National Parks: A Photographer's Guide to The Badlands
Are you ready for a Badlands photo adventure? Join Ian Plant on location as he shares his experience and insight of photographing his favorite national park. Be prepared to get up early and stay out late to chase the best light over this amazingly subtle landscape. From iconic spots to hidden gems, Ian shares his favorite locations, the best time to visit, and tips for adapting to changing weather conditions. There are so many great locations inside and outside the park to capture the beauty and texture of this amazing place.
Release Date: 2024-09-11
Lessons
Welcome to Badlands National Park
Join Ian at his favorite National Park, the Badlands, where he introduces the class and discusses what comes in the lessons that follow.
Duration: 12 mins 34 seconds
Scouting the Location
When you first enter a new location it helps to take some time to scout out unique photo locations.
Duration: 9 mins 7 seconds
Big Badlands Overlook
This is a fantastic place to start your Badlands photo adventure.
Duration: 12 mins 26 seconds
Castle Trail
The Castle Trail is especially good at sunrise, but can work for sunset too.
Duration: 13 mins 55 seconds
Roberts Prairie Dog Town
There's a variety of wildlife in the Badlands, but one of its best known occupants are the prairie dogs.
Duration: 1 mins 41 seconds
Bigfoot Pass
There are a few unique vantage points in the Bigfoot Pass area.
Duration: 11 mins 9 seconds
Photographing Lightning
It pays to be flexible on your photo adventure, and on this day a thunderstorm presented the opportunity to photograph lightning bolts over the Badlands.
Duration: 7 mins 53 seconds
Yellow Mounds Area
On rainy wet days it helps to photograph from the overlooks on the road and avoid walking in the wet mud.
Duration: 8 mins 10 seconds
Saddle Pass Trailhead
This is a very special place where you start at the trailhead, but instead of taking the trail head down into the dry wash for some abstract and closeup photography.
Duration: 7 mins 10 seconds
The Door Trail
This is a great spot for sunrise, but be prepared to get up early in the summer.
Duration: 10 mins 44 seconds
Badlands Formations Outside the Park
There are some beautiful Badlands formations outside the park that are great opportunities for flying a drone for aerial photography.
Duration: 12 mins 55 seconds