Tree-lined dirt road disappears into morning fog with wooden fence.
Devils Tower rises above golden meadow with scattered pine trees at sunset.
Yellowstone waterfall drops through orange canyon walls with river below.
Half Dome stands against pink sunset sky in Yosemite.
Geothermal stream winds through California valley with mountains in warm evening light.
Three Monument Valley buttes stand under blue sky in desert landscape.
Autumn trees frame misty river with golden foliage reflected in water.
Mount Rainier towers over alpine meadow with colorful fall vegetation and cascading stream.
Snow-capped Mount Rainier rises above fall foliage and small tarn at dusk.
Pink dawn sky reflects in calm mountain lake with rocky foreground.
Jagged peaks reflect in still lake under orange sunrise light.
Payto Lake in Banff surrounded by snowy mountains.
Smooth sand dunes curve under blue sky with dramatic shadows.
Narrow slot canyon shows orange sandstone walls with light filtering through.
Snow-dusted mountains reflect perfectly in stream with golden grasses.

Patrick Koetzle (@patrickkoetzle) photographs national parks during golden hour, blue hour and in overcast conditions. The images here span Devils Tower, Half Dome, Monument Valley and Mount Rainier—iconic landmarks that Koetzle further flatters by waiting for light that most visitors miss. What separates his work from that of thousands of other photographers shooting these same locations is restraint. He doesn't force drama where patience delivers better results. Film rewards that approach by holding detail in blown-out skies and refusing to exaggerate color beyond what's actually there. His work proves that shooting famous locations on film still yields something worth seeing when timing and patience align.

Shot With
Canon AE-1 Program, Mamiya c220, Nikon FE and Portra 160, Portra 800.