Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and Valley of Fire are among the world’s top travel destinations. Every year, millions of people come to enjoy these natural and manmade wonders. And when they visit they take lots of photos—hundreds, maybe even thousands of them! Most will go home with okay snapshots, while others might give up—deciding to buy postcards or a book instead. Want to make the most of your photo opportunities? Here are a few tips to help you best capture these breathtaking destinations:
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Cameras:
It doesn’t matter whether you have a disposable, manual or digital camera. Just be sure to bring the one you’re used to shooting with—along with some spare batteries. Large-format, Polaroid or video cameras are also fun to try out and can provide different perspectives of the landscapes.
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Film:
If you aren’t using a digital camera, you may want to have a couple of types of film on hand. Generally, film is given an ASA or ISO speed rating between 100 and 800, based on its sensitivity to light. Higher numbers are better suited to landscapes where these isn’t much light. You’ll want to use a 100-speed film during the brightest daylight hours. If you’re shooting in the morning or early evening, a 400-speed film is the better choice. TIP: Black and white film can make for remarkable pictures at these destinations.
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Lighting:
Strong, direct sunlight can wash out a landscape. Sometimes it’s better to photograph during sunrise or sunset, when the light is softer—plus, you’ll capture deeper shades of red and orange in the rocks. TIP: You may want to use your flash for evening shots—when photographing people or wildlife. A flash can also fill light in some of the darker, shadowed sides of the canyons, rock formations or dam.
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Composition:
Though landscape shots seem like a cinch, they are quite tricky. Generally, the faster your shutter speed, the more detail and sharpness your photo will have. You also might try framing a distant scene with a strong foreground object—a tree, rock or person. Just make sure you are standing only an arm’s length away from it. This technique lets you spotlight the distant background and creates a three-dimensional effect.
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Stability:
With helicopters, there is often vibration and movement due to the engine and rotor blades. Professional photographers usually have a VR (vibration reduction) lens to address this issue. The best thing you can do is to try not to let any part of your arm touch the frame of the helicopter while you’re shooting.
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Patience:
When you visit these remarkable destinations, almost every moment—24 hours a day—is a photo opportunity! So relax and don’t worry. You’ll have plenty of chances to get a great shot. In fact, the opportunities are so abundant they’ll reveal themselves at every dip and turn of the helicopter.