Here are some of the NPN group minus me who’s taking the picture and Dean who had to go back to work. You can see what we had to work with. Socked in completely. We were wet and cold and the camera gear was getting wet so I don’t blame those who left before the sunset happened. I wasn’t kidding when I said you couldn’t see the valley floor or anything else except that huge pine tree right in front of us.
Left to right, Steve, Kyle, Lon, James, John. Man, did we have a great time.
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Well, I can’t remember if this was the first night or not but the storm was brewing, clouds were so thick you couldn’t see anything on the valley floor or anywhere else, and many photographers at tunnel view decided to head back to camp and call it a night. A few of us on the trip decided, what the heck, we’re here, we can wait another 20 or 30 minutes to see if anything happens for sunset. What else were we going to do? Granted, it was cold, drizzling/raining, our camera gear was getting wet, our hands were frozen and we had little hope. So while most packed it in for the night, a few of us stuck around. The clouds quickly dissipated enough for us to get a glimpse of the valley floor. After another couple of minutes, half dome poked it’s snow capped face out from behind said clouds and said, Look at me. No big deal, we’ve all seen half dome before. But then a tiny little sliver of orange/pink glow appeared right above half dome and we all looked at each other. Are you seeing what I’m seeing? Is half dome going to light up? Quickly, the little sliver of light grew more intense and a minute later it was a full bore pink/orange glow in the higher elevation clouds that wasn’t lighting up the lower elevation clouds and fog. I took 14 images of this quickly appearing and just as quickly disappearing event noting on my cameras time information that it lasted just under 2 minutes. From nothing to glow back to nothing. I think we were all a little awe struck by what we’d seen and since nobody else on the trip has posted this one yet (several of us have this) I thought I would share this file.
Specific Feedback
I don’t have any particular questions except I’m wondering if the tree covered right foreground section is too dark?
The little low lying wispy clouds did not take on the color of the higher clouds. This was natural although unusual.
Technical Details
z9, 180-600mm @ 440mm, ISO 640, 1/80th, f/8, hand held (my other camera with the 24-120 was on the tripod).
This is really beautiful, Dave! The colors that finally arrived are so nice. I really like your composition. I’m on the fence about the darkness of the trees on the right. It’s still hard to believe this view even happened after spending so long looking at nothing but a fog bank.
Besides all the beautiful colors and the beautiful composition, I’m very impressed that your image is so sharp and clear considering it was handheld at 440mm at 1/80th second shutter speed. That’s being rock steady! (and good stabilization!)
I’m happy you guys got this light on our first night there. I would like to have been there, but I was exhausted and glad John and I left when we did.
First, I gotta say that’s an intrepid and motley crew there!
This is wonderful. Storm light like this is rare and fleeting, and you’ve captured it beautifully. In the larger version there is some detail in the dark area on the right that could be brought up a little bit; not too much, or it will look out of key. Nicely done, Dave!
-P
A motley crew indeed! Well, I can only speak for myself…
I can attest the light (color) was fleeting only lasting a few minutes. As I’ve remarked, mostly to visitors or those who haven’t been before… “you think the conditions are bad? or there won’t be a sunset? Wait 5 minutes.” I’ve seen it too many times. Was this an epic sunset? no, not even close. But enough for us nature photographer’s to get excited!
You’ve extracted some great color and I really like the clouds that we had and that you’ve captured in this frame; especially enshrouding Half Dome. Way cool!
I would agree with the foreground ridge, but as we all know, not much to do about it from this vantage point. Next time we’ll move further west on the other side of the tunnel and getter a better profile. But dang it, if Yosemite’s light didn’t pull through!
And Dave… you were cold and your hands were freezing because you had on a windbreaker and no gloves…
What a lovely sunset image! I really like the smooth color in the sunset offset by wispy clouds cruising through the scene or settling into the rocks for the night. I think the near ridge with trees could be lifted ever so slightly (not too much, as I would worry, as Preston mentioned, about it looking artificial or hdr).
I wonder too about an ever so slight crop off the right. I think with the shadows lifted a bit, I might change my mind on that crop suggestion. The rock there is clearly part of the intention, so with more detail, we need that, with less (i.e. nearly fully silhouetted), we could lose everything from that one thicker tree along the ridgeline up and to the right.
Looks chilly, damp, and beautiful. My one visit to this location for our 30 anniversary in 2017 was 90 degrees, buggy, and so smoky we couldn’t see half-dome at all. I definitely need to go back.
Apparently you can judge how skilled a photographer is by the quality of their footwear…
The sky was a pretty pink as we drove back to camp, but as Steve notes we had been on the road and photographing for three days by this point and sleep was calling.
Love both the view and the tones you captured here. No nits on my end, I think the trees look just right.
What a great image! I love the mood, the colour and the atmosphere. You’ve got to love it when light like this appears out of seemingly nowhere even though it only lasted a couple minutes.
On a tangent - I’m intrigued by the umbrellas you guys had. Are they attached to your tripods? It looks really handy!
What a wonderful, calm image!! I think the dark area could hold up to just a bit more detail pulled out, but don’t find it a problem as is. Yosemite in a winter storm can be SO cold, with 101% humidity. I have a bad record of leaving too early when transient light shows like this happen, so double points for sticking it out!
Hi Dave,
Well, this was certainly well worth standing around and being the eternal optimist in the cold, rainy, foggy conditions! I absolutely love that pink glow in the sky and the way it contrasts with the cool blue tones of Half Dome. The clouds are another wonderful element here and add even more mood; if that is even possible; to this amazing scene.I am also enjoying that FG ridgeline as it adds depth to the image. I could see opening up that ridge just a little, but it is definitely not a deal breaker as this is pretty spectacular as is. Outstanding image! Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves in spite of the lousy weather conditions.
I will try and post a revision with the right side brought up a smidgen as I too think it could use a little bit of definition.
Yes, we were a motley crew, at least during this image when it had been raining and it was cold so we were all bundled up (yes, Lon is correct but I did have a t-shirt under my little wind breaker of a jacket).
No, this was not an epic type of color explosion but rather a small little window that opened up just over the top of half dome that turned color for a minute or two. It was not widespread at all. This was zoomed in pretty far and had I been shooting with something like a 24mm lens you would have been hard pressed to see where the color was in the frame. That’s how small the opening was. But, I zoomed in and grabbed the color while it lasted. Not long.
Oh yeah, Nice shoes, John!!!
@Tom_Nevesely, The little umbrella just above Steve’s head on the left is actually a small umbrellas that I attach directly to the hot shoe of my camera. You can extend it, angle it and fold it up just like a regular umbrella. It’s just big enough to cover your camera and lens and doesn’t catch much wind. You can get one on Amazon for about 20 bucks. Some of the others were actually attached to the tripods or being held.
@Diane_Miller, I was here in Winter one time and it was completely socked in. The clouds were moving relatively quickly but after about an hour of waiting for even the slightest break and being nearly frozen, I decided to call it quits and headed to the valley floor. On my drive down to the valley floor I noticed that the light was poking through and highlighting spots on the valley floor. I was so cold that I decided not to drive back up to tunnel view and I regret it to this day. So I feel your pain. Thanks for your thoughts.
David: Terrific colors in the group portrait for sure. I’ve secretly wanted to get out your way sometime to meet and shoot with you guys but perhaps second thoughts are in order after seeing you . As for the image itself, it proves that patience may be rewarded while impatience never will be. I do think a bit of definition in the ridge on the right would help some. I just masked it crudely and pulled up the shadows. Perhaps too much but at least it provides food for thought. I envy you the image and even more so the experience. >=))>
The harder the work (or the circumstances), the greater the reward.
A wonderful image, and well worth getting soaked (I can easily say so, sitting behind my screen). I prefer the original image over Bill’s version (sorry Bill), but maybe something in between is worth a try.
