Joshua Tree National Park - for Landscape

[Dylan777]

Hi guys,
I’m going to Joshua Tree National Park on April 23rd.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm

As I mentioned before, I have never taken any photography classes before. Most of the tips I learned are from goodle, youtube and of course CanonRumors members.

This is my first time shooting landscape – any tips for newbie?

I will bring the following camera gear with me:
5D III
16-35 II
70-200 f2.8 IS II
Tripod

Thanks
Dylan

 

[KevinP]

Dylan,

The best areas of the park for landscape shots are in the upper section to the north. The wonderland of rocks being one of the better places. This is the area where the majority of the campsites are located. All of the Joshua Trees are located in the northern section of the park and it is part of the Mojave Desert. The southern section is lower in elevation and is part of the Colorado Desert. It's accessed off of Pinto Basin Road. The Ocotillo plant thrives in this part of the park and not in the northern section. Both areas are beautiful, but very different in their ecosystems.

As for tips for a newbie; I suggest shoot with your 16-35 lens, camera in Av mode with an f-stop of at least f11 and ISO at 100. Start from there and experiment. Joshua Tree National Park is a beautiful park that changes with the light throughout the day, so what may not look too good at mid-day may be quite different at dusk.

One other thing, don't use a flash at night to photograph any animals. This is a national park rule apparently. I was stopped by a park ranger who gave me all kinds of grief for photographing a tarantula at night with flash. He detained me for over twenty minutes, but eventually chose not to cite me. Just letting you know.

 

[Quasimodo]

One other thing, don't use a flash at night to photograph any animals. This is a national park rule apparently. I was stopped by a park ranger who gave me all kinds of grief for photographing a tarantula at night with flash. He detained me for over twenty minutes, but eventually chose not to cite me. Just letting you know.

Kevin.

Good of you to mention! I was just about to suggest one or two flashes and maybe a wireless trigger to give light to the foreground in evening shots.

As for lens gear I think it make sense. You could consider to bring a 2x III extender too which will give your 70-200 considerably more reach for wildlife.

G.

 

[Dylan777]

Dylan,

The best areas of the park for landscape shots are in the upper section to the north. The wonderland of rocks being one of the better places. This is the area where the majority of the campsites are located. All of the Joshua Trees are located in the northern section of the park and it is part of the Mojave Desert. The southern section is lower in elevation and is part of the Colorado Desert. It's accessed off of Pinto Basin Road. The Ocotillo plant thrives in this part of the park and not in the northern section. Both areas are beautiful, but very different in their ecosystems.

As for tips for a newbie; I suggest shoot with your 16-35 lens, camera in Av mode with an f-stop of at least f11 and ISO at 100. Start from there and experiment. Joshua Tree National Park is a beautiful park that changes with the light throughout the day, so what may not look too good at mid-day may be quite different at dusk.

One other thing, don't use a flash at night to photograph any animals. This is a national park rule apparently. I was stopped by a park ranger who gave me all kinds of grief for photographing a tarantula at night with flash. He detained me for over twenty minutes, but eventually chose not to cite me. Just letting you know.

Thanks Kevin

 

[se7en]

As with any landscape shots, and the potential of awesome sunset shots. I would look into bringing a Graduated ND filter...With the so-cal sky, a 3-stop is my most used filter(.9) and depending on foreground probably a soft transition is best unless you're going for a vast composition, then hard would be appropriate...

If you're looking for a less shot viewpoint, but one with a little bit of a hike, I know of a couple of options. The "top" of Ryan mountain shooting west would be a great shot. Also, there is an oasis from Indian campground that takes approx. 45 minutes and has water year around.

Have fun! Post the results

 

[Dylan777]

Hi guys,
I’m going to Joshua Tree National Park on April 23rd.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm

As I mentioned before, I have never taken any photography classes before. Most of the tips I learned are from goodle, youtube and of course CanonRumors members.

This is my first time shooting landscape – any tips for newbie?

I will bring the following camera gear with me:
5D III
16-35 II
70-200 f2.8 IS II
Tripod

Thanks
Dylan

I added a Joshua Tree map - I would appreciated if you guys can highlight some good locations for landscape.

Thanks
Dylan

 

[Dylan777]

As with any landscape shots, and the potential of awesome sunset shots. I would look into bringing a Graduated ND filter...With the so-cal sky, a 3-stop is my most used filter(.9) and depending on foreground probably a soft transition is best unless you're going for a vast composition, then hard would be appropriate...

If you're looking for a less shot viewpoint, but one with a little bit of a hike, I know of a couple of options. The "top" of Ryan mountain shooting west would be a great shot. Also, there is an oasis from Indian campground that takes approx. 45 minutes and has water year around.

Have fun! Post the results

I didn't have time to go through all pictures yet. Here are some catching my amerture eyes:

http://s1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa384/fifo_warehouse/Joshua%20Tree%20National%20Park/?albumview=slideshow

 

[unclegit]

I've spent a decent amount of time out there, probably not the type of advice you are looking for but...

Water - 1ltr an hour if you are hiking.
Boots - the terrain can be rough and unsure underfoot.
Sunscreen - factor asbestos.
Wide brimmed Hat.

Photographically I've found mid range zooms pretty handy as well the 70-200 will be handy for isolating things.

http://hikeeveryday.blogspot.com/2009/10/wall-street-mill-joshua-tree-national.html

This is a neat and easy hike.

 

[Fishnose]

I will bring the following camera gear with me:
5D III
16-35 II
70-200 f2.8 IS II
Tripod

I would definitely suggest SOME kind of normal lens or mid-zoom.
And macro ability is a plus in case you find something cool really close up.