The Icefields Parkway - The world's best drive is perfect for landscape photography.

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The Icefields parkway running from Lake Louise to Jasper is a photographers dream. With the likes of Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and multiple glaciers to name but a few this scenic drive offers endless photographic and sightseeing opportunities.
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Be sure to watch until the end for bonus pictures/footage!
Click here to see the Parkway in winter: • Icefields Parkway - A ...
Gear I use (Affiliate Links):
Filming:
Canon R6 (Video and Stills): amzn.to/43l10UP
Canon 6D (Stills): amzn.to/4a9yeIW
Ricoh GR 3: amzn.to/3TGMQKm
GoPro Hero 10: amzn.to/3ToPiUl
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GoPro Volta: amzn.to/3v8P4ca
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Leofoto Tripod: amzn.to/48Z4CwP
Intro 00:00
Bow Lake 01:15
Bow Peak 03:23
Peyto Lake 04:16
Mistaya Canyon 06:04
Parker Ridge 07:06
Hilda Peak 08:49
Columbia Icefields 09:13
Sunwapta Falls 10:33
Athabasca Falls 11:43
Top tips 13:18
Bonus Astro/Aurora 14:44
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Instagram: / simonennals
Facebook: / simonennalsp. .
Website: www.simonennals.com/

[@ptwlkr]

I think this is my favourite.

[@seasterl]

Thanks for the tips. I scheduled my trip to Jasper on a new moon and hope to get some great Astro shots.

[@KhurshidsChannel]

Fantastic video. Thank you for sharing.

[@grgr2100]

Very timely that your video popped up again, since I'm currently in Lake Louise and will be driving up the Icefield Parkway in the next few days. Always enjoy your videos.

[@simoncennals]

Thank you! I really appreciate that, I have some great content coming. Think I have 5 videos filmed so need to get editing!

[@jimmayer7779]

Thank you for this video. I, too, am a landscape photographer. I am wanting to visit this area this September (2024). Your presentation is very helpful and enjoyable.

[@simoncennals]

Thank you, you'll have a fantastic time on the Parkway!

[@michaelonthego5062]

Beautiful place

[@NomadicLiving]

Can't wait, I'm spending a month between Banff & Jasper - thx for your review of the drive!

[@simoncennals]

Enjoy!

[@neighborhoodnomad]

Came back three weeks ago from Banff, used your video as a guide. Just wanted to say thank you, everything you suggested was spot on, drastically improved my trip & experience as a whole. Look forward to more of your stunning photos and great videos.

[@simoncennals]

That's amazing to hear! So glad you got use out of the video, it's an incredible drive isn't it? I have a new video I hope to publish tonight if I get it finished! Plenty more to come though!

[@KathysFlog]

Thank you. Stunning photography. We'll be driving through Prince George/Jasper/Banff in late May. I can't wait. I subscribed earlier today on your Moraine Lake vlog. I hope you grow your channel.

[@simoncennals]

Thanks Kathy appreciate that! I just drove Jasper to Banff last weekend and it's fantastic in winter too. You'll have an amazing time!

[@waynemorris6217]

I am enjoying your videos very much. Thank you for shring them. I will be up on the Icefields Parkway this September! If you could ever post your camera settings with the pictures you post, that would be a great help to someone like me who is trying to improve their photography skills! Thanks!

[@simoncennals]

Thanks Wayne. Appreciate you watching, you should watch my video about not shooting manual. Gives a bit of an insight into how I shoot and it's often on some semi auto. Because of that I don't often pay a huge amount of attention to what the settings were!

[@anandnimfa]

Awesome 👏

[@kathleenmalloy160]

Stunning!!

[@wildadventurers]

Can't wait to see your winter video! The icefields parkway is so magical at that time of year.

[@simoncennals]

Thanks Lynn, I have a few ideas for winter videos so keep an eye out!

[@loveja1]

that last shot was beautiful! can't wait to be up there in 2 weeks, so excited!!

[@simoncennals]

Thank you! Great time to be visiting, hopefully get some fall colours and maybe a sprinkle of snow!

[@amygraham3634]

Awesome video, takes me back to when we went in May. Just found this channel and am devouring the videos. They’re gorgeously done and very rewatchable!

[@simoncennals]

Thanks Amy, I really appreciate that 😊 I'm away for work right now but have some great ideas for videos once I return so stay tuned!

[@amygraham3634]

@@simoncennals fantastic news! We can’t wait. Oh and by the way, I know you mentioned in one of your videos about feeling less inspired because you have a hundred of these shots in your portfolio but from my personal point of view you can’t capture the same shot too many times. Those lakes, trails and mountains are so magical at every time of day in all weather. I fell in love with this area in May and we are planning on returning (from Ontario) these videos are my inspiration! The quality of them, considering there aren’t many posted, is beyond any other KZbin videos I’ve watched. So thank you again (sorry for the long winded comment).

[@awitnessuntoallnations]

Fun coming along with you and seeing the beauty of Icefields Parkway. Amazing in every direction! Thank you for sharing your expertise with us, along with your photography. Great work! 👍

[@simoncennals]

Thank you, I appreciate the kind words!

[@k.walker5428]

Thank you for the great tips Simon! I’m travelling the Icefields parkway tomorrow en route to jasper so your video was extremely helpful and timely for me!!

[@simoncennals]

Amazing! This will be an incredible time of year for it the fall colours are in full force. Enjoy!

[@kai64]

I look the exact same route this week 😂 using this as reference. Too bad weather wasn’t the best

[@simoncennals]

Still some great spots in any weather!

[@c-historia]

great video! 👏

[@GoingSomewhereTogether]

We drove through here in 2020 on the way from Banff to Jasper on our weeklong Canadian Rockies roadtrip. We have got to spend at least a couple of days exploring the Parkway the next time we travel through it. Great video and great photos! Subscribing is a no-brainer!

[@simoncennals]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the kind words! I think you could spend weeks on the icefields parkway and still not tick everything off. There are lots of different hikes, I'll be posting a video about what I think is the best sunrise spot in Jasper soon so keep your eyes peeled!

[@Jupe367]

Wow. The scenic view is spectacular and your photographic skill is stunning.

[@simoncennals]

Thank you, it is an incredible drive!

[@MatteaandChris]

Great photography and videography. Would love to see a video on *all your gear!

[@simoncennals]

Thanks dude, maybe one day! Still figuring out this KZbin thing!

[@mikej1570]

Simon, Fantastic Video! Can you tell me EXACTLY where you pulled off for that phenomenal view you had of "Bow Lake". Did you hike from main parking lot somewhere or was it a secret pull off on road? Again Great Work! Thanks so much!

[@simoncennals]

Hey Mike, that spot is really just the main trail from the main car park! It would be hard to not end up around where I was standing to be honest! It's just much quieter than a lot of the other lakes especially at sunrise.

[@DaleGDavis]

I will be doing this drive in August 2023. I am trying to locate the site of your first stop at Bow Lake for sunrise. I dug down deep on Google maps and found the Bow Lake pull off, but I did not see those buildings, only a beach, no trail. Can you be more specific than the answer previously give below (Hey Mike, that spot is really just the main trail from the main car park! It would be hard to not end up around where I was standing to be honest! It's just much quieter than a lot of the other lakes especially at sunrise.). Dale Miami

[@simoncennals]

Hey Dale, you really would struggle to miss it. Maybe Google 'The Lodge at Bow Lake' big car park, multiple toilet blocks. You can't really miss it whilst driving past. From that car park it is a very obvious, easy walk to the lake front. I imagine you're coming across the pull in often referred to bow lake view point. You drive just north past that and turn left.

[@DaleGDavis]

Simon: Google map says "Bow Lake Car Lot" and then "The Lodge at Bow Lake." Is that the spot? This format does not allow me to sen the map which have put an Arrow on Dale Davis,Miami

[@simoncennals]

@@DaleGDavis that's sounds right to me. The lodge and the big car park are right next to each other. If you make it to the lodge you're in the right place! Then a short 2 minute walk to the front of the lake.

[@PhotoTrekr]

Very helpful for my trip. I had planned to do the Icefields Parkway as a day trip from Lake Louise. Now I'm wondering if I shouldn't just go all the way to Jasper, spend the night, then return the next day. I'm also reconsidering staying at Emerald Lake Lodge since lots of people think it's badly in need of repair and woefully understaffed. It does have the advantage though of nighttime photography and being close to Takkakaw Falls and Natural Bridge.

[@simoncennals]

I wouldn't be able to comment on the lodge it's been a few years since I stayed there but Emerald lake itself is a worthy visit. You could do Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Emerald Lake, Bow Lake and Peyto in a day if you were committed. You obviously wouldn't get a sunrise at each though! Jasper is a great little town and there's a great hike called Sulphur Skyline which is fantastic for sunrise. The problem is there's so much to do in the area!

[@PhotoTrekr]

@@simoncennals Thanks for the reply, Simon. At this point in my life I like to take it easy on these trips. I don't cram too much in in one day. Unfortunately I can no longer go on long hikes. Time catches up to all of us eventually. And I try to allow for rainy days if time permits. I even like to photograph the same place more than once if possible. So, I'll be on the move every day. But, I'll be staying at the lodges by the lakes and hope to avoid the crowds as much as possible and shoot around them which is what I've learned to do here in my "home" park in the Smoky Mountains. I started planning this trip in 2019 for 2020. So, you can imagine how excited I am to finally get to go to the Canadian Rockies.

[@simoncennals]

@@PhotoTrekr you'll have an incredible time whatever you end up doing! Sounds like you're doing your research.

[@PhotoTrekr]

@@simoncennals I've "only" been planning this trip off-and-on for three years!

[@PhotoTrekr]

@@simoncennals Now I'm thinking about spending two days in Jasper with one of those days at Maligne Lake and Spirit Island.

[@gurpreetbadal]

Nice video!! What camera did you use to make the whole video?

[@simoncennals]

Canon R6 for this one!

[@gurpreetbadal]

@@simoncennals great. I am planning to go this August. I have R5 to take with me. Would 15-35 F2.8 be sufficient for video and landscape. I will also take my rf 70-200 f2.8 with me. Traveling solo.

[@simoncennals]

@@gurpreetbadal sounds like you have a better set up than mine! I almost exclusively use my 16 to 35 for filming. But always carry a 24mm 1.4 and a 70 to 200 really!

[@ilhamiturgut9349]

I have 3.5 days. I will stay in Banff for a day. I will go to Calgray and come back the other days. I have such a plan, where would you recommend me to visit?

[@simoncennals]

Watch a couple more of my videos. Everything is drivable from Calgary or Banff. Lots to see and do.

[@user-vm6br4dy7c]

Do you offer your pictures for sale they are just gorgeous

[@simoncennals]

Hey mate, I can sell any image as a print :) just let me know what you're after.

[@jedistar4374]

Did you use Timelapse with your camera or you GoPro? If you use your camera, what was your settings? As I am getting back to my photography after 7 years, I kind of forgotten what I did back than. It seems like my brain is not 100% functional after that long of busy work life. I know settings can differ from brand to brand, but I use a cannon DSLR and a mirrorless. I also use my GoPro 9 or my Samsung S21 ultra time to time for photography, but mostly videos on regular basis.

[@simoncennals]

I've used both in the past, I don't think there's a timelapse in this video though? Settings for timelapse are completely dependent on the scene. And then I'd adjusts camera settings as time went on and use LR Timelapse to smooth out the transitions. But that's a whole other thing!

[@jedistar4374]

@@simoncennals I’m sorry for not being specific. For your northern light video at the end of this vlog, I believe that was a Timelapse you used.

[@simoncennals]

@@jedistar4374 I couldn't tell you what the settings were to be honest and it will differ with each scene. Depending on how fast the lights are moving etc, in all honesty best to experiment and get one image you like the look of and then do a Timelapse based on those settings. I shot that on my R6 though, forgot it was in that video to be honest!

[@Naser_Gharbeen]

Thats amazing , which month was it ?

[@simoncennals]

Hey, this was a couple of weeks ago! I published the video a few days after I did the drive!

[@Naser_Gharbeen]

@@simoncennals wow amazing i was surprised there a snow !

[@simoncennals]

@@Naser_Gharbeen there are lots of glaciers on this road so there is snow on those parts of the mountain year round!

[@janmarsh4104]

What time of year did you see the Northern Lights, please?

[@simoncennals]

Northern lights happen at any time of year. The only real factor is the more night time you have the more chance you have if seeing them because there's more darkness. Season makes no difference.

[@callmeBe]

Nice video! Why are you lugging around tiny little formats for large subjects and ideas?? At the very least you should be shooting 4x5 with select images. With large format the camera is not as important as the lens (so something like a MPII camera becomes almost as good as a Deardorff), and though modern lenses from the 1960's and beyond are fairly expensive, if you stick with the old tried 1940's and 1950's Kodak Ektanon and Ektar, they are highly contrasty and sharper than probably anything you use in this video (they were much easier to make--less glass, and they were copy lenses, not specifically made for camera use), and probably cost even now less than a quarter of what you pay for your lenses. Other large format advantages: developing each negative differently for contrast and exposure, by far a large palate of colors--there is no comparison to a smaller format, and you can hand retouch the actual negative if that ever interests you. Anyway, good video with some nice ideas.

[@simoncennals]

I think the answer to that is all in the word 'lugging' I understand your argument that medium format has advantages but I'm going the opposite. I spent a lot of my time in the mountains further from the beaten track so am actually down sizing gear to get good quality in lightweight packages. I'm not keen to lug a medium format camera plus lenses 50km+ when I can pop my Ricoh GR3 in my pocket and still get great shots.

[@callmeBe]

@@simoncennals Then you are sacrificing quite a bit of quality for ease. I guess if you are ok with that . . . But there are quite a few ways once you really, really know the formats to cut down on weight. For instance: tripods--the old wooden Ries Model C weighs about 2.5 lbs, yet is sturdy enough for a 5x7 format. It won't move in moderate wind. You will continually see them on eBAY. (It does somewhat twist when you move it around by it's legs). Tripod heads: The old wooden Ansco tripod heads will easily support a 5x7, yet weigh maybe 1/2 a lb. (It does not allow side to side movement). Anyway, I hate to see such talent reduce quality . . . You should be doing everything possible to increase quality, not actively find ways to do otherwise. Another thought: Graflex use to also make medium format cameras (they are wood with a black leather covering), and range from 6x6 to 6x9. I had a 6x9 and it was as light as any 35mm. There is almost no metal in it--only the rack for the bellows. It was bulkier, but compresses into something very easy to carry or pack. You see the 6x7 version from time to time on eBAY. You could easily fit the smaller Ektanon 4x5 lenses on them--very, very easy to do, and they would weigh less than a fixed length longer 35 mm. lens. Something like that would give you really, really fine results for something weighing about the same as a decked out 35mm. Anyway, I hope you decide to do otherwise.

[@simoncennals]

I don't think that tripod would work trail running or split boarding or fly that well! I appreciate the advice though. My current Canon R6 also films 4K video on top of being a great all round photo camera.