![\"Landscape](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/oct2013\/Leggero_photos\/arches-national-park-3.jpg\")
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Arches National Park, Utah<\/strong><\/p>\n If your passion is for photographing nature, then your adventures will more than likely take you to areas where landscapes, seascapes, flowers, plants and wildlife thrive. Like most, you probably planned your trip and researched a location well in advance. But what happens if you find you want or need to change those plans upon arriving at your destination?<\/p>\n As a nature photographer I try to avoid towns and civilization as much as possible. Unfortunately this also makes planning somewhat erratic and the day-to-day schedule can change at a moment’s notice depending on weather, accessibility to the location, or simply seeing a something so cool that I just have to stay and photograph it.<\/p>\n Olympic National Park, Washington<\/strong><\/p>\n All of us do our research to learn as much as we can about our desired locations when planning a trip. We try our best to foresee what situations may occur – anticipation is part of the fun of course! Fortunately, and I did say fortunately, all that research is often thrown right out the window once you arrive at a new destination. Here you had been sitting in front of your computer screen scanning information and photos, but who knew that you were going to see such amazing sights! That’s what makes nature photography all worth it!<\/p>\n I’ll share with you a couple of my experiences, so you’ll understand to what I’m referring and get a better ‘picture’ of what occurred.<\/p>\n Photographing Nature: Change of Plans 1<\/strong><\/p>\n I am fortunate in being able to travel around and explore the U.S., and with so many places from which to choose, there is always somewhere new to explore. I thoroughly enjoy photographing in Utah, and for that matter, the whole American southwestern desert region. I planned a great trip to photograph east central and southern Utah and thought I knew what I was getting into before I arrived. In all my years I’ve never been to Arches National Park. It just seemed small in size, so it wasn’t ranked high on my bucket list of places to visit. It’s the little places that can surprise you the most! Moab, Utah and Arches National Park was one of those great surprises.<\/p>\n Arches National Park, Utah<\/strong><\/p>\n Originally I planned to spend a couple days at Arches National Park and then travel to some of the other neighboring parks like Zion or maybe even the Grand Canyon. I looked at the maps and Arches National Park was indeed small in comparison. How much could there possibly be to photograph? Wow, was I in for a surprise! My two day trip unexpectedly became a full week spent at just that one spectacular place.<\/p>\n Arches National Park, Utah A relaxing drive from the airport led me to my destination. The tiny town of Moab is full of hotels and off-roading enthusiasts. It is built around tourism, and unlike many other tourist towns, the residents are happy and helpful.<\/p>\n As it was a late in the day I settled into my hotel and prepared myself for the next day. I can tell you this – be ready for the unexpected and embrace those surprises. The next morning was one that threw my whole planned week off track! There was so much to see, to do, and to explore, that I knew I just couldn’t leave. I ended up staying in that town the entire trip, hiking, photographing and discovering a wonderful area. I changed my whole itinerary so I could embrace an area that led me to new challenges and vistas around every corner, literally!<\/p>\n When you find a place that amazes you, stay there – experience it.<\/p>\n Photographing Nature: Change of Plans 2<\/strong><\/p>\n On the flip side of the coin is making changes to your plans when nature or events outside of your control don’t cooperate. When it happens, make something work to your advantage.<\/p>\n Washington’s Olympic National Park threw me for a loop on my first visit there. I did all the research, found the trails and sites I wanted to see, and I was ready for a great adventure.<\/p>\n Olympic National Park, Washington<\/strong><\/p>\n However, when I arrived, I was presented with an immediate photographic challenge. Smoke from a distant forest fire made visibility poor with no hope for improvement in the near future. Now what?<\/p>\n The alternative is what makes things enjoyable for the true explorer. You have two choices for success and both will work well. You can just drive aimlessly and see what appears in front of you, or you can sit down and research a new plan. I use a bit of each method and part of my research is talking to the people in the town in which you are staying. A good place to start is either at a Tourist Information Center or the Chamber of Commerce. Don’t be afraid to ask tourist questions. After all, you could be a world-class photographer and traveler, but you are also a tourist. You’ll find that the people working in these establishments are warm and welcoming and make you feel as if they are there just for you. They take pride in their home towns and surrounding areas and can’t wait to tell you about all there is to see and do. Utilize their valuable information and experience to find other locations around the area.<\/p>\n Olympic National Park, Washington<\/strong><\/p>\n Changing your travel plans on short notice is stressful to some people. It often involves driving a few hours to a new location and starting over. But always remember that a new location offers new sights and fresh, unexpected adventures. Isn’t that why we photograph landscapes and nature, to see the unexpected?<\/p>\n Olympic National Park, Washington<\/strong><\/p>\n It’s a basic rule of nature photography – go out and explore the planet. Get lost in it. See what’s over the next hill. Who knows, if you really do get lost for awhile, you might even see something that nobody else has ever photographed.<\/p>\n by Michael Leggero![\"Fog](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/oct2013\/Leggero_photos\/washington-1.jpg\")
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<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Landscape](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/oct2013\/Leggero_photos\/arches-national-park-5.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Black](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/oct2013\/Leggero_photos\/washington-2.jpg\")
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\nAll text & photos: \u00a9 2013 Michael Leggero. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"