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Photography in the Parks

Photography In The National Parks: To Tripod, Or Not To Tripod

Traveler contributing photographer Rebecca Latson was always told to use a tripod for really sharp landscape shots, as well as providing stability for heavy telephoto lenses capturing wildlife portraits. After years of camerawork and tens of thousands of images, however, Rebecca believes you don’t always need a tripod.

Photography In The National Parks: Photographing History At Fort Spokane

There is so much more to a unit of the National Park System than just the landscape or wildlife. There is history, too, and that history often includes beautiful landscapes and cool wildlife. How you frame those photos will either capture your viewing audience’s attention or cause them to nod politely at each photo without spending much time really looking at them.

Photography In The National Parks: Two Cave Parks Above And Below

There are several park units within the National Park System that either feature caves, or at least have an explorable cavern or two within their federal confines, including Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Monument, both in South Dakota. These two parks offer great photo ops both above and below the ground, but cave shots can be a little tricky.

Photography In The National Parks: Badlands In April

One could be forgiven for thinking this is a national park you can see in an hour or so then move on along to the next big thing, because you can see so much from the road. To really get a feel for Badlands, however, you should spend at least a couple of days, if not more. This is especially true if you are a photographer loaded with cameras and gear.

Photography In The National Parks: What’s In My Camera Bag Redux

How many of you have changed your mindset about one or more aspects of photography, cameras, lenses, camera packs, or travel over the years? Contributing photographer Rebecca Latson didn’t realize just how much some of her own photographic views have changed until rereading an interview written 11 years ago between herself and Traveler editor Kurt Repanshek.

Photography In The National Parks: Great Sand Dunes In Winter

Picture-perfect Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado is filled with contradictions and superlatives: North America’s tallest sand dunes surrounded on three sides by the broad, windswept San Luis Valley, with a backside snuggled against the rugged, snowcapped Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Winter is a great time to visit with your camera.

Photography In The National Parks: Always Be A National Parks Traveler

Contributing photographer and writer Rebecca Latson has spent the past 11 years with the National Parks Traveler, writing about tips and techniques for getting the best national park photos – no matter what camera you use. In her final article for the Traveler before it goes dark on December 31, 2023, Rebecca recaps some of those tips and techniques.

Photography In The National Parks: Winter Is Coming

Winter is coming. Thursday, December 21, 2023, is the first day of winter. Are you ready for the season? Is your camera ready for the season? Contributing photographer Rebecca Latson tells you how to prepare your camera for a season of great shots, with tips and techniques for correcting color cast issues and capturing beautiful compositions.

Photography In The National Parks: Road Trippin’ The Canadian Rockies!

Traveler contributing photographer Rebecca Latson took herself and her cameras on a 2,000-mile September road trip to visit four national parks in the Canadian Rockies. Despite the mixed bag of weather and clash of expectations versus reality on the road, Rebecca captured amazing shots which she uses to illustrate tips and techniques for your own national park road trip.

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