Yosemite Valley from Glacier Point 1870 - 1874

Carleton E. Watkins' "Yosemite Valley from Glacier Point" (1870-1874) is a stunning example of 19th-century landscape photography. This large-format albumen print, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, captures the awe-inspiring grandeur of Yosemite Valley, showcasing its towering granite cliffs and lush forests. The photograph's detailed composition and masterful use of light and shadow convey the vastness and scale of the natural world. Watkins' work played a significant role in popularizing Yosemite and contributed to its designation as a national park.