Photographing Waterton ~ RJ Pisko

RJ Pisko, Columnist, Pincher Creek Voice

"Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter."  Ansel Adams

This column is about photography specifically, getting the most (photographically) from Waterton Lakes National Park.  Most visitors to Waterton Park and of course other spectacular places want to go home with classy, professional-looking photos that show off the beauty, serenity and excitement of what they’ve seen and experienced.

RJ Pisko photos

The best tip for spectacular photos is – anticipate! There’s an old photographer’s quip – “f8 and be there” - and that’s true. It’s a phrase that suggests pre-setting the camera for an anticipated shot, and then – well, just be there, ready!


So many incredible photo opportunities are lost forever because – we didn’t have time to pull over, the camera was in the suitcase, traffic was too heavy, the kids were too cranky, the sky was too cloudy, it was raining,  it was windy and I just had my hair done.

So we settle for the “canned” photos of scenery and family shots, vistas from overlooks, and maybe if we are lucky a bear or a deer – the deer almost always in town with trailers, buildings or tourists for a backdrop - not the most inspiring of environs for wildlife images.

Put a little spice in your photos – take the time to anticipate; go to where the action is.  The beautiful view of the Prince of Wales is in everyone’s Waterton photo album, but to jazz up your photo memories try something different.  Drive up the road a little ways; try a different angle.

 It’s a big lake, right?  There’s far more to enjoy than just the view, as gorgeous as it is.  Go see what’s happening and grab the excitement with you camera!  And  expect the unexpected.

More columns to come on putting together your Waterton memories, classic techniques for perfect exposures every time, getting the best from the Wildflower Festival, up close and personal in the Prince of Wales,  making the most of that International cruise, photography from horseback, capturing the spectacular Red Rock Canyon - and other stuff. Suggestions?

RJ

"Anything more than 500 yards from the car just isn't photogenic." 

Edward Weston

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