Yosemite's Wilderness: 1859 and On

Attention shifted to Yosemite as residents from all of California began discovering this beautiful wilderness. As early as 1859, photographs were taken of Yosemite and began to be distributed all over the country, convincing people of the beauty of both Yosemite and California in general. 

These two early Yosemite photographers are only two of many, with painters and other photographers joining them as images of Yosemite were spread around. Neither of them were specifically from California, but they made their reputation thanks to Yosemite itself, and remained in California until their respective deaths.