OSU workshop group, South Bass Island, Lake Erie.
15 years ago today our happy photo workshop group was at South Bass Island, our last field trip location. We had a great weekend. This was the first photo workshop Jeremy Bruskotter and I did for Ohio State University’s Stone Lab. Jeremy is in the front row, 5th from the left. I am in the back row, 2nd from left.
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Stone Lab photo workshop boat trip. Gibraltar Island dock. Lake Erie.
15 years ago today, Jeremy Bruskotter and I took our photo workshop group on a morning field trip. At 6:30 am we boarded our boat for the nearly two hour trip to Kelley’s Island.
Sunrise, Gibraltar Island, Lake Erie.
July 22, 2011, 15 years ago today, was a very special day. It was the first day for Jeremy Bruskotter and I to lead our very first photography workshop for OSU’s Stone Laboratory. We were based on Gibraltar Island where we were housed, ate meals, and had classroom sessions. Our photo field trips were on Gibraltar Island and other islands that we reached by boat.
Jeremy Bruskotter, Gibraltar Island.
This is a very happy memory! Jeremy Bruskotter and I were catching the last sunset light over Lake Erie. That’s Jeremy in the photo. We were on Gibraltar Island to lead our very first photography workshop at Ohio State University’s Stone Lab. It was a beautiful evening.
Headed for Colorado this fall (or any other time of year)? Welcome to my complete Colorado fall color photography and travel guide with 133 photos, 18 maps, and over 100 pages of information (if you print it all out). I cover many of the best fall color locations in Colorado, and most of these locations look great any other time of year. This guide gives you options for spending anywhere from a few days to two weeks exploring the beautiful Colorado Rockies at a gorgeous time of year.
Acadia National Park is 110 years old today. The photos in this article were taken by me in Acadia National Park, October 2017.
Last Light on El Capitan. My first trip to Yosemite Valley, December 30, 1990.
What a great idea! It started with Abe Lincoln, 162 years ago today. He was the first President to create “public lands” and it started with Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove.
Last Light on Mt. Rainier
Summer is the most popular time to visit the national parks. With so many to choose from, where should you go? Which national parks will provide the best photographic opportunities in the summer?
Pika, Rock Cut, Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Which national parks are at their photographic best in the summer? Here are my favorite choices, grouped by state from west to east, plus one Canadian province.
Headed for Colorado this fall (or any other time of year)? Welcome to my complete Colorado fall color photography and travel guide with 133 photos, 18 maps, and over 100 pages of information (if you print it all out). I cover some of the best known fall color locations in Colorado, and most of these locations look great any other time of year. Spend anywhere from two days to two weeks exploring the beautiful Colorado Rockies at a gorgeous time of year.
John Muir
Today is John Muir’s birthday! He was born April 21, 1838. He had a profound influence on how Americans viewed our wild lands and his influence led to the establishment of many of our National Parks and other protected lands. He was nicknamed “The Father of our National Parks”.
Here are photos from some of my favorite national and state parks along with quotes from John Muir.
California Golden Poppies
California is famous for California Golden Poppies in the spring. I was at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge when I photographed these poppies on April 1, 2017. This particular wildlife refuge is a favorite of mine and I try to spend some time there any time I am in the Bay Area.
Bluebonnets and Paintbrush, Texas.
One of the best places to photograph wildflowers in late March and early April is central Texas and the Texas Hill country. It was March 31, 2001 when I photographed these wildflowers in central Texas. Driving along I-35 there were vast expanses of wildflowers as far as the eye could see.
The Vietnam Women’s Memorial, Washington D.C.
March 29, 2026 is National Vietnam War Veterans Day. I am posting these images in honor of those who served.
Moon Over Balanced Rock, Arches National Park, Utah.
Are you planning a spring photography trip to one or more U.S. national parks? Where should you go? Which parks will provide the best photographic opportunities? Which parks are at their best in the spring?
Ocotillo. Big Bend National Park, Texas.
Which national parks are at their very best in the spring? If I could go on a fabulous spring photography trip to the national parks of my choice, all expenses paid, which ones would I pick? Here are my choices, grouped by state from west to east. This list includes the favorites I have been to and want to go back to again, plus the ones I haven’t seen and most want to photograph.
Bishop Castle, Rye Colorado. February 29, 2008. The three large windows at the top right are in the Great Room.
Moraine Park in Late Evening Light, RMNP, Colorado. Feb 26, 2008.
My favorite picture of the day was at the end of the day. I was near the Moraine Park visitor’s center watching clouds drift across the sky as the stars came out.
Upper Tahquamenon Falls, Michigan. February 25, 2006.
A winter storm was on the way to Northern Michigan so I hopped in the car February 24, for the long drive from Columbus Ohio to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. My plan was to beat the storm to St. Ignace. I didn’t quite make it. It was snowing like crazy north of Gaylord, and crossing the Mackinac Bridge was not fun. But I made it safely to St. Ignace.
Snowy Owl looking for prey.
If there are cold enough temperatures and plenty of snow cover on the ground, the northern United States has a winter invasion of Snowy Owls. These are magnificent creatures and well worth your photographic time and attention. This series is filled with tips on how to find and photograph snowy owls.
Last Light on Long’s Peak and the Keyboard of the Winds, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
Thinking about a photography trip to one or more U.S. national parks this winter? You can benefit from the work I have done. Some national parks look better in the winter than others. You will want to make them a priority. After you read this article I recommend you also read the companion article: The Best National Parks to Photograph in Winter.
Bryce Canyon
Winter provides some wonderful photo opportunities in our national parks. But some national parks look much better in the winter than others. So if you haven’t gone into hibernation for the winter, here are the best national parks to go photograph this winter, grouped by state from the west to the east. There are a few bonus locations thrown in too. At the end I give you my “best of the best” list.
Cougar
Most wildlife are medium to dark in tone, making them a challenge to meter properly in the bright, white tones of winter. If you trust one of your camera’s automatic exposure modes, the odds are good you won’t get the best exposure. If you switch over to manual exposure and make the right decisions, you can get great exposures and better quality photos (more about that later).
Elk in the Snow, Horseshoe Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Metering dark toned wildlife in the snow is a major exposure challenge. It is usually best to avoid large “burned out” areas (washed out, featureless white) in a nature or landscape photograph, but with properly exposed snow, the wildlife can be so dark as to lose all texture. On other hand, metering for the wildlife can burn out the snow. So what do you do? And what about the complications of metering white animals?
Sunset Light on El Capitan
We spent most of the Christmas holiday in the Bay Area visiting family. When we left the Bay Area the morning of December 30, 1990, we decided to make a side trip to Yosemite before making the long drive home.
Aspen grove, Marshall Pass, Colorado.
Autumn is by far my favorite nature photography season. I take more pictures in the fall than any other season of the year.
Spanish Peaks and La Veta Colorado. March 8, 1993.
Yesterday, December 11, was International Mountain Day, and I missed it. I didn’t even know there is such a day. I love mountains!
Cougar, Wildlife Prairie Park, December 9, 1995.
It was 30 years ago today and I was face to face with a cougar. The windchill was -40° Fahrenheit at Wildlife Prairie Park. It was bone chillingly cold, even with Sorel Pac boots, thermal underwear, layers of clothes, and a winter parka. I had to take a break every hour or two to warm up. But it was worth it.
Aspen grove, Marshall Pass, Colorado.
Autumn is by far my favorite nature photography season. I take more pictures in the fall than any other season of the year.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio. November 3, 2017.
I had never been to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, so a friend and I decided to go there for the day