I just spent a week in Hawaii, so that got me thinking...

What are some fantastic locations around the world where photographers can go and enjoy gorgeous locations, wonderful people, and experience the vibrancy of different cultures?

Of course, the answer to that question is extremely, extremely long as the best places for photography number in the thousands.

So, I've narrowed things down into this short-list of awesome getaway locations for photographers.

Grand Teton National Park

^{Ansel Adams [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons}

When you think of the rugged beauty of the American West, Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming has to be at the top of the list.

The jagged peaks of the Tetons rise sharply out of Jackson Hole, stretching toward the sky that lights on fire as the sun falls behind the mountains every night.

It's a place made famous by the likes of Ansel Adams, whose Tetons and Snake River (shown above) is one of the most iconic landscape photos of the 20th Century.

And while the Tetons are the star of the show in the park, they certainly aren't the only subject worth photographing.

Wildlife - including grizzly bear, black bear, moose, elk, and bison - is abundant in the park. The history here is deep and rich as well.

You can photograph the remains of ranches and farms, long since abandoned by the settlers that built them.

That includes the famous Mormon Row Historic District, where the most photographed barns in the world stand in front of the backdrop of the Tetons.

You get all this beauty in a place that's wildly accessible (many of the Park's best attractions are right off the road) and a place that's the epitome of Western hospitality.

It might not be as famous as its northern neighbor, Yellowstone, but Grand Teton National Park is certainly one of the best places for photography in the US.

Lofoten Islands, Norway

Hands-down, the Lofoten Islands in Norway is one of the best places for photography in the world.

The combination of the soaring mountains, icy blue ocean, beautiful (and colorful) fishing villages, and incredible light make it a dream location for photographers.

And if you time your visit right, you can catch the incredible combination of the snow-covered peaks and the Northern Lights dancing above them.

Lofoten isn't just a beautiful place, though.

Instead, it's a location that will challenge you as a photographer and presents many opportunities to break out of your shell and try new things.

The snow-covered landscape requires that you master metering and exposure. Photographing the Northern Lights will test your mettle in getting the camera settings just right.

Of course, if you visit in the winter, you'll need to learn how to handle the cold temperatures and lack of light due to the short days.

I love a good challenge - and if you ask me, Lofoten is an ideal challenge for anyone that loves landscapes! 

Iceland

Clearly, no list of getaway locations for photographers would be complete without Iceland...

As far as wild, untamed, and mystical landscapes are concerned, Iceland is ground zero.

Whether you fancy photographing stunning waterfalls, black sand beaches, geysers, glaciers, or something in between, Iceland will be your playground.

In that regard, it's an area that's not only breathtakingly beautiful, but it's also rife with opportunities to highlight various contrasts.

You can head to the Blue Lagoon, where hot springs are found amongst the barren, snow-covered landscape.

You can venture to Diamond Beach to photograph chunks of ice washed ashore on the black volcanic sand that's so abundant in Iceland.

There are opportunities to highlight humankind's impact on the environment as well, from the breathtaking beauty of Reykjavik to the U.S. Navy plane crash site that's the subject of so many photos like the one above.

Throw in wonderfully inviting people, the Northern Lights, and easily accessible locations, and you have the makings of a must-see photography destination.

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Perhaps the location on this list that's least known is San Miguel de Allende.

That's a shame, too, because it's certainly one of the most impressive locations for photographers in the world.

Not only is this quaint and historic city vibrant and welcoming with people that are warm, friendly, and accommodating, but it's also rich with history that features influences from American Indians, Creole, and Spanish cultures.

In fact, the entire city is a UNESCO world heritage site because of it's incredible significance as a melting pot of cultures.

This area also presents photographers with a multitude of opportunities to work on different types of photography.

Explore the city and photograph architecture and people on the street.

Head to the outskirts of town and tackle landscape photography.

You can even work on your photojournalistic skills as you photograph one of the many festivals and celebrations held in the city throughout the year.

In other words, if you want to have a varied photography experience, this place is it!

Banff National Park, Alberta

Banff is home to some of the most incredible landscapes on earth, from soaring mountains to glass-like lakes to valleys that explode with color in the fall.

There are abundant opportunities to photograph wildlife as well.

But perhaps the best thing about Banff is that there are simply so many gorgeous locations to photograph within a relatively small area.

Banff, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Yoho are just a few of the top locations in this area that make it one of the best places for photography in the world.

And like other locations on this list, there are opportunities for you to challenge yourself with the subject matter.

Work on long exposure photography by blurring the motion of clouds as they pass above the massive mountain peaks or use a slow shutter to blur the movement of water as it cascades down a waterfall.

Head out at night to hone your astrophotography skills under a blanket of stars in a location that offers perhaps some of the darkest skies in the world.

And with the aforementioned wildlife in Banff, you can explore the possibilities of working with a long lens to capture bear, elk, moose, and other large game as they wander through the landscape.

Bonus Destinaton: Cuba

^{Photo by Steve Anchell. Used with permission.}

I've been itching to go to Cuba for a long time now, as are many other photographers that want to document one of the most colorful and vibrant places on earth.

While there's beautiful scenery to capture with your camera, Cuba is on this list of getaway locations for photographers because of the seemingly endless opportunities to photograph architecture, street scenes, and people.

Everything in Cuba is teeming with life and vitality. You see it in the vibrant colors of people's homes and in the classic American cars on the streets.

^{Photo by Steve Anchell. Used with permission.}

What's more, there are activities all year long that give you the chance to photograph some of the cultural attractions on this tiny island nation.

From street dancers to festivals to rodeos, you'll have opportunity after opportunity to immerse yourself in the celebrations of the Cuban people.

Cuba certainly won't disappoint if you're looking for beautiful photography locations. Of course, neither will any of the other spots on this list!

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^{Photo by Kevin Vandivier}

When I was a freshman in high school, my family made a trek to Glacier National Park in Montana that extended into a trip throughout Alberta, where we visited Waterton, Banff, Lake Louise, and a variety of other crazy beautiful locations.

But it was Glacier National Park that truly caught my attention.

I was no stranger to beautiful landscapes or soaring mountains, but it seemed as though Glacier National Park was on a completely other level. Everything was more beautiful, bigger, and more impressive than anything I'd seen before.

It was there that my love of photography began, and in the decades since, I look back on that trip with fond memories (and some pretty nice photos, if I don't say so myself!).

If you've never experienced the majesty of Glacier National Park, let this photography and travel guide serve as a leaping point for planning your trip.

Editor's Note: It has come to my attention that my buddy Kevin Vandivier has a spot open for his Glacier Photo Adventure coming up on August 15-19, 2019 and is willing to offer a pretty nice deal for the last-minute notice. Kevin is an expert photographer with decades of experience behind the lens, and started his career shooting wildlife for National Geographic Society, so a workshop with him is a fantastic opportunity to improve your photography skills. Contact Kevin today to join the ADVENTURE!

What to Photograph in Glacier National Park - Lake McDonald

Photo by Kevin Vandivier

Lake McDonald presents a unique opportunity for photographers.

In many cases, one must walk or hike to find the premium views that escape the masses that rarely venture away from the roadways and parking areas that dot the park.

Yet, Lake McDonald affords breathtaking views just a few steps from the road.

Photo by Kevin Vandivier

The perfectly still waters of the lake are the ideal foreground element for photographing the surrounding mountain peaks that extend toward the sky.

Sunrise and sunset are optimal times to visit the lake, when the soft glow of the morning or evening light sets the mountains on fire.

Don't miss out on an opportunity to highlight the rainbow-colored rocks beneath the surface of the lake's waters, either. There are secluded coves all over where you can set up your camera and capture a low-angle shot of the rocks, the lake, and the mountains without being disturbed by throngs of tourists.

As you can see in the previous two photos, visiting the park in the spring during the winter thaw presents you with unique opportunities to photograph the changing landscape of the park.

What to Photograph in Glacier National Park - Weather

Photo by Kevin Vandivier

No matter if you visit in the spring, summer, or fall, Glacier National Park will eventually give you a chance to capture weather events that range from thunderstorms to gently falling snow.

With rainbows, lightning bolts, and spectacular sunsets a possibility as well, you can capture some truly dramatic shots!

It helps that the landscape of Glacier is one of the most awe-inspiring in the world.

Photo by Kevin Vandivier

The combination of the jagged mountain peaks, crystal clear lakes, and soaring evergreens with roiling clouds, rain bands, and the saturated colors of the sunset is certainly one that can be utterly breathtaking.

And since there are so many vistas in the park from which you can compose a shot of a stunning scene, there's no lack of opportunity for showcasing how weather impacts the land. You just have to be patient - as they say, wait five minutes, and the weather will change!

Quick Tip:Use a long lens (as was done in the image above) to create a more intimate landscape photo. Doing so allows you to zero in on a small detail and delight the viewer's eye with aspects of the larger landscape that might otherwise get lost in a wide-angle shot. 

What to Photograph in Glacier National Park - Wildlife

Photo by Kevin Vandivier

The wildlife in Glacier National Park is as abundant as the epic views it provides.

From the ever-popular grizzly and black bears to lumbering moose, elusive lynx and mountain lions, and commonly-seen elk, and mule deer, the park is full of large mammals you can photograph from afar.

In the spring, grizzly bears can be found in the high valleys and meadows where they dine on berries while black bears, like the one shown above, can be found fishing for trout in summer streams.

Moose can be found throughout the summer months in watery areas with willows and shrubs, and elk and deer are often spotted in mountain meadows in the spring, summer, and fall.

Planning Your Glacier National Park Photography Trip

Photo by Kevin Vandivier

As I noted earlier, there is no doubting the sheer, unabashed beauty of Glacier National Park. There is a breathtaking view in every direction at virtually every spot you might visit along the parks miles and miles of roads and trails.

The difficulty with visiting the park as a photographer is simply deciding where to go and what to photograph - the opportunities are simply endless.

For my money, the best way to explore this incredible area is as part of a photography adventure.

I mentioned above that my buddy Kevin Vandivier leads photography adventures in Glacier, and has been doing so for many, many years. His next one is coming up fast, August 15-19, 2019.

If you think about it, it's the best way to see the park, find photography hot spots, and grow as a photographer.

Photo by Kevin Vandivier

Besides, taking part in a photography adventure means you don't have to pay for in-park transportation, park entry fees, permits, meals, or lodging. You don't have to plan your days, either! Instead, you can rely on Kevin's expertise to get you to breathtaking locations where you can hone your skills in the most beautiful outdoor classroom you'll ever find.

All you have to do is pack your gear and get yourself to Glacier!

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you don't want to miss. Check out the workshop details and sign up here to reserve the last spot!

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^{Photo by Kevin Vandivier}

Though Wyoming is perhaps best known for the geothermal features of Yellowstone National Park, it’s neighbor to the south, Grand Teton National Park, offers unmatched beauty as well. 

With soaring mountain peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and an abundance of wildlife, there is no lack of subject matter on which to train your lens.

After all, there’s a reason why Ansel Adams frequented the park! 

In this photography and travel guide, we’ll reveal some of the best locations to photograph sunrises and sunsets, wildlife, and the landscapes of the park. 

What to Photograph in Grand Teton National Park - Schwabacher’s Landing

^{Photo by Kevin Vandivier}

To be fair, it isn’t Schwabacher’s Landing itself that you should photograph, but the view of the Tetons from there.

Just a short jaunt down a gravel road from Highway 191 north of Jackson, this spot is one of the most popular photography locations in the park. As shown above, you can see why!

Beaver dams have created still pools of a tributary of the Snake River, which provides you with ideal conditions for capturing both the Tetons and their reflection in the still waters.

Sunrise is a particularly good time to take photos here, as the rising sun illuminates the peaks while leaving the valley in darkness. Just be sure to get there early to stake out a spot, and walk the pathways north along the pools to get away from the crowds in the parking area.

What to Photograph in Grand Teton National Park - Wildlife

^{Photo by Kevin Vandivier}

Though the Tetons are the crown jewel of the park, the wildlife in this area is vibrant and abundant. 

From grizzly and black bears to elk and moose, there are plenty of large mammals to see and photograph.

Herds of bison can be found roaming throughout the valley in the summer months, including Antelope Flats, which, as shown above, offers spectacular views of the Tetons. The drive through Antelope Flats is worth your time as well, especially along Mormon Row, where several 100-year-old barns and other buildings still stand from Mormon settlement in the early 20th Century. 

In the winter, elk herds descend from the higher elevations of Yellowstone to graze in the National Elk Refuge on the northern edge of the town of Jackson. You can even take a sleigh ride through the refuge to get an up-close look at massive bucks, whose antlers can spread up to four feet wide.

 ^{Photo by Kevin Vandivier}

You’d be remiss if you didn’t seek out opportunities to photograph the many species of birds that inhabit this region as well.

Bald eagles, osprey, ducks, geese, and trumpeter swans can be found in and near bodies of water in the park, including Oxbow Bend, which offers a breathtaking view of Mount Moran with the Snake River in the foreground.

What to Photograph in Grand Teton National Park - The “Other” Side of the Tetons

^{Photo by Kevin Vandivier} 

Though the Wyoming side of the Tetons gets most of the glory, the view from Idaho isn’t bad at all either. What’s more, there are far fewer crowds in Idaho’s Teton Valley than there are on the Wyoming side. 

The signature peak of the Grand Teton takes on a completely different look from this side, as does the entire mountain range. Unlike the Wyoming side, which ascends rapidly from the valley floor, there are foothills on the Idaho side and large areas of farmland that offer unique opportunities for foreground interest.

If you want to get up-close to the Grand Teton, head up Ski Hill Road from Driggs, Idaho, through Alta, Wyoming, to Grand Targhee Ski Resort, where you can ride to the top of the Dreamcatcher chairlift to see the hulking mass of the Grand Teton and its surrounding peaks in full view.

Planning Your Grand Teton National Park Photography Trip

^{Photo by Kevin Vandivier}

Though Grand Teton National Park offers spectacular photographic opportunities year-round, the ideal time to visit is in early fall.

Once September rolls around, the massive crowds that inundate the area for the summer have dispersed and you can often find yourself completely alone in many corners of the park.

What’s more, September is a prime time to visit for fall colors, active wildlife, and late-afternoon thunderstorms rolling over the peaks of the Teton Range.

^{Photo by Kevin Vandivier}

As noted earlier, while the park is much smaller than Yellowstone, there is no lack of locations to capture its incredible beauty. Often, you’ll find the most difficult part of photographing the Tetons is simply deciding where to go!

That’s precisely why visiting this breathtaking area as part of a photography workshop is the way to go.

What you don’t want to do is pick a photography workshop willy-nilly…

^{Photo by Kevin Vandivier}

For my money, I want to participate in a small-group workshop that’s focused on self-growth, skill development, and adventure. That’s exactly what National Photographic Adventures provides in their Teton Fall Photo Adventure.

The man behind the curtain of National Photographic Adventures happens to be a good friend of mine, Kevin Vandivier.

I can tell you that Kevin’s knowledge and know-how of photography are unparalleled. With him as your guide, you have no choice but to learn and grow as a photographer!

More than that, Kevin has a true passion for helping people achieve their goals behind the lens. His Tetons Adventure includes ample instruction time, one-on-one feedback, and a ton of fun that gets you excited about improving your skills.

Gorgeous views, beautiful wildlife, a small group of like-minded photographers, and a teacher that knows his stuff and truly cares about your development...what more could you want out of a photography adventure?!

This workshop is coming up fast - September 27-October 1, 2019 - so get all the details and reserve your spot today!

 

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^{Image Credit: Dean_Fikar}

If you've ever seen Forrest Gump, you know the setting above well.

It's Highway 163, mile marker 13 in Monument Valley, a spot that's now called Forrest Gump Point.

This is one of the most iconic landscapes in all of the United States, and a bucket list location for many photographers.

In this short guide, I'll walk you through some critical Monument Valley landscape photography tips to help you get the best possible landscape shot.

Step 1: Finding Forrest Gump Point

As noted above, the location of this shot is US Highway 163, mile marker 13 in Monument Valley, near Mexican Hat, Utah.

It is a desolate location, not particularly near anything else, which is part of its mystique.

When you stand at Forrest Gump point, looking out on the incredible vistas of Monument Valley, you can't help but feel like you've gone back in time. You half expect a stagecoach to rumble by on the highway!

Step 2: Timing Your Visit

^{Image Credit: Dean_Fikar} 

There are a couple of things to consider regarding the timing of your visit to Forrest Gump Point.

First, you'll likely find the best photographic opportunities in the early morning.

There tends to be less traffic in the morning, and the light of the rising sun illuminating the landscape is quite fetching.

Arrive early, though, to get a parking spot. There will be plenty of other people there with their cameras hoping to capture a shot as well.

^{Image Credit: KingWu}

The second thing to consider when thinking about the best time to photograph Monument Valley is the time of year.

On the one hand, summertime offers more predictable weather with most days being hot with few clouds in the sky. You can also get out to Forrest Gump Point earlier in the morning or stay later in the evening to take advantage of the longer summertime days.

On the other hand, visiting this area in the winter affords you the greater likelihood of photographing thunderstorms rolling through the valley.

You might even get lucky and see some snow dotting the higher peaks, too.

Editor's Tip: Not Sure Where to Go in Monument Valley? Learn about must-see photography sites in Monument Valley.

Step 3: Have the Right Gear

^{Image Credit: LordRunar}

Many photographers choose a telephoto lens to photograph Forrest Gump Point, and I agree wholeheartedly with that decision.

Though there's nothing wrong with using a wide-angle lens (or even a standard lens) here, using a telephoto lens allows you to bring the distant bluffs closer in the shot.

The compression that occurs between foreground and background make the scene look more impressive with far-off features appearing to be larger. You can see the difference between a telephoto shot (above) and a wide-angle shot (below).

Of course, ultimately, the type of lens you use is up to you!

^{Image Credit: Mlenny}

Another must-have item for your Monument Valley photography kit is a polarizing filter.

Polarizers are especially useful during the daytime because they help boost the contrast in the sky, which can look a little washed out when shooting in the late morning or afternoon hours.

Polarizers also help reduce atmospheric haze, which is a helpful feature to ensure that distant landforms appear as bright and crisp as possible.

And though I'm normally an advocate of using a tripod to give your landscape camera as stable a base as possible, in this situation, you can leave it in the car. Learn more about best camera for landscape photography on our website PhotographyTalk.com.

The best compositions of Forrest Gump Point (in my opinion, anyway) are taken from the middle of the highway. That means you need to work fast to get the shot, and setting up a tripod might not fit in that plan.

Learn More:

• Three Reasons Why You Need to Photograph Monument Valley

Step 4: Compose the Shot

^{Image Credit: venemama} 

As mentioned above, I find the best compositions of this area to be symmetrical, with the highway serving as a leading line right through the vertical midline of the shot.

You can see why this is a good idea when comparing some of the more symmetrical shots earlier in this article with the asymmetrical immediately above.

In the asymmetrical shot, you lose some of the drama of the stick-straight road stretching out before you.

And while it's virtually impossible to capture a landscape photo of Highway 163 completely devoid of cars, the best results occur when cars are in the far distance rather than the foreground.

Editor's Tip: The best Monument Valley experiences are often as part of a photography adventure. See what a Monument Valley photography trip has in store for you. 

Step 5: Be Safe

^{Image Credit: LeoPatrizi}

Clearly, when you're running out to the middle of a highway to get a photo, you need to be safe and practice smart photography.

Don't go it alone - have someone whose sole job is to tell you when cars are coming from either direction.

Also don't block traffic for the sake of getting the shot you want. You don't want to be that guy that gets a talking to (or worse) by the highway patrol.

In the end, Forrest Gump Point is a worthy destination for a quick photography adventure, but it's one of many breathtaking sites in Monument Valley.

If you have the time, spend a few days there to see as much as you can. Better still, join a photography adventure to really experience the beauty and history that this area has to provide, and to learn essential tips for photographing Monument Valley. You won't regret doing so! 

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^{Image Credit: edb3_16 via iStock} 

We all want to create breathtaking landscape photos, right?

But the trick is figuring out how to improve on the photos we take to get them to that breathtaking level...

Fortunately, you don't have to be an expert or a professional photographer to greatly improve your images. In fact, for some photographers, it's a dead simple process that really only requires a bit of time and patience.

That being the case, here's a few simple landscape photography tips that you can use to vastly improve the quality of your photos.

Editor's Tip: Ready to take your photography skills on the road? Learn why Iceland is a photographer's paradise.

Participate in a Photography Workshop

^{Image Credit: Kevin Vandivier} 

When I was in high school, we had the chance to take immersion-based language courses. That meant having a block class that was 90-minutes long every day for a semester.

I took French, and learned the language far faster than my friends that took the traditional 45-minute daily course for a year.

That kind of immersion learning is beneficial for all sorts of things - photography included - which is why immersing yourself in learning new techniques and skills in a workshop format is such a great way to improve your photography.

Image Credit: Kevin Vandivier 

I'm an especially big proponent of taking part in on-location photography workshops.

Companies like National Photographic Adventures, for example, put you in a gorgeous location like Monument Valley, the Grand Tetons, Iceland, or Glacier National Park where you get to develop your photography skills in the midst of some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth.

Image Credit: Kevin Vandivier 

Better still, on-location workshops like these put you elbow-to-elbow with a professional teacher that can give you one-on-one learning time because group sizes are limited.

You also benefit from getting to know other photography enthusiasts, sharing your work with one another, and getting quality feedback on your photos.

So, beautiful scenery? Check. In-depth learning opportunities? Check. Making connections with other photographers? Check!

Sounds like a great way to improve your photography to me.

Shoot in Aperture Priority Mode

^{Image Credit: Bhanupong Asatamongkolchai via iStock} 

If you're not quite to the point where you feel comfortable shooting in manual mode, but you want to escape the clutches of shooting in full auto mode, aperture priority mode is a great compromise.

Using aperture priority mode (A or Av on your camera's dial) allows you to retain control over the aperture for landscape and ISO settings while the camera controls the shutter speed.

Without having to remember all three camera settings, instead, you can focus on just two. And, really, you can set the ISO in most situations and worry only about the aperture.

With less brain power devoted to trying to figure out all the exposure settings, you can instead concentrate on other aspects of getting a great shot like framing, composition, and lighting.

Editor's Tip: When taking landscape photos, it's beneficial to explore and find off-the-beaten-path spots to take your images. Learn the benefits of finding under-the-radar spots to take photos.

Use That Histogram

When you start out in photography, you often get into the habit of checking the exposure of the images you take by looking at them on the camera's LCD.

The problem with doing so is that the LCD is not a good representation of the exposure levels of an image.

Not only is the LCD difficult to see in some situations (like bright sunlight) but it's also not intended to be a means of inspecting shadows and highlights.

Instead, to improve your landscape photography, get into the habit of using your camera's histogram.

As you can see in the chart above, the histogram is a graphical representation of the brightness of pixels in a photo.

That means that there's no mistaking if a photo is overexposed, underexposed, or just right, and that, in turn, means that you'll have better-exposed photos because you can take action based on the histogram's data to rectify exposure problems.

Simplify Your Photos

^{Image Credit: musicphone1 via iStock} 

The last piece of advice I'd like to give is to simplify your photos.

Though this sounds easy to do, in landscape photography - in which there is so much detail everywhere you look - it can actually be quite difficult to create a simplified image.

But the simpler a composition is, often, the more powerful that composition is as well.

A key practice for simplifying your landscape compositions is to consider what it is about the scene that you like most, and make it the focal point of the shot.

Is it an interesting mountain peak? The color of the rocks under the surface of the water in a river? The way the light filters through the trees?

Whatever it is about the landscape that draws your attention the most, make it the subject of your shot, work to cut everything else out of the image, and you'll likely end up with a much stronger composition that has more visual appeal.

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^{Image Credit: evgenyatamanenko via iStock}

With a budget of $5,000, you can go hog wild on photography gear for the photographer on your list.

Whether they want a camera or a photography trip, a new drone or a new computer, there are tons of options to consider.

Honestly, the hardest part of having a $5,000 budget is simply deciding how you're going to spend it!

Here's our list of the best gifts for photographers under $5,000.

Lensfinder

Let’s face it - photography gear can be expensive. Really expensive.

That’s a problem year-round, but when you’re holiday shopping and have tons of gifts to buy, it’s even more difficult to justify getting your loved one the $1,000 lens that they really want.

Fortunately, Lensfinder can help in more ways than one.

On the one hand, you can find great deals on pre-owned camera lenses at Lensfinder. 

That means that you can get a truly top-notch lens for the photographer in your life but do so without busting your budget. It’s a win-win!

On the other hand, if you have some old lenses that you don’t use anymore, you can list them for sale on Lensfinder. When the lens sells, you can use it for holiday spending money for the photographer in your life. 

^{Image Credit: xxmmxx via iStock}

The best part? You can list your lenses for sale for free. 

There’s only a transaction fee (just 3.99%) when the lens sells (with a maximum fee of $500). If your lens doesn’t sell, there’s no charge at all!

And for peace of mind, the Lensfinder platform has advanced fraud filtering for both buyers and sellers as well as mediation services in the event that there’s a problem.

Payments are made and received via PayPal, so you can rest easy knowing that the transaction is safe and secure.

In other words, Lensfinder is the ideal solution for your holiday shopping needs. Either use it to find a loved one a killer lens or use it to sell old gear to pad your pockets for holiday spending!

Learn more about Lensfinder

DJI Inspire 2 Eagle Edition Kit

Designed especially for prosumers, commercial applications, and business applications, the DJI Inspire 2 Eagle Edition Kit by Drone World represents one of the top drone kits that’s currently available.

The DJI Inspire 2 was already a great drone, but after Drone World’s engineers worked their magic, you truly have a beast of a machine. The new HD Helical Antenna offers four-times better performance, including 720p resolution with minimal latency. That means you get more consistent and reliable video feed performance from the drone. You can see this drone kit in action in the video below:

This kit also comes packed with lens filters that allow you to enhance the images you take with the drone. That includes two dual-stacked neutral density/polarizer filters, a polarizer, and a variable neutral density filter that ranges from ND 2 to ND 64.

And to minimize the time you’re charging your Inspire 2’s batteries, this kit includes a battery hub and charger that charges two items simultaneously. Even better, you can plug four devices into the hub and it will automatically charge the two that have the highest battery percentage so you can get back to flying sooner rather than later.

 

Other accessories in the Inspire 2 Eagle Edition Kit include a power bank portable battery charger, a 64GB memory card, a controller sunshade for easier video viewing in bright conditions, and an FPV mini drone, among many other items. That’s not to mention that a hard-sided rolling case is also included with room for the drone, up to 16 batteries, a remote, monitors, lenses, and all the other gear you need to tackle professional drone work.

This drone kit takes what was already a fantastic drone and makes it even better. Between the expertly designed and crafted accessories outlined above and the Inspire 2’s inherent capabilities - up to 5.2K recording, a top speed of 67 mph, a dual-battery system with 27-minute flight time, intelligent flight modes, obstacle avoidance, and other technologically-advanced features - you have the makings of a professional filmmaking drone like no other. See these and other features in the video above.

Learn more about the DJI Inspire 2 Eagle Edition Kit

National Photographic Adventures

National Photographic Adventures is one of the premier photography tour companies in the world.

Spearheaded by master photographer Kevin Vandivier, a 40-year veteran of photography, National Photographic Adventures will put the photographer on your holiday list in some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, providing opportunities to learn and grow as a photographer along the way.

With Kevin's expertise - he's won multiple awards, been published in Life Magazine, National Geographic, and Texas Monthly, and shown his work all over the world - photographers of all skill levels will find a wealth of opportunities to learn from Kevin's experiences.

Speaking of experiences, National Photographic Adventures specializes in taking participants to unforgettable places.

From Texas Hill Country to Iceland, Monument Valley to Teton National Park, there's no shortage of places for your favorite photographer to experience the beauty of the world with their camera.

Better still, each adventure is limited to just seven people, so each attendee can benefit from one-on-one learning time with Kevin.

From composition to lighting to processing images, photographers on these adventures will learn essential techniques for improving their images.

Each participant's work will also be published in National Photographic Magazine, with several copies given to each attendee for sharing with friends and family.

Taken together, all these benefits make a trip with National Photographic Adventures the ultimate photography gift for 2018! 

Learn more about National Photographic Adventures

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

 

If the photographer on your shopping list is a Canon fan, why not upgrade their camera experience with a top-of-the-line Canon EOS 5D Mark IV?

The 5D Mark IV is a workhorse of a camera that offers tons of features for photographers that want to step up their game.

The 30.4-megapixel full frame CMOS sensor captures clean, bright images, and the camera's DIGIC 6+ image processor makes the camera a powerful addition to any photographer's kit that's looking for images that have fine detail and high resolution.

The 5D Mark IV offers excellent low-light shooting capability with a native ISO range of 100-32000.

For occasions when the ISO really needs to be pushed, the camera is capable of shooting at up to ISO 102400.

Even at higher ISOs, the 5D Mark IV offers low-noise images with excellent sharpness in a variety of shooting conditions.

Of course, the camera is packed with modern features that any photographer will appreciate.

That includes GPS, Wi-Fi, and NFC, an enhanced autofocus system, a weather-sealed body, and a 3.2-inch touchscreen LCD monitor, among many other amenities.

Any Canon shooter would love to have this camera, and with pre-owned models going for around $2,500, you can make that dream come true for your favorite photographer while saving half of your budget!

Learn more about the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Nikon D850

 

I shoot with a Nikon D850, and I can personally attest that this is one of the best cameras on the market today. I can say that because I’ve tested and owned cameras from Sony, Nikon, Pentax, FujiFilm, and other manufacturers over the years. In a word, this camera is incredible, and any professional photographer would love to get this for the holidays this year! 

Perhaps that most impressive feature of the D850 is its sensor, a 45.7-megapixel back-illuminated behemoth that produces jaw-droppingly detailed images.

In fact, no other camera has beaten the Nikon D850 when it comes to image quality testing from DxOMark. The D850’s sensor was the first to achieve a perfect 100/100 score, and only the Sony A7R III has ever matched that mark.

Not only does the sensor produce gorgeously detailed images, but it also offers excellent dynamic range so you get beautiful highlights and shadows without losing detail, even when the lighting conditions would challenge other cameras. The sensor also performs beautifully in low-light situations, offering an unmatched level of noise control, even when pushing the ISO to the limits. 

The D850 also has a fantastic 153-point autofocus system with 99 cross-type points that gives you the ability to set and maintain focus on a variety of subjects, even those that move quickly, like wildlife. The 7fps burst shooting speed is an excellent feature for capturing action as well, and with an optional battery grip, the burst shooting speed can reach 9fps.

The massive buffer - it can handle 170 12-bit RAW files - is a much-appreciated feature for photographers that need to shoot a lot of photos in rapid fashion as well.

As if all that isn’t enough, the D850 has cutting-edge features that truly make it a one-of-a-kind camera. 

It’s got built-in focus stacking that allows you to combine up to 300 images, a silent shutter mode that’s perfect for things like wedding photography, wireless control via Nikon’s SnapBridge, a tilting touchscreen LCD, a weather-sealed body...the list goes on and on.

Aside from the incredible list of specifications this camera has, it’s just a great camera to use. 

The beefy grip feels good in your hands, and the layout of the buttons and knobs on the camera has that familiar Nikon feel. That makes it easy to learn where everything is so you can make on-the-fly adjustments without even taking the camera away from your eye.

And for a big, professional camera, it doesn’t feel like you’re carrying around a giant rig. I wouldn’t say that the D850 is lightweight, but it at least feels like it’s a svelte camera, even after carrying it around for a few hours. 

So, the moral of the story here is that if you’ve got a budget of $5,000, the Nikon D850 should get strong consideration as the ideal gift for the photographer on your holiday shopping list.

Best of all, with incredible pricing at Paul’s Photo, you can pick up the D850 for your favorite photographer without even coming close to the $5,000 mark!

Learn more about the Nikon D850

Microsoft Surface Studio

If you really want to impress the photographer on your holiday shopping list, it's hard to go wrong with the Microsoft Surface Studio.

With a gorgeous 28-inch PixelSense display to delight their eyes, the Surface Studio is a fantastic computer for editing photos.

And since the screen is both tilting and touch-enabled, it's also highly functional for editing photos and other daily tasks of being a photographer.

Throw in the Surface Pen and Surface dial, and you have the ultimate computing package for photographers.

Plus, since the Surface Studio's giant screen has a Zero Gravity Hinge, it's super simple to adjust - very light pressure on the screen will move it backward or forward as needed.

This particular model has an Intel Core i7 processor for fast computing, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB of disk space, so it'll be a fast companion with tons of storage for your favorite photographer for years to come!

Learn more about the Microsoft Surface Studio

Nikon Z7 Mirrorless Full Frame Camera and 24-70mm f/4 S Lens

Nikon just released the Z7 full frame mirrorless camera to much fanfare, and any professional photographer that you're shopping for this holiday season would no doubt love to have one of these in their camera bag.

For starters, the Z7 has a top-of-the-line 45.7-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor that captures beautifully detailed shots.

Paired with an EXPEED 6 Image Processing Engine, this camera makes quick work of taking photos, even in sub-optimal conditions.

The 493-point phase-detect autofocus system helps ensure photographers get their subjects in sharp focus, and the built-in 5-axis vibration reduction comes in handy for handheld shooting without worrying as much about camera shake.

Like any modern camera should have, the Z7 also sports ultra high definition 4K video capabilities at 30p.

Whether shooting photos or video, photographers will appreciate the large 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen LCD as well.

The Nikon Z7 features a 3.6m-dot electronic viewfinder, 9 fps continuous shooting, and a native ISO range of 64-25600.

There's a top panel dot-matrix OLED screen, an XQD card slot, and the Z7 is compatible with current FX lenses (with an adaptor).

In other words, this little full frame mirrorless camera packs a solid punch, and at just under $4,000 from National Camera Exchange, you can give this camera and a new NIKKOR 24-70mm f/4 S lens this year without even coming close to your $5,000 budget!

Learn more about the Nikon Z7 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera

eMotimo spectrum ST4 Run & Gun Bundle

For the photographer on your list that's itching to add videography to their repertoire, the eMotimo spectrum ST4 Run & Gun Bundlespectrum ST4 Run & Gun Bundle is a perfect gift with a $5,000 budget.

Included in this bundle are a spectrum ST4 4-axis motion control unit, a eMotimo heavy duty L-bracket for mounting a camera, an eMotimo Fz focus motor, and iFootage Shark Slider with both two-foot and four-foot lengths.

Also included is an iFootage integration kit with the motor of your choice, a uSD card with instructions, an Arca compatible quick release clamp for tilt, and an Arca compatible plate for pan axis.

In other words, this bundle is loaded for bear with all the fixings a photographer needs to create breathtaking cinematic films and time-lapse videos!

Learn more about the eMotimo spectrum ST4 Run & Gun Bundle

Arca-Swiss F-Classic 4x5 View Camera

For discerning photographers that enjoy working in medium format, it’s tough to beat the Arca-Swiss 4x5.

This is a professional-grade tool that is both easily transported and produces high-quality images.

It’s made specifically for 4x5 medium format film and digital backs made to fit medium format digital camera systems.

It’s a fully modular system, too, with a wide array of accessories for everything from viewing to conversion.

Whether it’s used for film or digital prints, this camera will bring a smile to any photographer’s face!

Best of all, it's well below the $5,000 budget mark, so you can give an awesome gift and save a ton of money, too!

Learn more about the Arca-Swiss F-Classic 4x5 View Camera

Amazon Gift Card

Totally stumped regarding gift ideas for photographers on your list?

Why not go the easy route and get them an Amazon gift card?

Though a gift card isn't exactly the sexiest gift, when the photographer in your family sees that you dropped $5,000 into a few gift cards (there's a $2,000 limit per card), they'll love it just the same.

With an Amazon gift card, they can buy whatever they want - a new lens, a second camera body, lighting gear, a laptop - you name it!

As far as flexibility goes, there's nothing better to give a photographer than a gift card with some serious money loaded onto it!

Learn more about Amazon gift cards

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Glacier National Park is an area of unmatched beauty.

From soaring peaks to wide-open valleys, pristine lakes to thick forests, wildlife to glaciers, there is no shortage of beautiful scenery to capture with your camera. That's why Glacier is considered one of the crown jewels of the National Park System.

When planning a trip to this incredible area, it can be difficult to determine where you should spend your time - there's simply too many gorgeous areas to take in.

In this quick guide, I offer up a few of my recommendations for what to photograph in Glacier National Park.

Avalanche Gorge

One of the most popular hikes in all of Glacier National Park, the trek to Avalanche Gorge is certainly worth the physical effort.

The payoff is a river of crystal blue waters flowing rapidly through a narrow gorge.

The gorge, in turn, is covered in lush, green plant life in the summer, and that combination of deep greens and electric blue is one that makes for a highly dramatic photo.

But the journey to the gorge reveals even more fodder for your camera. Winding through the forest, the trail takes you through the easternmost cedar forest in the U.S.

The 100-foot red cedars - some of which grow to seven feet wide - stand as testament to the striking beauty of this area.

Quick Tip:

Stop along the trail amongst the cedars to practice using a frame within a frame.

By positioning something (i.e., bushes and other plants) in the foreground of the shot, you give the image more depth.

Try different types of frames, too - the branches of a tree hanging down along the top of the frame or a tree trunk on the left or right side of the shot.

Learn More:

• Best Camera Settings for Landscape Photography

Iceberg Lake

If you want to experience Glacier National Park without as much of a crowd, Iceberg Lake is a prime spot.

The hike to the lake covers nearly 10 miles roundtrip, and with an elevation gain of nearly 1,200 feet, it's also more strenuous than other popular hikes in the region.

The scenery makes the workout to get there well worth it. Not only is the lake itself beautiful, but the soaring peaks that surround it are also quite impressive.

To the south is Mt. Wilbur, and to the east is Iceberg Peak, a steep tower that rises 3,000 feet above the lake.

Quick Tip: 

Use a wide-angle lens to incorporate both the lake and the surrounding peaks into one shot.

To add more detail, position yourself near the edge of the lake and assume a low shooting position to bring some of the rocks along the shore and underneath the water into the photo.

Hidden Lake

Hidden Lake is one of the best locations in Glacier National Park for landscape photographers.

There's good reason for this, too.

The hike to Hidden Lake begins at Logan Pass, a saddle nestled between Reynolds Mountain and Clements Mountain at an elevation of 6,646 ft.

Below the peaks of the surrounding mountains, fields of wildflowers seem to extend for miles.

Venturing along the trail to Hidden Lake, you encounter the Hanging Gardens Meadow where you can get up-close views of wildflowers in the summer.

This is also a prime area for seeing wildlife, particularly mountain goats, as well as bighorn sheep and a grizzly bear or two.

Less than 1.5 miles from Logan Pass, Hidden Lake sits at the foot of Bearhat Mountain, a triangular-shaped peak that rises nearly 8,700 feet above sea level.

Quick Tip:

Bring a telephoto lens with you so you can get up-close photos of wildlife while maintaining a safe distance.

A good option would be something like a 70-200mm zoom lens to give you a wide variability of focal lengths.

Learn More:

• Take a Photographic Adventure in Glacier National Park

The Best Way to See Glacier

If you're a photographer and you love landscapes, there's not a better way to experience the beauty of this part of the world than as part of a photography tour.

Think about it - you get to see some of the park's best locations, all the while being guided by an expert that can help you develop your photography skills.

Your workshop takes place in one of the most stunning areas on earth, too. What better way to learn how to improve as a landscape photographer than to be out in the majesty of Glacier National Park?

As far as photography tours and workshops goes, National Photographic Adventures has an excellent offering in Glacier from August 15-19, 2019.

You'll join Kevin Vandivier, a photographer with over 40 years of experience behind the lens, and no more than six other participants for a photo adventure you won't soon forget.

The workshop takes you from West Glacier to Lake McDonald, Swiftcurrent Lake to Chief Mountain, with stops in between for sunrise and sunset shoots, wildflowers, wildlife, and even cowboys.

The value of this kind of photography outing is in the small group experience.

This isn't a tour where you're lost on a bus with 40 people you don't know.

Instead, there's seven participants at the most, that way you get to know one another, learn from one another, and get valuable one-on-one instruction with Kevin, too.

Spots are open for this epic adventure in Glacier National Park in August of 2019. For additional details about this photo workshop, visit National Photographic Adventures.

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For many landscape photographers, mountains represent the pinnacle of subject matter.

Not only can you photograph gorgeous mountain peaks covered in snow, but there's also plentiful opportunities to capture things like forests, lakes, rivers, glaciers, wildflowers, wildlife, and even the Northern Lights.

The question, of course, is what mountain ranges should you photograph?

Here's a few landscape photography tips for the next mountains you need to photograph.

The Tetons

The Tetons abruptly rise out of Jackson Hole, their signature peaks without foothills, which make the mountains seem that much taller.

The Grand Teton, rising to 13,776 feet, gets a lot of photographer's attention - and deservedly so.

But this mountain range offers much more in the way of photographic opportunities than simply photographing its signature peak.

Bears, moose, and elk roam the valley below, as do bison, which, depending on the time of year, number in the thousands.

^{Ansel Adams [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons}

There's history in the Tetons as well.

You can visit the same spot where Ansel Adams took his famous photo The Tetons and the Snake River and create your own spin on that iconic image.

Speaking of iconic, you can also visit Mormon Row, a collection of 100-year-old buildings on Antelope Flats, where people flock to photograph the Moulton Barns set against the backdrop of the Tetons.

Of course, sunrises and sunsets here are incredible, with the golden light of the early morning illuminating the peaks of the Tetons and the setting sun lighting the sky above the mountains on fire at night.

The Northern Rockies - Glacier National Park

If you're looking for a mountain range that is unabashedly wild, the Northern Rockies in Glacier National Park should be at the top of your list.

The soaring peaks are only part of the equation here...

The many lakes and streams - many of which are lined with rainbow-colored rocks - give you plenty of opportunities to incorporate gorgeous reflections of mountain peaks in still waters or use the leading lines of streams to compose a more compelling landscape photo.

The deep valleys between the peaks are fodder for excellent photos as well, particularly in the early summer when wildflowers explode to life everywhere you look.

Naturally, Glacier National Park is a prime spot for sunrise and sunset photography.

Night photography is an ideal pursuit in this region as well. With dark skies, clear nights, and more than enough gorgeous landscapes to serve as visual interest, you can create spectacular photos of the night sky just about anywhere in the park.

Bring a long lens and photograph the abundant wildlife as well, which includes mountain lions, elk, mountain goats, bears, and bighorn sheep, to name a few.

The Canadian Rockies - Banff

Go to any landscape photography gallery online, and there's a good chance that you'll find a big pile of photos taken in the Canadian Rockies, specifically, the area around Banff.

I had the opportunity to tour the Banff area many years ago, and to say that it was one of the most breathtaking places I've ever been is a massive understatement. Learn more about the best camera for landscape photography on our website PhotographyTalk.com.

The mountains around Banff aren't any bigger than those you find south of the border in the United States, but man, they sure do seem bigger.

The imposing peaks make for epic subjects for landscape photos, particularly when you consider that this area is home to some of the most gorgeous lakes in North America as well.

Another factor that you'll like about the Banff area is that it has such varied weather conditions.

That means you can capture sunrise photos with fog and mist to give your photos a mysterious vibe, and then traipse around Lake Louise or Moraine Lake for a daytime shot with a big, blue sky above the landscape.

Follow that up with a sunset shot with storm clouds rolling in above the peaks, and a night photo session of the stars with a crystal clear sky.

Even when it's cold, rainy, snowy, or foggy, there is more than enough to occupy your time and your lens in the Canadian Rockies!

The Cascades

The Cascade Range of Washington and Oregon is a landscape photographer's playground, with volcanic peaks jutting up towards the sky through thickly forested surroundings.

Obviously, peaks like Mt. Rainier, Mt. Hood, and Mt. St. Helens provide you with strong, gorgeous subjects to set against the colorful sky at sunrise or sunset.

But aside from these mountains that have snow-covered peaks year-round, you'll find millions of wildflowers dotting the mountainsides in the spring and early summer.

The juxtaposition of the hulking mountains with such colorful and delicate flowers makes for an interesting and gorgeous photo opportunity.

Of course, since there's so much rain in the Pacific Northwest, another subject that you have to photograph is the many waterfalls that dot the area. 

From streams that fall a few dozen feet over a cliff's edge to waterfalls that roar downward hundreds of feet, you can find all types and sizes of waterfalls in the Cascades.

And with all the rainy weather, there are chances to capture dramatic skies - from soaring clouds to low-hanging fog to rainbows - to use as backdrops for your landscape photos of the Cascades.

The Alaska Range

When it comes to rugged, desolate mountains, it's hard to beat the Alaska Range.

Arcing from east to west in southern Alaska, this mountain range is the third highest in the world and is home to North America's tallest mountain, Denali, which stands 20,310 feet.

Because of its shape and location, the Alaska Range has some of the most turbulent weather in the world - which can either mean highly dramatic photos or no photos at all due to the weather.

However, if timed right, the Alaska Range offers photographers unparalleled beauty, with dozens of glaciers, large river systems, and abundant wildlife.

Perhaps the best photo opportunity here, though, is the Northern Lights.

Like Glacier National Park, the Alaska Range has cold, clear nights that give you an unfettered view of the aurora dancing in the sky above the soaring peaks of the Alaska Range.

Time your trip to the Alaska Range in March, when the Northern Lights are at their strongest and most visible.

You can frame up images of the aurora above giant mountain peaks, untouched forests, frozen lakes, or glaciers.

If it sounds like a beautiful place - it is! Just like the other destinations outlined above, you could spend weeks in this place and never run out of gorgeous landscapes to photograph.

So, if you're planning a landscape photography adventure, keep these North American mountain ranges in mind!

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