zvia_shever Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 <p>Going to Yellowstone/Tetons June 20th - 29th. At the moment the weather is looking rainy for the 3 days we'll be in Yellowstone. I had everything planned to photograph Mammoth on the 21st, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone on the morning of the 22nd, geysers and pools on the afternoon of the 22nd and most of the day on the 23rd. It now looks like it will rain all 3 days, with possible periods of sun on the 23rd (when we leave of course). </p> <p>I know the weather can change very quickly up there...BUT....if we are stuck with rain, any recommendation of where/what to shoot in poor weather there? I know the geysers and pools are better with blue skies and lots of sun, but what about other areas? I know I can't control the weather and I don't want to let it spoil my trip, so any rainy day Yellowstone photography advice would be really appreciated.</p> <p>Thanks so much, <br> Zvia</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don_cooper Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 <p>I think the Grand Canyon there is better to take with no sun. Lots of stuff in shadow and lots in bright highlights if it's sunny, nowhere near the problem when it's cloudy (or light rain). Just frame so not much sky is in the frame. Not sure on Mammoth, I think it looks kind of crappy all the time. Never spent much time on many of the thermal features, but think that no sun would not be a problem. Be creative!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zvia_shever Posted June 13, 2011 Author Share Posted June 13, 2011 <p>Thanks for the response Don. Not too sure about the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone but midday sun and blue skies are best for the geysers and pools. The sun is reflected in the pools and makes the color pop. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_sunley Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 <p>Don't forget your pol filter, no matter what the forecast is.</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry_ Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 <p>Rain or thunderstorms? If thunderstorms, be wary of lightning in the park. Standing on a canyon edge with a tripod-camera might make you a prime target for a lot of voltage. Usually the wet weather is on the western side of the mountains (air from the west drops precip as it go east....) if that helps any.</p> <p>Take a good umbrella, a rain suit, and some plastic bags (or something waterproof) to protect your camera gear.</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenahale Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 <p>The best photos that I took of a grizzly bear were on a rainy day. Although tourists are bothered by rainy weather, the animals do not seem to mind. If it is rainy, I would recommend traveling the roads such as Tower-Roosevelt to Canyon Village as well as along the Lamar Valley.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_huff1 Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 <p>Two thoughts: on location, I definately agree to try to save the Old Faithful area for a sunny day - not just for the geysers, but for the highly colorful reflecting pools which when still can be brilliant. When raining, if in Yellowstone, I would see Mammoth (rain shouldn't matter that much) as well as travel to the top of the canyon for the vista. The Tetons can be special in the rain.<br> On gear, if you don't have aquatech type protection, I have seen visqueen with acco clips work great in a pinch.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron l Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 <p>Catch the bison against a wall of trees through the rain. Catch the rain backlit - it'll add drama to the shot rather than being a dull gray blob. Check out the mud pots when the rain is light and see if you can catch some interesting texture from the mud being hit from the sky. Get a human impact/drama shot of someone being near the dragon's cauldron...say a single person outside of a car toughing it out.<br />Perhaps make the photo expedition of showing how both humans and animals handle the rain and what they do. Get a good close up of an animal (legally!) with water dripping off them. Everyone goes there to get your basic photograph and they don't have much if any drama. Get something where people look at the photo for more than 1.2 seconds. Get some close up shots of different objects covered in rain. Don't be too literal about the shots. When going in the entrance, photograph exactly enough of the sign to tell you you're in YS with water drops but that's it.<br />If the sky is patch clouds and rain, you'll have even more fun. I second the light cloud cover on the canyon. In full daylight it's very contrasty. With some clouds in the sky, you'll get something much more interesting. If you're brave, take the walkway down to the falls. If you're not averse to the rain, get out and hike just a little bit. Once you travel a few hundred yards off the roads, it'll almost seem like you have the park to yourself.<br />See the drama of this shot:<br /><a href="http://aaronlinsdau.com/usa/wyoming/tetoncrest/slides/dsc_d45195.html">http://aaronlinsdau.com/usa/wyoming/tetoncrest/slides/dsc_d45195.html</a><br /><a href="http://aaronlinsdau.com/usa/wyoming/jackson/slides/uswy_d46133.html">http://aaronlinsdau.com/usa/wyoming/jackson/slides/uswy_d46133.html</a><br />versus my standard daylight shot:<br /><a href="http://aaronlinsdau.com/usa/wyoming/jackson/slides/uswy_d45381.html">http://aaronlinsdau.com/usa/wyoming/jackson/slides/uswy_d45381.html</a><br /><a href="http://aaronlinsdau.com/usa/wyoming/jackson/slides/uswy_d45322.html">http://aaronlinsdau.com/usa/wyoming/jackson/slides/uswy_d45322.html</a><br />The bison is interesting but documentary.<br> Bring your polarizer. The colors of many things will be enhanced but the water glare will take it away. Once you polarize your subject, you'll get the color back plus some.<br> Have a good time!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zvia_shever Posted June 13, 2011 Author Share Posted June 13, 2011 <p>Thanks so much for the advice everyone. I would like to get a couple of the iconic (overdone;) shots of Grand Prismatic, an erupting geyser and Lower Canyon Falls with a rainbow, but aside from that, I'd love to come away with some interesting, not done to death photos. I like your idea Aaron of a partial entrance shot and close ups of objects covered in rain....thanks for the inspiration!<br> Zvia</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_flood1 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 <p>The animals that live in Yellowstone make it thru winters with -20 F and colder - hot sunny days are not much to their liking. Cooler days, rainy or not, are more comfortable, so you should expect the wildlife to be out in greater numbers in rainy weather. The Lamar and Hayden Valleys (bison, wolves, bear) as well as the road from Madison to West Yellowstone (elk) should be very good for wildlife. The mountainsides along the road north of Mammoth very near the exit at Gardiner should have bighorn sheep, and you may find moose along the way.</p> <p>Grand Prismatic Spring: get a map showing the hiking trails around Midway Geyser Basin. You want to go out on the trail that goes behind Grand Prismatic and then climb the hills that overlook the spring. Photos from ground level by the spring can't do the color justice, but shooting from the elevated viewpoint solves that.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zvia_shever Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 <p>Thanks Bob. Feeling much better about the probability of great shots in rainy Yellowstone weather. I just may come away with more wildlife and fewer scenics.</p> <p>I did read that about Grand Prismatic. I believe I'm to park at the Fairy Falls trailhead and climb the ridge opposite the parking lot......now if I can just guarantee some midday sunshine on one day while I'm there, I'll be all set ;)<br> Thanks again!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_huff1 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 <p>All good ideas above, especially second the Lamar Valley when raining. Glad to hear you are going for the rainbow at Lower Falls. Yeah, "everyone" has done it ... but there is a reason ... Mine is framed in my house. (Be there by 8:45 a.m. to get a good spot and figure out the best shot(s). I like setting up right at the top or the bottom of the stairs of the observation area - you will understand once you see it.)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zvia_shever Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 <p>Thanks David. Will get there by 8:30-8:45 just to be sure. I don't sell any photos, I just want to create something I can be proud to hang in my house. </p> <p>Just checked the weather again, of course now it says mostly sunny two out of the three days I'll be there, while Tetons will be rainy for most of the time I'm there.....ugh.....I'm sure that will all change a few times before I leave. At least now I have some options whatever the weather!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_huff1 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 <p>For the Tetons, I cannot recommend daybreak at Schwabacher's Landing more highly. The iconic shot of the barn along Mormon Row (Antelope Flats Road) is great too, but there is magic along those pools at the landing each and every time I go there, including in the rain. Sometimes, though, the bison will not cooperate with you setting up - so watch out. From the parking lot, follow the trail to your right about 300 yards - you will know the spot when you get there. Also, the Moose-Wilson road between Teton Village and Moose Junction (as you approach Moose Junction) is teeming with wildlife in the pre-dawn hours, so bring along a superfast lens (1.2-1.8) and you will be thrilled. Once done at Schwabacher's, move north up the road just a few miles to Cunningham Cabin. What I like about this spot is not so much the cabin, but how the fence rails stand in such sharp relief to the Tetons. Wish I was going again soon!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zvia_shever Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 <p>Excellent, thanks David. I actually hired a local photographer for the first day to help me with locations. Once I'm familiar, I'll do more sunrises and pre-sunrises alone the following few days. My husband has only promised one "pre-dawn" accompaniment, so other than that, I'm on my own. <br> Do you think I need a GPS? I'll be staying just outside Jackson Hole for 6 nights.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Naka Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 <p>A good rain jacket and a cover for the camera. As long as you have protection for the camera, shooting in the rain is not an issue. Besides, places will be less crowded so you can get clearer shots.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_huff1 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 <p>Great idea on the local guide. No, I don't think a GPS is necessary. All of the roads and trails are very clearly marked. Obviously, try to see Hidden Falls on Jenny Lake as well - but you don't need to be there for a sunrise-sunset shot. If you are up to the hike, it is a nice hike to the falls and then take the boat back. If you are not, then the boat back and forth works just fine. If you do the hike, remember to bring your macro lens - great opportunities for flowers and fallen trees right along the path. Also, you must remember to apply insect repellant for this area! Be sure to ask your guide exactly where he/she would recommend setting up for Oxbow Bend - it is a larger area than some realize. If you drive the Moose-Wilson Road before 10:00 a.m., you are likely to see moose in the ponds.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nsibulo Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Go for it.. You have at least 10 days and in good one or two sunny days, you can shoot lot of pictures. Some good places are Norris Area, Mammoth, and Old Faithful. In Mammoth Basin, elks and other animals are roaming inside the town and they are wild and always keep distance for safety. Teton pass has good scenery too before heading to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_wong Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 <p><img src="http://riwong.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Yellowstone/DSC7283/1088619388_d3GER-M.jpg" alt="" /><br> This was shot in the rain while we were hiking around old faithful. Because of the rain most people just came out to see old faithful and then headed back to their cars or to the visitor center.<br> <img src="http://riwong.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Yellowstone/DSC7338/1093036378_xDmDa-M.jpg" alt="" /><br> This shot of morning glory was shot in the rain, The colors will be richer, but you will need to use a tripod because the light will be less intense.<br> <img src="http://riwong.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Yellowstone/DSC7499/1041819375_Rb4ps-M.jpg" alt="" /><br> even though I have been to these places under clear blue skies, stormy skies can also be interesting.<br> <img src="http://riwong.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Yellowstone/DSC6909-Edit/1041885986_oNpGL-M.jpg" alt="" /><br> Grand Prismatic shot from the ridge can be tricky. to get a clear shot you need to get to the top of the ridgeline and depending on where you pick to start climbing it can become a hands and knees climb. This is not a mark trail and you will be bushwacking through a burned area so wear clothing you do not care about. There were about 20 twenty photographers on the hillside but I was the only one at the spot were this was shot. I also wanted to get the late afternoon light so you will miss the sunset because you will be looking east. By the time I got back to the parking lot it was dark so make sure to bring a flash light. If you have a hand held gps email me and I can give you my gps coordinates.<br> Link to my Yellowstone Gallery: <a href="http://riwong.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Yellowstone/529261_3XtQQ#1040948456_HvQ6Z">http://riwong.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Yellowstone/529261_3XtQQ#1040948456_HvQ6Z</a></p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zvia_shever Posted June 17, 2011 Author Share Posted June 17, 2011 <p>Rick: Simply Stunning!!! Thank you for the tips. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now