Tips to Take Amazing Bryce Canyon Photos
We’ve asked fellow photographers to share their tips for taking amazing Bryce Canyon photos! Below you’ll see inspiriting pictures of Bryce Canyon and tips to capture your own images!
Be sure to check out our Bryce Canyon travel guide to plan your entire vacation. We share things to do, what to pack, where to stay and more!
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CAMERA GEAR FOR LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY
DOWNLOAD: Camera Gear Checklist
- Camera: check out the compact travel cameras we recommend!
- Tripod: take a look at these compact and lightweight travel tripods!
- Camera Bag: protect your camera from sand and water → We use Lowepro camera backpacks for outdoor photography.
- Neutral density filter: to compensate for variance of light you’ll need to use a neutral density filter. → Check out the Kase magnetic filters we use!
- Camera cleaning kit: remove dust or water that WILL get on your lens. NOTE: this is not for cleaning the sensor.
- Memory cards: purchase name brand memory cards since you’re trusting your images to the card! → We use Lexar and Sandisk!
- External hard drive: copy photos to a portable external hard drive ‘just in case’.
- Headlamp: use when taking sunrise and sunset photos!
Camera Gear at Amazon | Camera Gear at B&H Photo
Bryce Canyon Photo Spots Map
Tips for Taking Bryce Canyon Photos
Check out our Bryce Canyon Photography Guide with tips and best times to take pictures at each viewpoint!
Below are tips from fellow photographers to capture amazing Bryce Canyon images!
Morning Light
Roy Goldsberry shares this tip: Morning light is best. Visit all the many rim locations that have the best Bryce Canyon views, as well as some trails down into the canyon. It all faces east so by mid-late afternoon the hoodoos are in shadow.
Hiking Trails
Dave Miller shares these tips: For me, sunrise was better than sunset in the park. Do your hiking and exploring earlier in the day to avoid the heat and bring lots of water. The Navajo Loop Queen’s Garden Trail was an amazing hike. The park recommends doing it clockwise from Queens Garden, but I like starting at Navajo Trail at sunrise so you can capture the rising sun with Thor’s hammer.
Look up
Tina Brasington shares this tip: Pay attention to the light and shadows. The sun can ruin the shot or totally make it. A lot of people shoot down into the canyon, but taking a Bryce Canyon hike and looking back up from the bottom is even more beautiful.
Wide Vistas and Up Close Views
Dianne Saphiere shares these simple tips: Golden hour! Sunrise and sunset!!! Capture wide vistas, include interesting elements and zoom in close.
Reflected Light
Kevin Dobo shares this tip: I was most delighted by the way light bounces around in the nooks and crannies, so move around a lot and look at everything from many different angles and perspectives.
Look For Interesting Elements
Jen Pratt shares these tips: Bryce Canyon is so unique and stunning. To give your photos an extra edge, go at sunrise, sunset, or under the Milky Way. Look for interesting clouds or focus on a unique rock formation. Beat the crowds into the park by going early or go in the off-season (Bryce Canyon in the winter is amazing!!) It is such a beautiful place, you can’t go wrong!
Move Your Feet
Jennifer Wolff shares these tips: Honestly, I feel like I don’t have any great tips on photographing Bryce Canyon because Bryce does all the work for you! It’s just so naturally gorgeous! But really, you do have to look at your subject and decide how you want your picture to look. For example, I moved around at Natural Bridge so that the pine tree was not in the middle of the arch opening. I also got to Natural bridge in the morning which gave me this nice glow from the low sun. And don’t forget to capture the fun of Bryce Canyon activities – horseback riding tours are the best!
Monsoon Season
Kevin Hehl shares these tips: Go during monsoon season. Go to the vistas even on stormy days. Walk around and look from different angles to get different backdrops, the tree against a blue sky, etc. Walk the rim and keep turning around, there is so much to see from different views.
Check Amazon for: Bryce Canyon Guides and Maps
Plan Your Bryce Canyon Vacation
- Bryce Canyon Travel Guide
- Things to Do at Bryce Canyon National Park
- Bryce Canyon Photography Guide
- Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon
- Tourist Attractions in Bryce Canyon
- Bryce Canyon Packing List
- Bryce Canyon Tours
Where to Stay near Bryce Canyon:
- Bryce Canyon Places to Stay
- Where to Stay Near Bryce Canyon and Zion
- Bryce Canyon National Park Camping
- Vacation Rentals Near Bryce Canyon
- Best Western Ruby’s Inn – easy access right outside the park
- Best Western Plus – also right outside the park
