Dealing with ups/downs of a vacation photo trip: You plan for weeks on a trip with lots of great pictures in mind. Once in a lifetime/once a year. Rain...bad weather comes to mind.

illininitt

You plan for weeks on a trip with lots of great pictures in mind. Once in a lifetime/once a year. Rain...bad weather comes to mind. Going to RMNP in June and now hear the area is "over-run" with pine beetles!? How do you deal with it...knowing you probably will NEVER get back? B&W pictures take care of the pine beetles....what about the weather? Do you go out also on rainy days?

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Just go with the flow. Take rain protection for you and your cameras.
I use optech rain sleeves, along with lens hoods, for the cameras.
As a friend of mine once said "So,me of the best photographs come when you are standing under an umbrella".
"Bad" weather means "atmosphere".

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

The weather is what can make or break photos. Be thankful you may experience changing weather conditions. Wet can be as good as dry in the proper doses.

I was just there last Summer. Didn't even cross my mind thinking about beetles unless I found one I wanted to photograph.

Relax and have a great trip.

twowindsbear

Take pix of the pine beatles to post in the macro section

DMGill Loc: Colorado

Pine Beetles are a problem, but I think they aren't that much of a distraction. There is a lot more in RMNP, whether it be mountain views or wildlife. The photo of the 'creek' (the headwaters of the Colorado River) with a mountain in the background was taken in RMNP after the beetles had attacked five years ago and I don't think it really made much difference. Some of the best times to photograph are as storms are moving in or out. From a photography point of view, I much prefer unstable weather. The B&W photo of Lake St Mary in Glacier NP was taken as storm clouds were rolling in and they made the photograph.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Living in northern Michigan, I made the decision to make sure some of gear is weather sealed. That way I can say FU to Mother Nature if I get caught in a rain/snow/wind storm. I'm good focal length wise from 7-40, 150, 210, 300 (14-80, 300, 420, 600mm in ff equivalents). Those are also f2 or f2.8 lenses, so if it's overcast, I won't have to use too high of an ISO. Crappy weather can make for some of the most interesting shots.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

illininitt wrote:

You plan for weeks on a trip with lots of great pictures in mind. Once in a lifetime/once a year. Rain...bad weather comes to mind. Going to RMNP in June and now hear the area is "over-run" with pine beetles!? How do you deal with it...knowing you probably will NEVER get back? B&W pictures take care of the pine beetles....what about the weather? Do you go out also on rainy days?

Rain and bad weather: op/tech rain sleeves will do the trick. In an emergency, use a plastic bag with an opening cut out for the lens.

Pine beetle: Doubt that you'll see any, they live under the tree bark. That's where they do their damage and kill the tree. If you see any red/rust coloured pine trees among the green ones, those have been killed by the pine beetle. Sad news for those who depend on the forest, but could make for some interesting colour pictures.

cthahn

You are not a photographer. Instead of writing articles like this go out and take some pictures.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Consider the weather and those Beetles a challenge and have fun overcoming those obstacles. You will have a GREAT trip!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

illininitt wrote:

You plan for weeks on a trip with lots of great pictures in mind. Once in a lifetime/once a year. Rain...bad weather comes to mind. Going to RMNP in June and now hear the area is "over-run" with pine beetles!? How do you deal with it...knowing you probably will NEVER get back? B&W pictures take care of the pine beetles....what about the weather? Do you go out also on rainy days?

"Rainsleeves" will protect you camera.
https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Rainsleeve&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3ARainsleeve

Don't let weather ruin your vacation. If it rains the whole time, get wet. If it's just a day or two, stay dry.

jackpi Loc: Southwest Ohio

illininitt wrote:

You plan for weeks on a trip with lots of great pictures in mind. Once in a lifetime/once a year. Rain...bad weather comes to mind. Going to RMNP in June and now hear the area is "over-run" with pine beetles!? How do you deal with it...knowing you probably will NEVER get back? B&W pictures take care of the pine beetles....what about the weather? Do you go out also on rainy days?

A gathering storm and the end of a storm provide fantastic photo opportunities because of the combinations of light and shadow.

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

A rain coat for you and your camera. Happy shooting.

neco Loc: Western Colorado Mountains

I live on the west side of RMNP and it is true that the beetle has killed a large number of trees (nature doing what it is supposed to do), but there are still many beautiful scenes that will make your heart stop. Trail Ridge Road is a wonder and too high for the bugs. Grand Lake is very funky both the town and the lake. Many animal pics will not include the dead trees or as in the pic below, the dead trees sort of blend in with the background. You will wish you had more time.

(Download)

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I know what you mean. I had long wanted to drive Wolf Creek Pass, and once I finally did the views were pretty ugly - pine beetles! On top of that it was dark and rainy. But, it was what it was, and I took a few images anyway. They don't quite fit with my mission of capturing the beauty of the world, but they did fit into my journalistic efforts. I know that many people feel that stormy skies add to an image. To me they sort of ruin one.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

It depends on what you consider to be great pictures. If you're just looking to capture snapshots and memories then fire away. If you're looking to create a piece of art, then plan plan plan. Or work somewhere in between those two extremes.