In 2015, my wife and I decided it was time to take our kids to see Yosemite. It had been years since either of us had been there and our kids were old enough to do some some hiking more than just walking around the valley floor. So we packed up the car and headed out!
I remember the first time I entered Yosemite Valley years ago as a teenager. Even then feeling an almost overwhelming sense that "this is God's country!" It is beautiful and awe inspiring! Yosemite Valley is a place where one can walk in the presence of majesty. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Yosemite Valley, I highly recommend you take it!
We spent several days in Yosemite, but instead of camping in the park we stayed at a hotel just outside the boundry of the National Park. We were in the process of driving out of the valley on one of those days, when we saw this view of "El Capitan" and decided to pull over and enjoy the view for a bit. After a few minutes I took out my camera and started playing with photographing the view of the mountain through the trees. This particular angle kept catching my eye, and I took several exposures from roughly this angle, but changing my view just slightly each time. I couldn't put my finger on it at the time I was capturing this image, but I think there are two elements that I am particularly fond of with this image. I love the way the branch of the tree in the upper left side of the image seems to follow the curve of the mountain almost exactly. It almost looks as if the mountain is growing out of the tree. I also love the woman walking along the path close to the center of the image. There is such a termendous sense of scale, and yet I feel like she is walking almost "hand in hand" with the mountain.
The National Parks are perhaps the best idea America has ever had.
Capture Date: April 1, 2015
Currently offering "standard edition" print number 4
NOTE: This is one of 3 Black and White prints of Yosemite offered in matching sizes and finishes that look very nice when displayed together. The other two are "Merced River and Yosemite Falls" and "Vernal Falls Rainbow"
