National park photography is a great educational tool, teaching both the viewer and photographer about the natural and cultural history of a particular park. The more you learn about a national park, the more thought and care you'll apply to composing a shot of something sparking your curiosity. Contributing photographer Rebecca Latson provides examples of what she has learned about the geology of Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, and Bryce Canyon national parks, while offering tips and techniques for framing that perfect composition of whatever it is that encourages you to learn more.

Though demand for coal nationally and in Utah is on the decline, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management is recommending expansion of an open pit mine near Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments that would impact night skies, adversely impact nearby towns, and likely destroy "a large number of significant fossils."

How many of you have looked at national park images of the sun and viewed a golden-yellow or golden-orange orb with the shape and brilliance of a star? That’s called a sunburst. Some people think this photographic treatment is pretty cool, while others give it a thumbs-down. Whether you like the result of this technique or not, creating a sunburst with your camera is great for learning more about your camera’s manual settings. Contributing photographer Rebecca Latson shows you how this is done.

Thinking of going to Bryce Canyon National Park but having second thoughts because you heard something about the park's drinking water being contaminated with E. coli. Have no worry, that was a misinformed report.