What Is The Best Time To Photograph A Lake

Bowman Lake, Polebridge, Glacier National Park, Montana. 8:16pm

Bowman Lake, Polebridge, Glacier National Park, Montana. 8:16pm

When it comes to photographing lake, composition is vital.  Foreground is almost as important as the lake itself.  Try to stand at the edge of a lake, photograph the trees or mountains on the other side as well as their reflection in the lake.  The closer you stand next to the lake, the more likely you can get rid of the noise foreground (the lake shore on your side) and make the image clean and crisp.

A perfect reflection in a mirror surfaced lake is my personal favorite, as I like the symmetrical subjects in the real world and in the water.  But a calm lake might be hard to come by during the day – any small moves (swimmers, kayaks, boats etc) can cause huge waves.  So get there early in the morning or stay till the evening next time.  Enjoy the calm lake in the sunrise or sunset hours, you can see wonders.  (Click here to see the tips of the “right timing” to photograph sunrise, sunset).

Check out my Lake Gallery to see more images.

You might also like these three detailed examples.

Day 17 – Colors Of Bowman Lake

Day 20 – 10 Mile Hike And Sunset At Kintla Lake

Day 25 – Sunset Photography At Upper Two Medicine Lake


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