A Smokey El Capitan

Eva,  

When you said you tried to make the best of the conditions....you most certainly did.  I'll go so far as to say that the conditions allowed you to capture and create something that we just don't see that often.  My first thought was like this image could have been pulled out of a book or advertisement from the turn of the previous century; it just has a timeless look to it. Primarily because of the hazy light and color of El Cap and the smokey sky.  The addition of the tall pines and the Merced bring us more current, but I'm really enjoying the unique look of this. What makes this even more special is that I've seen this view a thousand times.. (well, maybe hundreds) and this is a new and different look.  Yes, you made lemonade... 

Just a thought. Wondering if you've considered a sepia toned b&w?  That would even take it back to the days of John Muir.

Lon

I agree with Lon's thoughts about the retro look; the smoke adds an interesting effect. I'd love to see a toned version too!

I do like the El cap very much. Great photo. 

Thanks Lon, John, and Norma.  I was very disappointed with the smokey conditions while in Yosemite but now realize, after reviewing my images, that I may have some very unique images due to those smoky conditions.  Lon and John, I am going to try a sepia tone

You lined things up beautifully, Eva.  I think it's great that you were able to use these adverse conditions to your advantage here to create some exquisite separation of the image's elements.

A wonderful soft image  of El Cap.

Eva, smoke has been the 'order of the day' for most of the west this year. I think you did a great job on this. The haze gives El Cap a sort of dreamy look while the Merced is cool and inviting. Well done.
--P

Lovely image, Eva. I was there Sept 4-8.  I haven't even downloaded my images yet.  I was so disappointed by the smoke, the cancellation of some Glacier Point events.  Spent two of the four days wondering whether I was seeing half dome or a hazy edge of the sun...it was that bad.  This gives me hope that I might have something to work on.  

And of course, my disappointment is not relevant to the big scheme of things.  There are might have been due for a fire, and Yosemite's many faces no doubt include this one.

My only nit: might crop a tish to get rid of the half-tree on the left.  

Thanks everyone. We were there Sept. 5 through Sept 7 Marylynne.

Nice.

I like the pale contrast of the background that the smoke afforded.  My thought would have been to set up just a little more to the left to expose  a bit more of the cliff from behind the trees, but that would also mess up the vertical aspect ratio.