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From the very beginning
Yellowstone has inspired photographers
to record and document its natural wonders. Today
 Yellowstone is probably the most photographed National Park in the
country.
HISTORY
Fur trappers' fantastic tales of cauldrons of bubbling mud and roaring
geysers sending steaming plumes skyward made their
way
back east.
In 1871, Ferdinand Hayden led an expedition that included artist Thomas
Moran and photographer William H. Jackson. They brought back images that
helped convince Congress that the area known as Yellowstone needed to be
protected and preserved.
 Perhaps as much as any other artist’s work, including Thomas Moran’s
watercolors and William Henry Jackson’s
 photos,
Frank J. Haynes’
prolific and inspiring Yellowstone photography played a critical role in
documenting Yellowstone National Park and disseminating imagery of its
natural wonders to the world. Haynes opened his first photo studio
at Mammoth in 1884 and became known as Yellowstone's official photographer
for many years. To commemorate his contributions to Yellowstone, an 8235
foot peak in the Madison River Canyon bears his name
– Mount Haynes.
PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS:
Yellowstone has an unlimited amount
of possibilities for photography. If possible try not to plan too far
ahead in terms of what you want to photograph for the day or your trip. Let the type of
day help plan your pictures. On those crystal clear days with puffy clouds
rolling by, go for
 overall scenics. On cool sunny mornings go for the
steam rising from the Madison or Firehole rivers or the steam filled
geyser basins.
Waterfalls
– Without question the Grand
Canyon of the Yellowstone and its upper and lower falls offers many
wonderful picture taking opportunities under all sorts of conditions. The
lower falls from Artist Point is one of the most photogenic spots anywhere.
Other waterfalls throughout Yellowstone are great places to get beautiful
photographs. If you have a tripod, try long exposures of 2 seconds or more
to get a silky look to the water.
Geysers and Hot
Springs
– Warm days are best for the geyser
 basins unless you
are trying to get that mood shot with lots of steam. Sometimes too much
steam from the geysers takes away from the unique shape of their eruptions.
On calm mornings the steam can completely hide the water plume during its
eruption. Days with a breeze are best. Try to position yourself so the
wind is blowing from either side of the geyser. Never position yourself
down wind or you may end up with nothing more than a picture of steam.
 Wildlife
– You will find more photographers
in pursuit of wildlife than anything else in Yellowstone. Few places
anywhere offer the opportunities found here.
If your camera is not
equipped with a telephoto lens then try to get shots of wildlife in their
habitat. If an animal is aware of you, you're too close. Park regulations
require that you stay at least
100 yards from bears and at least 25 yards from other large animals. Early mornings offer you
the best chance to view and
photograph most wildlife in the park
Where to look for Wildlife
Elk
Some of the best places are along the Madison, Firehole and Gibbon Rivers.
The Upper Geyser basin and Hayden and Lamar Valleys are also excellent
locations. Elk are
often seen in and around the Mammoth Hot Spring area. During the fall
rutting season look for these large animals in the Madison and Gibbon meadows and just
north and east
of Mammoth Hot Springs.
Bison
Bison are almost always on the move and are seen in different areas during
different seasons. Probably the best spot is in Hayden Valley along the
Yellowstone River. Some other spots are along the Madison, Firehole and
Gibbon Rivers. Look for bison in the Fountain Flats area and the Mud
Volcano area, as well as in the Lamar Valley. Lone Bulls are often seen around the
Lake Hotel and Fishing Bridge.
Moose
Look for moose among the willows in Willow Park, just south of Mammoth Hot
Springs. Another good area is south of Canyon and the Lake area. On
occasion moose can be spotted in the Madison and Firehole rivers. The east
side of Lamar Valley is another good choice.
Black Bears
Black Bears can be seen most anywhere in Yellowstone at anytime. They are
most often found around the Tower area and in the Blacktail Plateau area
between Tower and Mammoth Hot Springs. Lamar Valley is another good
viewing area, as are the Madison and Firehole rivers.
Swans
Look for Swans along the Madison and Firehole Rivers. There is almost
always a nesting pair on the Madison. Depending on the time of year
watch for cygnets. The Yellowstone River just south of Canyon is another
good spot to look for Swans.
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