Yosemite. Just hearing this legendary name immediately paints a vivid picture in my mind of massive walls, colossal waterfalls, open meadows, and a meandering river all working in concert to create one of Earth’s truly great landscapes. Closely following these mental images of nature are those of the individuals whose lives left indelible marks on Yosemite over the decades. Names such as Muir, Salathe, Watkins, Adams, Robbins, Harding, Bridwell, Bachar, Rowell, Hill, Neil, Frye, Potter, Caldwell, and Honnold, to name but a few. While these accomplished individuals left a lasting imprint on Yosemite history and lore it’s perhaps equally important to recognize the impact Yosemite must surely have exerted over each and every one of their lives. This list of people includes both climbers and photographers. I’ve always felt there are some real similarities between these two seemingly disparate groups. How so? Well, for one, both groups pursue a craft which requires deep engagement with the natural world. This deep engagement demands a high degree of attunement with one’s surroundings, the weather conditions, oneself, and the ever evolving and unpredictable present moment. Directly experiencing nature in this way acts has the uncanny ability to elevate the lives of those who choose to do so. Repeatedly doing so over the course of months or years results in the development of a deep personal relationship between the individual and the landscape. This relationship, and it’s incredible ability to elevate and enhance the life of those who choose to live this way, has long fascinated me. The history and lore of Yosemite is littered with such individuals. For me, this intersection of individual lives and the natural environment adds to the already tremendous amount of reverence I feel towards this amazing natural wonder.
With these ideas floating around my brain I steered my rental car, filled with my family and a few bags, up the long series of switchbacks leading higher and eastward towards Yosemite. I had 36 hours in the park. What could I possibly do in 36 hours? In reality, not much. Far too short a time to understand a location, to know where the light falls at various times, what elements I find visually intriguing, or which areas hold the greatest potential for viable images. One “weakness” I have as a photographer is a distaste for scouting. Even though I know it’s an effective and important skill, it feels a bit too contrived for my liking. On the occasion where I have scouted a location earlier in the day only to return later under presumably better conditions, it felt like I was having the same experience twice. In this way the creative experience I wanted to have felt blunted. I prefer to go about my day as normal, observing what the light is doing as the hours pass while also accumulating little notes of visual interest along the way. Then I create a plan based upon these visual inputs for where to be once the “good” light happens. In this way I have an experience just once — a spontaneous, fresh, reckless, and, most importantly, deeply engaging experience. Novel experience is a powerful catalyst for enhancing in-the-moment creativity.
So what was my plan for Yosemite? Well it almost entirely involved working with trees. Not a surprise for those who have followed my recent work but, in my defense, I had fully planned to photograph grand landscapes but weather conditions just weren’t conducive. I also wasn’t able to find a composition which didn’t feel “standard” and standard, under mediocre conditions, is to be avoided at all costs. So trees just felt natural. Let conditions dictate what to photograph. Far from being a consolation prize, the hours I spent wandering through the meadows and boulder fields lining high cliffs proved inspiring and surprisingly productive. Each morning and evening I’d choose a different part of the valley to photograph. Then I’d wander, trying my best to ignore the presence of tourists around me, letting the creative flow of the day take me where it may. What follows is a small collection of images which I feel reflect my 36 hours in the park. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did creating them.
