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John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

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: Photo Documentation

Many of you visiting a unit within the National Park System capture photos for more than just Instagram, right? Maybe those shots will accompany a blog, report, or other online/paper publication. How you photographically document your subject determines the extent to which your viewing audience will understand and appreciate that feature, concept, or process.

Trails I’ve Hiked: Painted Hills Unit Trails

There are trails within each of the three units comprising John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, none of them very long. In truth, you can do every single trail within a unit (not each unit, but a unit) in an entire day. Contributing writer and photographer Rebecca Latson describes the trails she hiked at the Painted Hills Unit of this national monument in Oregon.

A Sun Halo And View Of The Landscape From The Carroll Rim Trail, Painted Hills Unit, John Day Fossil Beds National Natural Monument

A sun halo over an expansive view of hills layered in colors of beige, maroon, and yellow-green seen from the top of the Carroll Rim Trail in the Painted Hills Unit of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

Chances are, you've photographed atmospheric phenomena like this sun halo captured at the Painted Hills Unit of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. An atmospheric phenomenon is created by the interaction of sunlight or moonlight with the atmosphere, clouds, rain, water, dust or other particulate matter.

Rebecca Latson

Photography In The National Parks: Capturing Atmospheric Phenomena

Chances are, during a national park visit, you’ve probably photographed – intentionally or accidentally – an interesting event involving the play of light known as an atmospheric phenomenon. This manifestation may show up as the subject of your composition, or perhaps as an accessory highlighting your subject.

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