10/10/2012

Finding The Beauty In Nature With Yosemite Photography

By Doris Rivas


Yosemite National Park is located in California's Sierra Nevada mountains and the mighty Merced River flows through it. The original residents of the area were Native Americans, mostly from the Miwok tribe, who called themselves Ahwahneechees. Getting great Yosemite photography is easy when you know where to look in its almost 1200 square miles of national park.

There are many amazing sights to see in this vast park, allowing for infinite photo opportunities, even for the amateur photographer. El Capitan is probably the most iconic and most sought-after destination for those seeking to take their cameras. It is the largest single granite rock in the world, with a height of nearly 4000 feet. It is surrounded by meadows that make the scenic value of this area very valuable.

Another very popular attraction is the Half Dome, located in the Yosemite Valley area. It rises nearly 4800 feet from the floor of the valley and is estimated to be at least 87 million years old. The hike up the formation is daunting to even experienced hikers, but the picturesque views would be well worth the journey for the best hikers.

For truly amazing and majestic trees, a visit to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is in order. There are over 500 large sequoias in this grove, many of which can be seen from the parking area, but for the best views a hike is in order. It is a fairly tough uphill hike to get to the best viewing area, but worth it for those who have the stamina to get there. The photos that can be taken there are unusual and breathtaking.

For the less hardy, the perfect photo ops can be had at Mirror Lake. An easier walk of about a mile is all that is needed to reach the lake, with its mirrored reflected images of Tenaya Canyon, which is best viewed in the spring or early summer. There is also a nice walk around the lake, which is about 3 miles. Most people can access this hike and there are lots of things to take pictures of.

Mono Lake is the place to visit if birdwatching is the goal. It is home to a large population of migratory birds, including 90% of the nation's California gulls. The water is high in both alkali and salt, and the lake sits on the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is one of the oldest lakes in North America and provides some amazing photo opportunities.

If cascading waterfalls are the desired nature feature, head over to Yosemite Falls. These picturesque falls are near the popular main lodge and are a popular location for photography. The falls are around 2400 feet high, making them the fifth largest falls in the world and the largest in the United States.

Any area of this beautiful national park is a treasure to be seen. Yosemite photography can be profitable, as best exemplified by renowned photographer Ansel Adams, whose black and white prints of Yosemite are world famous. Even amateur photographers can take amazing pictures in such a picturesque place.




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