Yosemite National Park is every photographer’s dream — a timeless canvas of iconic granite cliffs, serene rivers, and crystal-clear reflections that capture the soul of nature’s grandeur. In this sweeping panorama, I bring together El Capitan’s towering face, the calm Merced River, and the Three Brothers’ majestic peaks into one breathtaking view — a rare perspective on Yosemite Valley’s stunning fall colors.
The Story Behind the Shot
Earlier this year, I joined a Yosemite Fall Photography Workshop led by the incredible Phil Hawkins, eager to discover fresh angles on Yosemite’s most photographed landmarks. This particular scene unfolded near the El Capitan picnic area, just off Southside Drive. A short walk through the forest led me to the riverbank, where the Merced River became a perfect mirror, reflecting Yosemite’s breathtaking beauty.
On my first visit, I experimented with leading lines, using a fallen log to guide the viewer’s eye toward the Three Brothers’ reflection. However, I accidentally cropped out one of the peaks. Undeterred, I returned later that week with a bigger vision — capturing a full panorama that stretched from El Capitan’s massive granite face along the river to the reflected peaks of the Three Brothers, all framed by Yosemite’s vibrant fall foliage.
Gear and Settings
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Camera: Nikon Z8
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Lens: Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8
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Tripod: Benro (my trusted companion)
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Filter: Polarizer (time for an upgrade—any sponsors out there?)
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Settings: f/7.1 | 1/125 sec | ISO 100 | Focal Length: 18.5mm
I set up the tripod close to the riverbank and framed the panorama vertically to capture every detail. Using the one-third overlap panning method, I shot multiple frames to ensure seamless stitching later. The conditions were ideal — clear skies and soft mid-morning light perfectly illuminating the reflections.
Post-Processing the Panorama
Post-processing was delicate but rewarding. I started in DXO to sharpen each frame and reduce noise, then stitched the images in Lightroom, correcting lens distortions and enhancing clarity, texture, and vibrance. Subtle brushwork highlighted the glowing light in key areas. A slight crop helped perfect the composition.
One of my favorite discoveries? Zooming in revealed tiny climbers scaling El Capitan and small figures reflected in the river — hidden gems that add layers of life to this tranquil scene.
Tips for Fellow Photographers
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Shoot Vertically for Panoramas: Overlap frames by at least one-third to create smooth, stitchable images.
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Level Your Tripod: A sturdy, level tripod with a panning head is essential for precise, consistent shots.
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Be Patient: Yosemite rewards those who take their time. Scout your spots, wait for perfect light, and trust your vision.
Lesson Learned: Setting up two cameras—one for wide panoramas, another for tighter shots—would have saved time and expanded creative possibilities without switching lenses.
Explore More of Yosemite and Beyond
This image is part of my Yosemite Fall Reflections collection, available now at MichaelKlingerJr.com. Explore the full gallery to see more breathtaking scenes from Yosemite, the Redwood Forest, and my latest adventures in the wild.
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