Mirror Lake
Nestled along Tenaya Creek in Yosemite Valley, Mirror Lake sits directly between Half Dome and North Dome, offering one of the park's most iconic reflection shots when water levels are high in spring. The still morning surface mirrors Half Dome almost perfectly, so arrive early before wind disturbs the water and crowds arrive on the trail. Position yourself low at the water's edge and use a wide angle lens, around 16 to 24mm, to capture both the granite walls above and their reflection below. The lake is seasonal and shrinks considerably by late summer, so plan your visit between April and June for the best water levels. The paved loop trail is accessible without a permit and the flat approach makes it easy to carry a tripod. Golden hour light hits the face of Half Dome beautifully in the morning, giving you warm tones on the stone and in the reflection. (Yosemite National Park, California, United States)
