Sunrise over Diablo Lake, North Cascades Complex, North Cascades National Park / Rebecca Latson
It’s been one heck of a year, fellow travelers. I’ll wager this pandemic put the kibosh to quite a few of your planned park trips for 2020. I had to cancel more than one park photo adventure myself, but managed to photograph within four new parks (John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Crater Lake National Park, Redwood National and State Parks, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area), as well as revisit a favorite nearby national park (Mount Rainier National Park).
During those visits, I practiced social distancing (on and off the trail), washed my hands frequently and/or used disinfectant wipes, and wore a mask (on and off the trail). I kept myself to myself, brought all my own food so I didn’t have to eat out, and rented motels or cabins when I could, so that lodging would not require me to wander a crowded hallway or use a public elevator.
The results of my 2020 excursions showed up in articles filled with tips, techniques, and photo op ideas to help you capture your own awesome images of whatever National Park System unit you might plan on visiting. Let’s take another look at these articles.
My 10 Fave Photos From 2019
A bridge over the Ohanapecosh River, Mount Rainier National Park / Rebecca Latson
Continuing a January tradition I’d started with the Traveler a few years ago, I presented to you my 10 favorite photos from 2019, why I liked them, and how I captured the shot.
More Favorite Shots For Photography
St. Mary Falls on a rainy day, Glacier National Park / Rebecca Latson
In 2019, I wrote an article about my favorite spots for great photography in a national park. I’ve traveled to a number of national parks and national monuments, so I wrote a continuation to that 2019 article, listing more favorite places of mine and why they are favorites.
When Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
A telephoto view of the 2017 Sprague Fire, Glacier National Park / Rebecca Latson
Sometimes, your travel plans to a national park or protected area coincide (unintentionally) with a wildfire either within that park, itself, or nearby. Don’t let that lure you into thinking you won’t get any cool park shots because of the resulting wildfire smoke.
Three Days In John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
The view at the end of the Flood of Fire Trail, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument / Rebecca Latson
Just prior to the coronavirus pandemic’s full swing in the United States, I took a short, three-day trip to a place I’d never visited until the Traveler’s editor-in-chief mentioned it to me. Each of the three units in this national monument offer some fantastic scenery for the photographer, and this article detailed not only the photo ops one might see, but how to get there and where you might stay.
Even More Favorite Places For Photography
Clouds and a winter sunset over the Watchman, Zion National Park / Rebecca Latson
Did I mention earlier I’ve traveled to and photographed in quite a few national parks? I’ve got favorite spots in each one of those places, and I shared more of them with you in this article.
Back In Business Again
A view from Ricksecker Point, Mount Rainier National Park / Rebecca Latson
When Mount Rainier National Park quietly reopened the gates to its Nisqually Entrance after being closed for a time due to Covid-19, I was there front and center to see what kind of photo ops offered themselves up to me and my cameras on a rather gray spring day.
Gearing Up, Staying Safe, And Getting Back Out There With My Cameras At Crater Lake National Park
The view from Watchman Peak summit, Crater Lake National Park / Rebecca Latson
The coronavirus pandemic had been raging for several months, now, but based upon the scientific information and evidence regarding social distancing, washing hands, and wearing a mask, I felt it was possible to venture out into a national park, alone. I chose to drive to Crater Lake National Park, and this article details how I practiced staying safe and what gear I took with me.
A Short Stay In Crater Lake National Park
Waiting for sunrise, Crater Lake National Park / Rebecca Latson
On the heels of my previous article, I continued with tips and techniques I used for capturing images of the amazing sunrise, daytime, sunset, and nighttime scenes at Crater Lake National Park, with the hope that you readers would find this advice useful when photographing your own adventure in this stunning Oregon setting.
My Final Favorite Places For Photography
A springtime sunrise over Lake Louise landscape, Banff National Park / Rebecca Latson
With the publication of this article, I finished telling you about my favorite spots in the parks I’ve visited and photographed over the years. Maybe some of these favorites of mine are already your favorites, too, and maybe some of these favorites will become your favorites once you visit those parks.
Capturing Sunrise, Sunset, And The Milky Way At Mount Rainier’s Sunrise Area
Sunrise at Sunrise, Mount Rainier National Park / Rebecca Latson
In all the times I’ve visited the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier National Park, I’ve never ever captured a sunrise from this spot. Nor had I ever photographed sunset or night shots. I remedied all of that and wrote this article with tips and techniques for you to use should you ever visit, or make a return visit, to this particular part of the park.
The Redwood Forests Are Made For Vertical Shots
Looking up at very tall trees in Stout Grove, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Redwood National and State Parks / Rebecca Latson
During my drive down to Redwood National and State Parks in northern California. I discovered that vertical shots were better at encompassing the skyscraping height of these coastal redwoods. That’s not to say, however, that I didn’t get my share of horizontal (landscape) photos, as well.
Birdy, Birdy In the Sky
A sun-gilded skimmer, Padre Island National Seashore / Rebecca Latson
When visiting a national park or other protected area, you’ll probably hear birdsong. If you are lucky, you’ll see the birds, too. Our avian friends help flesh out a park visit and tell us something about the park’s ecosystem. You don’t need to specifically stake out a spot and spend hours with a big, honkin’ telephoto lens to capture birds on the fly.
Winter Wonderlands
A winter wonderland, Glacier National Park / Rebecca Latson
Every December, I write about winter photography in a park. You may already have learned about the do's and don’ts of winter photography, but a little refresher never hurts, and it’s a good introduction to those of you who are new to the Traveler.
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Comments
Good memories - thanks for sharing, Rebecca.
Beautiful...