Vermillion Lakes
Vermilion Lakes is a series of three shallow lakes sitting just minutes from the town of Banff, offering some of the most iconic reflections of Mount Rundle in the Canadian Rockies. The calm water surface mirrors the jagged peak and surrounding forest, making symmetrical compositions extremely effective here, especially when the wind is low. Shoot from the roadside pullouts along Vermilion Lakes Drive, using the shoreline reeds and submerged dead trees as foreground interest to add depth to your frame. A wide angle lens works well for expansive landscape shots, while a short telephoto can compress the mountain against the treeline. Early morning is the best time to visit, when the water is glassy and mist often drifts across the surface; golden hour at sunset also produces strong warm tones on the rock face of Mount Rundle. The road is paved and accessible year round, and the shooting spots are just steps from your car. (Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada)
