Photos courtesy of Hiking Bob
Every day, the signpost “Welcome to Colorful Colorado” greets travelers as they cross over the state’s borders. The signs aren’t lying…Colorado is colorful. And scenic. And beautiful. Heck, it has everything: mountains (of course), canyons, rivers, plains, wildlife, old architecture, wildflowers, fall colors and snow. You get it.
There is just so much to see. Whether you are visiting Colorado or are a lucky resident, it’s impossible to resist taking photos wherever you turn.
Here in the Pikes Peak Region, Colorado Springs’ own Garden of the Gods Park is one of the most photographed and visited places in the country. With its stunning red sandstone rocks jutting up against a background of Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, it’s hard to resist taking photos. El Paso County’s Paint Mines Interpretive Park, about 40 miles from the Garden of the Gods, features a completely different landscape with equally stunning, out-of-this-world geological sand formations.
While one might believe it’s easy to capture impressive photos of our stunning landscapes—and to a degree, it is—but many photos posted on social media miss the mark. But you don’t need expensive, fancy cameras and a bag full of lenses to capture Colorado’s beauty. A cell phone’s camera is perfectly capable of capturing memorable photos when used in the right hands.
Since moving to Colorado 35 years ago, I’ve traveled across the state photographing its magnificent four-season scenery. My first shots were taken on—wait for it—FILM, which meant waiting days or weeks to see the results. Today, capturing great images is far easier. A mobile device provides instant gratification and analysis, plus the opportunity to edit on-site, so you can be sure you’ve nailed the shot before heading home.
Three of the region’s top photographers, Jae Jarratt, Daniel Forster, and Jason Fazio, graciously offered their advice on taking the perfect picture. Together, they manage the Picture Perfect Colorado Facebook group and have their own social media and websites. I asked their opinion on the most common photography mistakes, the most overlooked locations, and any general photo tips they could offer visitors.
Time of Day Matters
According to Forster, professional landscape photographers typically avoid shooting at midday because overhead sun produces the least flattering photos.
“Mid-day light is extremely bright and distorts colors in the scene”, he explains. “The ‘golden hours’ before and after sunrise and sunset are typically the best time for the most favorable light.”
Fazio agrees. “Low-angle light during a morning or evening walk” is ideal.
“So many tourist spots posted online tend to look the same. Consider the photogenic Garden of the Gods Park, insanely popular with tourists. Most people stay on the walking paths in the center of the park or on the roads. However, the best views in the park are out along the outer hiking trails,” Forster adds.
Do Your Homework
“Researching areas that you find interesting is key,” says Jarratt, “and then plan your travel accordingly.” He likes Crested Butte for its wildflowers in mid-to-late June and enjoys scouting the area for potential photo shoots, circling back when the light is just right.
Change Your Perspective
Don’t only shoot from a standing position. Crouch down low, hold your camera above your head, or change your camera’s orientation. Cell phone shooters often keep their camera upright (portrait mode), while traditional camera shooters tend to use landscape (horizontal mode). Rotate your camera 90 degrees to see how those compositions look. Some places appear very different at various times of the day.
Choice of Equipment Matters
While any of these suggestions work well with either a camera or a cell phone, keep your endgame in mind. If you’re just shooting to post on social media, share with friends and family, or make small prints, your cell phone will give you excellent results. However, if you are considering making very large prints—say, 16’ x 20” or more—or selling your art, you need a “real” camera. The tiny sensor in your cell phone simply isn’t a match for the much larger sensor in today’s modern camera, and the difference becomes quite noticeable once you print the photos.
Abide by Park Rules and Don’t Feed the Wildlife
As a visitor to Colorado, keep in mind local park rules. Nature First (NatureFirst.org) is an “Alliance for Responsible Nature Photography” that sets ethical guidelines for photographers. Some parks have very strict rules requiring you to stay on the trail, and if you are shooting pictures of wildlife, such as elk or big horn sheep, keep your distance. Do not approach, distract or frighten a wild animal. If an animal is reacting in any way to your presence, you’re already too close.
Most of all, don’t forget that you are on vacation, so enjoy yourself.
“Capturing memories isn’t the same as capturing an award-winning image. Focus on the memories and worry less about perfect conditions,” says Fazio.
