How to Photograph Canyons
- 1). Gather all of your equipment and make sure that it is all in proper working conditions. If you have a digital camera, ensure that you have ample amounts of space within your memory card. Expect to take at least 100 photographs of any canyon that you visit. The same is true for a film camera--bring extra film rolls for those unexpected shots on your walk back to your car.
- 2). Research the various canyons that you are planning on visiting. If you are attempting to only photograph one particular canyon, gather as much information as you can about the location. Make sure to write down on your notepad various points of interest and internal landmarks within the canyon so you have an idea of where you want to begin shooting. Organization is key to any canyon photography trip.
- 3). Tour the canyon prior to actually taking the photographs. You will want to bring a small digital camera with you to make visual references of the surrounding areas. Write down notes about the area, as well as various locations that you wish to photograph. If there is an abundance of trees, make note of this. Also if the sun hits a certain location in a dramatic way, make note of the area and the best time to actually shoot there. Taking practice shots is very important to having a successful canyon photography trip.
- 4). Create a list of what you saw on your preliminary trip. Write down exactly where and what you want to shoot. While you will most likely find yourself taking spontaneous shots, it is a good idea to have a plan on where and what you will be photographing.
- 5). Organize your actual pictures by finding a main focal point. While with your naked eye and massive canyon can look beautiful, when you take a picture of this same area, it can be really easy to lose your focal point. An example would be to focus on a large boulder with the broad landscape behind it. This will draw the viewers attention to the boulder, and then lead their eyes to the surrounding landscape.
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