Tetons question

I'm thinking about heading to the Tetons next week and wanted to get some advice about good sunrise and sunset photo spots. Where is the best place to set up and at what time of day for the shots of the Tetons with the Snake River in the foreground (like this famous one -- http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/display/fcf06619-0d1c-41e3-b4bd-ef3e1d70161f.jpg). Where else do you recommend?

Thanks!

Jelvis,

I am going in a few weeks. There is a lot of stuff out there on photographing the Tetons. Here is a really cool map which covers some of the main iconic locations:
http://www.wyofoto.com/Teton_Photo_Map.htm

If you don't mind hiking there are some beautiful hikes around the Jenny Lake area. See my post on the subject here:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vm&mr=16692&b=se&st=0&la=14&ph=14&sid=21102&u=21102

I have heard the wildflowers are already showing up in valley locations.

Also here are some recent shots from David Shumway:
http://cobalt.rocky.edu/~shumwayd/Index_Rocky/May%2012-13.html

You can see things are already green around Mormon Row.

Please give us an update once you return.

Enjoy,

- Derek

Here are some more recent shots from Wes Aston:
http://www.pbase.com/wes242/yellowstone_may_2007

These are of Yellowstone which is right next door. Since you are so close it would probably be worth your time to up there for at least day trip.

The Tetons are great for sunrise, tough for sunset. You really need very specific conditions to get a good sunset shot. Sunrise is a piece of cake, though. The most popular locations are shown in the Wyofoto link above. Mormon Row, Schwabacher's Landing, Oxbow Bend, Snake River Overlook, all are great at sunrise. The overlooks are probably the best places for sunset, if the clouds are breaking just right as the sun is setting. It would be tough to take a good sunset shot without any clouds.

For that shot of the Snake River, just go to the Snake River Overlook along the main highway. You can join all the other photographers standing at the same spot. Note: You'll have a tough time matching the Ansel Adams shot of the Snake River, as the trees at the overlook are quite a bit larger now, and partially block the view of the river.

There are a ton of great shots in the Tetons without walking more than 50 yards from your car. But if you pick up some hiking books, and maybe a photo book from the Visitor Center, you will get a lot more great ideas.

The only good sunset shot I have seen of the Tetons without clouds is this one that Jack B. took from the Cascade Creek Trail:
http://www.widerange.org/photo.php?id=506&gallery=largeformatWyoming
He caught the great colors, composition and wildflowers in that one - pretty killer shot.
Check out the trail info here:
http://www.free-press.biz/Grand-Teton-Park/Teton-Crest-Trail.html

As said before, surise is pretty easy. However, my favorite spot for sunsets has been the same Snake River overlook that people use in the morning. For it to work though, you need clouds. The famous Ansel Adams shot was taken in the afternoon, so with the right cloud cover it can be amazing. Here is one I took: http://www.peaktopeek.com/galleries/wymnts/pages/WY0004.htm
Its a scan of a print, so the quality isn't perfect, but you get the idea.

Thanks for all of the replies! That interactive map from Wyofoto is great. Looking at the forecasts, it seems like Tetons is going to be pretty cloudy and rainy this week, so I think I'll head to Moab instead.

Don't forget that those storms and clouds can make some of the best photographic opportunities. Of course that would mean you would need to be watching and waiting for those 'breaks' in the storm to occur.

http://www.Greater-Yellowstone.com/Grand-Teton-Park/photography.html