Every time I take one of these photos on my camera phone I do not adjust the light.  So when I take a look and see a photo like this I am astounded by the lightening because I had nothing to do with it.  This prevalent yellow glow, described by many as the light of the angels always shows up in my photos.  I often wonder if other photographers develop the same types of images, in particular the ones showing the "angel lights"?


When Mr. Underwood developed the architectural drawings for the Ahwahnee he created a true and natural cross that extends from the Fireplace One position in the Elevator Lobby to the Solarium Room at the far end, with the cross tie being the Winter Club Room to the Mural Room.  If one were to imagine the surreal side of this idea, coupling the two social religious constructs together i.e., a cross and the angelic glow, you may imagine the existence of some extraordinary spiritual entity taking up perpetual residence inside the Ahwahnee Hotel.

This is a view of Fireplace Two of the Great Lounge of the Ahwahnee Hotel.  The green tree is a Norfolk Island Pine.  They grow in the Rainforests of New Zealand.
What are they doing in Yosemite National Park?  Why they are part of our Christmas celebration and a lasting and beautiful living decoration for the Hotel.  The air in the Hotel is a bit on the dry side and the tree needs to be misted and watered somewhat, on a daily basis.  Our guests are greatly attracted to these beautiful trees.  We had many inquiries as to the type and the desire for future home purchase for home gardens.


However you might note the same telltale angelic glow, as well as the neon lavender glow from the light surrounding the fireplace fire.  

Here is another example of the angelic glow cast upon this black and white photograph.  This was a mode of travel to and from Yosemite in the early 1930's and for a few years following.  The angelic glow is host to many excited travelers and it lives on casting its hovering spirit into eternity.  Perhaps that sounds like too much hocus pocus, or dreamers talk, nonetheless, I can not deny that everywhere this glow exists throughout the hotel and often beyond.  Some will say it is photo magic, or over exposure or perhaps even bad photography.  As for me and my images, I claim they capture more than the eye can see and more than more than our earth bound intellects understand.