Yosemite Night Photography – November 15 – 16, 2011

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5]

Driving to Yosemite in the early AM from Los Angeles allowed us to easily secure a campsite at the walk-in campgrounds (Tunnel View Lookout).

However, this early arrival also allowed Luke and I to explore Yosemite by moonlight (Forest behind Tunnel View Lookout)…

The camping trip was planned as close to the full moon as possible, to illuminate the landscape and exploit night photography to it’s fullest potential (Half Dome and Merced River from the Sentinel Bridge).

This colder time of year allowed for yellow and orange meadows, but made the discharge for the valley falls to be much smaller… which would be the opposite relationship to Hawaii waterfalls in the fall and winter months (Cook’s Meadow – foreground, and Lower/Upper Yosemite Falls – background).

To be honest I don’t even know what peaks and meadow I’m looking at in this one, but they looked cool with the fog rolling in from the right. hahaha.

Same here. Much apologies… Long exposures, dense fog and just above freezing temperatures do not mix well camera setting adjustment and recording GPS coordinates.

The fog was really rolling in on this one, and often blanketed the whole road. I couldn’t even see Luke’s car parked behind me at some points… Eeery stuff.

These long exposures of the stars were taken just outside of our campsite. Note the travel guitar and the Boddingtons! Damn my hands were numb!

Night photography at Yosemite in the fall is difficult. It’s cold as F#$%, making it hard to set up tripods and press buttons with winter gloves on, not to mention the lens fogging up constantly. To minimize these difficulties bring Grabber hand-warmer packets (or similar brand) and wear winter clothing. Lens wipes or lens tissue will be useful to combat the lens condensation. A remote shutter release will let you keep your hands in your gloves longer. A handheld GPS, e.g. a garmin or trimble, may help with your navigation if you pre-upload your basemaps.

Keep in mind this is a 5-part series, which includes, camping, 2 waterfalls hikes, night photography, and bouldering while in Yosemite (see links at top of page). To view this location on a Google Map also known as my “Adventure Map“, Click Here. For more mainland and off-island adventures, Click Here!!!. Thanks for stopping by!!!