A View From Old Camp 6

Posted by Don Smith (California, United States) on 5 March 2009 in Landscape & Rural.

I had heard that some local Yosemite photographers liked shooting from a location referred to as old camp 6. I had no idea where this was, so decided to ask at the Visitor's center while on a stock shooting trip. Fortunately I met a knowledgeable ranger (who also happened to be a avid photographer) and she directed me to this spot along the Merced River.

I made some nice images further down river of the freshly fallen powder but the skies were too dull for this scene; however, I did return a week later with a workshop group to capture this sunset image. Two more feet of snow had fallen and my sense of direction was a bit off. After leading 11 grumbling participants and the group leader, Gary Hart, through thigh-deep snow and a romp through the forest, we emerged onto this scene. Needless to say, the frowns were replaced with smiles.

On the technical side, this image was really brought to life with the help of Nik Viveza. Nik's U-Point technology helped me to quickly and easily isolate (mask) areas of the image I wanted to work on. Most adjustments with this image were with lightening and darkening.

If you would like to find out how you can join Gary and me one of our many workshops, please go to my website at Don Smith Photography and click on the Workshop link on the home page.

My Website: "how to" articles, galleries, stock photos, and more...
www.donsmithphotography.com

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Comments (12)

john4jack from Corvallis, United States

Marvelous alpenglow on Halfdome! Gorgeous reflections! Exquisite composition! Yosemite is a holy place! I have Nik's software to be invaluable.

5 Mar 2009 5:16am

@john4jack: Thanks Jack, Viveza gets the job doen quikly and effeciently - what more could you ask.

Marie LC from Voiron, France

Marvelous Yosemite ! love reflections and tones of blue

5 Mar 2009 7:51am

@Marie LC: Thanks Marie, this was the first time shooting from this location, but it certainly won't be the last.

John from Pleasant Valley, United States

Hi Don, your image turned out great. Love the color in half dome. It was a beautiful setting. We didn't grumble too much, did we? John

5 Mar 2009 1:28pm

@John: Hi John, nice to hear from you. I think once we all arrived at this location the leg burning walk through the snow was soon forgotten. Thanks for checking in - I hope all is well with you.

john4jack from Corvallis, United States

PS - I remember Camp 6 well from my backpacking days in the 60s!

5 Mar 2009 1:29pm

Tracy from La Selva Beach, United States

I love your work, Truly stunning- I have met Gary (he spoke at our camera club this year) I can attest to his (& yours, I presume) tireless leading of the workshops...I was in Yosemite at the same time as you, last weekend--You guys were EVERYWHERE! even in the rain....Beautiful work.

5 Mar 2009 2:45pm

@Tracy: Hi Tracy, thanks for your nice words. We had a great group who were up for everything we threw at them, even Sunday when it basically rained all day. Both Gary and I love to be out when the weather goes bad, especially in Yosemite, as beautiful mist ususally is the result. It's true that conditions get tougher to handle, but there was no wind to speak of and the images were well worth the effort!

Hema Iyer from Bangalore, India

This is a stunning photograph.

5 Mar 2009 3:44pm

@Hema Iyer: Welcome to my blog Hema - thanks for the nice comments. Hope to hear from you again.

Eleftheria from Athens, Greece

Awesome!

5 Mar 2009 3:54pm

@Eleftheria: Hi Eleftheria - thanks once again for your support.

DarkElf from Perth, Australia

i really like the composition here Don with the curve of the river leading in nicely! the mountain hiding in behind the trees looks very majestic! as always, your lighting balance and colours tones are superb - excellent capture!

6 Mar 2009 12:15am

@DarkElf: Hi Dark Elf - the way the river bends and leads the eye to Half Dome was what drew me to this location. Just getting a bit of alpenglow on the famed dome was all the image needed.

Jen from St. George, United States

I love the almost mono-chromatic feel of the scene, with the splash of red! The reflection is beautiful, and I love that the curve of the far bank draw our eyes through the entire scene. Beautiful!

6 Mar 2009 12:26am

@Jen: Thanks for the nice review Jen. You are correct that without the small pop of color (alpenglow at sunset) on Half Dome, the scene would not have been as captivating. Sometimes it is the smallest details that can make or break an image.

Walter from Watkinsville, United States

Very nice photo here Don of a special place that brought you back to catch just the right light. From the comments above, looks like your group was very pleased with the outcome of your shoot.

6 Mar 2009 2:22am

@Walter: Hi Walter, that is part of what I love about this blog - feedback from other passionate photographers such as yourself. Even as a pro, I sometimes get jaded with what I believe is a good image only to find out it really doesn't resonate with others. Thanks for writing in.

Scott Schilling from San Martin, United States

Don, great shot! I like how the light leads my eye to half dome - wonderful processing and mix of shadows and light!

6 Mar 2009 3:39pm

@Scott Schilling: Thank you Scott - I left a message for you on your recent post.

Judy from Brooksville, Florida, United States

Half Dome is a 'love' of mine and this is incredible!

11 Mar 2009 9:50pm

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Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
2 seconds
F/11.0
ISO 200
28 mm