Evening light on Lembert Dome and the Tuolumne River, Yosemite National Park, California
(click image for larger view)

It’s always nice when the stars align and this year in the Sierra Nevada they’ve done just that. Today is the summer solstice – the longest day of the year and the official start of summer. And in celebration, the National Park Service is waiving the entrance fee for all 58 parks in the country. Even better, if you live near or are visiting Yosemite, the Tioga Pass road into the high country has finally been cleared of snow opening up the pristine Tuolumne Meadows area for the first time this year.

Watching the LA Marathon today (on a cold, soggy morning in Southern California) got me thinking about the correlation between endurance sports and photography and the rewards involved when going the distance. Coming back from a remote shoot with successful imagery involves many factors that all need to come together and often requires the same discipline used in running a marathon. Call it hang time or as I prefer “marathon mentality”, it’s a willingness to stay just a little longer, travel just a little further, or even endure some discomfort - then expect the unexpected.

After racing many marathons over the past 15 years I began to see a connection between the investment and return for both my photography and racing. Both require the obvious advanced preparation and planning, photo equipment needs to function properly in extremes of temperature and often with rough handling  just as the body must be conditioned to endure the effects of running 26 miles. But once at a location or a race the mental process of being ”in the moment”, in a heightened sense of awareness for extended periods, is often just as important and can be the difference between success and failure.

I’m always amazed at the multitude of reasons why people run marathons, but the one thing they all have in common is a desire to push themselves further than they have ever gone before. In the same vein, your photography can be taken to the next level simply by tuning your senses to absorb all that is around you and a willingness to exercise your own marathon mentality.

Horsetail Falls, Yosemite National Park, California

Every February something special happens in Yosemite Valley if the conditions are right. At some point during the month the setting sun aligns perfectly with the canyon walls to the west for several evenings creating a longer than usual glow on the granite walls. And if the winter snow pack is substantial and the temperature warms enough to start the spring runoff, a wonderful cascade forms on the southeast side of El Capitan aptly named Horsetail Falls.

Of course all of this along with the rest of Yosemite’s splendor would be enough to satisfy anyone visiting the valley this time of year. But in addition (as if mother nature is trying to outdo herself) for only a few minutes each evening the alignment of the sun also illuminates the falls from behind creating a brief firefall that is truely amazing. When I made this image several years ago, the sky had been rather drab all day and as the magic time approached it looked as if nothing would happen. Then suddenly the clouds parted to the west, the falls began to glow and I had only moments to make a couple of exposures before the light was gone.

To celebrate the soon to be released Yosemite quarter here’s a unique view of America’s 2nd national park. The appropriately named Mist Trail climbs a series of stone steps next to Vernal Falls and is a perfect way to cool off during the warm summer months in the Valley. A rainbow often forms at the base of the falls and the upper portion of the trail is actually carved into the cliff adjacent to the falls providing a spectacular view.

Summer will be here before we know it, so it’s time to start thinking about that quintessential American experience – the road trip. Could be a planned pilgrimage to a specific destination or just aimless wandering on Route 66 for a heavy dose of nostalgia. There are no set guidelines, but less is often more. Either way, it’s important to share the experience with a friend or two to help keep the journey alive long after it’s over.

Climbing in the Tuolumne Meadows area of Yosemite National Park is a magical experience. The domes and spires in this part of the High Sierra stretch as far as the eye can see and the crisp, clear alpine air at over 10,000 feet is a refreshing alternative to the often crowded Yosemite Valley. It was here that  John Muir spent his summers, and from these lofty summits he named it the Range of Light.

This image was taken on Matthes Crest, a popular route that traverses a spectacular knife-edged ridge and provides a unique alpine experience. My favorite climbing lens is the Nikkor 16mm, which has a wide field of view, provides maximum depth of field, and is very compact making it easy to climb with. Photographing climbs is always a challenge as vantage points are limited and safety always comes first. But great shots have a way of presenting themselves and capturing these images is often just a matter of living in the moment.