Bryce Canyon Photo Safari

I'm sitting on the rim at Bryce Canyon, camera ready, waiting to take the perfect photo. The colors are becoming more intense as I wait, as the sun sinks lower in the sky, and I know I'm just moments away from that magical time when the canyon's fanciful hoodoos and temples will come alive under rays of golden sunlight.

I'm a serious amateur photographer and I've shot many photos at Bryce Canyon. Some have turned out pretty good. But I don't think I have ever really captured the true grander of the national park. Perhaps today is the day. I'm ready.

Bryce is a visual feast, a photographer's delight. It's easy to get a good snapshot here. But it is a challenge for the serious photographer working for an outstanding image. It is almost overwhelming. Where do you begin? It is impossible to capture the entire panorama, even with the widest lens, so where do you point your camera?

I'm sitting at Sunrise Point, one of my favorite rim vistas. A gaggle of photogs are at Sunset Point, just down the rim. Since the amphitheater falls away to the east, Sunrise, Sunset and a dozen other points are all prime locations to set up for a late afternoon shoot.

Photography is a major activity at Bryce Canyon. Our surveys show that most visitors hope to come away with outstanding photos of the park's scenic landscape. So we decided to use this newsletter to share tips on photography in the Bryce Canyon area.

Tips for Photographers

1: Shoot early or late in the day. The quality of the light is more pleasing during the early morning and late afternoon hours - it is not as harsh and colors are more vivid. Colors tend to wash out during the middle of the day so avoid shooting then if you can. Sunrise is a spectacular time at Bryce. If you position yourself for the right angles, you can get great photos of hoodoos as they are being kissed by the morning's first light, set off by dramatic shadows.

2: Sunset is a challenging time because a plateau rises to the west of the rim, blocking the sun's final rays. But you can get very nice photos during the late afternoon hours before the sun sinks too low.

3: Hike down into the amphitheater and shoot amid the hoodoos. You will find great angles, shadows and perspectives along the many trails that bisect the park.

4: Use trees and other structures to frame shots, add perspective and draw the attention of viewers.

5: Choose a main subject for each photo. At Bryce, the entire landscape is interesting and it can be hard to focus on any one thing, because you don't want to leave anything out. But when everything is interesting the photo can become busy and nothing will stand out. As a general rule, you'll get better photos if you emphasize a key element.

6: Red Canyon, Kodachrome Basin and other nearby attractions are also very photogenic, with their own unique features. Since they do not attract as many visitors as Bryce, they provide more elbowroom for serious photographers. It is definitely worth spending an afternoon at one or the other, or both.

7: Put people into your photos. Images are usually more interesting when they show happy people doing things in scenic areas.

Bryce is a fairyland offering all of the elements needed for great photographs, including interesting shapes, colors and shadows. Early summer is an ideal time to explore this area.

All of the convenience stores in the area carry camera supplies and can give advice to help you focus your efforts.

See our Bryce area page for information about nearby attractions, and our events pages for current activities in this area.

- Dave Webb

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