August to September is an ideal period for outdoor adventures and festivals across the USA. As summer transitions into fall, the weather remains warm and inviting, perfect for exploring the great outdoors. Every destination boasts its own unique array of thrilling activities:
* In the Pacific Northwest, you can hike through lush forests and along breathtaking coastal trails, or attend music festivals like Bumbershoot in Seattle.
* The Midwest offers charming county fairs and lively festivals celebrating local heritage, such as the Minnesota State Fair.
* On the East Coast, you can enjoy outdoor concerts, food festivals, and historic reenactments in places like Boston and Philadelphia.
* The South invites you to experience its vibrant music scene, with jazz festivals in New Orleans and country music events in Nashville.
* The Rockies and Southwest provide opportunities for scenic mountain hikes, river rafting, and cultural festivals like the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
From coast to coast, every region offers its own special blend of activities, ensuring a memorable adventure wherever you choose to explore. So here are 10 of our favorites that we’ve been to.
24-105mm lens, 1/50 sec., f5.0, ISO 100, AV mode
1) Laguna Beach, California
Laguna Beach, California, known for its scenic beauty and artistic community, offers numerous photographic opportunities. Laguna Beach boasts several stunning beaches such as Main Beach, Crescent Bay Beach, and Thousand Steps Beach. Capture the rugged cliffs, tide pools, and crystal-clear waters, especially during sunrise and sunset for dramatic lighting. Laguna Beach is famous for its stunning sunsets. Head to spots like Top of the World Park or Montage Laguna Beach to capture the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean, casting a golden glow over the coastline.
11-24mm lens, 1/320 sec., f11, ISO 100, AV mode
2) Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming offers unparalleled photographic opportunities due to its stunning natural landscapes, geothermal features, and diverse wildlife. Witness the stunning geothermal features, enjoy wildlife photography, and take advantage of fewer crowds as the peak summer season winds down. Famous sights such as Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River are must-see geological wonders. The park boasts the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states, including bears, wolves, bison, and elk.
16-35mm lens, 1/80 sec., f11, ISO 100, AV mode
3) Jekyll Island, Georgia
Jekyll Island, Georgia, known for its serene beaches, historic sites, and natural beauty, offers several wonderful photographic opportunities. Enjoy pristine shores, including Driftwood Beach, known for its picturesque driftwood formations. You can explore the Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District with its grand cottages and historic buildings. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or simply capturing the beauty of coastal landscapes, Jekyll Island provides a tranquil and photogenic setting for photographers of all levels.
16-35mm lens, 1/30 sec., f11, ISO 100, AV mode
4) Hilton Head, South Carolina
Hilton Head Island offers a blend of natural beauty, coastal landscapes, and recreational activities that provide excellent photographic opportunities. Capture sunrise and sunset views over the Atlantic Ocean, as well as scenes of beachgoers, sand dunes, and seashells. Hilton Head Island is home to diverse wildlife, including dolphins, shorebirds, and alligators. Take wildlife photography tours or explore nature preserves such as Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge to photograph birds in their natural habitats.
iPhone 13, 5.1 mm, f/1.6, ISO 50
5) Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May, New Jersey, known for its Victorian architecture, scenic beaches, and vibrant birdlife, offers several captivating photographic opportunities. There’s so much to photograph here from the historic lighthouse or you can embark on excursions to observe marine life, including whales and dolphins, in their natural habitat. Cape May’s combination of Victorian charm, natural beauty, and rich biodiversity offers photographers a diverse range of subjects and settings to explore and photograph throughout the year.
24-105mm lens, 1/50sec., f11, ISO 6400, AV mode
6) Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is known for its impressive architecture, diverse neighborhoods, and stunning skyline, which offers numerous photographic opportunities. Capture landmarks such as the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), the John Hancock Center, and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower. Visit the famous Cloud Gate sculpture (nicknamed “The Bean”), and let’s not forget the street photography: Wander through neighborhoods like Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, or the Loop to capture the city’s vibrant street life, murals, and urban scenes.
11-24mm lens, 1/40 sec., f10, ISO 1250 AV mode
7) Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida is a vibrant city with a diverse range of photographic opportunities. Head to the South Beach area to capture the colourful and iconic Art Deco buildings along Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue. Visit the Wynwood Arts District, known for its colourful murals and street art. Explore the vibrant Cuban culture in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood. Miami’s mix of urban landscapes, cultural diversity, and natural beauty provides endless opportunities for photographers seeking to capture the essence of this dynamic city.
24-105mm lens, 1/400 sec., f9, ISO 3200, AV mode
8) Sedona, Arizona
Sedona is nestled amidst stunning red rock formations and surrounded by desert landscapes, and offers numerous captivating photographic opportunities. Sedona is renowned for its towering red sandstone formations. Capture these dramatic landscapes at sunrise or sunset when the rocks glow with vibrant hues. Whether you’re interested in landscape photography, capturing spiritual energy, or exploring the natural beauty of the desert, Sedona provides a wealth of photographic opportunities that reflect its unique and enchanting environment.
18-200mm, 1/60 sec., f/7.1, ISO 500, AV mode
9) New York City, New York
New York City, New York, offers an endless array of iconic landmarks, diverse neighborhoods, and vibrant street scenes that provide incredible photographic opportunities. Explore iconic landmarks like Times Square, Central Park, or the Statue of Liberty. Explore Central Park’s landscapes, bridges, and recreational activities or visit Times Square to capture its dazzling neon signs, billboards, and bustling crowds. Whether you’re interested in architecture, street photography, cultural landmarks, or capturing the energy of the city, New York City provides an unparalleled canvas for photographers of all styles and interests.
25-85mm, 1/400 sec., f11, ISO 1400, AV mode
10) Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island, renowned for its historic architecture, scenic coastline, and rich maritime heritage, offers several excellent photographic opportunities. Late summer in Newport offers warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine, and is famous for its Gilded Age mansions like The Breakers, Marble House, and Rosecliff. Whether you’re interested in historic architecture, coastal landscapes, maritime scenes, or cultural events, Newport offers a wealth of photographic opportunities that capture the essence of its rich history and natural beauty.
The Finishing Touch
Hahnemühle is known for producing high-quality photo papers that are popular among photographers and artists, so for this series I opted to use the Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Pearl. This 320-gsm paper provides a soft sheen with excellent colour reproduction. The paper offers a high sharpness and detail, making it suitable for this series. Its very durable and resistant to handling, making it a perfect choice for professional use. I loved it – give the Pearl a whirl !
Happy Shooting
Ps – Join me for a trip to Tobermory, Ontario Oct.4-6, 2024 for an unbelievable photography workshop –
https://www.peterdulisphotography.com/photography-workshops
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peter Dulis is a Canadian photographer and visual storyteller living in Toronto, Ontario. His work has been published in a number of magazines such as Graphic Arts Magazine, Visual Wilderness, Luminous Landscape, Photo News and has been recognized for photography excellence. Peter offers photo workshops in southern Ontario and can be reached at info@photographyAdventures.ca
Peter shares many of his tips and techniques in his monthly newsletter – PhotographyAdventures.ca and PeterDulisPhotography.com
