zack_lau

Wide angles work great for taking pictures of trees--by

getting close to the subject I can weed out stuff I don't want

in the frame, like power lines and historical markers...

<p>

For instance, with a 24mm lens I can take a nice shot of the

big Oak in the center of town, all by itself. With a 35mm I

can either crop the tree or include an adjacent tree. With a

50mm lens I don't think there is a good shot of that tree...

And this is the easy case--in a forest trees are surrounded

by other trees...

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The reason for using 85mm is that people don't like big noses--it

flattens them out. And most pros try to please their customers.

(oops, off topic...)

A lot of my pictures of the Grand Canyon were taken

in stormy weather--fewer crowds then :-). But, most of them

were also taken within a few hundred yards of the rental car...

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I managed a 10 mile hike in about 3 hours, significantly aided

by an approaching thunderstorm that dumped 1/4 inch hail about

an hour after I made it back up to the rim. Normally, I take

longer to hike up than down... but I wanted to beat the storm

to the car.

<p>

For weather that is just miserable it helps to have

insulated pants and rain gear in addition to a good

down jacket, but I try to stay out of the dangerous stuff.

<p>

I often go to places specifically to use ham radio gear

and take a break for photography if I notice good shots...

which aren't unusual if you are there all weekend...

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BTW, if you are near the summit of Mt Washington, NH the

weather often clears momentarily if you can wait an hour

or two... except for my last trip 2 weeks ago...

The easiest way to get to Vermont is via Bradley (Hartford/Springfield)International Airport in

Connecticut which is 5 minutes from I-91. An hour

on the Interstate and you can visit the restrooms

at the VT vistor's center and get the latest info.

Not the cheapest air fare, but the least hassle.

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The best short summit hike for tourists with kids is Mt

Kearsarge, Rollins State Park, in Warner NH. They burned

the trees off the top of the mountain decades ago... Most

summits in New Engand are below treeline.