Golden Gate

This narrow canyon passage near Mammoth Hot Springs earns its name from the golden-yellow rhyolite cliffs that glow warmly when the sun hits them at low angles. The road cuts through the gap with a historic viaduct on one side and steep canyon walls rising above, giving you strong vertical lines to work with alongside the warm rock tones. A wide to mid-range zoom works well here, letting you balance the road, bridge structure, and cliff faces in a single frame. Early morning and late afternoon light are both excellent, as direct sun illuminates the yellow and orange rock while keeping harsh shadows out of the canyon. Pull off at the small turnout just south of the gate and shoot back toward the cliffs for the most dramatic compositions. Tripods are useful if you are shooting in the shadowed sections of the canyon. (Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States)