Photography

A collection of outdoor photography related tips and resources.

Reliving a hike or backpacking trip is always more memorable when you have photos to go with the stories. These resources can help you improve your outdoor photography skills no matter what your camera budget might be.

Our annual Northwest Exposure Photo Contest starts in August! Get tips on capturing a winning shot and get ready to enter your photos when the time comes.

Featured Articles:

How to Photograph Beautiful Skies

These tips will help you ensure crisp colors on your skyline and prevent “blowing out” your photos.

Change Your Perspective -- Photos Just for the Fun of It

Mar 02, 2021

Can you capture the giddy, silly feeling of hiking in a photograph? From catching a waterfall in the palm of your hand to flying over the Cascades, these photographers put the fun in our photo contest.

Phone Cameras for the Trail: Pros and Cons

For those wrestling with whether or not a smartphone camera is sufficient to capture your hiking adventures, here are some things to consider.

Hiker Headlines: Sno-Parks, Highway 20, Gorge Trails, Winning Photos

Jan 07, 2021

It’s January 7. Review tips for visiting Sno-parks. The North Cascades Highway closure boundary moved farther east. Trails in the Eagle Creek area have reopened. Check out the winning photos from WTA’s Northwest Exposure contest. And, a website where you can listen to forests from around the world. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

2020 Northwest Exposure Photo Contest Winners

Dec 29, 2020

See all 16 of the winning photos in this year's photo contest!

The Art of Film Photography and Taking it Slow

Reverting back to film photography has helped me reconnect with a hobby I have always loved — and grounded me during challenging times.

Hiker Headlines: Photo Contest, Leading by Example, Hike-a-Thon

Aug 27, 2020

It's Aug. 27. Our annual Northwest Exposure Photo Contest is now open. We're excited to see how many hikers are leading by example on trail. And our Hike-a-Thon has less than a week to go — there's still time to support WTA and help participants meet their goals.

Your Daily Dose of Cute Wildlife

Aug 31, 2020

You're welcome.

Photos We Love: WTA Staff Picks From Northwest Exposure Contest

Aug 24, 2020

See some staff favorite photos from recent years — and get inspired to enter your own photos.

How to Photograph Kids on Trail

Kids move fast and capturing photos of them on trail can be tricky. But it’s worth the effort for photos that you will treasure for a lifetime.

Macro Photography Tips: Small Wonders on Neighborhood Strolls

Apr 10, 2020

Get tips to snap your very own macro photography shots of plants, flowers, or anything else that catches your eye!

How to Photograph Birds

Birds are one type of wildlife you can almost always find close to home. That can make it easier to practice photographing these challenging but rewarding subjects. Here are some tips to get you started.

How to Take Better Photos With Your Phone

Phone photography has come a long way in the last handful of years, with manufacturers and app developers creating a number of ways for photographers to take control of their images. In the early days of phone photography, you were lucky if you had any options beyond just snapping the photo, but now most phones come standard with a fairly robust camera and controls that allow you to get the most out of your photos.

2019 Northwest Exposure Photo Contest Winners

Dec 13, 2019

Take a look at the winning images from WTA's 2019 Northwest Exposure Photo Contest.

How to Photograph Hidden Landscapes

It’s important to remember that focusing our gaze a little closer yields a world that often goes unseen. It’s easy to overlook the mini-landscapes and hidden features right in front of us.

Story Behind the Photo: Little Gem, Close Look

Oct 11, 2019

Every year, WTA invites photographers to share their favorite photos for our annual contest. Photographer Cathy Clark shared this up-close butterfly shot during last year's contest.

How to Tell a Story With Your Photos

Good storytellers don’t just randomly tell a tale, however. The narrative they share is carefully constructed and artfully told.

How to Keep a Clean Camera on Trail

How to protect your camera from dust and moisture for sharper photos.

How to Take Time for Photography

A photograph is a thin slice of time. It captures a moment of our lives. It documents a landscape at one discrete point in history. To capture those moments well requires we take time to optimize each composition and to practice and improve our craft.

12 Honorable Mentions From Our Photo Contest

Feb 05, 2019

Some of our favorite photos from the thousands shared with us last year.

How to Photograph Wildlife in Winter

Shorter days and colder weather doesn't mean you need to put the camera away for the winter season.

2018 Northwest Exposure Photo Contest Winners

Jan 04, 2019

Check out the winning images from our 2018 photo contest.

Photos: Virtual Tour of the Pacific Northwest Trail

Feb 11, 2019

Washington is well-known for containing a major portion of the famous 2,600-mile Pacific Crest Trail — but did you know there's another National Scenic Trail traversing our state?

Ethical Wildlife Photography: What You Need to Know

Jan 08, 2019

Wildlife photography is highly rewarding, but it's vital to respect the wildlife you're photographing. Photographer Heather Clark shares her tips.

How to Capture Reflections in a Photo

Reflections make for some of the most intriguing and visually appealing shots a photographer can take. But achieving those crystal clear, mirror-like images is no easy task. A lot of people think good photography comes down to good equipment. Photographing reflections, however, is a skill that shows no lens or camera can do for you what a little knowledge and a lot of patience can.

How to Lighten Up Your Photos

Most of us are on the trail at times other than the "golden hours" around dusk and dawn, which represent the photographic ideal for lighting. But you can still get great photos if you know how to work the light you have.

Story Behind the Photo: Nature and Family

Aug 09, 2018

Every year, WTA invites photographers to share their favorite photos for our annual contest. Photographer Avinash Raghuram shared this family shot from Paradise during last year's contest.

How to Photograph Flowers

Spring is here, and wildflowers are appearing. Flowers pose unique photographic challenges, and capturing a good photo requires attention to light, focus and composition, with special consideration given to the elimination of distracting elements.

Story Behind the Photo: In the Clouds

Apr 11, 2018

Every year, WTA invites photographers to share their favorite photos for our annual contest. Photographer and avid hiker Sherri Nordin shared this shot at Mount St. Helens during last year's contest.

How to: Capture Color in Photographs

Many photographers plunk down the cash for expensive cameras, software and lenses but still find deep and vibrant color lacking in their images. While good equipment is certainly important, it’s not the only factor when it comes to producing beautiful imagery. A few simple tips and photo habits will ensure that you’re always getting the best from your camera.