Each year, tens of thousands of professional and amateur photographers take aim at the country’s most incredible natural gems. From the Grand Canyon to Grand Teton National Park, shutterbugs of all skill levels travel from around the world to capture inspirational shots of spectacular landmarks. If you are planning to spend part of the summer at a National Park, then now is the time to hone your landscape photography skills.
Grand Teton National Park alone covers more than 300,000 acres and includes its namesake, Grand Teton, which rises more than 13,700 feet in the air. It is the second highest peak in Wyoming and one of the most photographed natural wonders in the world. So, how can you be sure that your images will do justice to the real deal?
For starters, you need to be aware of timing. Consider the season you plan to visit and the time of day you plan to shoot. Summer is not the best time of year to photograph the magnificent mountain range if you want snow in your shot. However, May, June and July are primetime to shoot the Grand Tetons if you want to capture lush green meadows and a rainbow of colorful wildflowers in the foreground. In regards to time of day, aim to shoot during the “golden hours,” which are roughly a few minutes before sunrise until about two hours after sunrise, and from an hour before sunset until about a half an hour after sunset.
You should also consider your position; if you are photographing the Grand Tetons from the Wyoming side you can catch the sun painting the mountains in a wealth of subtle shades. In addition, depending on where you set-up your shot, you can include a number of other natural wonders in your photos. For example, in the late spring and early summer months the park is bursting with flowering plants, more than 300 species of birds and a bevy of other residents, including wolves, and black and grizzly bears.
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