Photographing Yosemite: Digital Field Guide

29.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?

You can get good photographs of Yosemite Falls by either driving or hiking to the best locations. Being prepared with the right lenses, filters, and accessories and knowing how to set your camera will ensure that you come away with great photos of this magnificent waterfall.

29.3.1. Equipment

The equipment you need to photograph the falls depends on which location you choose to capture your images. Because the locations vary so much, be prepared to use all your lenses!

29.3.1.1. Lenses

Because there are so many choices in locations from which you can photograph Yosemite Falls, you have just as many choices as to which lenses to use.

29.3.1.1.1. Lower Fall Trail, Cook's Meadow, Swinging Bridge and Southside Drive

From the majority of these locations, you want to use a wide-angle lens to capture the height of Upper and Lower Falls. A lens of 28mm or wider is necessary for most locations. The wide-angle lenses allow you to capture the full height of the falls and the surrounding cliffs. If you want to just isolate the Upper Fall, then you will be using lenses from 60-400mm depending on how tight you want to get to the waterfall.

29.3.1.1.2. Glacier Point and Upper Yosemite Fall Trail

From Glacier Point and the Upper Fall Trail, focal lengths from 35mm to 85mm work well. If you want to zoom in to capture the force of the fall as it leaps over the cliff, you will need a 300-400mm lens.

29.3.1.2. Filters

The most useful filters you can use when ...