"Open Gates to the Granite Kingdom"

Getting a good picture of Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View is easy. Just point and shoot without the lens cap on. Heading out at 1 am to get there at 5 am on the right morning is a much taller order to fill. During the entire 4 hour trip, I kept telling myself it's gonna be a long drive home if there are no clouds. When I left Bakersfield, there were indeed no clouds overhead, so it was time to execute a little faith. This was a trip I wouldn't get to repeat anytime soon, especially when the dogwoods were blooming, the river and creeks were swollen and the waterfalls were rumbling with fresh snowmelt. In my minds eye, I would capture something unique at sunrise, but I am not so familiar with Yosemite, so I instead took the safe way out. I usually avoid the iconic views, but this is Yosemite Valley and the sky was painting a masterpiece, so I decided it was time to have my own trophy from this over-photographed view. This is a six vertical frame stitched pano. I made two exposures for each frame to tame the dynamic range and keep the shadows open. Each frame was individually hand blended before stitching in Photoshop. I spent another 4 hours shooting various iconic spots, not caring anymore because I was caught up in the place. I got back to Bakersfield a little after 2 pm the same day, a 13 hour excursion I will never forget!

Thanks for your thoughts. The smaller preview appears dark, so please

view the Larger preview, which opens up the shadows!

Very nicely done!  Everyone needs to have a 'Tunnel View' image in their personal collection, and this is a fine one.  I'm guessing that you, at least, did not have to contend with hordes of tourists getting off of buses whilst setting up for this at 5:00 a.m. ;-)  Cheers!

Thanks Chris! When I first arrived, there were no other vehicles. I went down into the valley, but I am not really familiar with the best spots and it was still pretty dark, so I boogied back up the hill. As I was shooting these frames, there were 3 other people there. As the light began to fade, the cars started to arrive. I then went back down and made several loops unencumbered by any traffic or crowds. I photographed for another couple of hours with free reign. By about 9:30, the vehicles started pouring in and I was pretty much done. The clouds were really good, but by 10 am, the light was getting harsh. I had what I wanted and just waved at the throngs entering as I exited the south entrance. I never got drowsy for those 13 hours, but a 2 hour nap was waiting for me when I pulled into my driveway. This was my wife's early present to me on my 52nd birthday. I really love her!

Post Script; make sure to scroll right in the Larger preview to view the right side portion of the image!

You captured some intense light - best to follow your intuitions.  I really like the right 3/4 of the image. The large FG tree on the left adds depth, but my eye really wants to view the falls and sky.  I'm ssure you have considered a crop, or may be have another comp without the tree.  The other FG trees still give a great sense of depth for me. Icons are such for a reason!  Magnificent view.

Thanks Harry! Including the tree and left side was just my way of putting my signature on this view. So often this view is shot with the valley square in the middle. I wanted it off-center, so I included the tree as a counter point. I think it at least offers a fresh perspective. Certainly, I played with other comps. I was fortunate because the light lasted a good 45 minutes!

Left tree gives this a better sense of being there. Mark ..this is beautiful. 

Hats off to you!  One of The Best sunrise photos from that often photographed locations! Glad someone of our little group of PNer got some clouds.  7 is the best I can give it however :>))

Mark... Exquisite.  The thumbnail is only good enough to capture attention, but when viewed large this just comes alive.  I can feel the cool morning air and hear the falls in the distance... Wishing I could have been there, but this is the next best thing. Thanks for sharing... Mike

Absolutely fantastic. Mark, What Pano head did you use? And Happy Birthday :-)

The light in the upper half of the photo is super, but for me there is inadequate detail in the foreground. Just lightening it a fraction would improve the whole.

Thanks Michael, Ray, Mike, Lalit and Brian! Thanks for the 7 Ray! Mike, wish you could have been there also! Lalit, thanks for the birthday wishes. Actually, I have a little cheap Slik travel pod and I have built my own L bracket to utilize the nodal point. I complain every time I use it because it is so shoddy, but then I have to reason that I get the job done with it and forking over several hundred dollars for a nice kit is difficult to justify. What I am using cost less than $100 and any other photographer would have tossed this out of a fast moving car. I see a new outfit on the horizon, however! Brian, I can agree to some degree. My master file is actually lighter in the shadows, but on the screen this looks accurate to my eye based on the available light at the scene. It was subdued for sure as this was well before the actual sunrise. The thumbnail does look too dark, but the Larger version seems to fill in the shadows, meanwhile I have been criticized at times for having the foreground too bright, so I tend to respect all comments. Thanks for your suggestion!!

Another beauty... the foreground looks perfect on my monitor and the sky is to die for.  Like the off center aspect also. 

It had been a few years since I'd been to Tunnel View and I was surprised that the Park Service had done such an aggressive tree removal program in this location.  I guess that reduced the conflict between photographers for the "good" spots.  This shot would have been impossible back then.

Well worth your effort.  I would love to get up early and shoot, but Norm isn't as eager to do that.  :-)  I need to plan trips with other photographers occasionally, I suppose.....while he goes to play golf.  :-)   This is so gorgeous, and when I clicked on the larger view (which I could do on FB, but not here for some reason), I literally felt like I was there.  I'm marking this as a favorite so I can remember your vantage point.  Thanks!

Well, the long trip sure did pay off for you and the Gods were very kind.. This is simply beautiful and you have your Tunnel View photograph.

Thanks Dave, Christal and Leo! For sure, I was lucky. When I left Bakersfield, there wasn't a cloud in the sky, so I was skeptical. As I passed through Fresno, I could see some layers filling in the empty sky. When I made my turn towards the valley, I was thrilled, but I can't tell you how many times I have watched good skies either close up or worse, dissipate. This time the sky hung around for the entire morning!

A great reward for your efforts.

Thanks Kah Kit, I missed your comment somehow. I appreciate it!!