_DSC0060.jpg
by robpom

Comment by Bear_Music:
Again, the flat light. Overall, tones too bright. Pretty arbitrary composition, oddly static for such a dynamic place. Composition feels "cramped", it's all squeezed tight ya know? It's a tough viewpoint to shoot from though.

Valley View - Yosemite National Park
by robpom

Comment by Bear_Music:
Here, the flat light is really hurting you, and the whole scene is processed too light, it looks washed out. The branches upper right are unfortunate; as a rule, either none at all or a whole lot more is desirable.

One wishes for some foreground interest, also; how nice it would be to have stones in the water closer to you, just more water in the picture even, to make it a more active compositional element.

Tunnel View - Yosemite National Park
by robpom

Comment by Bear_Music:
Rob,

I may's well mention I'm an old Yosemite hand. Many years ago I actually taught workshops there. It's one of my favorite places on earth. And I know how stunningly difficult it can be to take great images there. The lighting issues are very complex because the valley is so deep and narrow, and it twists.

Speaking of your shots collectively, the first thing I notice is that you nearly always are shooting with the light from behind you; over one shoulder, if not directly behind. This, in general, is exactly what you don't want to do in landscape photography, and especially in places like Yosemite, where the texture of the rock is one of its most overpowering features. If you look at Ansel's best shots there, they are so much about texture and luminosity, essentially about the light itself.

I realize that if one is just passing through Yosemite, and especially if one has companions in tow who are not photographically inclined, then one's opportunities are very limited and one must of course make do with what one is provided...

Anyway, this shot, the classic view, the Gateway to Yosemite, aside from suffering from the aforementioned flat light, is oddly tuncated in its framing. One would, especially, epect to see all of El Capitan on the left. And more of the dome to the right would be a plus, as it makes a very nice shape indeed as it curves down there. I don't know if this is as wide as you could go (you didn't list the lens), but wider would be better. Another thing: this classic viewpoint works especially well if one includes more sky; the interplay between the immense sky and the narrow valley, when it's properly lit, is astounding.

A nice, crisp shot, good color rendition here.

Tunnel View - Yosemite National Park
by robpom

Comment by Neil:
It's a great shot. If I look for areas that could be addressed, it does seem to be a bit on the blue side in the center, but it might be just a haze effect.

Tunnel View - Yosemite National Park
by robpom

Comment by Cam:
I really like this. It just beautiful.

Its like look at all these huge mountains, the snow covered peeks, and the fantastic colors. Oh, and by the way, did you see the magnificant waterefall?

Very nice.

Tunnel View - Yosemite National Park
by robpom

Comment by Telehubbie:
Nice. Personally, I don't care too much for the crop, just on the top part. I'd like to see the top of El Capitan instead of the cliff rising up through the top of the photo. But I do like having the two trees on the left there kind of framed by the rock face.

Valley View - Yosemite National Park
by robpom

Comment by DelRioPhoto:
Wow, this is a beautiful spot for a photo. I think this one was over exposed or amybe there was a lot of glare. I think a polarizer would have helped you here. You've got a good eye for photos, so keep up the good work.

Tunnel View - Yosemite National Park
by robpom

Comment by dannylee:
nice image

panda1.jpg
by robpom

Comment by trnqlty:
Cute shot. Next time try putting the subject to the left or right of the frame using the rule of thirds

polar1.jpg
by robpom

Comment by Beetle:
I like the point of view here... feels like we're down there and close to the action.
I think it would look even better with a more shallow DOF to blur out the busy background.