Capturing the High Country’s Seasons Through the Camera Lens
Spring
Springtime in the mountains is an incredible time to capture landscape photos. Colors emerge after a long winter, waterfalls rush down with lush green foliage, flowers blossom, including daffodils, bluebells and orchids which create spectacular displays.
Wildlife photography opportunities abound during this season as newborn animals arrive and the park comes alive with new life. Spring also marks the start of butterfly season: long hibernating species like peacock, comma and red admiral butterflies will emerge as adults to feed alongside early hatching species like speckled wood and grizzled skipper butterflies that emerge soon afterwards.
Springtime can also be an ideal time for photographing brown hares as they mate, earning the nickname of being “mad as a March hare.” Their hormone-charged bodies become extremely aggressive as they compete to get close to female hares. Banks of disturbed ground often become covered with tall stems of foxglove which provide lovely contrast of color against their bank of disturbed earth backdrop, often drawing bees or butterflies which add further interest and dimension to photos taken then; Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM lens can make these shots possible!
Summer
Yellowstone National Park comes alive during summer with lush vegetation, wildlife activity and long daylight hours to photograph its iconic features. You’ll enjoy low traffic levels and ample parking facilities so that you can fully experience this enthralling national treasure!
On a summer photo expedition at Glen Aulin High Camp I came upon this hidden meadow with breathtaking vistas of the Clark Range. Just days into my trip it had just seen its first rain shower which gave this lush meadow its unique hues and volume.
When shooting in hot weather, remove unneeded batteries, flashes, and gear from your camera to reduce heat build-up that could overheat circuitry and shorten its lifespan. Also take frequent breaks from photography so both yourself and the camera have time to cool down; taking such breaks also gives your camera time to reset its performance and optimize its performance.
Fall
The Great Smoky Mountains provide a spectacular display of fall colors, and provide a peaceful landscape in winter. A trip during either of these seasons offers numerous photographic opportunities. Selecting the appropriate locations and carrying adequate equipment are crucial in creating lasting images to recall from your visit.
As autumn arrives, wide-angle lenses can help capture the gorgeous hues of tree canopies. But you can get creative and experiment with other lens types too; an ultra-wide zoom may work perfectly to produce fisheye effects which add depth to photos while making framing some of the most stunning scenes easier.
Compose images carefully by eliminating distracting elements, like leaves that fall onto the ground in full bloom, from entering your frame. Use macro or close-up mode to capture seasonal details like fungi, raindrops on leaves or textures for added interest in photos.
Though sunny days may be ideal for fall foliage photography, you can still find beauty in cloudy and rainy conditions. Cloudy light tends to be soft and doesn’t cast any unwanted shadows while water droplets on the ground and leaves can add extra moisture.
Autumn photography offers many opportunities for beginners and experienced photographers alike to sharpen their photography skills to new heights. Experiment with various techniques and you may soon find that your images stand out among the competition – it’s not all about scenery; good photographs evoke feelings. So, don’t let rain, fog, and snow keep you indoors this autumn – get out there and explore its beauty; you won’t regret it!
Winter
Snowy landscapes make an evocative setting for many different subjects, from trees and buildings to branches, fences and even people. A snowy scene also adds the stunning shimmer of frost or ice crystals, adding another dimension. A wide or ultra-wide angle lens helps highlight this dramatic winter backdrop as well as any intricate frost details like cracks in ice or bubbles trapped by frost – providing dramatic images with details like cracks in ice or bubbles trapped within frost that add an entirely different look!
Staying warm while photographing in winter requires layers, hand warmers and even a hot water bottle to stay comfortable. A lightweight camera like Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III with an integrated 24mm wide-angle zoom makes taking captivating shots easier on-the-go.
Winter photography at its finest: sunrise and sunset when colors are at their most vibrant. Sunrise and sunset also present great opportunities to capture bison and elk herds that gather in parks to defend their herds from rival males, or rut. Fog can create an ethereal feel when shot either in black-and-white to emphasize contrast, or with wide aperture settings to produce dreamy soft focus effects.