Half Dome and the Merced River, 7:41 a.m., November 8th
Even on a hot, crowded, cloudless day in August Yosemite Valley is a beautiful place. But sometimes it outdoes itself and puts on a show.
Last Monday, November 8th, was one of those days. At the peak of fall color, a rainstorm cleared during the night and left beautiful mist and clouds in its wake. As I wrote earlier, I found photographs everywhere.
I know a few other photographers who were in Yosemite Valley that day, and I thought it would be fun to see what everyone else did, and collect a portfolio of images—a portrait of Yosemite on one autumn day. So I’ve set up a Flickr group to do just that. If you were in Yosemite on November 8th, please upload some of your images so we can all see them. There are no limits to how many photographs you can include, but try to edit and show only your best work. Subject matter could be anything; the only restriction is that the photographs must have been made within the borders of Yosemite National Park on November 8th, 2010. And if you know anyone who was in Yosemite that day who might not read this blog, please send them a link and urge them to submit.
I’ve started things off by uploading 14 of my images from that day to the Flickr group. I look forward to seeing what everyone else captured!
Soooo beautiful..
These images are so special. Of course I love Yosemite and it doesn’t take much for me to go, ooo aaaaah.
Comment about your desire for a universal remote so you could stop time long enought to go every where when the sun and light is just right.
Some times when I am out taking pictures. I’m looking for that special combination of light, color, subject, form, value, texture, compostion and on and on. Some times I don’t see anything that calls to me. Either the light is not right, or something is always wrong.
But sometimes, I think, when my sole and spirit is quite and still, and I can listen to the heart beat of Mother Earth, I begin to walk quietly and the great creator guides my footsteps and then behold the elements aline. Then I see it, the light, the color, the composition, everything is there, I set the camera, and capture that fleeting moment and then its gone. And then I smile, for that one special momment I was one with world. and I thank God, that he has given me that wonderful momment. Sometimes it feels like all the elements of the earth are being guided to that one place and moment just for me. Wow!
When I see your pictues, I see that momentary time and place when the sun just came out behind the cloud, cast a ray of light across El Capitan’s face, reflected in the water, with the mist drifting by and all at once all the elements of time and space are aline. You capture the image and then its gone.
I have made thousands and thousands of images, most no one will ever see. Some people who don’t understand will ask, “Why do you do it, why do you need so many pictures.” How many images of Yosemite do you have? How many images do you need? Can you ever see yourself saying, “been there done that, don’t need another shot of that.” People who think that way miss the point. It’s not the image that is important, it’s the making of the image. Once the shutter is pressed, the image made, the magic stops and its off to the next one.
You were there, at that moment, you saw it, you felt it. You captured it. When looking back at the image, it reminds you of the time and place it was made, but its never quite the same as the moment when you were there, felt the cold air, the sounds and movement of time.
I hope all who carry a camera will discover for themselves, it’s the journey of life thats important not the distination.
sorry for the long comment, I think I go carried away.
Thanks again.
oh I bought the Photographers App for my new Iphone. it’s great thank you.
Thanks very much Cleve – I appreciate the kind words. And I think you’re completely right that the process of making photographs is what matters, not the result. Although I do think that most of us would like our photographs to communicate something to others as well.
Here I am 4 years later. I just stumbled upon your website today as my husband & I were just looking at our photographs from Yosemite.
We arrived in Yosemite on Nov 7th 2010 & and already had reservations for Upper Pines Campground, we were Tent Camping (yeah I know Crazy) with our faithful dog Jake.
As you have mentioned, it poured rain ALL DAY long & never stopped raining all night long.
We thought the trip was going to be a HUGE bust, as I complained about the rain all night.
When we woke up on November 8th at 6:00 a.m. WE WERE STUNNED & SPEECHLESS.
We could not leave the campground fast enough to start taking photos of things I have never seen in the Valley look as beautiful as they did that day. We never took so many photos in such a short time I literally cried & told my husband, that this is the most beautiful sight & scenery we have ever experienced.
Needless to say, we stuck it out for the rest of the week & headed back home on November 12th Needless to say with the lack of people there due to the weather…it felt like we had the park to ourselves.
I don’t belong to Flickr but would love to see more of your photos or the pool of photos that people may have posted for that time period.
Absolutely great blog, I felt like I was there again 4 years later.
Glad you found this Tricia, and I’m glad that you got to be in Yosemite at such a beautiful time! You should still be able to view the photos in the Flickr group linked to above even if you’re not a Flickr member. And if you want to add your own images, joining Flickr is free and easy.