Family vacation trips for the photographers — my recent trip to Banff
I love taking pictures, and I am not fortunate enough to make photography-only trips. Hence, I combine my photography with the trips I make. It is not successful at every outing, but occasionally I get terrific pictures. Therefore, I have kept it my goal to capture four to six compelling images each year.
In this blog, I discuss my preparation for photographing popular spots during the vacation with my family in Banff - Alberta.
The Banff town is beautifully sandwiched between the mountains offering plenty of photography opportunities.
Preparing for the trip
Ideally, you need to reduce the amount of gear you carry during your vacations — unless your holiday close to your home. When you holiday close to your home, where you can reach by car, and not go through border checkpoints, you can pack more gear — provided you have enough space in the car and your family is okay with it.
Likewise, you need to reduce the gear you carry when you have to take the plane. In such cases, figure out ways to rely on the zoom lenses and keep everything light. Also, doing some research on photography spots, weather conditions, and tourist population around the time you would like to visit those spots.
I usually book an additional day just for my photography. It is easy to have sunrise or sunset during summer in most countries since the daytime is long. Also, visiting famous spots in summer helps since most tourists (including my family members) settle in their hotel room by 9:00 PM. That provides a perfect opportunity to photograph sunrise or sunset since days are long.
Finally, weather volatility means you should be prepared to shoot at any weather, as happened to me on this trip.
My photography gear
I pack light for vacations by flight and moderate for local places such as Banff, Jasper, or Waterton, where I can reach by car. Below is the list of the photography gear I packed for this trip.
Although I packed all of these, I did not carry all of them. I usually plan for the day and take a maximum of two lenses with me — usually, the GF 32-64mmF4, the GF45-100mmF4. All these gears fit perfectly on my PeakDesign Everyday Backpack 30L (along with the additional accessories I have listed below). Usually, I will not be hiking long distances when I travel with my family on vacation. I stick to the spots where I can reach by car, and hence, the heavy, but sturdy Manfrotto 055 does not bother me.
These are the additional accessories I carried with my camera:
Few spare batteries,
Charging Cable and adapter, and
Few clothes to clean my lenses
I also packed an additional set of filters such as Mahogany and sunset filters for this trip.
Arrival in Banff
We reached the hotel in a single four and a half drive without a break at 11:00 PM. Since we arrived late and kept them informed about our late arrival, the hotel provided us with a late checkout at no cost. Banff is a lovely place despite the season you visit. I have seen this place several times in the past three years and all seasons — including the winter.
We relaxed at the hotel for the evening and slept.
Laziness costs you good photographs
We set out for a light walk to the town in the morning and then visit Fairmont Banff Springs using the free shuttle bus. Unfortunately, it was closed for visitors due to the COVID. I usually use the time I visit locations with my family as a doubled-up location spotting — especially in a new place. This time, we decided to skip all the famous spots (although I finally caved in for Lake Louise).
The historic Banff Springs Hotel, photographed from the Surprise Corner.
Then we returned to the hotel, had our lunch, and left for sightseeing in our SUV. The road to the first spot — Two Jack Lake was closed due to the snowfall. The park was getting prepared for the long weekend for the visitors — mostly locals. I was hoping to visit Lake Minnewanka, which I photographed a couple of years ago when I had less clue about photography. I wanted to check the place out and do a better shot. I was also excited and expecting a boat trip which got canceled due to the uncertain weather conditions.
Picture of Lake Minnewanka I photographed four years ago using Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Canon EF 24-70mm F2.8 Lens
Disappointed, we drove around the place and eventually settled at the cascade ponds. Enjoying my time walking around with the family, I took a few photographs. I know this place could offer a better photography experience. However, I know it may not happen this time around due to the weather. I am looking at surprising all-day snow for the next day.
Cascade ponds in overcast conditions
Leaving the place, we drove towards Vermilion Lakes — a place I never visited before. We parked at the end of the road and got out of the car. I took a few pictures while my oldest son played with his newly bought toy kayak on the river. Then, I decided to return to the spot for sunset since it is known to be the best spot for sunrise and sunset.
We returned to the hotel after spending some time at the lakes. Fighting my laziness, I left the hotel for the Vermilion Lakes. Unfortunately, it was close to the end of sunset when I reached. I quickly positioned myself (since I decided on my composition during my visit earlier) and fired few shots before the blue hour embraced the place. Long exposure is perfect for the blue hour, but unfortunately, it was windy, and my long exposure shots did not pan well.
Disappointed with myself (that I did not arrive a the right time), I left the place with the only good shot I took.
Vermilion Lakes offer one of the best sunrise and sunset spots in Banff by Car
Who can fight the weather!?
We left the hotel early morning despite the drizzle and reached Banff Gondola. I expected snow at the top since the weather hovered around single-digit positive (Celcius) below the mountains. When we arrived, there was barely anyone, and we had the entire place to ourselves and few other people. We took the Gondola and reached the top. As expected, the rain changed to snow due to decreased weather at 2900 feet above sea level. We let our kids play in the snow for some time since we were adequately prepared.
When the snow subsided and the sun starts shining, I decided to take few shots. By now, my family is done with the place and went inside the building. So I mounted my GF45-100mm F4 lens and took few photos in the low visibility. To add to this, I did not bring my 82mm filter adapter for my lens. Therefore, I have to rely on the dynamic range of the camera to get something good.
Eventually, when the weather improved, I moved to the side that overlooks Banff town. I took few shots — including the panoramic photograph below, since it provided better visibility. Banff town was wrapped nicely with series of mountains.
This view offers plenty of photography opportunities throughout the year due to the mountains causing constant changes in the weather
We left the place after another hour and returned to the hotel. Now it starts pouring snow everywhere since the temperature is below zero degrees celsius. After staying at the hotel and playing few board games, I decided to get out and visit the most popular spot — Lake Louise.
Lake Louise
Driving through the snow in less than ideal driving conditions, I reached Lake Louise. To my surprise, the place was almost empty, with not more than six cars parked in all of the parking. I knew there is no use for the tripod in that weather, and hence, I took just the camera along with my backpack and left the car. The place was unrecognizable due to the thick snow and low visibility. I could not see the famous river. The most photographed locations are fully covered with snow that started less than four hours ago.
Lake Louise continues to disappoint me (photographically) in the last three visits to this place.
I took a few shots of the boathouse from different locations since it was visible. After spending some more time soaking in the snow, I left for my car since my lens is not usable and covered with snow. On my way back, one spot captured my eye. I took the next exit and reached the place. The snow has subsided, and it looked quiet. There was a truck and a car parked in that viewpoint.
Beautiful pocketed view sandwiched between tall trees and the clouds
I changed my lens to the GF100-200mmF5.6 and took few shots. The small pocket of space with few trees sandwiched between low clouds and thick trees attracted me. After taking few more pictures, I left the place and reached the hotel. The rest of the evening was quiet, and we called it a day.
I cleaned up my GF45-100mm F4 and switched from the GF100-200mm F5.6 to capture this shot.
End of my trip
Thanks to the downpour, we spent the entire morning and early afternoon at the hotel. Then we checked out of the hotel and left the place. We stopped at the outskirts of the Banff National Park to spend some time. The mountains were majestic, and unable to resist the urge not to take pictures and spend the time with my family, I went back to the car and took my camera with the GF100-200mm F5.6 mounted on it.
I took pictures of the mountain and the valley between the fences. Then, after spending some more time in that place, we got into our car and left. We reached home by the evening, and I went to the basement to check the pictures.
Conclusion
Packing to the occasion helps you enjoy the time with your family and take few photographs to keep. However, you must be prepared to photograph regardless of the weather, as happened to me on our trip to Banff. On this trip, I mostly took pictures with the fantastic GF 45-100mm F4 lens. The versatility and the quality of photos that come out of the GF45-100 continue to impress me.
Despite the weather spoiling playing spoil during this trip, I discovered few spots to focus on this summer when I return to Banff (or Jasper) a couple of more times.