I know I'm a bit late for the OP here, but since others may come later looking for info on the subject I'm going to go ahead and post a few comments on areas I know well from personal experience:
Hikes - Bishop Area
Little Lakes Valley (afternoon)
Long Lake and Bishop Lake (morning)
Blue Lake and Dingleberry/Midnight lakes (afternoon)
Have been here a few times and just returned last weekend. Many of these lakes are a bit tricky to shoot since high peaks tend to interfere with the good early/late light. Blue lake is, indeed, better in the late afternoon and there are a number of photographic opportunities. I'm currently working on an interesting image of the tree-spotted granite benches across the lake from where most people camp, and there are interesting compositions shooting up the valley of the lake toward higher peaks. Unless you are in tremendous shape, expect the hike to Blue Lake to take longer than the mileage might suggest. Oh, there are also a lot of opportunities for more "intimate landscapes" of rocks and trees and so forth here.
Dingleberry is the next lake on your list above Blue Lake. I have not photographed there, though I am familiar with the scene. It is a smaller lake set in less monumental surroundings and there are some views out towards Owens Valley from here that might be interesting.
The Upper Lakes (Topsy Turvy, Midnight, Hungry Packer, Sailor, and Moonlight) are very worthy photographic subjects - though I'd sure prefer to stay there overnight (for several days, actually) to shoot them. Topsy Turvy is just a bit below the trail to your left after continue on past Dingleberry, and it features some very interesting rock islands which, in the right conditions, are a very fine subject. Above this point, Sailor Lake is the easiest to access and it is surrounded by sub-alpine meadows filled with (right now!) wildflowers, glacier boulders and polish, small clumps of trees, lots of water, and a stunning background of high peaks. There is an interesting waterfall and cascades nearby - and you could visit them on your way to Moonlight Lake. I have to say that I was not all that photographically inspired at Moonlight Lake. Hungry Packer and Midnight Lakes seemed more interesting to me in that stunning talus fields and high peaks are much closer and the rest of the situation is more intimate.
In all of these locations, getting the best light is tricky. Again, both the morning and evening light are interrupted by high peaks well before the "golden hour."
Finally, day-hiking and photographing these upper lakes would be a tall order. Hopefully you are in great shape and used to the altitude already... and willing to put in very long and late days.
Big Pine Lakes Basin (morning)
Treasure Lakes (morning)
Tyee Lakes (afternoon)
Sunrise Spots - Bishop Area
Bristlecone Pines (White Mountains)
Great opportunities to shoot back toward sunrise on the Sierra. There are a number of locations for doing this, including near the first campground.
Buttermilk Hills
Yes, wonderful rock formations with the Sierra as a backdrop - you'll figure out compositions once you are there, though you'll likely want to drive around a bit and perhaps scout the previous day. (If afternoon/evening thunderstorms are happening there can be some wonderful stuff happening late in the day/evening out over Owens Valley and toward the White Mountains.
Sunset Spots - Bishop Area
Near Little Lakes Valley trail-head (Mack Lake, for instance)
Bristlecone Pines
Hikes - Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite
Crystal Lake and Mammoth Crest (afternoon)
Twnety Lakes Basin (morning)
Twenty Lakes is a fine place to shoot, and the morning is good. It is also not too far from the trailhead, so getting in there early enough for first light is possible. Since it is east of the crest - unlike many Yosemite areas - the sunrise light can be good.
Emerald Lake & Sky Meadows(morning)
San Joaquin Ridge (morning)
Gaylor Lakes (afternoon)
One of my favorite places to shoot afternoon - but really more like evening. I like to get up there at least a couple hours before sunset and scout out a few shots. Then I sit back a bit and wait for the great light and go at it. The lakes are obviously a subject, but I'm particularly fond of the gnarled trees, tundra plants and rocks, and at sunset distant views back towards the Cathedral Range. As you cross the ridge above the Gaylor Basin on your way in/out. there are some wonderful opportunities to shoot back along the ridge, down into the Basin, or over toward the crest.
Cathedral Lakes (afternoon)
A classic - not much more to say. The later you can shoot here the better since it is open to the western light without significant obstruction - I'd want to shoot right on through sunset. For an interesting adventure either follow the climbers trail up to the saddle next to Cathedral from near the trailhead, or go out to the upper Cathedral Lake and ascend cross country from there.
Virginia Lakes Basin (morning)
Sunrise Spots - Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite
San Joaquin Ridge
Greenstone Lake (Twenty Lakes Basin)
TJ Lake
Emerald Lake
Mono Lake (maybe)
If you have not shot Mono at dawn you probably should. The classic spot is South Tufa. Arrive well before dawn. (Post-shoot coffee at Latte' Da in Lee Vining is a requirement.)
Sunset Spots - Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite
San Joaquin Ridge
Tioga Pass
Good call. Early in the cycle there can be some good shots aiming back over the pass out of the park. As things continue the light on Mammoth Peak inside the park can become quite interesting. The classic approach is to shoot from around the small tarns at the pass.
Crystal Lake
Olmstead Point
Of course, though you'll certainly be dealing with crowds. I find that the most interesting Half Dome light can occur after actual sunset, while the interesting light back toward Tenaya Lake comes quite a bit earlier. I like to descend the very shot trail from the parking lot to the top of the small rock-covered dome you'll see below and to your left - I think this provides more interesting composition and lighting possibilities if you are shooting Tenaya, and sight-lines down the canyon toward Half Dome are at least as good.
Dan
