Photographing Yosemite’s Horsetail Falls – 2011 Dates Update

Last year, I did a pretty in-depth analysis of how to shoot Horsetail Fall in Yosemite. Since I’m interested in going back to shoot the falls again in 2011, I re-ran my dates analysis to come up with the best dates for 2011. This year’s optimal dates are pretty much the same as last year’s, with the best viewing times coming between February 15 and February 28, 2011.

2011 Solar Data

First, the Navy’s solar azimuth/altitude calculator moved on the web. It’s now located here. Using the same data I used last year for latitude (37°43’53″N), longitude (119°37’36″W), and time zone (GMT -8), I was able to predict the best time to view Horsetail Falls:

If you’re looking for more information about how I came up with these numbers, check out my original blog post from 2010 (linked above). I hope everyone gets great shots this year, and I’ll post further updates when I (hopefully) get back from shooting in late February!

Written by Andrew Kee

January 13th, 2011 at 12:32 pm

9 comments

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9 Responses to 'Photographing Yosemite’s Horsetail Falls – 2011 Dates Update'

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  1. Thank you! This post is tremendously helpful. I hope to capture this phenomenon this year. I also found your post about where to shoot from. Very helpful. Thanks again.

    Paolo DLR

    23 Jan 2011 at 9:35 am

  2. Good work on the math; Remember though that clouds can obscure the setting sun, but sometimes it will sneak in *under* the clouds. Also, at this elevation, you can indeed still have direct sunlight on Horsetail Falls *after* true sunset–elevation up to -2˚. Further, if you are willing to accept what’s handed to you, you can still get spectacular shots that aren’t the iconic glowing water from top to bottom with shadows on either side. Consider this image taken on Feb 25th, 2010: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ambitious_wench/4388668913/

    Drop me an email before you come up, Andrew; I have some alternate locations to share with you.

    All the best,
    Edie

    Edie Howe

    27 Jan 2011 at 4:06 pm

  3. Hi Andrew, my name is Joseph. I never shoot this horsetail, and would like to try. Can you give me advice for where is a good spot? I am shooting with a 24-105mm, and 14mm canon. Thanks for your time!

    JT

    Joseph

    6 Feb 2011 at 11:37 pm

  4. Hi Andrew! I went to Yosemitee pass Tuesday to scout around to find out where the picnic area! It was a bad day! Thinking of going again this coming Tuesday 2/15, do u think I got any good chance!? Oh…. Is the picnic area for the horsetail right beneath the Al capital?

    Joseph

    10 Feb 2011 at 2:51 pm

  5. Hi Andrew. Thanks for doing the heavy lifting and providing the best times and dates. I’ll be there 2/22 -24/2011 – just missing what you determined to be the “peak” date. Hopefully, I’ll do okay.

    I’ve wanted to do this shoot for about 5 or 6 years now and am very excited about this opportunity. Any suggestions you would like to share about difference locations?

    Thanks again. Hope to get the chance to meet you.

    Gail Miller

    10 Feb 2011 at 7:47 pm

  6. Gail – the only advice I can offer on the different locations is to try and find some shots from other photographers from both locations. I found that I liked the look of the images taken from Southside Drive so that’s where I shot from, but it’s really a matter of personal preference!

    Good luck with your shots and I hope the weather cooperates!!

    Andrew Kee

    10 Feb 2011 at 8:34 pm

  7. Joseph – your chances of getting a good shot are entirely dependent on the clouds. The weather didn’t cooperate the first time I tried to shoot the falls, so I feel your pain! There are plenty of other great photography opportunities in Yosemite when the weather isn’t cooperating in terms of Horsetail, so I’d suggest trying to remain as flexible as possible!

    In terms of locations, I’ve tried to identify the two most common locations people shoot from on this map: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=p&source=embed&msa=0&msid=207188568539449394653.00048048f0c58d00e5e39&ll=37.727586,-119.624162&spn=0.023658,0.038495&z=15

    Good luck!

    Andrew Kee

    10 Feb 2011 at 8:37 pm

  8. Hi Andrew-thank you for the BEST times chart. I wasn’t going to go on February 27th, otherwise. After seeing your chart, and the weather report for the 27th, I shot it. Here is a link to images made on the 22nd with a red-glow and the 27th with the fire-glow. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=50015&id=100000236793165&saved#!/photo.php?fbid=197604720257420&set=a.197604713590754.50015.100000236793165&theater

    Al Kawasaki

    28 Feb 2011 at 3:00 pm

  9. Al, great shots! I was in Yosemite on Friday and Saturday night, but both nights the valley filled up with storm clouds as the sun was setting. Oh well, maybe next year!

    Andrew Kee

    28 Feb 2011 at 10:18 pm

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