Photographing Yosemite ’s Waterfalls

Yosemite boasts some of the tallest and most spectacular waterfalls in the world. These sessions are designed to photograph almost every large waterfall in Yosemite Valley over a period of days. Photographer John Senser (a veteran of over 30 years of Yosemite waterfall photography) has scheduled each of them during the period of maximum runoff and the time of day for the best lighting on each. You can sign up for one or all sessions. These tours will emphasize different techniques for working with moving water, how to achieve the highest quality images and create the strongest, most interesting compositions. All camera formats and levels of experience are welcome and issues will be discussed as they apply to both film and digital cameras. Special night moonlight sessions will explore the techniques to combat reciprocity failure, color shift and image blur during long exposures.The sessions on photographing the Moonbow at Yosemite Falls are unique events that happen only for a very few days a year. And they are subject to the environmental conditions being just perfect, that is, a clear night and ample waterfall mist. As a result, we have scheduled several sessions over several months. If conditions are poor for any session you will be rescheduled for a later session at no charge.

Session I: Photographing Yosemite Falls
May 3, 2008 8 AM- Noon

Selected sites will provide both up close and overview perspectives of different sections of this monumental 2425 foot tall fall. Easy hiking 1-2 miles.

Session II: Photographing Ribbon, Horsetail and Bridalveil Falls
May 3, 2008 3 PM-7 PM Spectacular perspectives from El Capitan Meadows and a little known stagecoach road provide unique angles and rainbow possibilities. Moderate hiking 2-3 miles.

Session lll: Photographing Illilouette, Vernal and NevadaFalls
May 4, 2008 3 PM- 7 PM The Mist Trail creates a misty scene and refreshing cooling as you climb the trail and photograph these Yosemite classics. Moderate hiking 4 miles.

Photographing the Yosemite Falls Moonbow
April 18 & 19, 2008 7-10 PM
May 20, 2008 10 PM-1 AM
June 18, 2008 10 PM-1 AM If all conditions are right, you will be treated to a most unusual scene as the brilliant moonlight creates a moonbow in the fall’s mist. Easy 1 mile hike.

Price: $250 per person

A 5% reduction is given for choosing two sessions and three day packages receive 10% discounts.

Suggested Gear for Moonbow Sessions:

Camera Gear: 
1.)   A strong hand flashlight
2.)   A weak penlight or head lamp with a low setting (for checking camera settings)
3.)   A bath sized towel to wrap around a tripoded camera and for drying wet camera gear
4.)   Several soft cotton cloths to clean wet lenses
5.)   Lens caps and clear, UV, or Skylight 1A  filters on the front of every lens
6.)   A large blower bulb to defog your eye piece
 7.)   An additional water resistant jacket or poncho to act as a hood over a tripoded camera
 8.)   A camera capable of making long exposures
9.)   A tripod
10.)   A cable release
11.)   Wide angle to normal focal length lens (an 18mm to 50mm zoom is ideal for digital SLR cameras)

Recommended Clothing:  (You will be standing in mist for a good while so dress accordingly)
1.   Warm, dry head gear (a ball cap type hat pulled tight over a wool beanie keeps eyes dry and head warm)
2.)  Water resistant parka, rain pants, down vest
3.)  Warm gloves
4.)  Gore Tex boots or other water resistant foot gear

Note: Umbrellas can sometimes be useful but, often times, close to falls, the blustery winds make them impractical.

Please also be sure to bring a sandwich, snacks, and drinking water.