Last Looks in the Fading Light – A Yosemite Half Dome Perspective

Each time I see Half Dome, my fascination deepens, as if the mountain reveals something new with every visit. On this particular day, I had set out on a challenging hike up the Yosemite Falls Trail to Yosemite Point, eager to take in the sweeping views of the valley and, of course, catch another glimpse of Half Dome from a different perspective. No matter how many times I photograph it, I always find something new—an angle, a texture, a mood that wasn’t there before. Maybe it’s time to turn this fascination into a project: to see how many different ways I can capture this iconic face of granite.

The descent from Yosemite Falls is no joke—steep, relentless, and the kind of downhill that makes you question your life choices halfway through. But as I made my way down, legs burning from the day’s effort, I turned for one last look at Half Dome before the daylight disappeared completely.

Framed by towering granite walls, Half Dome stood in the fading light, a dusting of snow clinging to its crest—a quiet hint of the winter to come. No matter how many times I see it, it always makes me smile. It’s one of those subjects that never gets old, an ever-present landmark that still manages to feel fresh each time I photograph it.

The day had been long but rewarding. The views from Yosemite Falls and Yosemite Point were nothing short of incredible—Yosemite Valley stretching far below, sheer granite cliffs rising on all sides, and the vastness of the Sierra laid out beyond. The steep, punishing hike down tested my legs in a way only Yosemite’s trails can, each step a reminder of the effort it had taken to get up there in the first place. By the time I reached my car, the last light had long faded, and the cold of the night settled in. My legs were done, my feet ached, but as I sat for a moment before heading back to camp, I knew—without hesitation—that it had been a fantastic day.

This image might not make it into my portfolio, but it represents something more—the experience, the effort, and the quiet moments that make these hikes so special. It also makes me wonder… how many ways can I photograph this iconic face of granite? Maybe that’s a project worth pursuing.