Photo Tips from Jeff Vanuga
Jeff travels throughout the world, to capture nature’s wonders and spectacular scenes. Here are tips for visitors hoping to capture some great photos.
Jeff Vanuga is a widely-published, well known professional photographer. He has been photographing wildlife and images of the West for more than 20 years and is a phenomenal photographer. Although he is based in Dubois, WY, near Yellowstone National Park and abundant wildlife and wide open country, he travels throughout the U.S., and world, to capture nature’s wonders and spectacular scenes. Here are some of his tips for visitors to the Zion National Park region hoping to capture some great photos.
1. Best time to shoot
Pre-dawn, mid-morning and late evening until after dark, in any season is the premier time to take photographs while in Zion National Park.
2. Remember the rule of thirds…
Have your subject occupy one third of your frame to achieve the best composition.
3. What lens to use
You do not need a big lens; 200 MM and below are enough unless you are shooting the dangerous animals. For dangerous wild animals in Zion National Park, it’s recommended you use a larger lens and shoot from the safety of your vehicle.
4. For landscape photos…
Use a 17MM to 200 MM lens and put the subject in the landscape…to capture the sense of place with the animal or subject in its environment.
5. Optimal summer conditions in Zion Park
In June and July, optimal photography conditions in Zion would be a blue sky with some clouds in it. If you’re out early, when the light comes out, it creates the magenta sky with red and orange clouds.
6. Have patience
If you want to shoot photographs in the outdoors and in a natural wonderland like Zion Park and surrounding regions, patience is a must. It’s a waiting game. Accept this and embrace it.
7. Pay attention to the lighting
Contrary to popular belief, do not shoot with the sun directly at your back. Doing so will make the light on the subject flat. Move so the light is at an angle and you’ll get more texturing and shadows and a result, a much more interesting photo. Most great photos are either side-lit or have the light coming in from a different angle.
8. Make photography a passion before you choose to make it a career.
You have to shoot a lot of photos to really learn how to take great photos. It is an art form.