Yosemite: A study on Tunnel View!

Yosemite National Park Tunnel View Sunrise | bettysliu.comGrowing up in California, we had an abundance of nature and hiking opportunities around us. I’ve been trekking up Mission Peak all my life – a golden “mountain” that’s a solid steep hike, doable in half a day – if you’re in the bay area, definitely check it out! My parents would take us to half moon bay, the redwoods, muir woods, big sur, not to mention napa valley! Yosemite is an amazing national park – it’s relatively close and is so family friendly and welcoming. When you enter the park, it’s like you’re entering a different world. All the worries fade away, and a feeling of what I can only describe as awe settles in. This particular time we went – this past June (yup, I’m so behind on blogging my travels), was a quick one. It was Alex and my 2nd year anniversary, and it was bracketed by work. The weekend prior, we had shot a wedding, then the next day took a red eye into California to photograph another wedding, and then drove several hours for basically 24 hours in the park. I was exhausted. We were in the height of summer wedding season, and even though it was our anniversary, I just wanted to rest.

Yosemite National Park Tunnel View Sunrise | bettysliu.com

Yosemite National Park Tunnel View | bettysliu.com
Yosemite National Park Tunnel View Sunrise | bettysliu.comYosemite National Park Tunnel View Sunrise | bettysliu.comYosemite National Park Tunnel View Sunrise | bettysliu.comStepping into the park, surrounded by nature, I felt a shift. Even though it was pretty hot, we hiked. We talked. We barely picked up our camera and instead enjoyed each other. By nightfall, I felt mentally rejuvenated but physically tired. Then, at midnight, Alex insists on going out again, to the classic tunnel view, easily accessible by car. Truth be told, I was resistant and pouty, wanting sleep. But then we got there. It was dark. We turned off the car, walked out, and glanced up. Immediately my fatigue disappeared. My jaw dropped. It was a blanket of stars – sparkling, glittering above us. The sound of rustling trees, night critters, and the occasional murmur of other spectators floated around us. We sat, laid down, and stargazed. I will never forget that moment, holding my best friends’ hand, mesmerized by this spectacular scene. 

Yosemite National Park Tunnel View Sunrise | bettysliu.comYosemite National Park Tunnel View Sunrise | bettysliu.com

We didn’t take too many photos – sometimes it’s nice to have a break from photography, but I was intrigued by how the classic, famous tunnel view changes with the light. I wish we could go back every season and document those days, but here we are – a summer day at the tunnel view, and how the light changes the scene.  We were there during high noon, dusk, nighttime, and then finally, sunrise.

Yosemite National Park Tunnel View | bettysliu.comYosemite National Park Tunnel View | bettysliu.comYosemite National Park Tunnel View | bettysliu.com
Yosemite National Park Tunnel View | bettysliu.com

Yosemite National Park Tunnel View | bettysliu.comYosemite National Park Tunnel View | bettysliu.com

Yosemite National Park Tunnel View | bettysliu.com

yosemite2016-46Yosemite National Park Tunnel View | bettysliu.comYosemite National Park Tunnel View | bettysliu.comYosemite National Park Tunnel View | bettysliu.comYosemite National Park Tunnel View | bettysliu.com

yosemite2016-47

83,104,97,114,101,32,111,110,58:no erahSFacebookTwitterPinterest
  • So beautiful! I hope to be able to visit Yosemite soon ^_^
    xoReplyCancel

  • Mabel

    I did the half dome hike last year!! I love that place. Can’t imagine you guy doing wedding photography and everything!!! Photos are beautiful as always!ReplyCancel

  • Yosemite is so near and dear to my heart <3 this post is too beautiful for words, I might just scroll through it every day – xxReplyCancel

  • SO beautiful. Have lived in California for 10 years and sadly have yet to make it to Yosemite! Need to fix this.ReplyCancel

  • your pictures are stunning. i especially love the night sky shot.ReplyCancel

  • Cry inducing beauty! On my list for camper van trip!ReplyCancel

  • Allen Vergakis

    Thank you for grand pictures.ReplyCancel

  • Tim Neumann

    Beautiful! I’ve really enjoyed whiling away the arvo cruising through your photographs! Love to ask which of your cameras these Yosemite photos were captured with? TimReplyCancel

  • So happy I discovered your blog – such stunning photos! I second Tim’s question – what camera or lens did you use to shoot these photos? I’m attempting to better my landscape photography and love the feel of your photos.ReplyCancel

  • shiwunan

    Is there any way I could get full resolution pictures? These are great and I would love to use them as desktop backgrounds.ReplyCancel

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

*

*