El Capitan, a photo from California, West

Photographer's Note

El Capitan is a 3,000-foot (1000m) vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park, located on the north side of Yosemite Valley, near its western end. The granite monolith is one of the world's favorite challenges for rock climbers.

The formation was named "El Capitan" by the Mariposa Battalion when it explored the valley in 1851. El Capitan ("the captain", "the chief") was taken to be a loose Spanish translation of the local Native American name for the cliff, variously transcribed as "To-to-kon oo-lah" or "To-tock-ah-noo-lah". It is unclear if the Native American name referred to a specific Tribal chief, or simply meant "the chief" or "rock chief".

-- Quoted from Wikipidea --

ribeiroantonio, zhelach, dareco, macondo, Budapestman, snunney, ChrisJ, Photo65Net, noborders, edytungkal, danos, cunejo200, gunbud, syd1946, Benedict, paura, Charo, MLINES, saylan-cb, josepmarin, bakes888 heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

ribeiroantonio (22730) 2007-12-11 23:51

It is a quite interesting way of showing it as a reflection. However I would prefer to have a clear view of the rock to be able to a better idea of its size. The picture has too many things to distract my eyes. Also, it seams to be lacking a bit of sharpness and we can the a kind of halo around the stones and trees reflected on the water.
Antonio

bracasha75 (24591) 2007-12-12 0:14

Hello Renier
Real mirror effect...and thec nature in this park is amaizing...
Thanks for sharing
Cheers,Braca

gildasjan (43826) 2007-12-12 0:30

Bonjour Renier
Plan d'eau calme,un vrai miroir pour cette superbe composition aux si belles couleurs.Bravo et bonne journée.
Amicalement
Gildas

zhelach (3626) 2007-12-12 0:39

Hello Renier!
Beautiful autumn colors and wonderful reflection! great composition!
TFS, regards, Zorica

UnTrained (0) 2007-12-12 0:43

Hi Renier,
my today's neighbour even so far away. I like that colourful and warm reflection, well added by the branches. The capture is very clear and has a warmth, I think I will use it for cold days as heating.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

dareco (17136) 2007-12-12 0:55

This is a totally 'WOW' image! The colors and reflection are fantastic! Beautiful scene. TFS

AiresSantos (56155) 2007-12-12 0:59

Hi Renier
Pleasant place to enjoy. Excellent colours and reflections. I would like this one without the trees on top. Anyway i like it
TFS and have a nice day
Aires

gracious (20025) 2007-12-12 1:15

Hello Renier,
good evening!
beautiful reflection well captured on this famous place of Yosemite!
good quality on sharpness, warm colouration and so much details to enjoy and view
well done
TFS
best regards
Tony

macondo (20449) 2007-12-12 1:25

Hello Renier.
A tremendous blast of autumn colours set against a startling blue reflected sky. The reflection of the rock face is stronger than the actual. The few rocks in the water and the framing branches overhead make a nice contrast in this strongly lit scene. I can see the halo that Antonio mentions, which is a little bit of a distraction.
Regards,
Andrew

Bruno40 (6662) 2007-12-12 1:57

Renier,
I agree with Antonio... I almost cannot see the Capitan!.
teh colours are nice, and there is a good reflection, but the composition has too many distractions from the main subject, the rock.
Nice place to visit!
TFS
Jorge

Budapestman (82620) 2007-12-12 2:21

Hi Renier,
Magnificent natural impression with amazing colours and lights. The composition is very fine, details are picturesque. I like the spectacular reflection and the atmosphere...really beautiful. Have a nice day
George

snunney (130967) 2007-12-12 2:38

Hello Renier,
A good capture of these autumn colours that look very natural and not over saturated. I like the framing from the overhanging branches and the reflections. It is perhaps not as sharp as it might be.

jplebrun (21208) 2007-12-12 3:40

Hi Renier
superbe photo de ce rocher qui se mire dans ce lac, bien cadré dans ces arbres et c e ciel bleu, j'aime beaucoup, c'est du beau travail.
Amitiés
Jean-Pierre

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2007-12-12 4:42

The reflections on the water are superb. This is a lovely autumnal shot.
Best wishes,
Achim

amaryllis (37047) 2007-12-12 5:38

bonjour,
c'est un beau miroir que tu nous présentes là avec en reflection cette roche, les arbres et le ciel, superbe comme les couleurs qui accompagnent ce miroir
bravo
juliette

mursaloglu (8682) 2007-12-12 6:50

Dear Renier
Just stunning picture with interesting landscape keys. Really great job .best regards ihsan

efi (5303) 2007-12-12 8:15

hi renier;
perfectly reflected and captured..could bu used upside down :).vivid colors,branchy frame..bravo my friend..

jasmis (58653) 2007-12-12 8:18

Amazing autumn colours and smart using of reflexion.
Thanks for sharing.
Regards!

Photo65Net (43144) 2007-12-12 10:50

Renier,
Amazing colors and reflections.
the way you caught this landscape is superb, hard PP and contrasts, very eyecatcher.
Regards,
JB.

noborders (1010) 2007-12-12 11:12

The mirror effect is simply incredible ! Fantastic colours too... Is it as beautiful in reality ?
TFS, bravo,
Cath.

edytungkal (4551) 2007-12-12 18:16

A nice place with beautiful colours and I like how you added the superb reflections on this shot.
Just noticed maybe better without the branches on top, colours and sharpness still the best. Thanks Renier..

daniel

wolf38 (30) 2007-12-12 23:33

Hello Renier. Also your current photo shows again unaffected nature. It is in its naturalness a picture of the peace and the contemplative. Wonderful colors. Outstanding composition. Best regards, Wolfgang.

ChrisJ (171822) 2007-12-13 0:43

Hi Renier

I hope to see this for myself next year. Wonderful fg reflections in the tranquil water sith superb colour & saturation. Good sharpness & vertical framing. Tfs!

danos (110407) 2007-12-13 0:57

Hello Renier,
very impressive this reflection of the El Capitan rock on the water,that we cannot see it directly,because of the huge trees in front of it,but we can see it better as reflection on the water, as the saturated sky too.Excellent composition with a great POV.Informative your note too.

Regards,Danos

Paolo (41258) 2007-12-13 1:35

Hi Renier, brilliant picture with the Captain refletecd on the lake!
excellent colours, good quality and amazing light too.
thanks, ciao

Partha_c (2029) 2007-12-13 1:37

Hi Renier.Beautiful shot of reflection. El Captain is somewhat better viewed through water than otherwise. The silhouetted branch and the branchlets and twigs in the f/g made it cute too. Regards.
Partha

Nicou (193806) 2007-12-13 2:58

Hello,

Merveilleux reflet, couleur autonmale bafuleuse, avec ces cailloux dans l'eau, de toute beauté.

Bravo et amitiés

Nicou

Gustaw (21670) 2007-12-13 9:28

Hi, my friend!
It is very interesting photo. I like your composition. Good colours and light. I very like your reflections in water. Well done.
Marek

cunejo200 (7281) 2007-12-13 10:35

Hello Ren,
Gorgeous and colorful reflection. El Capitan looks good on the reflection. It's good that you were able to visit the Yosemite. It has been years since I was here. The U.S. is blessed with so many well maintained national and state parks. Can't wait to see your other photos of the Yosemite. Greetings from a damp/rainy Wash D.C.
Danilo

delic (6735) 2007-12-13 12:33

Hello Renier,
I think your photo demonstrates a very clever way to cover up the problems posed by harsh light and high contrast. El Capitan is washed out but the silhouetted branches block the view nicely while we can actually see it in the reflection. The only thing I would consider is underexposing by 1-1.5 stops to have better colors and reduced highlights. Some contrast increase or similar action in post-processing may help, too. I like how you managed the tough light situation. Regards,
Hakan

jaywalker (16105) 2007-12-13 13:55

Hi Renier, A well created photo, the reflections are superb & mirror like, very good light & colours & the water line gives nice symmetry, however I think there is a little to many branches at the top, this is just a personal opinion & overall the shot works very well, kind regards Wilson.

gunbud (34066) 2007-12-13 18:02

Hello Renier,
Wonderful vertical presentation of the famous sheer cliff making a stunning reflection in the still waters below. The yellow and red autumn colors contrast beautifully with the deep vivid blue water with the several boulders adding nice relief to this striking composition.
Regards, Tom

jurek1951 (42198) 2007-12-13 23:08

Hi Renier,

Beautiful and picturesque scenery :] Nice composition, colours and lighting, well framed.
Georg

vincz (19113) 2007-12-14 0:28

Beautiful onee playing so well with sharpness and fuzzyness at the same time. I love the colours. It is very artistic. A great one.

syd1946 (1167) 2007-12-14 1:18

Hello Renier,
The reflections to the water are splendid...so clear like a mirror!Almost a double image,with all the beauty of the nature.
Very well seen and composed!

Greetings,
Thomas

dokadak (11518) 2007-12-14 7:58

Hello Renier,

Like an well painting painted by a well known artst.. colors, reflection is splendid...

cheers
hasan

Benedict (7076) 2007-12-14 9:54

hi renier,
shame on me...! i have been a resident of the golden state for almost 20 years now but i haven't been to yosemite national park yet- what a pity! anyway, thanks for giving me a birds eyeview of one of the famed attractions of this park. no way i willgo there in the winter, bai! nice colors and reflections.

as for now, i will settle for the Corporal..LOL!
benedict

paura (25802) 2007-12-15 3:05

Colors and composition are really nice here, Renier. The reflections are very beautiful.

Abraços

Paulo

Graal (103040) 2007-12-15 4:59

Hi Renier,
beautiful place and landscape with reflections in water. Fine vertical format well composed. Good note also. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

Charo (51290) 2007-12-15 6:58

Hola Renier,
Bello paisaje con estupendos reflejos y bonitos colores. Excelente encuadre y profundidad.
Cordialmente
Charo

ifanik (21679) 2007-12-15 23:56

Hi Renier
Impressive colours in your photo
Very nice POV and contrast
Very good work
Best regards
Nick

MLINES (12516) 2007-12-16 0:35

Hi Renier. Having seen unclothed views of this spectacular rock formation, it is good to see this creative version. Excellent clarity and reflections. TFS. Murray.

Angshu (56760) 2007-12-16 0:43

Hello Renier
I think you could have easily flipped the image, so good is the reflection. The original rock has suffered from strong light on it & I'm not sure about the mesh of branches which obstructs the view IMO. Lovely autumn colours reflected so well in the still water. A lovely place & a nice capture.
Regards
Angshu

saylan-cb (12738) 2007-12-17 7:57

Hi Renier
This is a great autumn composition and colours.
Very nice reflections and details.
Well done.
TFS/Regards

josepmarin (59385) 2007-12-17 13:45

Hi Renier,
Excellent composition with the sight of El Capitán and its reflections in the lake, in a beautiful image, very attractive and with good work with the light and the colors.
I like the branch of the tree in FG creating a natural frame to the scene.
Great shot.
Best regards,
Josep

bakes888 (18499) 2007-12-19 23:04

Hi Renier. Great photo and a unique view of this scene. I love the colours you have captured in this shot. Well seen and composed. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

mikeo (12129) 2007-12-20 4:59

WOW!
What a reflection! Really superb. Beautifull colours and composition. Nice shot of incredible place.

Best greetings
Aga

danyy (0) 2007-12-21 15:42

Bonjour Renier,
ce fabuleux pic montagneux, et tu nous l'offres deux fois, dont la deuxième au travers de magnifiques reflets.
Superbes couleurs et lumières.
Cadrage POV et format bien judicieux.
Best regards.
Daniel.

pablominto (53746) 2007-12-25 11:45

Hello Renier,
This is an impressive rock indeed!
There is a similar place not far from where I live and you have to stand by the foot to fully understand the phenomenon...
Lovely autumn colours, enhanced in the reflection!
Seasonal greetings from Norway,
Pablo -

A PEACEFUL AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!

crckt (7222) 2008-01-03 12:55

Hi Renier,
I have been here but I don't have such fantastic shots! :) What a beautiful reflection you've obtained here! Really stunning. The colors look great too.
Well done,
Shaeri

bazal (7900) 2008-01-16 5:00

Hi Renier.
Impressive landscape view with beautiful colors and interesting reflection effects. It's funny because, due to the presence of the tree in the foreground, the rock formation appears more clearly on the water surface reflection than in its real location.
Thanks for sharing.

Cutajar (285) 2008-01-25 6:32

It is a great example of reflection.
Regards JAMES.C

ag1993 (634) 2008-01-26 0:41

Hello,
What a perfect reflection you captured !!
Well done.
Regards
Andrea Gatt

NMaverick (0) 2008-04-11 2:31

Beautiful POV and details. A mirror shot ideal for this kind of photo. The rocks in the water cleverly distract the even surface and make a sense of depth.
TFS
Bravo
Nick

fijiphil (1355) 2008-04-26 1:44