Photographing Yosemite: Digital Field Guide

19.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?

Two of the best locations for photographing Sentinel Rock are Cook's Meadow (see A on the map) and El Capitan Meadow (see B on the map).

The best locations from which to photograph Sentinel Rock: (A) Cook's Meadow, (B) El Capitan Meadow. Other photo ops: (4) Cathedral Rock, (6) El Capitan, (10) Horsetail Fall, (22) Three Brothers, (28) Yosemite Chapel.

19.2.1. Cook's Meadow

You can find many good locations in Cook's Meadow for photographing Sentinel Rock. As you wander the trails, you can see many different vantage points. I like to shoot from the footbridge that crosses the river because I can get both the river and the rock formation in the frame (see figure 19.1).

Figure 19.1. Sentinel Rock and the Merced River from the footbridge in Cook's Meadow (see A on the map) on a summer morning. Taken at ISO 100, f/14, 1/15 second with a 24-105mm zoom lens at 24mm.

19.2.2. El Capitan Meadow

To get a good view of Sentinel Rock from El Capitan Meadow, you need to hike out toward the center of the meadow. Several trails throughout the meadow can take you to its center. Then turn east and look down the valley and you will see the classic watchtower shape of Sentinel Rock on your right (see figure 19.2).

Figure 19.2. Sentinel Rock in late afternoon ...