by the time this view developed. Steve and I had brought our kit to make coffee with, and we hung out enjoying the coffee and the way the clouds and fog played as the day began to develop. We were blessed to have this unfold. Several mentioned those trees in the upper right corner, and I’m adding a revision attempting to minimize the eye snag. I’m also slightly tweaking the other areas suggested by David. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/system/32/86481_2.png) [@system](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/system)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2026, 3:40am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/peaceful-valley-revised/51854/14 "2026-08-14T03:40:53Z")
The original poster added a [revised version](#post_1) of their image. ---
**Author:** ![zack1](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/zack1/32/88790_2.png) [@zack1](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/zack1)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2026, 8:51pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/peaceful-valley-revised/51854/15 "2026-09-04T20:51:38Z")
The original works beautifully for me. Excellent use of layers, John! ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_Holdorf](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/paul_holdorf/32/24908_2.png) [@Paul\_Holdorf](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Paul_Holdorf)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2026, 3:06am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/peaceful-valley-revised/51854/16 "2026-09-05T03:06:06Z")
The depth in your edit is absolutely fantastic! I have seen lots of images from Tunnel View, but very few are bold enough to not include the epic granite formations.! Well done and super well seen.