Going to Grand Canyon, YellowStone, Mt Rushmore, Rockies etc - Need photographic tips

[Srikanth Koka]

Hi,

I am going on two road trips to the following places in two weeks:

First Trip (about 10 to 12 days - 2100Miles)
=====
Salt Lake City
Idaho Falls
Yellow Stone
Badlands National Park
Mount Rushmore
Cheyenne
Rocky Mountain
Arches National Park
Back to Salt Lake City

Second Trip
=======
Phoenix
Grand Canyon
Hoover Dam
Las Vegas
Yosemite
San Francisco

Now the big question: Need some tips to get some good pictures. I will be very happy if they could come out half as good as Daniella's (I know, wishful thinking...)

Here's what I am planning to take with me:
Dimage 7i
1 GB MD
DPS-900 Battery Pack (2 sets)
Olympus A-200
Super Fish eye .25x
Sigma flash
UV Haze Filter
Tripod

What else would I need?
A Monopod? A good carrying bag to put all the above in? etc?

Are there any good reference sites to help in taking good landscape pictures using a digicam?

 

[Melanie Kipp]

Polarizer....

--
Please visit me at:
http://www.caughtintimephotography.com

 

[Ferenc MOGOR]

Soul...;-)

--
Cheers, Feri

http://www.pbase.com/mogorf
http://www.photosig.com

 

[Srikanth Koka]

Thanks Melanie. Added the Circular Polarizer to my wish list at B&H.

Polarizer....

--
Please visit me at:
http://www.caughtintimephotography.com

 

[Bart M. Carrig]

National Geographic has two things that might be of interest:

Topo maps on CD Rom, especially if you're hiking, for the National Parks (including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and i'm sure the others). If you're going to the North Rim, I'd suggest Point Imperial and Point Royal.

National Geographic also has two books on Photography, one is specifically a Field Guide for Landscapes, by Robert Caputo. It's excellent - not specifically digital, but it doesn't really matter, the principles are clearly explained.

In addition, as the author suggests, look in area shops or stores for postcards, that give some ideas on locations and angles. Of course, it's better if you have time and can scout out your own.

Be prepared to be up early to be ready for the early sun; and be out there and ready as well for the sunset for the best effects and light.

Good Luck, enjoy, and please post the results.

Bart Carrig

Hi,

I am going on two road trips to the following places in two weeks:

First Trip (about 10 to 12 days - 2100Miles)
=====
Salt Lake City
Idaho Falls
Yellow Stone
Badlands National Park
Mount Rushmore
Cheyenne
Rocky Mountain
Arches National Park
Back to Salt Lake City

Second Trip
=======
Phoenix
Grand Canyon
Hoover Dam
Las Vegas
Yosemite
San Francisco

Now the big question: Need some tips to get some good pictures. I
will be very happy if they could come out half as good as
Daniella's (I know, wishful thinking...)

Here's what I am planning to take with me:
Dimage 7i
1 GB MD
DPS-900 Battery Pack (2 sets)
Olympus A-200
Super Fish eye .25x
Sigma flash
UV Haze Filter
Tripod

What else would I need?
A Monopod? A good carrying bag to put all the above in? etc?

Are there any good reference sites to help in taking good landscape
pictures using a digicam?

 

[Srikanth Koka]

Feri,
I am taking my soul with me (my wife) ;-)

Soul...;-)

--
Cheers, Feri

http://www.pbase.com/mogorf
http://www.photosig.com

 

[Srikanth Koka]

I am taking along with me my notebook pc to download the digital photos and I have Delorme Street Atlas and MS Streets and Trips including Topographic maps.

I will check out the books National Geographics.

Thanks a lot for the information. I hope the photos come out worthy enough to be posted!

-Srikanth

Topo maps on CD Rom, especially if you're hiking, for the National
Parks (including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and i'm sure the
others). If you're going to the North Rim, I'd suggest Point
Imperial and Point Royal.

National Geographic also has two books on Photography, one is
specifically a Field Guide for Landscapes, by Robert Caputo. It's
excellent - not specifically digital, but it doesn't really matter,
the principles are clearly explained.

In addition, as the author suggests, look in area shops or stores
for postcards, that give some ideas on locations and angles. Of
course, it's better if you have time and can scout out your own.

Be prepared to be up early to be ready for the early sun; and be
out there and ready as well for the sunset for the best effects and
light.

Good Luck, enjoy, and please post the results.

Bart Carrig

Hi,

I am going on two road trips to the following places in two weeks:

First Trip (about 10 to 12 days - 2100Miles)
=====
Salt Lake City
Idaho Falls
Yellow Stone
Badlands National Park
Mount Rushmore
Cheyenne
Rocky Mountain
Arches National Park
Back to Salt Lake City

Second Trip
=======
Phoenix
Grand Canyon
Hoover Dam
Las Vegas
Yosemite
San Francisco

Now the big question: Need some tips to get some good pictures. I
will be very happy if they could come out half as good as
Daniella's (I know, wishful thinking...)

Here's what I am planning to take with me:
Dimage 7i
1 GB MD
DPS-900 Battery Pack (2 sets)
Olympus A-200
Super Fish eye .25x
Sigma flash
UV Haze Filter
Tripod

What else would I need?
A Monopod? A good carrying bag to put all the above in? etc?

Are there any good reference sites to help in taking good landscape
pictures using a digicam?

 

[Icypeak]

Three additional sites you may want to devote some time to along your first route: Grand Teton National Park (more photogenic than most of yellowstone), and Devil's Tower Nat'l Monument in Wyoming. Mt. Rushmore is over-rated, and I think the awesome scene of something natural, like Devil's Tower, is more impressive than a man-made tourist attraction like Mt. Rushmore (it's also smaller than you think it will be, at least I thought so). The Badlands are very interesting, in good light, but try to shoot only around sunrise and sunset, to get decent colors in the rocks. In mid-day light, they won't look very nice, although the polarizer will somewhat increase the color density of the rocks. The upper and lower falls of the Yellowstone are always very impressive sites, and shots. When you get back down to Arches, you may want to go about 20 miles Northeast of there, to Deadhorse Point State Park, which has a wonderful vista, although not much else to see there. Mesa Arch and Grandview Overlook at the nearby upper unit of Canyonlands is another option near Arches. Gave a great trip.
-David

Hi,

I am going on two road trips to the following places in two weeks:

First Trip (about 10 to 12 days - 2100Miles)
=====
Salt Lake City
Idaho Falls
Yellow Stone
Badlands National Park
Mount Rushmore
Cheyenne
Rocky Mountain
Arches National Park
Back to Salt Lake City

Second Trip
=======
Phoenix
Grand Canyon
Hoover Dam
Las Vegas
Yosemite
San Francisco

Now the big question: Need some tips to get some good pictures. I
will be very happy if they could come out half as good as
Daniella's (I know, wishful thinking...)

Here's what I am planning to take with me:
Dimage 7i
1 GB MD
DPS-900 Battery Pack (2 sets)
Olympus A-200
Super Fish eye .25x
Sigma flash
UV Haze Filter
Tripod

What else would I need?
A Monopod? A good carrying bag to put all the above in? etc?

Are there any good reference sites to help in taking good landscape
pictures using a digicam?

--
David

http://www.fototime.com/ftweb/bin/ft.dll/home?userid= {F351C88E-FEF7-4892-9F30-9FD2DDD1593C}&tio=0tio=0&st=he&GUID={0AB0EAE9-1AF7-41AE-966B-588570432D96}&sent=stored

 

[Srikanth Koka]

David,

I have been in the US for the last 5 and 1/2 years and I have seen most of the important vacation spots in Eastern US. I will be going to back to India late next month. Some of my greatest moments in the US have been on vacations. Meeting the nice people of this country and enjoying the awesome wonders, both natural and man made.

There is so much more to see in USA and Canada. Some of the places I have visited have been not to my expectations mostly due to too much hype. It is really nice to know what to expect before leaving for the trip.

Thanks a lot for the information regarding Devil's Tower, Grand Teton Nation Park and Dead Horse Point State Park. I have added it to my route. I was infact looking for something to do on my way from Yellowstone to Badlands.

Thanks again.
Srikanth

Hi,

I am going on two road trips to the following places in two weeks:

First Trip (about 10 to 12 days - 2100Miles)
=====
Salt Lake City
Idaho Falls
Yellow Stone
Badlands National Park
Mount Rushmore
Cheyenne
Rocky Mountain
Arches National Park
Back to Salt Lake City

Second Trip
=======
Phoenix
Grand Canyon
Hoover Dam
Las Vegas
Yosemite
San Francisco

Now the big question: Need some tips to get some good pictures. I
will be very happy if they could come out half as good as
Daniella's (I know, wishful thinking...)

Here's what I am planning to take with me:
Dimage 7i
1 GB MD
DPS-900 Battery Pack (2 sets)
Olympus A-200
Super Fish eye .25x
Sigma flash
UV Haze Filter
Tripod

What else would I need?
A Monopod? A good carrying bag to put all the above in? etc?

Are there any good reference sites to help in taking good landscape
pictures using a digicam?

--
David

http://www.fototime.com/ftweb/bin/ft.dll/home?userid= {F351C88E-FEF7-4892-9F30-9FD2DDD1593C}&tio=0tio=0&st=he&GUID={0AB0EAE9-1AF7-41AE-966B-588570432D96}&sent=stored

 

[Dr. Don Sandell]

Another microdrive (or 2).

 

[Henry Richardson]

There is so much more to see in USA and Canada. Some of the places
I have visited have been not to my expectations mostly due to too
much hype. It is really nice to know what to expect before leaving
for the trip.

Of course, I don't know where you have been already but it is hard for me to imagine places like the Utah national parks, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, etc. not exceeding your expectations. I spent 2 months travelling by car to most of the western national parks in 1999 and I thought the hype had not been strong enough. Photos I had seen had not prepared me for the breathtaking scenes. I suspect you will be in a state of awe when you go to places like Arches NP, Bryce Canyon NP, Grand Canyon NP, Yosemite NP, and so on.

While in California I suggest you visit Point Lobos (just a bit south of Carmel on Highway 1). I have been there dozens of times and it is fantastic.

 

[Srikanth Koka]

I thought so too. When I saw that Daniella had taken over 1500 photos, I thought I might need more memory.

Another microdrive (or 2).

 

[Daniella68313]

Hello,

Your itinary is really full and your time is quite limited. I am not sure how you plan to visit all this as just Yellowstone and Arches takes a full day each to really get a small idea of what they are. I never been to Yellowstone but it is a big park I think and there is lots to see. In Arches, I really recommand doing the hike to the Delicate arch. If you don,t take the time to do this, you have not seen Arches NP

will each trip be 10 to 12 days? or will it be the total for both trip?

Also if you have some times, you might want to go through the highway 99 and then go through Sequoias NP...those giant sequoias are worth the detour and it's on the way to Yosemite. From Las Vegas to San Francisco, it takes about 8 hours drive, if you don't stop.

1GB microdrive is not much for such trip and I would recommand that you get an image tank or some other portable hard disk..unless you have a notebook to transfer you card. I took 5GB of photos, near 2000 images on my trip and it was just bearely 4 days (2 days traveling). It goes very fast to fill up a card when you visit those places. My advice is to have enough storage so that you can shoot anything you want. Do not use smaller file or more compression to save space as the quality of your images and the detail will be less.

Best ligt is in late afternoon and sunset and early morning and sunrise.

Now the filters...you ABSOLUTELY need a polarizer, but a cheap linear polarizer will do. You also need a graduated neutral density filter for landscape, as that is very useful for sunset and sunrise, or when ever the sky is too bright for the land (very often).

Oh, and at the first occasion that you will have, buy the national park anual pass... we bought it and we saved 70$ on our recent trips. Lets see...

National pass cost 50$ and it is valid for one year, then you get free entrance to all national parks in the USA. If you don't buy it, you will spend:

Yosemite 20$
Yellowstone 20$
Badlands 10$-20$?
mount Roshmore 10$-20$?
Arches 20$
Grand Canyon 20$
Lake Power 10$

This could be a total of 110$ and higher depending. You will save at least 60$ if you get the pass at the first park that you visit.

Hi,

I am going on two road trips to the following places in two weeks:

First Trip (about 10 to 12 days - 2100Miles)
=====
Salt Lake City
Idaho Falls
Yellow Stone
Badlands National Park
Mount Rushmore
Cheyenne
Rocky Mountain
Arches National Park
Back to Salt Lake City

Second Trip
=======
Phoenix
Grand Canyon
Hoover Dam
Las Vegas
Yosemite
San Francisco

Now the big question: Need some tips to get some good pictures. I
will be very happy if they could come out half as good as
Daniella's (I know, wishful thinking...)

Here's what I am planning to take with me:
Dimage 7i
1 GB MD
DPS-900 Battery Pack (2 sets)
Olympus A-200
Super Fish eye .25x
Sigma flash
UV Haze Filter
Tripod

What else would I need?
A Monopod? A good carrying bag to put all the above in? etc?

Are there any good reference sites to help in taking good landscape
pictures using a digicam?

on the web? I am not sure, but I would suggest to go to any big book store and take some time to study the Art Wolf books and other traveling book from California and USA. Those photos are taken by pro photographers and will really give you and idea of framing, angle, light and what to look for a good photo in those places. There are plenty of books on national parks as well.

I bought the Art Wolf book on nature photography and it is very good. It is called "The Art of Photographing Nature" by Martha Hill and Art Wolf. It is an interesting book because he took different photos of the same place and explain why one is better than the others. Composition, orientation, lighting, depth of field etc is explained.

27$ and probably cheaper on amazon.com

and last but not least, have a good trip and I wish you good weather

 

[Daniella68313]

I read that you have a notebook...with 1GB microdrive and a notebook you will have enough storage because you will be able to transfer your photo to your notebook at night. I did not had a notebook so I got the portable hard disk solution but you don,t need it.

Also many times you will stop for eating and you will have occasion to transfer your photos while you eat.

Another microdrive (or 2).

--
Daniella
http://www.photosig.com/viewuser.php?id=26918
http://www.pbase.com/zylen
C7OO FORUM: http://www.c700uz.com

c7OOuz, Dimage-7, Tcon14tele, C210tele, Cokin-173, Grad-ND, Hoya-red-Intensifier, Hoya R72.

 

[Srikanth Koka]

Danielle,

I have a few more followup questions:

Is there a difference b/w circular and linear polarizer? From what I understand from B&H's website, circulars are for Auto-focus SLR and Linears are for Manual Focus. Is that correct? Does it also mean it cannot be used in Auto-focus mode of the D7i?

My first trip is for 10 days and the second is for 7 days. How much time do you suggest I spend at each of these places. (Please note that both my wife and I are not the hiking kind of persons - in other words not really too fit physically. A mile or two of trekking is the most we can take at a time.)

Idaho Falls
Grand Teton NP
Devil's Tower
Yellow Stone
Badlands National Park
Mount Rushmore
Cheyenne
Rocky Mountain
Dead Horse Point SP
Grand Canyon
Yosemite
Arches National Park

If I plan properly I might be able to add 2 more days to the overall schedule.

Thanks a lot for all your help and more importantly the your inspirational photos.

-Srikanth

Your itinary is really full and your time is quite limited. I am
not sure how you plan to visit all this as just Yellowstone and
Arches takes a full day each to really get a small idea of what
they are. I never been to Yellowstone but it is a big park I think
and there is lots to see. In Arches, I really recommand doing the
hike to the Delicate arch. If you don,t take the time to do this,
you have not seen Arches NP

will each trip be 10 to 12 days? or will it be the total for both
trip?

Also if you have some times, you might want to go through the
highway 99 and then go through Sequoias NP...those giant sequoias
are worth the detour and it's on the way to Yosemite. From Las
Vegas to San Francisco, it takes about 8 hours drive, if you don't
stop.

1GB microdrive is not much for such trip and I would recommand that
you get an image tank or some other portable hard disk..unless you
have a notebook to transfer you card. I took 5GB of photos, near
2000 images on my trip and it was just bearely 4 days (2 days
traveling). It goes very fast to fill up a card when you visit
those places. My advice is to have enough storage so that you can
shoot anything you want. Do not use smaller file or more
compression to save space as the quality of your images and the
detail will be less.

Best ligt is in late afternoon and sunset and early morning and
sunrise.

Now the filters...you ABSOLUTELY need a polarizer, but a cheap
linear polarizer will do. You also need a graduated neutral
density filter for landscape, as that is very useful for sunset and
sunrise, or when ever the sky is too bright for the land (very
often).

Oh, and at the first occasion that you will have, buy the national
park anual pass... we bought it and we saved 70$ on our recent
trips. Lets see...

National pass cost 50$ and it is valid for one year, then you get
free entrance to all national parks in the USA. If you don't buy
it, you will spend:

Yosemite 20$
Yellowstone 20$
Badlands 10$-20$?
mount Roshmore 10$-20$?
Arches 20$
Grand Canyon 20$
Lake Power 10$

This could be a total of 110$ and higher depending. You will save
at least 60$ if you get the pass at the first park that you visit.

Hi,

I am going on two road trips to the following places in two weeks:

First Trip (about 10 to 12 days - 2100Miles)
=====
Salt Lake City
Idaho Falls
Yellow Stone
Badlands National Park
Mount Rushmore
Cheyenne
Rocky Mountain
Arches National Park
Back to Salt Lake City

Second Trip
=======
Phoenix
Grand Canyon
Hoover Dam
Las Vegas
Yosemite
San Francisco

Now the big question: Need some tips to get some good pictures. I
will be very happy if they could come out half as good as
Daniella's (I know, wishful thinking...)

Here's what I am planning to take with me:
Dimage 7i
1 GB MD
DPS-900 Battery Pack (2 sets)
Olympus A-200
Super Fish eye .25x
Sigma flash
UV Haze Filter
Tripod

What else would I need?
A Monopod? A good carrying bag to put all the above in? etc?

Are there any good reference sites to help in taking good landscape
pictures using a digicam?

on the web? I am not sure, but I would suggest to go to any big
book store and take some time to study the Art Wolf books and other
traveling book from California and USA. Those photos are taken by
pro photographers and will really give you and idea of framing,
angle, light and what to look for a good photo in those places.
There are plenty of books on national parks as well.

I bought the Art Wolf book on nature photography and it is very
good. It is called "The Art of Photographing Nature" by Martha
Hill and Art Wolf. It is an interesting book because he took
different photos of the same place and explain why one is better
than the others. Composition, orientation, lighting, depth of
field etc is explained.

27$ and probably cheaper on amazon.com

and last but not least, have a good trip and I wish you good
weather

 

[Daniella68313]

Danielle,

I have a few more followup questions:

Is there a difference b/w circular and linear polarizer?

None what so ever I have tried both and could not see any difference. And with consumer digital camera there is no problem focusing with either one...so I got the cheaper one.

I understand from B&H's website, circulars are for Auto-focus SLR
and Linears are for Manual Focus. Is that correct?

That is only true for reflex camera with mirror. Unless you have a DSLR, that is not important.

Does it also

mean it cannot be used in Auto-focus mode of the D7i?

no

My first trip is for 10 days and the second is for 7 days. How much
time do you suggest I spend at each of these places.

Then that is plenty enough time.

(Please note

that both my wife and I are not the hiking kind of persons - in
other words not really too fit physically. A mile or two of
trekking is the most we can take at a time.)

The trail to delicate Arch is really worth it and it's about 2 to 3 miles round trip if I remember well. At some point there is some climb though, so ask the park rangers for advise before you go. It is THE spot for sunset but if you go, dress well as it is windy and cold usualy. It is an amazing place to see not only because of the place itself, but it is fun to watch all the pro photographers lined up with their tripods, taking photos every minute or so until the sun is gone The light changes dramaticaly as the sun set. Also the far away Rocky mountains snow peaks are making a drastic contrast with the red rock of the Delicate Arch. The trail is 3 miles but I cannot remember if it is round trip. If it is one way than it's quite a hike for you but if it is round trip then 3 miles is not that much because you spend a good time resting at delicate Arch and take some rest there.

Here is the trail info:

Delicate Arch 3.0 mi / 4.8 km
Elevation gain of 480 feet / 146 meters;
no shade - take at least one quart of water per person!
Open slickrock with some exposure to heights. Best at sunset.

If you really don't want to do the hike, there is a viewpoint of Delicate Arch right at a parking spot, but it's not as interesting.:

Delicate Arch Viewpoint 100 yds / 91 m Surfaced trail, distant view of arch;
reach base of arch only on Delicate Arch Trail.

here is a good info site on Arches NP:

http://www.arches.national-park.com/

trail guide:

http://www.arches.national-park.com/hike.htm

Here is what Delicate Arch looks like:

 

[MinoltaDrew]

Polarizer....

--
Please visit me at:
http://www.caughtintimephotography.com

Yes, but use it judiciously.

 

[MinoltaDrew]

Idaho Falls -- Couple hours
Grand Teton NP -- Most of a day; take a float trip on Snake
Devil's Tower -- few hours
Yellow Stone -- 2-3 days
Badlands National Park -- 1/2 day
Mount Rushmore -- 1/2 day, but add in Needles section
Cheyenne -- food stop
Rocky Mountain -- 1/2 day-day
Dead Horse Point SP -- ?
Grand Canyon -- 2 days
Yosemite -- 3 days?
Arches National Park -- 2 days

If I plan properly I might be able to add 2 more days to the
overall schedule.

Also, if you're going from Arches to Grand Canyon, stop off for a day at Bryce. See Daniellas pictures for why.

 

[xav]

I'm pretty interested in this thread as I'll go to Arches-Canyonlands-Monument Valley in May (7days) and Zion-Bryce (4days) in June.

I own a D7i with UV and ND filter (+2). The circular polarizer I bought vignets!

I've been to the B&H store, here is what I found. Please help me to pick up the right product:

Linear Polarizer (based on Daniella comments, by screwing/unscrewing, we could use it as a circular one, less the vignetage !)

• Hoya 16.95$ Linear
• Tiffen Linear+Warm 28.95$

Neural density graduated

• Tiffen Graduated Neutral Density (ND) 0.6 Glass Filter 32.09$

(BTW how do you use that one, grey on sky and clear on ground?)

Xavier

Idaho Falls -- Couple hours
Grand Teton NP -- Most of a day; take a float trip on Snake
Devil's Tower -- few hours
Yellow Stone -- 2-3 days
Badlands National Park -- 1/2 day
Mount Rushmore -- 1/2 day, but add in Needles section
Cheyenne -- food stop
Rocky Mountain -- 1/2 day-day
Dead Horse Point SP -- ?
Grand Canyon -- 2 days
Yosemite -- 3 days?
Arches National Park -- 2 days

If I plan properly I might be able to add 2 more days to the
overall schedule.

Also, if you're going from Arches to Grand Canyon, stop off for a
day at Bryce. See Daniellas pictures for why.

 

[xav]

Which one do you recommend?

Xavier

Polarizer....

--
Please visit me at:
http://www.caughtintimephotography.com

Yes, but use it judiciously.