Yosemite Valley with the Leica M11

[@forgottenamericana]

Exposure bracketing is your friend in many of these scenarios. So nice to see photographers like you using a Leica rangefinder for landscape work. Something until recently you did not see much. Many still feel Leica M’s are just for street and portrait work. This video proves the versatility of this system. Thanks for the Yosemite tips !!! You keep upping your game with every video bro.

[@davidherring]

Thanks so much! Yeah I’ve done quite a bit of bracketing in Yosemite in the past, but for this video I wanted to take a “one shot” approach. Thanks for the kind words!

[@Ullr-Zero-Kelvin]

Use the code where?

[@davidherring]

@Ullr-Zero-Kelvin cleversupply.co/

[@johnnymossville]

As an American I almost feel ashamed I haven't visited Yosemite yet. As a photographer hobbyist even more so. Thanks for taking us along Dave!

[@davidherring]

You definitely need to make it a priority to visit Yosemite! One of the top 5 places in America.

[@ianrandy]

Loved this, so chill and your photos are beautiful. Watching from a drizzly grey UK it was a perfect bit of escapism. I'd love to photograph there one day

[@davidherring]

Thanks! It’s such a beautiful place. Hope you get to visit it one day.

[@kiwipics]

I think that my main use for my newly aquired M6 Titanium with 28mm and 35mm lenses will be architectural and landscape shots. It'll slow me down quite nicely, and digital will take care of my faster paced work.

[@davidherring]

Nice!

[@Ullr-Zero-Kelvin]

Great Video, even better Photographs. The sounds stalls out a few times not sure if was my play back or there are drop in the sound track. I recently graduated to the M11 have used the D Lux-7 for years, I’m curious who makes the strap you have on the cameras? It looks more compliant than the stock Leica strap. Lastly what’s you favorite lens so far. Keep up the great content, would love to see more videos with pictures with the M11, it digital photography at it’s purest form.

[@davidherring]

Thanks for the comment! The strap is a Clever Supply minimal strap. Use the code HERRING for a discount! My favorite lens is the 35 Summilux, and it’s on my camera 90% of the time.

[@DavidMiller-xw7jc]

Great vid, really enjoyed it thank you. The picture at 9:09 is a shade away from being truly stunning, if you could just pull those highlights a little, same at 17:10. I had an M10-R for a while but got rid partly because the sensor was so poor at dealing with high-contrast scenes. Liked and subscribed, keep up the good work.

[@davidherring]

Thanks!

[@412foto]

Thanks again for the tips on Yosemite. Went today for first time and it was crowded by manageable. No line to get in at least through entrance I came through. So gorgeous but was a little unprepared for the most curvy twisty uphill driving up a mountain roads I have ever been on! lol Plus the bit altitude change. Definitely should have put on more sunscreen too. But think I got some good shots and hit most of the places you mentioned.

[@davidherring]

Nice! Yeah there’s no easy way in, for sure. The smoothest is from the south, the craziest is from the north. I take the central way in through El Portal. Also a wild ride but not a lot of elevation gain.

[@davidstevenson1950]

Some very nice shots, especially from the Mirror Lake trail. I note that you do not use a tripod. Is that because you simply don't like tripods or because the M System is not really meant for tripod use? I'm interested in downsizing from my current landscape setup, which is a GFX system, but I shoot on a tripod most of the time, and if the Leica M doesn't really work on a tripod, I will look elsewhere.

[@davidherring]

Both. I don’t like carrying tripods, and I like to hike to shoot. Also, the M system is so light compared to normal systems it doesn’t really need that level of stability. I shoot handheld down to the focal length, and that’s typically enough.

[@TreeMDTreatments]

Love the video, very well done. But for the love of god, the constant jump cropping thing during your narrating is wildly distracting. Your video and narrating is great, totally don’t need to add that in your video editing.

[@davidherring]

Thanks for the feedback

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

I live in the English Lake District and most of my Landscapes are shot on an M11, they’re great little cameras and a limited set of focal lengths is no bad thing. My favourite shots were right at the start, what a great location, I’ll have to look into the presets as they worked really well.

[@davidherring]

Thank you! I'd love to visit the Lake District someday!

[@MichaelBoelton]

nice shots...but had there been clouds in the sky they would have been amazing.

[@davidherring]

Thanks! Gotta play the hand you’re dealt. 💪🏼

[@GamachePhoto]

Big thanks for this incredible video tour, this has been a bucket list visit for me, Ansel Adams is a legend. Nice photos !

[@davidherring]

Thanks so much! Hope you get to experience this place someday.

[@djduffy1000]

Great video Dave, I liked all the locations. Wow must be amazing living so close to such a beautiful place, I like colour images but the Black and White just look so powerful and classic.

[@davidherring]

Thank you! I actually posted another video before this one that was just me exploring other Yosemite locations and shooting BW film on medium format. You should check it out!

[@djduffy1000]

I have, that was the one you did with the Mamiya RB 6X7.

[@MKWHD]

Hey! Nice vid. Makes me want to got to the usa. What strap is that? Seems soft and wide.

[@davidherring]

This one! (Use HERRING for 10% off): cleversupply.co?ref=9q5OV

[@koobs4549]

Watcha got in there perique? burley? virginia? cavendish? I want to know what I need to be imagining that it smells like when I watch the video 😂

[@davidherring]

Haha smells warm and a bit like molasses

[@koobs4549]

@@davidherringawesome! Love the video. My bro-in-law was stationed at Lemoore Naval Air Station years back. It was pretty cool because all you had to do is turn left out of the base & it was pretty much a straight shot to Sequoia. I loved Sequoia but always wanted to go to Yosemite. ONE DAY! I’m not giving up, I’ll make it eventually. Love the vids, you seem like a real dude, much better than a lot of the pretentious stuff on this platform but you seem like the kind of guy who would be comfortable having a coffee with anyone. I appreciate that so much, it’s refreshing. You definitely earned my sub

wowww good vibes video what u use lens for this Leica M11 ?

[@davidherring]

Thanks! I use the 35 Summilux 90% of the time, and a mix of the 50 Summilux and 90 Summarit the rest of the time.

[@clemenspoloczek]

Great video. Just subscribed to your channel

[@davidherring]

Awesome, thanks!

[@jordanlenhoff2026]

@davidherring would love to go to Yosemite with you!

[@davidherring]

Anytime!

[@donwarner6925]

Awesome video. What bag are you using?

[@davidherring]

Thanks! Ona Brixton

[@peterfritzphoto]

Loved this!

[@davidherring]

Thanks!

[@colinosullivan]

Super stuff Dave. Very different to the video I just uploaded of the Aran islands! Enjoyed this one buddy cheers

[@davidherring]

Thank you!

[@gabeatv]

Smoking is prohibited in National Parks in the USA. Shame on you.

[@davidherring]

Thanks for your comment. www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/firerestrictions.htm#:~:text=of%20Kibbie%20Lake-,Smoking%20Regulations,have%20extinguished%20your%20smoking%20material.)

[@davidherring]

Smoking anywhere in the park, except is it allowed: - within an enclosed vehicle; - designated frontcountry campgrounds and picnic areas that are open and where wood or charcoal fires are allowed; - designated smoking areas; - while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or has been cleared of flammable material. The last point is where I shot the beginning of this video. On a rock much larger than 3ft.

[@ericmorales1934]

The church shots were breath taking, the color texture and tones are on another level honestly, I am in love with Leica.

[@davidherring]

Same!

[@dylantollefson]

Those opening shots alone are incredible, awesome presentation. Definitely inspiring work

[@davidherring]

Thanks so much!

[@chuckbaker8413]

Interesting video… I started in the 60’s with a Argus rangefinder … and there was no layering in post… just dodging and burning while printing… like Ansel Adam’s did… but digital post is where it is at and multiple layers (HDR) type of deal is what’s going on now. I liked the feel of your video work… also caught a “German Brown” trout in the Merced River when I was 10 on a mepps spinner … my dad shot the fireballs at night with his Bolex 16 mm!!!

[@davidherring]

That’s awesome! Dodging and burning is an art form for sure. Digital makes it so easy 😅 Thanks for sharing!

[@412foto]

coming there in about a week and can't wait to visit for the first time! very helpful video for my visit!!

[@davidherring]

You’re going to love it!

[@412foto]

@@davidherring your photos are already making me want to go back again in the fall even though I have not even been there once yet! Sure it is a place that one partial day of visiting is not going to do it justice

[@davidherring]

@412foto oh for sure, I’d say to do just the highlights you’d need 24hrs. You’ll also be there during the busiest time of year. Get ready.

[@ab185]

Dave my wife says, "Please stop enticing my husband he doesn't need a 3rd Leica camera" 🤣

[@davidherring]

Omg haha

[@jBartolo]

Excellent video Dave, really enjoy this and OMG to the spots you picked out. Thank you for sharing. Really well done. I hope to get there someday.

[@davidherring]

Thank you!

[@stevendente9270]

Thanks for the nice tour of the Valley. One of my favorite places to shoot, but I have yet to do so on my M11. The high contrast conditions you encountered are very common there. I am guessing you were wanting to shoot handheld only (tripod for the video only?). Maybe the poor clarity of the air had some impact on this decision. But in these conditions what you end up with poorly exposed images that are really not good for much. This is not street, it is landscape, and exposure is key. The M11 gives you the tools to deal with these conditions, and produce perfectly exposed very high quality images. Once again, enjoyable video tour. However, photographically all but useless. Your viewers may have gotten more value if you had taken the time to properly deal with the conditions.

[@davidherring]

Just a video for fun. To see my actual work in Yosemite, visit dave.online/travels

[@draughonc]

Great work. Really been enjoying your channel. Though you are pushing me to that Leica!. Headed to NYC this week and will be visiting the Leica store. Who knows if a gift to myself is on the way?

[@davidherring]

Oh man have fun...and don't be too rational ;-)

[@sunkang91]

Hi Dave. Always love your vids. Quick question what is the name of song in your mirror lake trail part? Much appreciated. Thanks

[@davidherring]

Thanks! It's "Try Your Hand" by Auxjack!

[@DavidEvenson]

Beautiful day of shooting. Thanks for bringing us along. You mention the high contrast landscapes you’re encountering. You should be able to easily exposure bracket those shots. Even handheld, with the dynamic range available to you in the M11, you should be able to composite those images in post with Auto Align layers. Just a suggestion. Maybe you’re trying to take an old school approach and grab everything in a single exposure. I get it. Something to try at least.

[@davidherring]

Thanks for the comment! Yeah I shoot bracket here often, but for this video I was going for a “point and shoot” approach.

[@Ullr-Zero-Kelvin]

I really like this video Dave, I showed it to my son and now he wants to go on photo adventure to the park someday. It would be fun if you worked the how and why you compose and expose your photographs into you videos. We all have our own unique style and technique, knowing how others do both makes you appreciate their art even more. Fun video!

[@davidherring]

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll be sure to work that into future videos.

[@baxterbradford7063]

One day I’ll get there. Thanks for the tour. Hand held exposure bracketing 3 shots +/- 2 stops works a treat & can set up on a function button otherwise just drive menu. Need to go to drive to reselect single shot afterwards.

[@davidherring]

Thanks! And for sure, as I shared on another comment I do bracket often in this park, but this video was meant to be a “point and shoot” style approach.

[@brianirving5889]

Brilliant Dave, your themes and the presentation of them just get better and better!

[@davidherring]

Thanks so much Brian!

[@stuartshook3614]

Amazing work as always! Every time I watch one of your videos, I’m inspired to go out and shoot. Thank you! ❤

[@davidherring]

That means so much to me! Thank you!

[@davidalanmedia]

Awesome Dave loved the video. Great suggestions for place to shoot in the park.

[@davidherring]

Thanks so much!

[@Goughie]

This is my new favourite video of yours! 👌🏻

[@davidherring]

Thanks man!

[@blakeanderson5428]

TIL you one-wheeled and I laughed out loud once that clip started! Amazing video, mang!

[@davidherring]

Haha it’s a convenient way to get from point a to point b on trails!

[@shred_LA]

Great Video! The cinematography was fantastic.. the video as a whole felt very polished and refined. Subscribed!

[@davidherring]

Thank you!

[@garymc8956]

Sending this to my daughter in San Jose - not a photographer but one who spends time in Yosemite. Some great tips on scenic areas to check out.

[@davidherring]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[@laika25]

I dunno... coffee after brushin' teeth?

[@davidherring]

It’s a nearly 4hr drive and this was for the drive 😅

[@laika25]

@@davidherring 😊✔️☕

[@RomanMartin]

Hey man, I see you smoking pipes, I smoke pipes since 1992, I have nice collection of 25 plus pipes. Even some very rare 1966 Christmas edition pipe. Btw great video you did.

[@davidherring]

Thanks! I don’t really smoke pipes often, maybe 2-3x a year with some buddies. Love it though! Have an old Italian pipe, and another one I bought in Ireland.

[@RomanMartin]

@@davidherring same here. After 2012 I reduced pipe smoking a lot. Same here, maybe 4-5 per year. I don't want my son to see me I smoke😜

[@Zimh91]

Very cool video, thank you ! There were some shots here and there that I found to be really really beautiful, Bravo !! 🙂

[@davidherring]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@swedesrus25]

Well done! Loved making similar photographs with my M10 . Very much enjoyed.

[@davidherring]

Thank you!

[@mokhtarchahine]

Enjoyed this a alot. Some amazing photos. I have the 21 Zeiss as well, do you get any color shifts on the edges ?

[@davidherring]

There’s some heavy vignetting, but I’m not noticing color shifts. But I also have pixel-peeped very deep on this lens.

[@mokhtarchahine]

Haven’t tried it with the my M11 yet, Had a purple color shift on the M240.

[@colinmcalpine3821]

Hi Dave, love the video. On my bucket list next time I visit the US. Love the look of your bag. Could you hook me up with the name / make? Cheers from Scotland :)

[@davidherring]

If you make it out here, hit me up! The bag is an Ona Bag, the Brixton.

[@colinmcalpine3821]

I sure will! Thanks man! Hopefully make it out in 2026 :)

[@Twonthedon]

That intro was way too long

[@davidherring]

Thanks for the feedback

[@feyzidemirel]

I understand the opinion of your video, but that intro is really too long. Keep doing!

[@davidherring]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@bodythetan]

You brush way too hard 😂

[@davidherring]

Gotta get them clean

[@rudigerwolf9626]

Dave, living in the East Bay, we will need to agree to share Yosemite. Probably big enough for both of us!! Absolutely, create more of these videos. They are inspirational and make me want to go out and shoot. Winter is coming up... the most beautiful time of the year for me in Yosemite.

[@davidherring]

I love winter shooting there! I A clear sunset on El Cap and Half Dome with snow is about my favorite experience.

[@LongSpear7]

What bag is that? Thanks!

[@davidherring]

Ona Brixton

[@ciscognz]

Song choice fire on that drive up, got me entranced 🫡⚡️

[@davidherring]

Haha thanks man. Very hypnotic track which captured my mental state driving in the middle of nowhere at 4am, couldn’t pass it up.

[@ferv5470]

Man, lucky guy to live near one of the most iconic places of this planet! Beautiful work, and a word of respect of the filming, editing and all the work it takes to take us out there! And btw, great hat too🙌

[@davidherring]

Thanks so much! Very few people recognize the effort that goes into making a video like this!

[@NicolaiTesla]

I waved for you.

[@davidherring]

Haha thanks

[@Mauricio.Arregui]

for some reason I was hopping to see more coffee haha. Great video! definitely planning my visit to Yosemite around this video!

[@davidherring]

Haha I only added that because I saw a recent Thread about “KZbinrs making coffee” and I wanted to see if anyone would say something 😂

[@Mauricio.Arregui]

hahaha keep it below #petermckinnoncoffeelevels and you should be fine haha @@davidherring

[@davidherring]

@Mauricio.Arregui 😂😂

[@welshofer]

Wonderful video and lovely photos! Thanks for making this and sharing.

[@davidherring]

Thanks so much!

[@Dan1234-m5p]

That must have taken an hour to get ready filming all that! 😂

[@davidherring]

The magic of filmmaking ☺️

[@RobustArid379]

Leica

[@davidherring]

Yes.

[@jonmnelson]

Beautiful images. Really enjoyed this. Thanks!

[@davidherring]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

Absolutely wonderful and you just make want to go. Being super picky it was hard to read the settings along side the shots.

[@davidherring]

Thanks for the feedback. First time including settings (requested often). Next time I'll bump the font up a bit.

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

Forgot to say my favourite shot was the one with you in the foreground, with a great hat! @@davidherring

[@davidherring]

Thanks! Had to use the Leica FOTOS app to get that one. Set the M11 up and stepped into the view and moved myself until it was in focus and triggered with the app!

[@AlexBallHere]

Definitely one of my favorite videos from you. Love the style. Can’t wait to see more.

[@davidherring]

Thanks so much! Excited to make more videos like these.

[@jjDemir]

Quite the story here,

[@davidherring]

A tried to tell it well.

[@jjDemir]

@@davidherring love ever second of it

[@franciscojaviergarciapadro4615]

Gracias

[@davidherring]

🙏🏼

[@LaFuenteOnFilm]

Opening shots went crazy 🔥

[@davidherring]

Thanks! Super fun to film.

[@happywilliam1]

Great video! Thanks for putting the settigs at the bottom left,!

[@davidherring]

I got the request on my last video so I came through!

[@happywilliam1]

Yeah that was me! :) Thank you for that.@@davidherring

[@Subhash3271]

Great man, video, camera and what not!

[@davidherring]

Thank you!

[@Ullr-Zero-Kelvin]

Thanks of the discount link!

[@davidherring]

No prob!

[@ferencczuczor7766]

Nice mooood here! Great work!

[@davidherring]

Thanks!

[@chaffimaxlife]

your photos where stunning

[@davidherring]

Thanks so much!

[@c141charlie]

Digging this kind of stuff.

[@davidherring]

Thanks!

[@Bikepacking]

Well flimed

[@davidherring]

Thanks!

[@KhurshidsChannel]

Beautiful Video.

[@davidherring]

Thanks!

[@sierragold]

Awesome video

[@davidherring]

Thank you!

[@martintrost2220]

Great Film!

[@davidherring]

Thank you!

[@gumdocga]

Dave. Great video and images!

[@davidherring]

Thanks so much!

[@gurnbass]

Great video, Dave! My experience with the M11M (and the M11 for a short test) is always expose for lights, and bring the shadows up in post. Another point: I was surprised how different the colors from the Biogon were.

[@davidherring]

Yeah I’m not loving the Biogon if I’m honest, but it was cheap. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Will be replacing in due time.

[@Joe-Bazuka]

Waking the whole house up with the coffee machine.

[@davidherring]

Nah they’re like bears in hibernation.