Through the Lens: Tips for Photographing the Canadian Rockies

Alberta’s mountain parks offer some of the most stunning scenery on the planet. It’s common for visitors to feel overwhelmed, not only by the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies but also by how to capture them. You’ll want to take photos that showcase the mountain landscapes at their best, whether you’re photographing with your smartphone or the latest camera gear.

Paul Zizka is a celebrated landscape photographer based in Banff, and he’s shared some of his favourite tips for taking photographs in the Canadian Rockies.

Show the mountain’s size

One of the main hurdles people will encounter is how to convey scale. "The mountains are just massive," Zizka says. "A lot of people go home and they're disappointed by how small the mountains look in their shots." He recommends introducing a human element because the brain will measure the rest of the scene against it. Also, people tend to shoot with wide lenses to try to get as much of the scene in as possible. Consider using a telephoto, or zooming in. "The mountains will look much bigger in the background," Zizka says.

Clear the clutter

The Canadian Rockies are impressive, but the various elements can be too many for a single photograph. A single scene can have dramatic foregrounds, lakes, peaks, clouds, and more. "Often images taken in the Rockies are too "busy" and lack a clear focus," Zizka says. He recommends being very intentional about simplifying your scenes.

Seek out the hidden gems

The iconic locations, such as Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, are a delight to any photographer. But Zizka suggests there are wonderful scenes and subjects between these and other world-famous locations — from waterfalls that cascade down to the road to canyons, sun-dappled forests, smaller lakes and scenes that may require just a short hike to access. "Leave room for curiosity, spontaneity, and flexibility," Zizka says.

Try different vantage points

Photographers are naturally drawn to capture landscapes horizontally. Zizka recommends sometimes flipping the camera to a vertical orientation: "Vertical images tend to give you much more depth because you pick up more of the foreground — whether it's rocks, logs, water or flowers — that then lead into that background." Also, "move your feet," he says. "Moving even just a little bit will change your perspective," Zizka adds. Get down low and explore the possibilities to open up new compositions.

Find the potential

"Every time of year is the best for something," Zizka says. Even November, for instance, has amazing variety when the lakes are starting to freeze. Winter landscapes can look incredibly pristine when blanketed in snow. Autumn features the gorgeous golden colours. And then, in summer, you have vibrant blue lakes, wildflowers and bright green slopes.

Shoot after dark

The mountain parks offer some of the darkest skies in the world, making them prime for astrophotography. "The latest advances in DSLR and mirrorless cameras, or even smartphones, enable people to take great images after dark—without advanced technical know-how,” Zizka says. Even if great photos are not in the cards, you will be happy you stayed up late to witness those star-filled skies and other celestial marvels.

Embrace the experience

Most importantly, Zizka’s best tip is to not let photos take away from the experience. "People may come wanting to chase a specific image that conditions may not allow for when they’re here," says Zizka. "Don’t go home disappointed." He suggests visitors take on the challenge to come up with something based on the conditions they are given. And sometimes the best approach is just to put the camera down and look at the scene before you. Absorb it without the lens in-between. In the end, it may inspire a great photograph.