Yosemite National Park: Rocks, Glaciers, and Waterfalls, Oh My!
Every year, Yosemite National Park draws millions of visitors. This 12,000-square-mile tract of the Sierra Nevada was first set aside in 1890 and grows more popular every year. Yosemite Valley attracts the most tourists, but beautiful scenery throughout the entire park beckons you and your camera. This is why we’ll be including this scenic destination in our December trip! (See link at bottom for details)
Yosemite Valley made the big time during the California Gold Rush. The region was named after a battle with a band of Native Americans who were nicknamed “yohhe’meti,” or “they are killers.” This location has a rich history for the American West!
The half-mile deep Yosemite Valley was carved by glaciers and now features 3,000-foot high domes of rock and more waterfalls than you can count; talk about photo ops! Your first view upon entering the valley will be the Tunnel View, one of the most photographed sights at Yosemite. From here, you can experience the “classic view,” encompassing five of the most famous landmarks of Yosemite. Wouldn’t this make a gorgeous panorama!
Let’s not forget the rest of the park. Several trails meander through the meadows and forests. These trails will provide opportunities for beautiful photographs and teaching opportunities on reallyclassglass.com’s professional telephoto lenses. Mount Dana and Mount Gibbs, well-known mountains of red metamorphic rock, stand majestically in eternal poses. And the Mariposa Grove is filled with giant sequoias; nothing makes you feel tiny and insignificant quite like trees that measure 30 feet across at the base!
Providing more great photo opportunities are the many lakes and waterfalls of Yosemite. Yosemite Falls consists of upper and lower falls joined by cascades; the whole shebang drops nearly 2,500 feet – the highest waterfall in North America. Or you could stop at one of the many lakes scattered around. If frozen water is more your style, check out Lyell Glacier: the largest glacier in Yosemite.
The number of beautiful photo opportunities may sound a little overwhelming. But, we’ll be touring the park together and scouting the best locations for unforgettable photo memories! With such beauty in one place, it’s not hard to see why photographers around the world journey to this pristine wilderness. Getting in touch with nature can only be good for the soul – and the camera too!
Ready to join us? We’ll be departing Kansas City on December 1st, 2011. Start packing your bags today! (Click here for details)
Destination Photography: Monterey Bay
Given that California has many densely populated cities that often draw the attention of professional and amateur photographers, world-class locations such as Monterey Bay and Big Sur can sometimes be passed over by folks looking for a vacation that revolves around taking stellar photographs. In all honesty, it would be difficult to come up with a photography travel destination that is more spectacular and diverse than these two coastal gems.
Monterey Bay is a magical region that offers some of the best coastal views this fine nation has to offer in a laid-back city with a very mild climate. The region was inhabited by Native Americans until Spanish settlers arrived in the first years of the 17th century.
In this small city you’ll be able to capture images of determined trees growing from the sides of cliffs that have been cultivated by moist sea splash. Moments later, you’ll be photographing the entrance of one of the dozens of small caves that have been carved out by millions of years of high tides. Folks who strategically and patiently plant themselves on the shore may be treated to the breaching of humpback and grey whales less than a few hundred yards offshore.
Archaeological findings show that Native American tribes lived in Big Sur for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. In the late 18th century the area was colonized by Spanish explorers and remained that way until the gold rush of the mid-1800s. The completion of Highway 1, which tiptoes along the central coast of California, marked the beginning of an era for the region, as it was able to be accessed by automobile for the first time.
The common lure for all of the area’s many inhabitants has been the stunning views and the enthralling feeling that comes with living on the literal edge of civilization. Because of the ruggedness of the landscape, the large area is only lightly populated, meaning crowds and noise are never a problem.
In short, the region is a photographer’s dream. Rhythmic waves steadily splash against jagged rocks, creating one-of-a-kind, momentary works of art that can be captured forever with the flash of a fast lens. The Santa Lucia Mountains rise sharply from the Pacific Ocean, and watching the sun set over the salty waters exposes the even plain created by the Earth’s curvature, creating ten to fifteen minutes of photography gold.
Keeping all the mind, it is easy to see why we selected this destination as part of our first ever Destination Photography Workshop. Departing December 2011, our group will be traveling from Kansas City to Monterey Bay and Big Sur, stopping at a few beautiful destinations along the way! For more information on how you can join us, click here!
Start Packing Your Bags!
There are some things in life that it’s never too early to start thinking about. Your next vacation is one of those things! So, let’s start planning your next trip TODAY! On December 1st, 2011, we’ll embark on our first Destination Workshop. And, trust me, you won’t want to get left behind.
The destination: Monterey Bay, California and Yosemite National Park. However, as every good photographer knows, the journey between home and your destination is just as exciting as the destination itself. So, we’ll be stopping at the Grand Canyon and Sedona, AZ, as well as Redwood and Sequoia National Parks to photograph their natural beauty.
Now, if you’re looking for some laidback, all-inclusive, resort experience, this is not the trip for you! Our photo enthusiasts will be up at dawn (as early as 4:00 am) to capture the early morning light and will be out past sundown to catch the breathtaking western sunset. However, there will be opportunities for rest during the day. This downtime will also allow time for image review and processing.
Not only will this experience provide breathtaking views of the wild west. But, you’ll be enjoying them through the lens of any of our incredible array of Pro Nikon lenses; including 600mm F4.0, 400mm F2.8, 300mm F2.8, and two 200mm F2.0, as well as 14mm F2.8, 17-35 F2.8, 80 to 200 F2.8, 28 to 70 F2.8 and others. Plus, all the tripods, monopods and Really Right Stuff ball heads.
Okay, are you ready to get started? Here are the details…
When to be ready: December 1st – 13th, 2011
What to expect: We’ll be traveling to California by van. ReallyClassGlass will take care of all the transportation, which is included in your workshop fee. We will be staying at clean, comfortable national hotel chains. Your workshop fee does not include lodging or meals.
How much: The workshop fee is $1989.00 per person and includes use of all of our telephoto lenses and support equipment, as well as travel costs to and from our destination (land travel only).
What to do next: Contact us today to reserve your spot! A $400 deposit will do the trick. You can email us at info@timeless-images.com, visit our Facebook or Twitter page. Or, just call me, Dave, at 913-908-4879. For all the details, and an itinerary, click here.
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