A few months into my article contributions for the Traveler, I suddenly suffered a bout of “writer’s block.” It took a few ideas from the Traveler’s editor for me to get my game back. Since then, I’ve been lucky enough to have thought up a subject for each month’s photo column for over a decade, right up to 2023. And speaking of this year, it’s time for a recap of photo articles published in the National Parks Traveler for 2023. Have you missed any? If so, go on back and take a look.
My 10 Favorite Shots From 2022
Lone bison in the snow, Yellowstone National Park / Rebecca Latson
In a tradition started several years ago, the January photo column is a list of my 10 favorite images captured over the course of the previous year, along with why I like each photo and how I got the shot.
Capturing Atmospheric Phenomena
The "belt of Venus" and beginning of blue hour at Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park / Rebecca Latson
You may not realize it when photographing light rays or rainbows or alpenglow, but each of these are what is known as “atmospheric phenomena,” and they can certainly add interest to your already beautiful compositions.
The Beauty Of A Simple Composition
Blue sky and white snow, Mount Rainier National Park / Rebecca Latson
There’s something to be said for simplicity. A beautiful photo doesn’t need to be a busy one.
The Invitation Of An Intimate Composition
An invitation to come sit and meditate awhile, Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, North Cascades National Park Complex / Rebecca Latson
How many times have you viewed someone’s national park images and one shot in particular pulled you into the composition? This shot invited you in. Such is the power of an intimate composition.
Same Spot, Different Time / Season / Weather
Summer and winter views of runoff from a hot spring at Biscuit Basin, Yellowstone National Park / Rebecca Latson
There’s one, maybe two or even three, park units you may find yourself returning to, given the time (and money). Why? Is it for a particular view area? A particular hike? When you return to that park, do you revisit those same view areas? Trek that same trail? You should, because your photographic composition may look markedly different, depending upon the time of day, season, or weather condition.
Low-Light Compositions, Indoors And Out
A look inside the historic Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite National Park / Rebecca Latson
A visit to a unit of the National Park System is not really complete without a photo or two of the interior of a historic park building or lodge, or a little bit of photography beneath a starry sky. There are things of which you should be aware when working at capturing those low-light compositions.
Photo Documentation
Red Spouter summer and winter views, Yellowstone National Park / Rebecca Latson
How many of you photograph landscapes and wildlife not only for your photo websites, but also to document something for your blog, report, research/scientific publication? Is photographing for documentation any different from photographing for fine art?
Death Valley Days
Walking over a salt flat at Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park / Rebecca Latson
Death Valley National Park in California is an amazing place with amazing photo ops, many of which are iconic. If you’ve never visited, you might want to after reading this article, no matter what the daytime temperature.
Plane Lights, Satellites, Meteor Lights
Car lights, hiker lights, and meteor lights, Mount Rainier National Park / Rebecca Latson
How many of you have traveled to a national park just in time to photograph the peak nights of the Perseid meteor shower? And, what better place to view those peak nights of the than the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state. Once there, do you know the difference between those streaks of light? Instead of a streaking meteor, you might be looking at planes or satellites.
Wildlife In The Landscape
A moose in Fishercap Lake, Many Glacier area, Glacier National Park / Rebecca Latson
It’s not always possible for you to get a great close-up photo of amazing wildlife you see during a visit to the national parks. You might not have a telephoto lens with you, or that telephoto might just not be strong enough to capture a close shot. Go ahead and click that shutter button anyway and add some wildlife to your landscape compositions.
Winter Is Coming
A winter wonderland at Mount Rainier National Park / Rebecca Latson
Winter presents new landscapes and freezing temperatures (in most cases). There are a few things you should know when preparing yourself and your camera for some winter photography.
Road Trippin’ The Canadian Rockies
The Icefields Parkway and Cirrus Mountain, Banff National Park / Rebecca Latson
Who doesn't like a good road trip through some stunning mountain scenery? I sure do. Road trips represent freedom. Road trips are educational. Road trips offer plenty of photo ops. I took my own 2,000-mile road trip through four national parks in the Canadian Rockies.
That’s it for the 2023 recap. I wonder what 2024 will bring, for both the Traveler and myself. Stay tuned.
