How Photography Helps Protect the Beauty of Yellowstone

Aug 07, 2024

Jeremy Gray

The image shows two sections: on the left, an adult bison walking closely with a bison calf in a misty meadow with another bison in the background; on the right, a large bear standing on green grass beside a tree branch.

Canon U.S.A. has been involved with the beautiful, iconic Yellowstone National Park since the 1990s, providing vital financial support to Yellowstone Forever and Eyes on Yellowstone. Canon’s support of programs helps scientific research and conservation.

Earlier this year, Canon U.S.A. created a special limited book celebrating Yellowstone and featuring the world of Canon Explorer of Light Charles “Chas” Glatzer and Canon Creator Nathan Lee Allen, a photographer and videographer. The duo journeyed through Yellowstone, armed with the Canon EOS R5 C hybrid full-frame camera, to capture majestic visuals to help show what makes Yellowstone a special place and why it must be protected.

“What I love about Yellowstone is that every day in the park offers a new experience. The sheer diversity of species, the breathtaking environment, and the captivating thermal features are unparalleled to anywhere else in the world,” Chas Glatzer tells PetaPixel. “These elements continually draw me back and fuel my passion for photographing the park.”

A breathtaking view of a waterfall cascading down rugged cliffs, surrounded by dense pine forests. Mist rises around the waterfall, with a river flowing through the canyon and lush greenery covering the landscape under a hazy sky.

“The Eyes on Yellowstone program, which is sponsored by Canon, has advanced education programs to raise awareness about the park’s beauty, and Canon’s sponsorship of Yellowstone Forever contributes to necessary scientific research that has helped break new ground in conservation, endangered species protection, and the application of cutting-edge science and technology that is essential to managing Yellowstone National Park’s delicate ecosystems and wildlife,” the Canon Explorer of Light adds.

A person stands on rocky terrain holding a camera, capturing the scene. Sunlight filters through the mist in the background, creating a serene and ethereal atmosphere. The individual is dressed in casual outdoor clothing and appears focused on the shot.

Nathan Lee Allen first visited Yellowstone on a family road trip as a teenager and instantly fell in love with the park and the larger area.

“It’s one of my favorite regions of the world,” he explains. “Its four-season opportunities, incredible landscapes, and rich, diverse wildlife is a combination that is hard to beat.”

Seasons Bring Big Changes in Yellowstone

For Glatzer and Allen alike, the seasonal changes in Yellowstone are very appealing, although they do come with challenges for photographers.

“Winter is my favorite time to be in Yellowstone. I love photographing in snow and harsh winter conditions. Capturing wildlife’s struggle for survival in the snow with double-digit temps well below freezing is certainly challenging for both man and equipment. The stark, often surreal, graphic quality of images produced in these conditions continues to lure me back year after year,” Glatzer explains.

Nathan Lee Allen also loves winter in Yellowstone, “with fall being a close second.”

“There’s just something so special about photographing Yellowstone with few crowds, capturing these incredible landscapes and wildlife embracing the harsh, frigid winter conditions.”

Sunset over a rugged canyon with pine trees at the edge of rocky cliffs. The sky glows with warm hues of orange and yellow, casting a soft light over the landscape. A mist hangs above the distant hills, creating a peaceful and dramatic atmosphere.

For this newest project, Glatzer and Allen had to shoot in the summer, which created two unique challenges.

Allen notes that they had very long days — the Sun rises and sets at extreme times — and had to deal with big crowds.

A vibrant sunset over a landscape with rising steam and clouds illuminates the sky with hues of orange, pink, and purple. The sun is partially obscured by the steam, casting a warm glow on the horizon below the dramatic cloud formations.

“We had to wake up at three or four in the morning every day, depending on our location, not only to beat the light and be ready for amazing conditions and peak wildlife viewing hours, but also having to navigate and film in the park with thousands of visitors each day,” Allen explains.

Conservation Is a Cornerstone for These Visual Storytellers

For Glatzer and Allen, conservation is a significant part of their work.

“I believe part of my role as a wildlife photographer is to be a steward for the park and wildlife, helping to educate others and provide more information that will protect nature and wildlife. I strive to provide that through my work,” Glatzer explains.

A bison rests on a grassy field with its calf lying close beside it. The surrounding landscape features sparse grass and shrubs, evoking a serene and natural scene. The calf appears relaxed, nestled in the protective presence of its parent.

A young bison with light brown fur walks through a grassy field. It has small developing horns and appears to be grazing. The background is blurred green, suggesting open wilderness.

“Yellowstone is an unbelievable place to photograph, and Canon commitment to the team at Yellowstone to keep it that way for generations to come,” the photographer continues.

“I need to create and lead by example, especially with the platform I have online and on social media. My goal is to leave this world better than I found it, for my son and future generations to come,” says Allen.

“The planet doesn’t need us, but we need our planet, so we need to take care of it.”

Close-up image of an American bison in profile, showcasing its shaggy brown fur, curved horns, and expressive eye. The bison is standing in a grassy field with a blurred background that includes another bison. The overall scene gives a sense of calm and natural habitat.

Having visited Yellowstone National Park and a lot of other places over many years, Glatzer and Allen have seen first-hand changing ecosystems. For both, one of the most significant impacts has been increased visitor counts to popular parks.

“I’ve been photographing in Yellowstone for two decades. Over the years, I’ve observed a significant increase in visitors. Unfortunately, this has led to more incidents of wildlife and their habitats being disturbed,” Glatzer explains.

“The biggest change and challenge for me is the increase in visitors, which I think is directly correlated to social media and internet exposure. I believe increased awareness and visitation can be good, but we’ve reached a point where I feel we need to cap visitation and implement reservation systems in the busy summer months for most popular national parks (e.g Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier, Grand Teton, Zion, etc), to keep these landscapes and wildlife protected and not negatively affected by overcrowding,” Allen adds.

A large bison stands close to a light brown calf resting on grassy land. The bison's shaggy fur and curled horns are clearly visible, while the calf lies peacefully at its feet. The background is a soft blur of green and yellow, suggesting a meadow.

There’s a delicate balancing act between encouraging people to enjoy nature and there being too many people in one place at any given time. The most important thing is for park visitors to obey local rules, stay on marked trails, and leave no trace.

Imaging Tech and Science

Through their photos and videos, Glatzer and Allen hope to inspire people to enjoy nature for themselves and be more aware of the things that can be done to protect the environment and support important causes. They also note that broader camera technology improvements have changed conservation at large.

“Advances in FLIR and LIDAR still and video imaging has enabled researchers to study wildlife behavior at night as never before,” Glatzer explains. “This is of particular benefit in Yellowstone where so much of the predator/ prey activity takes place between the hours of dusk and dawn. Trap cameras with large aperture lenses and ultra-low light sensor capability allow scientists to study animals undisturbed in their natural habitat.”

A bison calf walks closely beside an adult bison in a field covered with red-tinted vegetation. Another adult bison is seen in the misty background. The scene is serene with soft, muted colors.

“Improved camera technology provides researchers, environmentalists, and wildlife experts a more reliable way to study and observe Yellowstone and in other natural wonders around the world,” Allen adds.

What Makes a Successful Nature Photo

For many photographers, visiting beautiful places like Yellowstone is a fantastic opportunity to capture images. Sure, enjoying things with one’s eyes is nice, but taking pictures is a blast. Unfortunately, capturing awesome photos is not always easy, but Allen and Glatzer have advice.

“Stop chasing what everyone is shooting and have the ability to see and capture the beauty in everything, not just the one thing,” Allen says. “That was my biggest mistake starting out. If I didn’t have “perfect” conditions, I’d give up. It limited my mindset and ability as a creative, instead of pivoting and trying to adapt to what the day provided to me.”

An osprey with extended wings is captured in mid-flight. The bird of prey has a white underbelly and head with a dark brown back and wing feathers, and sharp talons are visible. The background features a blurred natural setting with trees.

“Learn to be proactive rather than reactive,” Glatzer says. “By visualizing the image first in your mind, and thereafter choosing the right tools and techniques to capture the vision, you are effectively a step ahead in the creative process.”

For wildlife photography, in particular, it is vital to understand the animal and its typical behavior.

“Most animal behavior has a ‘tell’ that can be observed prior to action,” the acclaimed wildlife photographer explains.

Close-up photograph of a bison with one visible horn, thick brown fur, and a dark, tufted beard. The background features blurred greenery, suggesting a natural habitat. The bison is facing the camera with a slightly tilted head.

A hawk perched on a leafless, gnarled tree branch appears ready to take flight. Its wings are partially spread, and its sharp beak and talons are visible. The background is a plain, light sky, accentuating the bird and tree.

“Jaw popping, a tilt of the head, flattened or cocked ears, specific vocalizations, twitching talons, exhalation, squeezing of feathers, and so much more are preludes that we can use to set-up for what’s going to happen next!” Glatzer especially enjoys photographing bears, and his bear shots from Yellowstone do a great job of capturing the animal’s spirit and behavior.

Still Photography Versus Video in Storytelling

Both Glatzer and Allen are adept with photo and video, although Glatzer focuses more on the still image, and Allen uses video heavily in his work.

“I believe both mediums can effectively tell a contextual story if done correctly,” Glatzer says.

“In my world of social media content creation, a professional hybrid camera is a must,” Allen adds. “To me, stills are more dependent on perfect conditions lining up to really nail a shot (especially when it comes to landscape photography). For video, you’re able to tell a story at any time, in any conditions or environments.”

A large brown bear stands on a grassy field beneath a tree branch in a sunlit forest. The background is filled with green foliage, rocks, and dappled sunlight filtering through the trees.

A brown bear walks across a grassy meadow scattered with fallen trees and small shrubs. The background is bright and slightly blurred, suggesting daylight. The bear appears to be foraging or moving leisurely.

Glatzer echoes the sentiment about the relative challenges of photography.

“Creating a still wildlife image that truly stirs the soul is, in my opinion, harder to accomplish, but truly rewarding when it all comes together,” he says.

Photography in Yellowstone

“When photographers ask me what lenses they should bring to Yellowstone, I always say ‘all of them,'” Glatzer explains.

The landscape is very diverse, weather changes frequently, and it’s impossible to predict exactly what photographic opportunities are around each corner.

Telling the story of Yellowstone requires exceptional photography skills, flexibility, and the ability to make creative use of what the park gives.

A majestic waterfall cascades down a rocky cliff surrounded by lush green trees and rugged terrain. The water plunges into a river that winds through a forested canyon. Mist from the fall rises into the air, adding a mystical touch to the scene.

“Back and side lighting help create dramatic images of both geysers and animals,” Glatzer explains.

“The biggest advice I would give to anyone shooting in Yellowstone is time and patience,” Allen says. “To capture those incredible stills or that amazing footage, it takes scouting for days, waiting for hours, and most of the time, you’ll still come up empty-handed.”

Managing expectations is an essential part of any photographic trip, as there will always be things outside of a photographer’s control. But Yellowstone is especially difficult in this respect. The park and its diverse wildlife inhabitants are iconic, think bison, wolves, and bears, and almost everyone has seen beautiful photos from Yellowstone.

A towering column of steam rises dramatically from a geyser against a vibrant sunset sky with hues of pink, orange, and purple. The surrounding landscape is dotted with trees and a small reflective pool of water, enhancing the scene's mystique and natural beauty.

However, someone could visit the park multiple times over many years and still never see a certain species. The weather might never cooperate; the light might never be perfect.

But Allen says that it’s so important to try to shed certain expectations when out in nature.

“If you go into the experience with that understanding, and lower your expectations of getting a killer shot every time you go out,” he advises. “It’ll lead to those lifelong moments you dream of as a photographer.”

A small black bear cub walks near a large tree trunk in a lush, grassy meadow. The background features various shades of green, with some wildflowers and rocks scattered around. The scene is peaceful and natural.

Two Pros Pick Dream Lenses

While there are plenty of amazing cameras and lenses that Glatzer and Allen have used over the years, and the Canon EOS R system offers plenty of solid choices, that doesn’t mean they don’t have dream lenses for wildlife and nature photography.

“A high-quality, wide aperture, versatile zoom lens like a Canon RF 200-600mm f/4 L IS USM with a built-in 1.4x teleconverter would be extraordinary for wildlife photography,” he says.

“Adding in the 1.4x negates the need to switch lenses or add converters, a great benefit when shooting in inclement weather and dusty conditions. If this was a DO (diffractive optics) lens, it would be even better, being lighter in weight and more compact.”

A herd of bison grazes on a grassy plain with a backdrop of rolling hills and misty, forested mountains. The scene is tranquil, with soft light illuminating the landscape, creating a serene and natural setting.

A bison with thick brown fur and curved horns stands in a grassy field near a small body of water. Its head is lowered, appearing to graze. The background is a blurry mix of grass and earth tones.

“Of course, all this would come at a much higher cost,” he adds.

It does sound like the perfect wildlife lens, though. One can dream.

Allen would instead like a fast zoom lens that does it all, specifically a “15-200mm f/2.8.”

“I’d never have to switch lenses,” he says, explaining that a zoom like this would be able to handle most of what he shoots, including outdoor, landscape, travel, and lifestyle content.

“That would be the dream lens, even though it would probably weigh 50 pounds,” Allen laughs. It would cost a pretty penny, too. But the desire for fast, all-in-one zooms is one many hybrid shooters share.

A vibrant geothermal feature with a bubbling hot spring in the foreground, steam rising into the air. Nearby, a small river flows through a rocky landscape covered in mineral deposits. The background shows a cloudy sky with patches of blue peeking through.

Favorite Moments in Yellowstone, and What’s Next

“I’ve been photographing in Yellowstone for two decades. It’s difficult to narrow it down as there have been many ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences over the years,” Glatzer says.

“Photographing a bobcat with a frozen, just caught mallard in winter, a pine marten catching a snowshoe hare, wolves chasing a bison, a bison caked in frozen snow, surreal sunrises/sunsets with geysers. And, of course, a bison frozen in frost at -40F. And presumably, there are many more to come.”

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A post shared by Charles Glatzer, Canon EOL (@charlesglatzer)

“It’s not really a singular memory or moment, but experiencing the park in the dead of winter, alone, during a winter storm this past winter season was a top memory for me,” Allen adds. “There were very few people around, wildlife was very active, and conditions were magical. Not only did I get the heavy snow conditions, but I was able to capture the beautiful conditions and light as the storm lifted, which was incredibly special. Experiencing Yellowstone in winter feels like how it was supposed to be — wild and rugged.”

“Bucket list photo… capturing the iconic frozen bison in thermal steam image,” Glatzer says. “I’ve come close!”

Allen also wants to go back in the dead of winter, with an eye toward experiencing blizzard conditions in Yellowstone. He’s experienced harsh winter conditions in the park but wants to see how the wildlife handles something extreme.

There are always more stories to tell in Yellowstone National Park, and Allen and Glatzer look forward to telling them. Canon’s involvement with Yellowstone, dating back more than 25 years, is slated to continue, and the company will continue to help artists, like Allen and Glatzer, and scientists and researchers. Yellowstone is a bastion of natural beauty and must be respected and cared for. Imaging technology is vital to this endeavor.

Aerial view of the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park. The large, vibrant hot spring displays a gradient of colors from blue in the center to green, yellow, and orange at the edges, surrounded by a mix of barren land and smaller pools.

“Yellowstone is alive, ever changing and unique, its geothermal basins and symbiotic relationship with its animals is like no other place on the planet. Most of Yellowstone is never seen by the public, remaining for the most part undisturbed by human intervention,” Glatzer says.

“Its inhabitants go about their daily lives struggling for survival as they have done for eons,” he adds. Hopefully, they continue to thrive for many eons to come.

Image credits: Photographs by Charles “Chas” Glatzer. ‘Seismic’ video by Nathan Lee Allen.