Follow these tricks of the trade to make your Yellowstone photographs look like they were taken by a pro.
^FIREHOLE RIVER
Location Yellowstone NP, WY
See It Midway Geyser Basin bridge, Grand Prismatic Spring
When to go May through early July and September through October are best for fly-fishing.
>>This river got its name from early trappers in the area, who mistook the steam rising from the valley’s abundant geothermal features for campfire smoke. A major tributary to the Madison, both rivers beckon anglers with plentiful—if challenging to catch—brook, rainbow, and brown trout. Vanuga created this shot in the early morning, when the valley’s steam plumes are most visible.
Pro tip A slow shutter speed lends the river and thermal streams a smooth look and enhances the movement of the scene. Using a neutral density filter allows you slow the shutter enough to create silky effects even in bright light.
Tools Canon 1Ds Mark III camera and tripod, 70-200mm L lens, ISO 100, f/29, 4 seconds
>WHITE DOME GEYSER (AT NIGHT)
Location Yellowstone NP, WY
See it Firehole Lake Drive, Lower Geyser Basin
When to go Summer has warmer nights, but you’ll find more solitude in the busy geyser basins in September and October.
>>This 30-foot plume usually erupts every 15 to 30 minutes, though the interval can be as long as two hours. The 12-foot-high cone is one of the oldest geothermal features in the park.
Pro tip Night photos require long exposure times; use a tripod and your camera’s two-second timer delay to eliminate shake.
Tools Canon 5D Mark II camera with tripod and cable release, 24-105mm lens, ISO 1250, f/4, 20 seconds
<UNION FALLS
Location Yellowstone NP, WY
See it Grassy Lake Trail; reach the trailhead via Grassy Lake Road, west of Flagg Ranch
When to go July through September is prime hiking season in the park, when most trails are snow-free and weather is mildest. Early fall has the advantage of crowd-free hiking and fewer biting bugs.
>>Gape at this backcountry cascade—the park’s second tallest at 268 feet—on a 15.6-mile round-trip hike into Yellowstone’s remote southwestern corner. The moderate trail winds through conifer forest and willowy marshes and crosses several creeks before reaching these thundering falls.
Pro tip Including people in your scenery shots adds interest and personality. Try using the person’s gaze to direct viewers to the main subject (the waterfall) instead of focusing on her face.
Tools Canon 7D camera, 18-200mm lens at 18mm, ISO 100, f/22, 1/8 second
