If you’re heading to Banff and Lake Louise this year, you’re sure to have many opportunities to get great shots. There’s no better way to remember your getaway than with photographs that capture the spirit of the moment — the adventure, the scenery, and the company.
In this blog, we will break down some top tips to capture your adventure with photos, whether on or off the slopes. We’ll review how to choose a camera, good times to take photos, and some key spots to visit so you can snap those iconic shots of the area.
Selecting Your Camera
The best camera is the one that’s with you.
Photo Credit: Devaan Ingraham
Today’s technology makes it difficult to see the difference between the latest smartphone cameras and DSLR cameras — unless you’re a pixel peeping professional photographer. Images are compressed for sharing on social media apps, so in most cases, people won’t be able to tell what you used in your Instagram post. Don’t overthink what you need on your trip, and use whatever camera is convenient and easy to bring with you.
For smartphone photographers, it’s good to remember that most smartphone cameras have both wide angle and portrait lenses. While wide-angle lenses may be easier for landscape shots, you can use portrait mode and back way up if you want an uncommon perspective. This creates compression in your images to capture us small humans in a big world.
Photo Credit: Paul Zizka
If you’re going using a modern DSLR or mirrorless digital camera, we recommend using a wide-angle lens between 16-35mm. This type of shooting option is best suited to the expansive landscapes you’ll find in Banff National Park and the surrounding area. For sharper images in the foreground or background, use higher aperture settings like f/5.6-f/8.
Photo Credit: Noel Hendrickson
Finding the Best Time
Most photographers know that the golden hour, the period around dusk and dawn, is the best time to capture great photos. The light for photography is ideal at this time, especially in the morning, so we recommend getting up early if you want to snap some fabulous shots of Banff and Lake Louise.
Photo Credit: Reuben Krabbe / SkiBig3
Try to avoid taking photos in direct sunlight or where people are backlit by the sun — your photos will likely be overexposed. Clouds can be an unexpected blessing for photography, and the same is true of overhead shade.
That said, remember to capture the moment as you experience it! Even if the photo quality isn’t the best, it will still evoke great memories if there was a special atmosphere at the time.
Enjoying some great food or drinks on a patio, seeing something unique in a nearby shop, or hanging out at a live event — all of these can be great opportunities to capture a photo. Don’t get too hung up on the details!
Great Photo Spots in Banff and Lake Louise
There are so many great photo spots in the Banff and Lake Louise area, it would be impossible to list them all here. There is the iconic Lake Louise, which is beautiful both in the summer and the winter, when it turns into a natural ice-skating rink.
Photo Credit: Noel Hendrickson
Another classic shot you might’ve seen is the Banff Springs Hotel, captured from Surprise Corner. Surprise Corner is located at the bottom of Tunnel Mountain and offers a great view of this beautiful hotel across the river, set against the background of pine trees and the Rocky Mountains.
Yet another great shot is the view up the main street of Banff with Cascade Mountain in the distance. This is one spot that really captures the atmosphere of Banff — the combination of natural beauty with the classic Canadian, pioneering spirit.
While these three options should get you started, you can capture many unforgettable views from the chair lifts or the tops of the mountain. Check out our blog on Instagram-worthy spots in Banff and Lake Louise for more ideas.If you’re ready to capture your adventure in Banff and Lake Louise this season, contact our team today to start a quote.
