Yosemite National Park is a photographer's dream, offering iconic granite cliffs, serene rivers, and reflections that tell a story of nature's perfection. This panorama captures El Capitan, the Merced River, and the Three Brothers in one sweeping view, a rare perspective of this timeless location.

Earlier in the year, I signed up for a Yosemite Fall Photography Workshop led by Phil Hawkins. I had high hopes of capturing unique takes on Yosemite’s most photographed spots. This particular scene unfolded near the El Capitan picnic area, just off Southside Drive. A quick walk through the forest brought me to the riverbank, where the Merced River transformed into a mirror reflecting Yosemite’s grandeur.On our first visit, I experimented with leading lines, using a log to guide the viewer’s eye toward the Three Brothers’ reflection. But I missed one of the peaks in my composition. Determined to improve, I returned to the same spot later that week. This time, I went big. I shot a full panorama stretching from El Capitan’s massive granite face all the way up the river to the reflections of the Three Brothers, capturing Yosemite Valley’s fall colors in crisp clarity.

Camera: Nikon Z8

Lens: Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8

Tripod: Benro (my trusty companion)

Filter: Polarizer (though I’m due for an upgrade!) Any sponsors out there?

Settings: f/7.1 | 1/125 sec | ISO 100 | Focal Length: 18.5mm

I set up my tripod near the riverbank, framing the panorama vertically for maximum detail. Using the 1/3 panning method, I captured overlapping frames to ensure seamless stitching later. The conditions were perfect—clear skies and mid-morning light illuminating the reflections.

1. Shoot Vertically for Panoramas: Overlap frames by at least one-third for smooth stitching.

2. Level Your Tripod: A sturdy, level tripod is essential for clean results. Use a panning head to maintain consistency.

3. Take Your Time: Yosemite rewards patience. Scout, compose, and wait for the light to bring your vision to life.

Lesson Learned: Having two cameras set up—one for wide shots and one for tighter compositions—would have saved time and allowed me to capture more perspectives without changing lenses.

This photo is part of my Yosemite Fall Reflections collection, now available on MichaelKlingerJr.com. Check out the gallery for new additions, including images from the Redwood Forest and my latest Yosemite adventures.