The Domes, Yosemite 1870 - 1874

Carleton Watkins' "The Domes, Yosemite" (1870-1874), now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, captures the grandeur of Yosemite Valley. The image depicts a tranquil scene with a reflective pool of water in the foreground, framed by lush greenery and towering granite domes. Watkins, a pioneer of landscape photography, employed a large-format camera to achieve remarkable detail and depth in his images, showcasing the vastness and beauty of the American West. This photograph, along with Watkins's other work, helped to raise awareness and appreciation for Yosemite, ultimately leading to its preservation as a national park.