NO FILTER NECESSARY: PHOTOGRAPHING YOSEMITE

With its unique light, misty trails and cathedrals of granite, Yosemite National Park is a shutterbug’s dream. Through the keen eyes of such masters as Ansel Adams, Eadweard Muybridge and Carleton E. Watkins, Yosemite has been immortalized for over a century with striking photographs that lure visitors to come see — and snap — for themselves. Whether your rig is a phone, SLR or large format camera, there’s nothing quite like photographing Yosemite Mariposa County’s diversity of stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife and an interesting cast of local characters.

Where to Get the Shot

Though Yosemite Mariposa photography can be as intimate as a fallen leaf floating on the Merced River, it can also be as epic as Half Dome engulfed in clouds. There are breathtaking shots around every corner, but also some tried-and-true spots to capture that unforgettable image. Tunnel View and Glacier Point are popular destinations where a greatest hits of Yosemite landmarks such as El Capitan and Half Dome can be brought to light. The floor of Yosemite Valley is a literal plunge pool for such wonders as Yosemite Falls, Sentinel Falls and Bridalveil Falls, creating a moody pastiche of sunlight through the mist.

For ancient trees that each have their own personalities, visit the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias for landscape photography that borders on portraiture. Want a quiet corner of Yosemite National Park for the photo-less-taken? Try Hetch Hetchy during spring when Wapama Falls is raging, or capture some summer thunderheads reflected in the still waters of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Outside of the Park, Mariposa County provides a fascinating range of photographic options from historic adobe & stone cabins to stately oaks and rolling foothills where wildflowers bloom and horses play. You might even find an old prospector or two who’ll fill your frame with pure Gold Rush character!

Seasons & Spectacles

Photography in Yosemite Mariposa is not just about its landmarks, but also about its seasons and rare natural phenomena. From blankets of pure white snow in winter where ice-crusted granite cliffs create a medieval mood to rolling, hillsides that turn abrilliant green in spring and the fireworks display of oranges, yellows and browns comeautumn, there are countless frame-worthy images that require no filters, only an eye to discover them. Add this seasonal renewal to the rare natural phenomena of the Yosemite Firefall and the Yosemite Moonbow, and you’ve got your answer as to why Yosemite Mariposa is a top destination for photographers from all over the world.