4 Top Places to Shoot in Yellowstone National Park
Our nation’s first national park is full of geologic wonder that your camera can’t resist. From the expansive Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to the literal hot spots around Lower Geyser Basin, there’s endless mist and steam to catch the first and last lights of the day.
There are so many amazing sights in Yellowstone, but if you’re looking to take some “Wow” photos while you’re in the park, it helps to know where the best places to photography Yellowstone are. We asked Ken Hubbard, field services manager for Tamron, about his favorite spots to shoot in Yellowstone National Park. He gave us his top four places to shoot, including tips on how to get your best shot while you are there.
Looking for more ideas? Hubbard is co-leads our online Night Sky Photography course, which is full of additional advice sure to improve your shots. This class is free with your O+ membership, a membership that gives you access to world-class outdoor content and tips, a gear shop with discounted prices, a TV streaming services that features amazing outdoor programming and more.
1. Mammoth Hot Springs
If you get there just as the sun is rising over the mountains, you won’t be disappointed. It lights up the steam rising off the mineral-crusted hot springs. Hubbard suggests shooting from the Canary Spring Overlook. “It’s just incredible,” Hubbard says, “with the warm light and all the colors.”
2. Lower Geyser Basin
Hubbard says he almost always ends up at Lower Geyser Basin for sunset when he can catch steam rising off of the paint pots through the colorful sky. “It’s one of my favorite spots for sunset,” he says. He suggests coming here for wildlife, too—bison often gather in the grassy area of the basin. If you don’t see them after waiting for a bit, take a drive around the area. If you get stuck in a major traffic jam, you’ve probably found them.
When shooting directly at the sun to backlight a geyser or water, Hubbard recommends to always meter for the brightest area surrounding the sun, not the sun itself. The sun is too bright to expose and maintain any detail. By picking the bright area just outside the sun, you can properly expose for a setting sun.
3. Artist Point
At sunrise, head to Artist Point, along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Face toward the waterfall for stunning shots full of color. “The sunrise goes right down the valley there,” Hubbard says. Center the waterfall in your frame and capture the reflected hues in the water once the sun starts to rise.
4. Great Fountain Geyser on Firehole Lake Drive
This geyser, easily accessible from the one-way Firehole Lake Drive, is one of they most popular sites in Yellowstone to photograph because the sun sets directly behind the steam.
Take Hubbard’s advice: Creating a beautiful sunburst in your image is all based on the aperture you use in your lens. The more you stop down your aperture to f/16 or f/22, the more of sunburst effect you will create.
Ken Hubbard is the field services manager for Tamron and responsible for Tamron’s Tailgate Tour and consumer workshop series. His work has appeared in numerous galleries.