Going to Yellowstone/Tetons need advice

[venchka]

I've never had that problem. 500 yards, or 500 feet, from asphalt and the place empties out. There is an overlook above Old Faithful that is worth finding and hiking to. The Paint Pots and Norris Basin are fun.

[Angelo]

Michael, I am trying to get some names for you of people that can take you around the area. As soon I get them I will let you know.

I just noticed, my 1000th post. I'm going out tonight and celebrate

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Yeah even when Yellowstone is crowded it isn't "crowded" and since a lot of things that you will want to shoot (gyesers/hotsprings/mudpots) are on trails that have you on boardwalks, so all that you have to do is go to the edge of the boardwalk and you then have no people in the way and in the case of animals sometimes a crowd is useful since it allerts you to animals at the spot.

As to the Tetons being crowded isn't to bad either other than having many people on a trail with you (just stop and let them continue walking).

As to having a graduated filter set, it can help you in shooting in the parks but it isn't a deal breaker not having one.

Now you can get up early to do a sunrise shoot of the tetons (Mormon Row is a main subject location to get to for that morning shot) but I found that you have a better chance of getting great colors at sunset there.

While at Yellowstone I didn't find a huge need to do sunrise shooting there since many of the things that you want to shoot are in shadow until the sun is up a bit. Be sure to try to shoot the Upper and Lower Falls before mid afternoon (one of the few places in the park that it can get real crowded other than the geyser basin where Old Faithful is-keep an eye out for geyser fans and if they tell you that Beehive is going to go up within the hour stick around same thing with Castle and a couple of others in that basin).
(I spent about 2 weeks up there a month ago)

[MHampton]

Originally Posted by Angelo

Michael, I am trying to get some names for you of people that can take you around the area. As soon I get them I will let you know.

I just noticed, my 1000th post. I'm going out tonight and celebrate

That would be awesome! Thanks. Would these be professional guides or friends that I take out to a really good dinner? :)

Congrats on the 1000th post! I'm still a ways from that. I usually spend more time lurking and learning.

MHampton added 3 Minutes and 15 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by DEMDeepEllumMusic

(I spent about 2 weeks up there a month ago)

Thanks for the insight. I would love to spend more than 1 week up there myself, but that's life. I know I'm going to have to miss quite a few things splitting the week between the two, but I'll take what I can get and be happy with that. :) There's always the next trip.

[Lexie]

Michael, I went to the Tetons and Yellowstone the the second week of this month. It RAINED the entire time we were there!! Actually they had about 10 days of rain. So it should be beautiful there now. I can just imagine!! I will go back some day. Please share your shots when you get back so I can see what I missed!

[MHampton]

Debbie,

I remember reading your posts while you were there. Sounded pretty disapointed. Hopefully it will still be pretty when I get there in Sept, and I'll be sure to share the photos. Just got 3 16gig cards for the 5dii so I should have plenty of room for each day! :)

[Angelo]

Michael et al .,
I just spoke to my photographer friend in Jackson Hole. He said "if he's a photographer friend of yours, i'd be delighted in showing him around".
I will email you his information, and if anyone else wants the info please let me know.

[MHampton]

Email received! That's awesome. Thanks. I'll give him a call.

[slapshot]

There is a book titled "Photographing Yellowstone" that provides the places to photo and what times are best. That was a big help for me. If this is your first time there, you will be amazed at the photo oppertunities.

[ovimo]

Hello Michael.

I have been in the area every year for the last 8 years. Cannot get enough of it. Being there for a week only allows you only to scratch the surface at best. My best advice is either to focus on a few spots and see them well, or just do a sampler, and have an idea where you will want to return.

September is probably the second best month (after October), because you get the fall colors and no crowds. You may also get some road closures (it varies every year), but no major ones (usually).

Wayne is right otherwise, you get on pretty much any trail and after 500 feet you are moslty on your own. Few others, and the ones that go on trails are generally well behaved hikers that did that for a lifetime, and know when to be quiet and how to respect the nature.

I am not very familiar with the Canon glass, but the general desire is to be as wide as possible. A true 10mm will be a little much sometimes since the far background is pretty much gone. But 14-18mm is fantastic. Also, on the other end, you will find that a 200mm is nowhere near what you will need, unless you are extremely lucky. If you happen to visit the Lamar Valley, you will find wolves. I had a 300mm with both a 2x and a 1.4x converters on a D300 (total field view equivalent to a 1269mm f7 lens), and the wolves were still small in the frame. You could do better if you have a few weeks just for that, not my case. You can see it here, but be warned, it is graphyc, as the wolf is feeding on a dead bison. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ovimo/2831422031/

Long lenses do not apply only to wolves, but bears, elk, rams, birds. I know people that have had lucky breaks and got superb pictures from the road or trail, but that was just that: pure luck (which helps a lot, do not get me wrong... ;o)

The "Photographing the..." books are less useful for this area than, say, Arizona, but still good if you go there the first time. There is sooo much to do and see, though, that you do not really need any book to direct you anywhere. You can find your own spot easily.

You can check out my website if you wish, there are some examples in there.

Mainly do not rush from one spot to the other and have fun.

[MHampton]

Thanks Ovidiu. More helpful information! I will check out your site for sure. I really am getting the feeling I need to concentrate on either the Tetons or Yellowstone and save the other for another trip. Just so much there.

[venchka]

Rent a long lens.