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3 0 E A S Y G E T A W A Y S
5-MINUTE MEALSEASY RECIPES FOR
HUNGRY HIKERS
WEEKEND WONDERS
LOCAL HIKES WITH BIG-TRIP VIEWS
THE SCIENCE OF LAYERING
STAY COMFORTABLE IN ANY WEATHER
TESTED THE YEAR’S MOST VERSATILE PACKS
HOW TO PURIFY WATER WITH A RAIN SHELL
AVOID POISONOUS PLANTS PITCH THE PERFECT CAMP
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» Rule #1: The moment should be special. No one shoots a BACKPACKER cover without a bit of luck. We know you can’t control the weather, light, or clouds, but that doesn’t mean we’ll settle for any old snapshot. The more you’re out there in amazing places, especially when the sun is rising and setting, the better chance you’ll have of being there when the perfect moment unfolds: the clouds suddenly change to bright pink and orange, or the rising sun illuminates the mountain tops perfectly, or the wind wisps your partner’s hair in just the right way to make her smile infectious.
» Rule #2: Follow the rules! Readers of BACKPACKER love to actually do the trips we show, so we have to be very careful to only show things that are legal to do. A tent has to be positioned where camping is allowed. People shouldn’t be walking across fragile terrain that can be harmed. Please always obey the local rules for land use.
»Tip: Include People. We almost always have a person in the image. One or two people is enough. More than that looks like a crowd.
»Tip: Frame Both Ways. Horizontals and vertical photos are both considered. It might surprise you, but almost half of our recent covers are crops from horizontal photos.
»Tip: Shoot Wide. More than 75% of our covers are shot with wide-angle lenses. You need to be close to the scenery with a wide angle lens to not make it feel small or far away.
»Tip: Focus is very important. Selective focus is artistic and lovely, but on BACKPACKER covers we look for both the foreground and background to be sharp.
HOW TO DO EVERYTHING
SUMMER WEEKENDS
SKILLS SPECIAL
TRI P PLANS FOR EVE RY REGION
15 WILD HIKESAMERICA’S HIGHEST, LOWEST, DEEPEST AND BIGGEST TERRAIN
BACKCOUNTRY NAVIGATIONSTAY FOUND. HERE’S HOW.
TESTED BOOTS FOR
EVERY HIKER
PLUS THE BEST NEW HAMMOCKS
GET READY FASTER ● SLEEP WARMER SHRINK YOUR PACK ● ASSESS RISK
PITCH A BOMBER TARP AND 33 MORE TIPS & TRICKS !
SUMMER WEEKENDS
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LOCAL OVERNIGHTS LIFE-LIST TREKS AMAZING (EASY) TRAILS
GET FIT FAST A 10-MINUTE WORKOUT FOR BACKPACKERS
TOP CAMERAS FOR THE TRAIL24 PICKS AND TIPS
FROM THE PROS
THE UNLUCKIEST HIKER ALIVE
ATTACKED BY A GRIZZLY, TWICE
HOW TO RAISE AN OUTDOOR KID
44 TIPS FOR FUN AND ADVENTURE
50HIKER’S GUIDE TO SUMMER
TESTED: THE BEST NEW APPAREL
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Cover Shooting 101:While we hope every cover is unique, there are also some recognizable patterns in the covers we choose each month. Here are two rules and some tips for shooting photos with cover potential:
Cover photos by (from left) Kevin Kaminski; Chris Burkard / Massif; Ryan Lilley
The Cover Triangle:A photo that will work as a cover strikes a perfect balance between three things.
INSPIRATIONThe photo should make a viewer amazed. We’re
looking for the response: “Wow! I’d love to go there!”
This can be because the mountains are so big, the water is so blue, or the forest is so green.
Everything about the photo should be ideal, nothing
distracting.
AUTHENTICITYWe’re looking for real
adventures in real places. We aren’t looking for a
parking lot with a cool view. We want to show people who look comfortable on
the trail, strong enough to hike, and are dressed
appropriately (no jeans).
READABILITYThe photo has to have
areas that make a good background canvas for the words and logo. If there's too much texture, it gets
very tricky to find a color for text that will pop and be
seen and read easily. Sky is great!
Do:» Light up your tent for a shot. Glowing tents are amazing, but we need to see more than just a tent and stars. Shoot when the landscape is slightly lit, or use light painting to reveal the surroundings. » Use water to add brightness to your image. Lakes and rivers reflect the sky, adding light to the picture and doubling the colors at sunset and sunrise.
» Remind your friend to look happy and relaxed.
Don't:» Don't overexpose and blow out the sky. Clouds should have some texture, unless you're creatively adding a sunburst.
» Don’t cut a person in half. Get higher or lower, so there isn’t a horizon line or change in background running right through a person’s body. » Don't shoot a cluttered campsite. Do a little clean up so your stuff doesn't distract from the landscape or make camping look complicated.
Cover photos by (from left) Kirkendall-Spring Photographers; Chris Burkard / Massif; Grant Ordelheide
5 reasons you’ll owe your hiking partner ice cream:1. You’ll need your friend to carry a few clothing options, and change at your request. A shirt or coat that contrasts the color of the landscape will help the person show up. If his/her head is blending into the scenery, try a contrasting hat as well.
2. Your partner will need to hike the trail more than once. Shoot photos with the person walking toward and away from the camera in the best-looking spots along the trail. Use a higher angle when the person is hiking away from you to avoid creating photos that emphasize the person’s butt.
3. Also do versions with the person standing still, looking off at the view. Angle the person carefully, to show a little of their cheek and nose, rather than just the back of their head.
4. In the end, your friend might not even be recognizable! Try juxtaposing a tiny person in a huge landscape. Sometimes just a silhouette is enough to show human presence, and the vastness of the landscape will dominate the image.
5. Your friend needs to be patient. You may need to ask him or her to take in the view for longer. You’ll need time to scramble around and find the best framing and composition. Don’t wait until the light is perfect to figure out where you should be to get the shot. Figure out your best angle, then relax until the magic light happens. Be ready because it happens fast.
If you're looking for more photography lessons register for our online Outdoor Photo School course:
https://www.aimadventureu.com/courses/outdoor-photo-school-registration
Cover photos by (from top) Andrew Bydlon / Caveman Collective; Justin Bailie (2)