Dream it! Plan it! Do It!

Visiting and Photographing the National Parksthe National Parks

By Ron Wybranowski

www.ronwybranowski.com

© Ron Wybranowski 2015

Dream It! Plan It! Do It!

� America The BeautifulImages from Familiar Tripod Holes

� How to Plan a Trip

� National Parks of the WestImages from Not-So-Familiar Tripod Holes

How to Plan a Trip

A Planning Guide can be downloaded from:A Planning Guide can be downloaded from:

www.ronwybranowski.com

Plan It!

Goals for this Presentation

� Tips & Tools for planning your trip to the National Parks

− Help You make the most of limited time − Anticipate grand viewing & photo opportunities− Increase odds of getting your “Definitive” images and seeing

the iconic sights

� Leave behind a planning guide for others

� Inspire others to just Do It!

Plan It!

Audience

� National Park Visitors and Serious Amateur Photographers

� 10 to 14 days

� Will be taking only 1 or 2 trips to the National Parks� Will be taking only 1 or 2 trips to the National Parks

� Flying into Las Vegas, Salt Lake City or Denver

� Renting a vehicle (SUV or Sedan)

� Staying in motels in/near National Parks or in campgrounds

� National Parks in the West

� Carrying your camera gear.... including a tripod

When I traveled…..

Do It!

− Since 2001 - 16 trips – 101,454 miles − 1997 GMC High-Top Conversion Van or Ford Edge− 10 Trips alone totaling 284 days (14 to 31 days)− 226 Nights in campgrounds ($Free to $20/day)− Average Cost without Gas = $33/day

Plan it!

Decisions to Make

� Who's going? Any serious photographers?

Where?� Where?

� How much time? Days or Weeks?

� Fly or drive?

� Motels or campgrounds?

� Budget?

Plan It!Some Ideas – Just Google Them!

� The Grand Circle – 3-5 days – Las Vegas

(Zion – Bryce – Grand Canyon – Monument Valley)

� http://www.grandcircle.org/

� Grand Teton – Yellowstone – Salt Lake City or Bozeman, MT� Grand Teton – Yellowstone – Salt Lake City or Bozeman, MT

� Jackson Hole Travel

� Search the web for photo tour itineraries

� Zion - Byrce - Capitol Reef Itinerary

� First trip is a “Survey Course”

Subsequent trips are “Follow-On Courses”

Plan It!

A Truism about our National Parks...

� Access is designed to take you to the

most familiar, iconic sights......

...Roads, Pullouts, Overlooks, Trails

Plan It!Photo Travel Guides

Photograph America – Robert Hitchman

� 109 Twelve Page Guides - $135 or $8/pdf

http://photographamerica.com/

Plan It!Photo Travel Guides

Two Weeks in the Desert

� http://photographamerica.com/

Plan It!Photo Travel Guides

Two Weeks in the Desert

� http://photographamerica.com/

Plan It!

� National Park Service http://www.nps.gov/

� State Governments – Tourism and State Parks

− State of Utah website www.utah.com – Best of the Bunch

� Bureau of Land Management http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en.html

National Monuments

Research the Locations

� National Monuments

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_nm/main.htm

� Arizona Highways - http://www.arizonahighways.com/

� America's Byways - http://www.byways.org/

� Ask your friends and other photographers for suggestions

Plan It!

� Save Web Page Links in Favorites Folders

Research the Locations

Plan It!

� Save Web Pages as PDF files in a Travel Folder

− Download & Install Primo PDF from http://www.primopdf.com/

− Open a web page

Research the Locations

− Open a web page

− Select Print Preview

− Change Printer to PrimoPDF

− Save PDF into a Travel Folder

Selected Web pages will then be available without Web access

Plan It!

Laurent Martres' Books – The Best of the Bunch – IMO

− Photographing the Southwest: Volume 1--Southern Utah (2nd Ed.)

− Photographing the Southwest: Volume 2--Arizona (2nd Ed.)

− He has many more for specific locations in the Southwest

Research the Locations

Buy the latest edition at

http://www.Amazon.com/

Plan It!

National Parks Photography

By

Tim Fitzharris

Research the Locations

Tim Fitzharris

Buy the latest edition at

http://www.Amazon.com/

Plan It!

A Guide to

Colorado’s Best

Photographic Locations

By Andy Cook/Shar Scofield

Research the Locations

By Andy Cook/Shar Scofield

Buy the latest edition at

Colorado’s Best Photography Locations

Plan It!

Photographer’s Guides

By

David Middleton

Research the Locations

Buy the latest edition at

David Middleton Photo

or www.Amazon.com

Plan It!

Guide to the

Blue Ridge Parkway

By

Victoria & Frank Logue

Research the Locations

Wildflowers of the Blue Ridge and

Great Smoky Mountains

By

Leonard M. Adkins

Buy the latest editions at

www.Amazon.com

Plan It! The SmokiesResearch the Locations

Research the Locations

• Starter Kit - includes Auto Touring, Waterfalls and Day Hikes

• Travel America

• Wildflowers

• Wildflower Pilgrimage

Plan It! The Smokies

• Wildflower Pilgrimage

• Wildflower Walks in the Smokies

• Common Spring Wildflowers

• Common Summer Wildflowers

• Bloom Schedule on the Blue Ridge Parkway

• Animals… Bear, Elk and almost Tame Deer

• Waterfalls in the Smokies

• Soco Falls

• North Carolina Waterfalls by Kevin Adams

23

Plan It!

� Guy Tal - http://guytal.com/

� Muench Photography, Inc. - http://muenchphotography.com/

� John Shaw - http://www.johnshawphoto.com/

Research the Locations

Photographers’ Galleries on the Web

� Tom Till, Moab - http://www.tomtill.com/

� Tom Murphy - http://www.tmurphywild.com/

� Thomas D. Mangelsen, Jackson, WY Mangelsen – Images of Nature

� Henry Holdsworth, Jackson, WY - http://www.wildbynaturegallery.com/

� Hogan, McKinley, Weller – Jackson, WY - http://www.wildexposuresgallery.com/

� TopPhotos.net - http://www.topphotos.net/index.htm

Plan It! Map It!

Plan your Trip – Write it Down

� Parks to Visit

� Time at each Park

� What you want to see at each Park

� Travel Time & Miles between Park� Travel Time & Miles between Park

� Scenic Locations along the way

Best Times

� March, April, May – Flowers & Greenery

� September, October – Fall Colors

� Less Crowded – Easier Accommodations

Plan It! Map It!http://www.delorme.com/

Prepared with DeLorme Topo 8 - $99 also see

http://www.utah.com/itineraries/grand_circle.htm

Plan It! Map It!Great Smoky National Park – Fall 2013

Tue Oct-16

1 Tue Oct-16North Andover to Newport, TN Days Inn in Newport - 110639298294 934 934

2 Wed Oct-17Newport to Big Creek CG to Mouse Creek Falls to

Cataloochee for Elk and scenery

Cataloochie - Site 6 44 978

3 Thu Oct-18Full day around Cataloochee - Caldwell Fork Trail Cataloochie - Site 6 0 978

4 Fri Oct-19Cataoochie to Maggie Valley to BRP at Soco Gap -

Balsam Road up the mountain to Mingo Falls to

Oconaluftee Visitor Center to Smokemont

Smokemont Site D043 43 1021

5 Sat Oct-20Newfound Gap Road at sunrise to Clingman Dome to

Roaring Fork Road to Grotto Falls to Newfound Gap

Road for Sunset at Morton Point

Smokemont Site D039 0 1021

6 Sun Oct-21Newfound Gap Road to Clingmans Dome for sunrise to

The Sinks and Meigs Falls to Tremont Road to Cades

Cades Cove CG Site C65 38 1059

Travel Calendar with Date, Activity, Overnight, Miles, Odometer

The Sinks and Meigs Falls to Tremont Road to Cades

Cove-Abrams Falls in the afternoon

7 Mon Oct-22Cades Cove at sunrise-Horse in Fields or Wildlife in

Cove to Tremont and Middle Fort of Little River

Cades Cove CG Site C65 0 1059

8 Tue Oct-23Cades Cove at sunrise-Parson Branch Road or Rich

Mountain Road to Waynesville- Meet Dayton mid-day

Chuck Dayton & Sara Evans, Waynesville 64 1123

9 Wed Oct-24Waterfalls and Vistas With Dayton Chuck Dayton & Sara Evans, Waynesville 0 1123

10 Thu Oct-25Sunrise with Dayton - Deep Creek at mid-day Deep Creek - First Come First Served 36 1159

11 Fri Oct-26Deep Creek & Indian Creek Trails Deep Creek - First Come First Served 0 1159

12 Sat Oct-27Blue Ridge Parkway Linville Falls CG Open on Sat 10/27 MM316 115 1274

13 Sun Oct-28Blue Ridge Parkway Meadows of Dan MM180 141 1415

14 Mon Oct-29Shenandoah National Park Big Meadows CG 244 1659

15 Tue Oct-30Big Meadows CG to North Andover Home 619 2278

***** *****

15Days Total 2278

Plan It! Map It!

− DeLorme Street Atlas 2014 Plus ($40) - DeLorme Topo USA 10 ($100)− DeLorme GPS PN-60 for $300 includes Topo USA 10http://www.delorme.com/

Plan It! Map It!

DeLorme State Atlas - $20 per State

Plan It! Map It!

National Park Maps are the BEST for day use!

− You will use these most often. Handed out at the Entrance or Visitor Center

http://home.nps.gov/applications/parksearch/geosearch.cfm

Plan It! Map It!

And these Park Newspapers - also handed out at NP Entrance & Visitor Center

Sample at: Grand Canyon Guide Newspaper

Plan It! Map It!

Ask the Rangers in Visitor Centers

− What's Happening?− Wildlife Sightings− Flowers in Bloom− Condition of Trails and Back Roads− Passes to some trails− Passes to some trails

− National Parks− Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

� Ranger stations in Big Water, Kanab, Cannonville, Escalante� Paria Contact Station for Passes into the Wave and South Coyote Butte

BLM Website

Plan It! Map It!

AAA Indian Country Map (free) Be sure to get Indian Country Guide Map

if you go to the Southwest!

Plan It! Map It!

What to do! May Be Available on-line

State Maps and Brochures at Visitor Centers (free)

Plan It! Map It!

Where to Stay! – What to do! - Available from AAA

AAA Maps and Guides (free)

Plan It! Map It!

Where to Stay!

Accommodations in the Park

Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons

Be Warned! You may have to book 6 months or more in advance!

Xanterra Parks & Resorts handles many National Park Reservations

http://www.xanterra.com/

Accommodations in Gateway Towns

Flagstaff, Springdale, West Yellowstone, Cody, Jackson

Ruby's Inn outside of Bryce http://www.rubysinn.com/

Plan It!

Advantage to Staying in National Park Campgrounds

You're very close to Nature!

Plan It!My Best Two Day Photographing in the West

The Wave in North Coyote Butte

Plan It!My Best Two Day Photographing in the West

White Pocket & South Coyote Butte with:

Paria Outfitters – Steve and Sue Dodson (928) 691-1047

Plan It! Fly It!

Use Google Earth to

fly your route

− Get a lay of the land

− Identify landmarks

− Identify popular − Identify popular

tripod holes

- Get Co-ordinates

http://earth.google.com/

Plan It! See It!

Use Microsoft’s Bing

to see your destination!

− Get a lay of the land

− Identify landmarks

Identify popular − Identify popular

tripod holes

http://www.bing.com/maps/

Plan It!

Print Sunrise/Sunset Calendar

� Sunrise/Sunset

� Moonrise/Moonset

Before you go!

� Moonrise/Moonset

� Phase of the Moon

� Twilight

http://www.sunrisesunset.com/custom_srss_calendar.asp

Plan It!

http://www.sunrisesunset.com/custom_srss_calendar.asp

TWIA = 18ºTWIN = 12ºTWI = 6º

Plan It!

� Learn to operate you camera� Actually read the manual!

� Learn all the menus� Learn how to adjust ISO, Aperture, Flash, etc.

Always use your camera to Reformat the cards

Before you go!

� Always use your camera to Reformat the cards

"Remember: If you can’t make good photographs close to home,

then you won’t make good ones at a more exotic location either."

Joe LeFevre

Plan It!

� Purchase a National Parks Pass - $10 Lifetime for Seniors

$80/year for others

− http://www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm

Before you go!

� Make a Copy of Everything in Your Wallet

� Bring a copy of your Auto Insurance Declarations Page

� Insure your gear with Personal Articles Floater on your Homeowners’ Policy ($50 for $5,000 All Risks Coverage)

Plan It!

� If you leave the US then get Certificate of Registration for Personal

Items Taken Abroad at US Customs station on our side of the border

Bring your laptop - WiFi connections are readily available

Before you go!

� Bring your laptop - WiFi connections are readily available

� Set laptop to Secure – Turn off File Sharing & Print Sharing

� Encrypt or delete sensitive files

Before you go!

� Have a “photo game plan” for every site

� Make a final list of the 5-6 images that you absolutely want to capture!

Camera Gear

− Nikon D7000, D7100 and a Nikon Coolpix S570 Point & Shoot(Also used D80 and D90)

− Nikon 18mm-200mm Image Stabilization− Nikon 105mm f4 macro− Nikon 500 f4 with Nikon 1.4 TeleconverterNikon 500 f4 with Nikon 1.4 Teleconverter− Nikon 70-200 f2.8 − Extension Tube Set− Polarizing and Neutral Density Filters− HP Laptop with Two External 2TB Hard Drive− One Very Heavy Bogan Tripod − One Very Loud Alarm Clock

A Final Word or Two….

• For me, Photography is a solitary, contemplative pursuit.

• “Silence alone is worthy to be heard”

Henry David Thoreau, January 21, 1853Henry David Thoreau, January 21, 1853

• “Good Fortune favors the prepared mind.”

~Louis Pasteur

•Life is short. Eat desert first!

Do It!

National Parks of the West

Some Not-So-Familiar Places to See and Photograph!

− Paria Canyon – Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness

− The Wave – White Pocket – South Coyote Butte− The Wave – White Pocket – South Coyote Butte

− Escalante – Cottonwood Creek Road – Paria Wilderness

− Arches, Slot Canyons, Saguaro, White Sands

− The Badlands

− Glacier, Canada, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone

And one last word…

“Life is short. Eat dessert first.”