Photographing Yosemite: Digital Field Guide

21.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?

Three of the best locations for photographing Tenaya Lake are from either its west or east shore (see A and B on the map) and from Olmsted Point (see C on the map).

The best locations from which to photograph Tenaya Lake: (A) western shore, (B) eastern shore, (C) Olmsted Point. Other photo ops: (3) Cathedral Peak, (24) Tuolumne Meadows and River, (25) Unicorn Peak.

21.2.1. Western shore

Each shore offers a glimpse into the different personalities of Tenaya Lake. The western shore has a wilder feel, with the large granite rocks and boulders on the shoreline. These rocks form interesting lines and shapes that you can use to enhance your compositions and add more interest to your images (see figure 21.1). You also have the outlet of Tenaya Creek to use as a compositional element from the west end. Walk the shoreline and look for these formations and determine how you can use them to add drama to your images. The shoreline varies through the summer as the lake level drops. Rocks that were submerged appear and other foreground elements recede from the water's edge. Using wide-angle lenses and getting close to these foreground elements make them look more dramatic. Also, look for rocks and shapes that you can use as leading lines to draw the viewer's eye into the image.

Figure 21.1. Interesting rocks make great foreground elements at Tenaya Lake ...