Being in the great outdoors of Rocky Mountain National Park is always exhilarating and rewarding. Photographing the experience brings its own special rewards. Photography offers a conduit for the creative impulse, affording the dual expression of subject and viewer. When beginning to shape an accurate picture, think not only of the scene or subject before the camera but also of your intent and what you want to accomplish.

Here are some tips for getting started.

Come prepared. Plan ahead. Be ready to see and record your favorite subjects. Research done during the planning of a visit is good for peace of mind and the pure excitement of discovery. Learn about the subjects. Read about Rocky Mountain wildlife, flora or geology. The Rocky Mountain Nature Association sells selected books about the natural history of the Rocky Mountains. Knowing what it is you want to do creates advantages. The anticipation forethought brings will lead to moments of wonder outdoors.

Choose the right time of day for the intended subjects of your photographs. One can’t go wrong at sunrise and sunset. Use the colors. See the shadows. Early morning and late afternoon are prime shooting times. It’s when the light is best and wildlife most active.

Simple compositions work best. The most effective photographs immediately communicate and engage the viewer.

Be observant. Get close to the subject. If the subject is wildlife get close without disturbing its behavior by using long, telephoto lenses. Be considerate of fellow visitors. Pay attention to nature’s details. Use macro lenses. Clean up backgrounds of distracting highlights and shapes. Use a tripod for the sharpest pictures possible.

Be familiar with your gear and keep it simple. Know how the camera and lenses work. Take care of the camera equipment. Keep lenses and bodies clean and dry. Bring extra batteries. Learn all modes - shutter priority, aperture priority - forget the program mode and learn the manual settings on your camera. Know the basic relationship between shutter, aperture, and film speed. Get control of the basics.

Use filters. The one not to leave home without is a polarizing filter. Remember to use a circular polarizer (not a linear) with auto focus and auto exposurecameras. Polarizers have their greatest effect at 90 degree angles to the sun. They can also remove or take the edge off undesirable reflections and highlights. Look through the camera while dialing the polarizer. It’s a versatile tool. One setting doesn’t fit all scenes. Other helpful filters are split-screen neutral density, warming filters (81A series) and sky light or UV haze filters.

Be ready for the elements. You’ve heard the mountains don’t care. Stay hydrated, eat snacks and dress in layers. Don’t forget a hat, gloves and sunscreen.

Lighting conditions surrounding weather offer incredible possibilities for making great photos in any season. Conditions change quickly and often, presenting countless opportunities. Watch and photograph the dramatic skies as clouds first build in the ebb and flow of a morning sky. Seek color in cloud shadows or after summer rains. Anticipate events like rainbows.

Later in the year with the sun lower on the horizon, photograph the fall colors glowing in side and backlighting. In winter months photographing during snowfalls brings special rewards. Clear blue-sky, deep-snow mornings sparkle in the clear days following winter storms. If your purpose is creating compelling photographs, utilize the weather’s challenging opportunities.

Put yourself in nature, and HAVE FUN!

- James Frank