"Halfway to Heaven"

Timelessly standing as silent sentry above the eastern end of Yosemite Valley in California, this majestic granite behemoth towers over 4,737 feet above the two glacier-carved valleys surrounding it.

Once considered inaccessible to humans, Half Dome, originally called "Tis-sa-ack" ("Cleft Rock") by local Native Americans, is now a major hiking and photographer's attraction. Immortalized by the famous Ansel Adams, Half Dome continues to be a mecca for photographers, including Aperture Academy workshop students.

Taken from Glacier Point, 7,214 feet above sea level, this photograph captures an ethereal perspective of Half Dome. It showcases the light and elevation, revealing the rarified atmosphere that truly makes it appear as if the view is "Halfway to Heaven."