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Posts Tagged ‘Yosemite’

Yosemite Falls Moonbow

28 Jun

Photographing Yosemite in the Spring is an amazing sight, particularly this year, with waterfalls flowing in full force. This year I’ve seen more waterfalls in Yosemite than ever before. Seasonal waterfalls were visible no matter where you looked. Even more amazing in these conditions is photographing what you cannot see namely a moonbow or lunar rainbow. Anatomically our eyes cannot see color at night, but our camera sensors can. It’s a bit magical to photograph something you cannot see.

Photographing lower Yosemite Falls for moonbows (aka lunar rainbows) is both easy and difficult. Accessing the lower falls lookout it the easy part, while the difficult part is braving the non-stop mist shower. Dressed in a rainproof jacket with hood, rain proof pants and wearing gloves I needed a bath towel to dry off after. My camera was protected with a ThinkTank Hydrophobia 70-200 keeping it far dryer than me. Of course the big challenge is keeping your front lens element free of water. It took a few tries and a lot of lens clothes before I got all the compositional variations of this scene that I wanted less any distracting water droplets clouding the image. My personal favorite being this vertical that highlights the stars in the sky, the falls, the rapids and the moonbow.

Yosemite Falls Moonbow

Technical information:
Canon 5D Mark II, 16-35mm f/2.8 Mark II at 16mm, f/4, 9 seconds at ISO 1600
f/4 was chosen as opening up your lens allows more light in making for a shorter exposure time, but the added benefit is that the wider open your lens the less apparent water droplets appear on your front lens element. A handy trick to know. Here are a couple posts to prove the concept in real world scenarios one with a cracked lens and another with a pencil infront of the lens.

Technorati Tags: photography, Yosemite, National Park, moonbow, lunar rainbow, travel, stock photo, stock pictures

Yosemite Falls Moonbow

JMG-Galleries – Jim M. Goldstein Photography

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Posted in Equipment

Spring in Yosemite Valley

06 Jun

Yosemite National Park is a sight to see in the Spring. The scenery is of course stunning with full waterfalls, iconic formations and a good deal of wildlife. It’s been a while since I’ve been to Yosemite in the Spring primarily due to the crowds. I broke my streak of avoiding the valley during peak time and it was amazing even with late rains that bookended my short trip. Its no wonder that the park gets busier and busier. I’m reviewing my photos from this week now, but I thought I’d share a few photos from my iPhone in the meantime. Enjoy!

Oh and if you’d like to see more of my cell phone photography adventures check out my Tumblr site Jim on the Loose!

Half Dome from Cook's Meadow

View before Sunset at Glacier Point, Yosemite

Bear Encounter – Mom with 2 Cubs

Glacier Point Death Wish

Only inches from a 3,000 foot fall.

Technorati Tags: Photography, Yosemite, National Park, iphone, stock photo, travel

Spring in Yosemite Valley

JMG-Galleries – Jim M. Goldstein Photography

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Posted in Equipment

Friday Freebie: Yosemite Abstract

11 May

This Weeks Friday Freebie iPad Wallpaper: Yosemite Abstract
Friday Freebie features an image to liven up your iPad display with images from my travels… all for free.

Abstract photography, one of my favorite photographic genres, as it is a reflection of how a photographer sees versus what he literally sees. Abstracts are a great form of creative escape as well, as they often break traditional photographic rules. This particular abstract might surprise you in that it was taken in the heart of Yosemite Valley. I like to think a good abstract can be found most any where and in any weather. To see a sampling of a few of my abstract photographs view my Abstract photo gallery. Thanks for checking in and enjoy this Friday’s Freebie.

Click here to download your free iPad wallpaper. Have a great weekend!

Note: This image is distributed for personal use only and all rights are reserved. If interested in using this photograph commercially please contact me.

Technorati Tags: Photography, nature, landscape, Free, Friday Freebie, iPad, Wallpaper, Yosemite, Abstract

Friday Freebie: Yosemite Abstract

JMG-Galleries – Jim M. Goldstein Photography

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Posted in Equipment

Yosemite Valley Chapel in Snow Storm

26 Dec

It’s not often I’ve watched snowfall and by that I mean “watch” snow fall. As a child I’ve waited for snowfall to end in order to be let out to play and as an adult I’ve darted from point A to B in a car while it has started to snow, but in both of these instances my mind was elsewhere preoccupied on other goals and activities. To simply watch snow fall is amazing, and to rediscover it behind a camera is an experience everyone should enjoy.

Yosemite Valley Chapel in Snow Storm

Last year I was very fortunate to time a visit to Yosemite valley to witness the first snowfall of the year. Much to my surprise it was also the storm of the season dropping 11 inches of snow and transforming a golden brown valley into a white winter wonderland overnight. It also made for a very interesting time in a small tent, but that is another story.

While photography is all about light, it is as much about how you see the world. To that end you have to be in the right mindset and position to observe the world before you. My time in Yosemite on this trip was first and foremost to experience nature at its best, second to hone my skills to see it and third to photograph it. To each of these ends here are 3 tips that helped me get the photo featured here today.

To experience nature at its best monitor the weather and be there when its most dramatic.
To hone ones observational skills look at the world as a child might, where every experience is new and a source of curiosity & exploration.
To photograph a snow scene such as this over expose the image 1 to 1 1/2 stops via exposure compensation on your SLR otherwise your camera will meter the snow as 18% gray.

Also featured on PhotoAdvent.org

Technorati Tags: Yosemite, Yosemite Valley Chapel, snow, pictures, photography, stock photo, nature

Yosemite Valley Chapel in Snow Storm

JMG-Galleries – Jim M. Goldstein Photography

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Posted in Equipment

Winter’s Bones II – Yosemite National Park

20 Dec

Recent snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains has me thinking about Yosemite and a much needed return to the splendor of winter there. I know I’m not the only one that feels this way and historically speaking there is one person who certainly knew the feeling…

“I must return to the mountains—to Yosemite. I am told that the winter storms there will not be easily borne, but I am bewitched, enchanted, and tomorrow I must start for the great temple to listen to the winter songs and sermons preached and sung only there.” – John Muir

Click to Enlarge

Winter's Bones II – Yosemite National Park, California

Technorati Tags: photography, picture, fine art, Yosemite, winter, nature, photo

Winter’s Bones II – Yosemite National Park

JMG-Galleries – Jim M. Goldstein Photography

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Posted in Equipment

28 September, 2010 – Yosemite Sanctuary

16 Oct

One of the most respected landscape photographers working in America today is William Neill, who is becoming a new regular contributor to this site.

His latest essay is titled Yosemite Sanctuary. Yosemite is an icon of the American West, and many of us have photographed there over the years, but it has been home to Bill for the past 30+ years.

"Awesome video presentation.

I have learnt so much more after looking through this on the weekend. The tip about pushing blacks and fill light in the Basic Module was worth the price alone. My images of a recent trip to the Australian Outback are popping and punching with delight!

Thanks Michael and Jeff – I really appreciate you taking the considerable time to share your in-depth knowledge and insights."

…
The Luminous Landscape – What’s New

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Posted in News

Fallen Oak Leafs, Yosemite

16 Sep

Hard to believe that Fall is just around the corner. This photo was taken in Yosemite valley just before the landscape was turned from an autumn to winter wonderland overnight. Of all the places I’ve traveled nothing says Fall to me more than brown Oak leafs. While I also love to photograph Aspen I’m forever biased for the iconic Oak leaf. Its unique shape is of constant fascination.