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Photographing Yosemite
My 5 Favourite Places to Photograph in Yosemite National Park
1. Swinging Bridge
For incredible shots of the night sky, take a short hike to shoot from Swinging Bridge, over the Merced River (don’t worry—the bridge doesn’t actually swing). It’s not the best place to shoot the Milky Way, but “there are really nice skies going toward Yosemite Falls,” Hubbard says. Shoot the Milky Way and find a few different angles for starry night shots at the rocky banks of the Merced river, just beyond the bridge.
2. Valley View Pullout
At sunrise, I recommends the Valley View pullout along the Merced River. You can get Half Dome and El Capitan in the same shot here, “It just makes for a really great sunrise area.” For the most dramatic images, aim to get the reflection of sunrise on the surface of the river.
3. Sentinel Bridge
For a view of Yosemite’s grassy valley, and a shot of Half Dome with full view of the Merced River, shoot from Sentinel Bridge, which looks upstream to Half Dome. If you want to shoot sunset there, be prepared for crowds.
4 & 5. Tunnel View and Glacier Point
At sunset, I would usually head to Tunnel View or Glacier Point, two overlooks where you’ll find those iconic shots of El Capitan. From Tunnel View—which has perhaps the most famous view of the park—you’ll be able to see Half Dome, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Fall. Get there early to secure a good spot for your tripod
Though the entirety of the park is picturesque, these are the best 25 photo spots in Yosemite National Park to capture that iconic Sierra beauty:
Tunnel View: The most famous photography spot in Yosemite NP.
Glacier Point: Incredible vistas from the highest elevation in the park.
Valley View: Beautiful view at the base of the Merced River.
Tioga Pass: A scenic drive with lush meadows, giant sequoias, and idyllic nature.
Taft Point: The best westerly view in Yosemite, featuring dramatic cliffs and enough elevation for photographing sunset.
Upper Yosemite Falls: Both Upper & Lower are beautiful must-see waterfalls, but the upper tier is the best.
Panorama Trail: The best hike in Yosemite featuring 8-miles of unbeatable views.
Four Mile Trail: A steep climb for incredible westerly views of the valley floor.
Vista Point: Beautiful sunrise view of the distant Merced River and Yosemite Valley.
Tuolumne Meadows: A subalpine meadow accented by the Tuolumne River and surrounded by the Sierra Nevada range.
Bridalveil Fall: Another iconic waterfall that will appear in many Yosemite photos.
Big Oak Flat Road: A winding, hair-raising drive with incredible easterly views.
Vernal Falls: An easy hike to one of the prettiest falls in the park.
Sentinel Bridge: Connects the south and north drive with a perfect view of Half Dome.
Olmsted Point: An overlook with picturesque views of distant lakes and southerly views of Yosemite.
Nevada Falls: Visible from Glacier Point, but most impressive when hiked to.
Swinging Bridge: Walk to the river’s edge in the heart of the Yosemite Valley.
Cathedral Beach: Great view of El Capitan in front of the Merced River.
Lower Yosemite Falls: A short hike to an impressive waterfall.
Southside Drive Boardwalk: This meandering boardwalk provides a stroll through the Yosemite valley meadow with views of waterfalls and, often, wildlife.
Illilouette Falls: A large hidden waterfall on the Panorama Trail.
Hetch Hetchy: Open seasonally, this sister-region of Yosemite is often missed but highly photogenic.
Washburn Point: An incredible overlook at the top of Glacier Point Road.
Tuolumne Grove: Moderate hike to an incredible giant sequoia grove.
Tenaya Lake: Unspoiled alpine lake along the Tioga Pass.
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