10 tips for a better photography experience in the National Parks.
— By Frank Lee Ruggles
While serving as an Official National Park Service Photographer, I was fortunate to be assigned to over 100 different National Park units across our Beautiful Country. Since I finished my tour with the NPS, I’ve explored 100 more. In my travels, I’ve hiked across lava floes and climbed glaciers, I’ve stood atop Mt Rushmore and waded the swamps of the Everglades. I’ve literally seen it all. All along the way, I captured thousands of images and learned a lot of things about photography in the Parks. I’d like to share with you my Top Ten photography tips for having the best possible photography experience in the Parks.
1) The prettiest light is when the sun is low in the sky- Whether it’s sunrise or sunset, when the sun is near the horizon; the low angle of light shows off the deep texture of the earth best. Photographers call the half hour before and after sunrise and sunset “Golden Hour”. Mid-day light seem rather “flat” by comparison. Mid day is for shopping, museums, napping, lunch! …just not great landscape photos.
2) Get low…include a little foreground- I always tell people that I don’t want to simply record a scene to show people what it looked like, rather, I want to take a photograph to show people how it felt to stand at that spot at that moment. To accomplish this goal, I try to include some foreground in my photo… that way, the viewer feels like they are in the scene, rather than just looking at a scene. To add more foreground…get LOW…stoop or kneel and get that camera down to about 2 feet off the ground. Your friends will feel like they were there with when you took the photo.
3) Use a polarizing filter on sunny days- So often when we see a beautiful blue sky with our naked eye, the photo we take ends up being somewhat less dramatic than we remember. A polarizing filter can make a big difference. You can simply screw the filter onto your lens ( or hold it in front of your point-and-shoot camera) and rotate it until you see the sky in the viewfinder turn a deep dark rich blue color. You can get a polarizing filter at any camera store or online retailer.
4) Use the rule of thirds- When we take a photograph with the main subject smack-dabbed in the middle of the image, the viewer tends to only see the middle of the photo and the eyes stay fixed there without scanning the rest of the image. Moving the subject off center, to one of the lines of an imaginary “tic-tac-toe” pattern on the scene gives viewers permission to look around the photograph. When ever possible, move the subject out of the “middle square” of that tic-tac-toe board. You’ll go from snap-shooter to storyteller!
5) Tripods make better pictures- Despite having 7 Gazillion buttons on the back of our cameras, we’re all still bound by the exposure triangle (ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed) when it comes to properly exposing our photos. We don’t want an ISO that’s too high, or we’ll get grainy photos. Using an aperture that’s too large won’t deliver enough depth-of-field, so the answer to bright clear images with everything in focus is to leave the shutter open for a long time. In photographic terms; 1/4 second is a lonnnnnnng exposure; longer than we can hand-hold our cameras steady . The simple answer is to use a tripod. As often as possible. Not only will your pictures stay tack-sharp, the little bit of extra time while setting up will give you a moment to study the composition to make sure it’s exactly what you want.
6) Turn that camera!- Whenever I take a photo of a beautiful National Park vista, I’ll take the image both in a horizontal and vertical camera orientation. When I get back home, I’ll often realize that my second choice was actually the better shot. Plus, for magazine work, your editor might ask for either an”H” or “V” shot…and you’ll be ready no mater what!
7) Use the “Photographer’s Circle” — When we happen upon a scene we’d like to capture with a photograph, most folks will simply stop right there and take a picture. The best photographers use the “Photographer’s Circle” which is the practice of walking around the scene to find the very best angle. The chances of you being in exactly the right spot at the moment you discover a beautiful scene is almost zero percent. Look around…get higher or lower, take a 360 degree look at the subject and you’ll find the ultimate shot.
8) Keep a journal of your shots- When traveling the US on your vacation, it’s really easy to forget exactly what Park you were at when you captured that beautiful sunset. A good photographer carries a notebook and pen to record notes about the places they visit and shoot. This makes for better photo sharing when you get back home. plus, you can learn from your mistakes and successes.
9) Research the best shots before you go to the park- Okay…you’ve arrived at Bryce Canyon…now what? You can spend 50% of your vacation time figuring out where to go to get the best shots-OR-, you can do a “Photo Recon” using your favorite online search engine. You’ll see where other photographers have discovered well known vistas as well as lesser known off-the-beaten -path places for photographic gems. Take a list and a map with you when you hit the Parks, you’ll spend more time shooting and less time walking around looking for something to shoot.
10) Put the camera down…sometimes. The experience of exploring America’s National Parks is supposed to be a relaxing, wondrous experience, but often times, photographers spend most of the time with a camera pressed against their face. You owe it to yourself to always leave a little time to just look at the landscape, experience it and enjoy it. Breathe Deep, feel the sun on your face, listen to the wind…at least every once-in-a-while.
