The Best Photography Locations in Yosemite
Where I shoot, when to be there, and exactly how
— by Serge Ramelli
Hello fellow lovers of granite, light and the great American wilderness!
Yosemite is the cathedral of landscape photography — the valley where Ansel Adams defined the craft. Below are my favourite spots, each with a Google Maps link to the exact place I stood, the camera settings, and the time of day that makes the granite glow. For the fundamentals behind these settings, see my beginner's guide to landscape camera settings.
One quick tip: Yosemite is all about the light on the cliffs. Most of these spots are at their best at sunset, when alpenglow sets Half Dome and El Capitan on fire — so plan your day to be in the right place as the sun drops, and keep a tripod handy for the river reflections.
1. Tunnel View
📍 Tunnel View (37.7156, -119.6773)
The most famous viewpoint in America, and worth every bit of the hype. From the Tunnel View overlook the whole valley opens up in one frame — El Capitan on the left, Bridalveil Fall on the right, and Half Dome floating in the centre. When the sunset clouds catch fire it is simply unforgettable; on a hazier evening the light beams rake through the valley.
Best time: Sunset. Arrive early to get a spot on the wall; stay for the afterglow.
📷 Sony A7R V · 53mm · f/7.1 · 1/8s · ISO 100
🖼️ Want this as a print, for your website, or for a campaign? License it here — ref. YOS-01
📷 Sony A7R V · 57mm · f/7.1 · 1/160s · ISO 100
🖼️ Want this as a print, for your website, or for a campaign? License it here — ref. YOS-02
2. Valley View (Gates of the Valley)
📍 Valley View (37.7196, -119.6662)
Down on the valley floor, Valley View puts you right at the Merced River with El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks rising on either side. A long exposure smooths the water and the river leads the eye straight into the last golden light on the cliffs.
Best time: Sunset, for warm light on El Capitan; a tripod for the river.
📷 Sony A7R V · 18mm · f/7.1 · 13s · ISO 80 (tripod)
🖼️ Want this as a print, for your website, or for a campaign? License it here — ref. YOS-03
3. Half Dome from Cook's Meadow
📍 Cook's Meadow (37.7459, -119.5936)
Cook's Meadow gives you Half Dome behind the famous lone oak tree that Ansel Adams made immortal. Shoot it glowing at sunset with the autumn meadow in front, or wait for a still, misty morning and go black-and-white for a tribute to the master himself. I cover this same simplified zone-system approach to black-and-white in my Ansel Adams Zone System guide.
Best time: Sunset for colour; a misty morning for moody black-and-white.
📷 Leica Q3 · 28mm · f/7.1 · 1/250s · ISO 100
🖼️ Want this as a print, for your website, or for a campaign? License it here — ref. YOS-04
📷 Sony A7R V · 48mm · f/5 · 1/80s · ISO 160
🖼️ Want this as a print, for your website, or for a campaign? License it here — ref. YOS-05
4. Glacier Point
📍 Glacier Point (37.7286, -119.5736)
The great high overlook. From Glacier Point you stand level with Half Dome across the valley, with a windswept pine clinging to the granite as a foreground. The last light turns the face of Half Dome a glowing pink.
Best time: Sunset, when alpenglow hits Half Dome. (Check seasonal road access.)
📷 Sony A7R V · 24mm · f/6.3 · 1/60s · ISO 100
🖼️ Want this as a print, for your website, or for a campaign? License it here — ref. YOS-06
5. Half Dome Reflection (Sentinel Bridge)
📍 Sentinel Bridge (37.7449, -119.5869)
From Sentinel Bridge, the Merced River turns into a mirror for Half Dome at sunset — the classic reflection shot. Frame the glowing granite above and its perfect double in the still water below.
Best time: Sunset on a calm evening for the cleanest reflection.
📷 Sony A7R V · 37mm · f/4.5 · 1/80s · ISO 100🖼️ Want this as a print, for your website, or for a campaign? License it here — ref. YOS-07
6. El Capitan & the Merced
📍 El Capitan Meadow / the Merced (37.724, -119.609)
The largest granite monolith on earth catches the very last light of the day. From the banks of the Merced near El Capitan Meadow, the golden face glows above the trees and reflects in a quiet pool of the river.
Best time: Sunset, for the golden light climbing the face of El Capitan.
📷 Sony A7R V · 31mm · f/6.3 · 1/60s · ISO 200
🖼️ Want this as a print, for your website, or for a campaign? License it here — ref. YOS-08
7. Swinging Bridge
📍 Swinging Bridge (37.7434, -119.6)
A quieter spot on the valley floor. The wooden Swinging Bridge crosses the Merced with the cliffs and Yosemite Falls catching fire behind it — and on a still evening the whole scene mirrors in the river below the bridge.
Best time: Sunset, on a calm evening for the reflection.
📷 Sony A7R V · 24mm · f/7.1 · 1/60s · ISO 100
🖼️ Want this as a print, for your website, or for a campaign? License it here — ref. YOS-09
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of day to photograph Half Dome?
Sunset, almost always. Alpenglow lights the granite face pink and gold from Glacier Point, Cook's Meadow, and Sentinel Bridge. A misty, overcast morning is the exception — that is when the black-and-white shots work best.
Is Glacier Point open year-round?
No. The road to Glacier Point typically closes in winter under snow and reopens in late spring, so check seasonal access before planning a trip specifically for that view.
Tunnel View or Glacier Point for a first visit?
Tunnel View if you only have one sunset — it is a five-minute walk from the car and gives you the whole valley in one frame. Glacier Point is the better shot if you have an extra day and want to stand level with Half Dome itself.
Explore More Photography Locations
Planning your next photo trip? Here are more of my location guides:
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- The Best Photography Locations in Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley
- The Best Photography Locations in Las Vegas
- The Best Photography Locations in Iceland
- The Best Photography Locations in San Francisco
- The Best Photography Locations in London
- The Best Photography Locations in Florence & Tuscany
- The Best Photography Locations in Venice
Happy shooting! — Serge
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Serge — Photoserge | Coaching photographers who are serious about getting to the next level.
