Choosing The Best Park
By type of photography
There are many different styles of National Park photography; landscape shots, wildlife photography, night skies, and more!
Choosing the style of photograph you want to focus on can be one way to choose the best park to visit. For example: You are more likely to see an American black bear at Yosemite National Park then you are at the Grand Canyon.
Some photographers like to decide the type of photos they are seeking out and then plan a trip accordingly. While others prefer to choose the park first.
By national park
Is there a National Park your family has been hoping to visit? Or perhaps there is something on your bucket list you’ve been dying to travel to. Whatever the scenario may be, many tourists will plan their photos and photo sites off of a specific park they are planning to visit.
By iconic location
The other way to choose the best place for National Park photos is by iconic location. There are a handful of places across the country that people automatically think of when they think of a National Park; these are places that some of the most gorgeous photos have been taken and shared with the world. These iconic areas are popular among tourists and photographers as we all want to see the beauty and try our hand at capturing it through our lens.
What are a few of these iconic locations?
Horseshoe Bend
In Glen Canyon National Park
The Arch
Arches National Park
Half Dome
Yosemite
Spires and Hills
Badlands National Park
Hoodoos
Bryce Canyon National Park
Massive Trees
Sequoia National Park
Spring Flowers
Mount Rainier National Park
Colorful Hotpots
Yellowstone National Park
Gear to Bring
There are several different things that require you to bring different gear:
The weather
The type of photos you plan to take
The number of photos you plan to take
The number of sites in which you plan to take photos
And more!
If you purchase new gear before your trip, be sure to take the time to learn how it all works, play with it, and test it on a few photo trips before packing it on the trip. The last place you want to try and learn something new is in those few seconds of a sunset when you’re trying to capture the perfect shot.
You should know your gear like the back of your hand!
The following are a few items you’ll want to pack with you regardless of the aforementioned dependencies.
A Tripod
Lightweight and easily packable.
Sturdy/reliable enough to place expensive equipment on and walk away from.
Remote
Weatherproofing
No matter what kind of weather you expect to have on your trip you’ll want to at least plan for water. Remember, it may not come from the clouds above, you may be visiting a waterfall and get wet, or perhaps the wind picks up near a river.
Ensure you have a waterproof covering for your gear bag, and something to dry off lenses with.
Backpack
The easiest way to carry your photography gear while in a National Park is via backpack. A backpack allows you to hike and walk at brisk paces without worrying about side bags or bouncing gear.
There are several great companies that make outstanding backpacks for holding photography equipment. We highly recommend getting one that not only holds your gear but has a pocket or two for snacks, first aid, and water.
Camera cleaning kit
Anytime you shoot outdoors you run the risk of getting debris on and around your camera. Bring along a camera cleaning kit to ensure you can clean things up and be ready to snap shots again ASAP.
10 Tips for Taking Photos of National Parks
1. Consider Seasons/Weather
Landscapes and nature scenes will look different depending on the time of year and the recent weather. Plan your shots according to the season and weather for the time-frame you’ll be at the park. Instead of that spring flower shot, you may be capturing more of a green background and bright sun.
You will also want to accommodate gear according to the season and weather. If the season may include a rain shower or other precipitation you’ll want to ensure you have waterproof cases for equipment that cannot get wet. In the hot summer months you’ll want to make sure you’ve got gear that can accomodate dust and heat! You’ll also want to consider how you want to carry the gear and if you should pack lighter on those extra heat wave days.
2. Look up Sunrise & Sunset Times Ahead of Schedule
Some of the best shots are taken before and during a sunrise and just before and during a sunset. It is helpful to have an idea of what times these occur in the area you are visiting so that you can get to the photo location in time.
There are apps that allow you to track these for several different locations and can come in handy when planning your trip.
Sun Surveyor
Sunrise Companion
Another app that may come in handy is one that helps you track the moon and stars. If you plan to take night photos on your National Park trip, you will want to plan a time to stay there that the moon is waning or there is a new moon; these times make it easier to get beautiful photos of the stars.
3. Sleep in the Park, or as close as possible
Some of the best shots are early morning, evening, and late at night. The easiest way to get these shots is to sleep inside the park or very nearby.
If you are staying in a hotel in the adjacent city you may not be around in the middle of the night for those starry photos, or up and in the park in time to catch a sunrise. Consider the type of photos you want to be able to take and plan your sleeping arrangements accordingly.
4. Research the type of shots you want to take
There are so many different types of photography! Even sub-categories within the nature aspect of a National Park.
Night Sky Photos
Gunnison national park - https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nightskies/photography.htm
Slot Canyon Shots
Secret Antelope Canyon - https://horseshoebendtours.com/antelope-canyon
Landscape Photography
https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/share-your-park/october-4-2019
Wildlife Photography
https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery-item.htm?pg=5046770&id=07E53D84-1DD8-B71B-0BD917E3894A9F89&gid=9A1CF622-1DD8-B71B-0B186131F9E0AD4D
Water Photos - waterfalls, rivers, etc.
https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery-item.htm?pg=841891&id=93cec478-3db6-4512-850f-ceac2c5516d9&gid=D46EE835-1DD8-B71B-0B6ECE170829F39F
Sport Photography - rock climbing, hiking, snow shoeing, etc.
https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/climbing.htm
Macro Photography
https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery-item.htm?pg=841891&id=84d86a3a-3d28-4c80-ad1f-752116da4af3&gid=D55E6195-1DD8-B71B-0BF268341CA8D9CF
Take the time to research the types of shots you are wanting to take on your trip to the National Park ahead of time to ensure that you have the correct equipment, know-how, sleeping arrangements, availability, season, etc.
5. Check out areas near the park
Instead of taking on massive crowds inside the National Parks each day, try discovering places nearby.
For example:
Just outside of Page, Arizona, and not too far from the Grand Canyon is an amazing slot canyon called Secret Antelope Canyon where photographers can get shots of the waving rocks without all the crowds and bustle of a National Park.
6. Be Respectful
As a National Park photographer it is important to remember to respect the park. This means following the posted and published rules. If you can’t walk off the beaten path, don’t!
Respect the animals that live in the park; don’t invade their space, that is their home and you are the visitor.
Respect fences/ropes; these are there for the safety of the park and the safety of its patrons. Don’t step over a rope or fence just because it would make for a perfect shot.
If you are going to sell your photos, be sure to pay for the correct license to do so.
7. Take a Hike
A mistake many photographers make is setting up their shot right next to their car, or on the path everyone walks.
If you are allowed to explore through different areas of the park, then take a hike! Get away from the crowds, away from the cars, and into nature where you can get the best shots.
This is one of the reasons you may choose to find a backpack style equipment case so that it is easy to hike through the park with the gear you need to get a great shot.
8. Deal with Weather
Don’t let the weather scare you off! Sometimes having weather in your shots make them even better.
Instead of being worried about the weather, properly prepare for the weather with the right gear:
Weatherproof equipment bag
Touchscreen gloves
Warm clothing/ or cool clothing
Dry cloths to clean up equipment
Water! - stay hydrated in both the summer and the winter.
An Umbrella
Camera Cover
9. Avoid Holidays
To get the best photographs of National Parks you’ll want to avoid traveling there for the holidays. Holidays are a time when everyone heads to the parks and the crowds of people will make it difficult for you to get the shots you want.
Plan a time where the park is slow and allow yourself the elbow room and clean photos that come with it.
This concept goes hand in hand with #10, which is:
10. Don’t Rush
Remember that taking the perfect shot takes time. Don’t rush through the park get snapshots here and there, unless that is the type of trip you want to take. If you are visiting the park to get GOOD National Park photos, then take your time!
Setup the Shot
Tripod
F stop
Shutter speed
ISO
Focus
Lighting
etc.
Wait for Good Lighting
Take a Few Shots
Review Those Photos
Make Adjustments as Necessary
Take a Few More Shots
What did we learn?
We learned how to choose the best park for the types of pictures you want to take, all the gear you may want to consider bringing, and 10 fantastic tips for taking National Park photos. So what now?
Sounds like it is time to book a trip out to your favorite park and discover the beauty right here in our country.
Resources:
https://loadedlandscapes.com/photographing-national-parks/
https://visualwilderness.com/travel/tips-for-photographing-national-parks