Yosemite Lakes is up the road from me and I wouldn't recommend it. In the summer the Hwy 41 gate is gridlocked and I have a suspicion that all drivers on Hwy 41 have had their brains surgically removed ;-)

No, really---you'll still have a heck of a long drive to get into the park on a crowded road. The only good thing about it is its close to the indian casino where the chow is pretty good (but the slots are tight)

Stick with the Tioga Pass area if possible. Its a bit of a drive to get to the valley but for photography it is wonderful. If you want to go in on the HWY 41 side, check out Summerdale campground in Fish Camp, just outside the gate or better yet the campground along the river at Wawona (inside the park)---both are a lot closer to the "action"

Or bite the bullet and reserve a space at Upper/Lower Pines in Yosemite Valley