Water Gap makes national top ten

Photo contest open through year end co-sponsored by Olympus BUSHKILL — The Delaware Water Gap is on the National Park Foundation newly released 2009 list of the most photogenic parks for fall foliage. The list announcement was made in partnership with Olympus, the sponsor of the “Share the Experience” photo contest, which is seeking this year’s best photo of the 391 national parks. The grand prize winning photo will be featured on next year’s Federal Recreation Lands Pass and will receive an Olympus E-3 Digital Camera. Amateur photographers are invited to submit up to three photos to the Share the Experience contest through Dec. 31. In addition, at the end of the submission period the public will be invited to vote for their favorite photo. Enter by visiting www.sharetheexperience.org or pick up a brochure and entry form while visiting a federal park this year. Prizes include: Olympus digital cameras, trips to a federal recreation area, Federal Recreation Lands Passes and more! To help amateur photographers make the most of the opportunities, Olympus offered the following tips to park-goers: Sun hiding behind the clouds? Don’t be disappointed. Colors can often appear more vibrant in an overcast day. This type of even lighting is also great for displaying details in the shadows. Consider different perspectives for each photo. Look up toward the sky and down toward your feet. You’ll be amazed by the number of interesting subjects available beyond eye level. Look for the small details. The landscape vistas will be beautiful with fall colors but close-up photos of small objects such as a single leaf or cluster of fall berries can also make for a striking photo. Think about backlighting your subjects on a sunny day. Backlighting is when you intentionally place the main light source behind your subject. Pictures of colorful leaves can be very striking when photographed this way. Also, don’t let the sun shine directly into your lens. Bring a lens cleaning cloth. When capturing images outside, dust and moisture in the air can build up on the lens’ glass surface. You’ll want to keep it clean so that the light can pass through evenly.

Most photogenic parks for foliage Acadia National Park, ME Peak colors are expected now through Oct. 15. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH Peak colors expected the third and fourth weeks of October. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, PA Peak colors are expected the weekend of Oct. 17. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC/TN Peak colors are expected during the last two weeks of October. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, IN Peak colors are expected this weekend and for the next ten days. Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, MN Leaves are already turning; the peak is expected in the next ten days. Mount Rainier National Park, WA Peak colors are expected this weekend and for the next ten days. New River Gorge National River, WV Peak colors are expected during the third week of October. Saratoga National Historic Park, NY Peak colors are expected this weekend and for the next ten days. Valley Forge National Historical Park, PA Peak colors are expected during the last two weeks of October.