Band of Sunset Light on Half Dome
Photo: Narrow band of sunset light through spring storm clouds on the face of Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California
I especially love this narrow band of warm sunset light stretching across the base of Yosemite Valley's iconic Half Dome. Yosemite National Park has no other landmark feature of the landscape than the majestic Half Dome. Standing there at the heart of Yosemite Valley, all you have to do is look east before this huge monolith captures your attention. It is so see this great granite rock with its incredibly sheer vertical cliffs that rise 3,000 feet above Yosemite Valley, and the addition of the special band of sunset light made it all the more special.
There are a number of images I continually use in my photography workshops, classes, or presentations which speak so well to a point I like to teach. "If it looks good shoot it; if it looks better, shoot it again." (That's not my quote. It comes from my old boss, Galen Rowell - and it's a point I still see that helps photographers.)
This image was shot when there was a huge bank of storm clouds blocking any chance of seeing a sunset. Suddenly a small opening occurred in the west, but only large enough to allow this narrow band of light to fall across the face of Half Dome. There were a couple other photographers there. One turned to another and asked, "Should I shoot it?" The other photographer replied, "No, wait until the light is all the way on it." -- It was so notable because it was the second time in 10 years I heard someone say that exact same thing. The first time was this photo from Snake River Overlook at Grand Teton National Park.
I turned to the person I was with and said, "Shoot it. If it gets better, shoot it again." It never got better. And because we took the photo, we captured the best light of the night, while the other photographers left without having caught this special moment.
Click here for detailed Print Information & Pricing, including larger paper, canvas, or metallic prints, incl. matted & framed prints. For complete purchase options, or to inquire about art gallery dealer and consultant discounts, please contact me directly. Discounts are also available for multiple print purchases.
There are a number of images I continually use in my photography workshops, classes, or presentations which speak so well to a point I like to teach. "If it looks good shoot it; if it looks better, shoot it again." (That's not my quote. It comes from my old boss, Galen Rowell - and it's a point I still see that helps photographers.)
This image was shot when there was a huge bank of storm clouds blocking any chance of seeing a sunset. Suddenly a small opening occurred in the west, but only large enough to allow this narrow band of light to fall across the face of Half Dome. There were a couple other photographers there. One turned to another and asked, "Should I shoot it?" The other photographer replied, "No, wait until the light is all the way on it." -- It was so notable because it was the second time in 10 years I heard someone say that exact same thing. The first time was this photo from Snake River Overlook at Grand Teton National Park.
I turned to the person I was with and said, "Shoot it. If it gets better, shoot it again." It never got better. And because we took the photo, we captured the best light of the night, while the other photographers left without having caught this special moment.
Click here for detailed Print Information & Pricing, including larger paper, canvas, or metallic prints, incl. matted & framed prints. For complete purchase options, or to inquire about art gallery dealer and consultant discounts, please contact me directly. Discounts are also available for multiple print purchases.
PHOTO ID#:
VLY2-2488
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