Eloquent Images by Gary Hart
Insight, information, and inspiration for the inquisitive nature photographer
Alone in Yosemite
Clearing Storm Reflection, El Capitan, Yosemite
Sony a7R III
Sony 12-24 f/4 G
1/125 second
F/10
ISO 100
Last winter I spent a glorious day by myself in Yosemite Valley, photographing the vestiges of an overnight snowstorm. Inbound to the park the evening before, a continuous strand of outbound headlights reminded me how different a photographer’s priorities are from the general public’s. For a nature photographer, the best time to be outside seems to be everyone else’s worst time to be outside, but we know that before breakfast, at dinnertime, after dark, and wild weather are when all the best pictures seem to happen.
I arrived in Yosemite Valley with just enough light to see El Capitan and Half Dome engulfed in heavy clouds that hinted at what was in store—but so far no snow. With a storm imminent, I had no problem getting a room at a significant discount, virtually unheard of on a typical Yosemite evening. A light mist started after dinner, and I fell asleep to the sound of raindrops tapping leaves outside my window. The next morning I woke before my alarm and lay still, listening in the darkness to the unmistakable silence of falling snow.
Dressing quickly, I opened the door to six inches of untouched snow. In the parking lot I tried to determine which white lump was my Outback, repeatedly punching the lock button on my key fob and following my ears to the lump that chirped back. A little digging confirmed my discovery, and after a few more minutes of excavation I was able to to ease out of my parking space, carving the first tracks into what was probably the road (fingers crossed).
The clouds that had deposited all this powder seemed be trying to squeeze out every possible flake, but they seemed exhausted from their overnight effort and my wipers had no problem keeping up. When the final flake fell a little before 9:00, I was traipsing through drifts near El Capitan Meadow. Patches of blue sky overhead told me it wouldn’t be long before the trees were shedding snow in clumps, so I headed quickly to a favorite spot by the Merced River, hoping for a reflection while the world remained white.
The Merced here was so still and clear that I had to look twice to be sure there really was water in the river. The reflection on the far side was exactly what I had in mind, but the corrugated riverbed on my side was an unexpected complement that wonderfully matched the herringbone clouds above. In the days before my Sony 12-24 lens, I wouldn’t have been able to include all of El Capitan and its reflection in a horizontal frame, but 12mm gave me room to spare (I’m still startled at times by how big the difference is between 16mm and 12mm).
I got lots pictures that make me happy that day, but even more than the pictures, I think I enjoyed the rare opportunity to feel alone in Yosemite for a few hours. The park wasn’t empty, but between the scarcity of people, the reluctance of those who were there to venture onto the roads, and the sound-deadening effect of powdery snow, I had no trouble pretending.
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Yosemite Winter Reflections
Eloquent Images by Gary Hart 
Gary, Your are a fantastic photographer. Someday I would like to to do a workshop with you! Please no offense but I recommend that you get a pro watermark signature or make your own watermark lighter or less visible. It will be the perfect touch for your amazing photos! Kathrin Swoboda
Sent from my iPad
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Thanks.
Always at the ready for a Yosemite storm we can always count on you Gary to see the most beautiful views of Yosemite. All of these photos are spectacular. I salute you! Marilyn Eaton
Thanks, Marilyn! I’m fortunate to have the flexibility to do it. Happy New Year.
Beauty, Gary. I love to see your view of the park. Thanks for sharing pics and stories.
Larry
L. Bickford Lbickford.zenfolio.com http://www.500px.com/lawrencebickford
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Thanks, Larry.
Gorgeous photos!
Thanks!
There is no magic like that of silent snow falling. It is something that I always feel blessed to have experienced. You have also have had that opportunity and have described it well. Your photos are beautiful and bring those that are not able to be there a little bit of that special moment in time. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Arlene. You’re welcome!