Cathedral Peak reflected in still water at sunset under textured cloud, Yosemite National Park.

Oil Painting

Cathedral Peak, Yosemite National Park, California

One of my favourites. Cathedral Peak and its reflection at sunset, and the light that evening did something I have not managed to repeat since — it reads more like an oil painting than a photograph. The cloud is doing at least half the work. Without that texture overhead the top of the frame would be empty and the reflection would have nothing to answer to.

Nikon Z 7_2 · 17-35mm f/2.8D · 17mm · f/5 · 1/125 · ISO 12800

July 18, 2025

More from Cathedral Peak, Yosemite National Park, California

A field of lupine in bloom below Cathedral Peak, Yosemite National Park.

More from JMT

Black and white photo of a hiker sitting on a rock gazing at Banner Peak across Thousand Island Lake.Six-second twilight exposure of Banner Peak over Thousand Island Lake with pink afterglow on the summit.Hikers resting beside the Lyell Fork in Tuolumne Meadows below granite domes, Yosemite National Park.View from the Clouds Rest summit ridge over Half Dome and Yosemite Valley under summer clouds.Black and white photo of Half Dome in evening haze from the Clouds Rest descent, Yosemite Valley beyond.