A PHOTOGRAPHER from Bebington has launched a new venture into iris photography.
Amy Knowles set up her Greasby-based studio Slinky Photography 15 years ago where she has specialised in family portraits.
However, after noticing a shift in the style of photography that people were wanting, Amy took inspiration from “eye artworks” which have grown in popularity across Europe.
Amy told the Globe: “I’ve been a portrait photographer for 15 years and I had started to notice a shift in what people were wanting for their homes.
“I came across these iris artworks earlier in the year and decided to get training to learn how to produce them.”
Amy Knowles with her Eye Portal set up (Image: Amy Knowles)
The iris capture session takes around 15 minutes per person and uses multiple images to capture all the details of an individual’s eye. The photographs are then edited and retouched to create an individual piece of artwork.
Amy said: “They are absolutely fascinating. It’s really personal so you can custom, present and style the images to match your home and décor. It’s so different from a big smiling face hung on your wall.
“It can be images of you and your partner or your family. We can create pieces that have up to six eyes depending on what you want and can also merge people’s eyes with their loved ones. They are art that’s unique to you so it’s really cool and interesting.”
An example of a family portrait (Image: Amy Knowles)
Eye Portals is launching on Friday (April 28) where customers will be able to book in with Amy in her studio.
She said: “I think so many people are looking to have modern homes so are wanting something that suits that kind of space.
“I loved the product and the service, and I wanted to do it for my own family. As soon as I started sharing about my learning journey with my followers I had constant messages from people telling me how amazing they thought it was and asking me if I was going to offer it so I have a feeling that it’s going to be popular.
“It’s something completely different for me it’s exciting and I’m looking forward to offering my clients something new.”
Welcome to Ways of Seeing, an interview series that highlights outstanding talent in photography and film—the people behind the camera whose work you should be watching. In this week’s edition, senior content editor Michael Beckert chats with the Colombian, Madrid-based photographer Felipe Romero Beltrán on his latest project.
When I saw pictures from your new book, Dialect (published by Loose Joints), months ago, I was immediately drawn to their bewitching nature. But I kept asking myself, “What is going on in these images?” So what, in your opinion, is this project about?
Dialect started in 2020 with this group of young migrants who crossed the Mediterranean Sea from Morocco, to arrive here in Spain. Because of very specific political bureaucracies in Spain, these migrants have to spend a long time—usually three years—waiting for papers, which will allow them to live and work here. I met these guys during a talk I was giving on my experience as a migrant, because I’m originally from Colombia. At first it was just that—trying to make a connection with these guys and speak to them, and a real relationship formed.
From there, I proposed the project and explained that I wanted to take photographs of them in this limbo state, documenting the years of waiting. The guys started taking Spanish-speaking classes, workshops to develop skills to integrate into society, and this project we shot was also a way for them to integrate. For me, it’s been quite a learning experience—not just in terms of my technical approach to photography, but also in regards to my ability to conceptualize an entire project.
Courtesy of Felipe Romero Beltrán
One of the reasons this project stood out to me is because it’s technically documentary photography, but it feels like fashion imagery.
Absolutely. When I first met these guys, I was just taking photos of them for their WhatsApp and Instagram accounts while getting to know them. Because they were minors, I had to wait for formal permission to photograph them for the project. During that time, I heard a ton of stories about their experiences coming from Tangier, Morocco, and then to Seville. When I proposed the project, I asked them to reenact, in the photographs, some of the experiences they had on their journey from Morocco to Spain. In the case of Youssef (pictured below), he was talking a lot about how he traveled to Seville on a boat with 80 other people. I asked the guys to approach this reality through a straight photographic image, but with a twist on the reenactment, since I was not able to be there at the time. This kind of reenactment leads to conversation about their experiences and to accept them in a way—and the photograph is a way to remember them.
Courtesy of Felipe Romero Beltrán
It’s almost like the process of making the photographs is a form of therapy, then? How did you come up with this approach to documentary photography? I’ve never heard of anything like it.
I’ve always been connected to education and to academics. In school, I started to think critically about what documentary means, exactly—how we categorize what is documentary and what is not. I wanted to play with that.
Is this project also partly a study of masculinity?
Yeah, absolutely. It was part of the project because these men were living together 24/7 while waiting for their papers and they had a specific situation as migrants. They were trying to make a living in Spain with the same background, the same experience. And of course, everyone has a different role and each person has to make a position on what they wanted to become afterwards. It was kind of unconscious for me, because I felt like part of this group. We made this bond and this relation that you can feel in the pictures.
How do you light your work?
Normally, I mostly use flash, especially for the interiors. And I use digital mostly, but it’s an old camera, so I can’t change much of the parameters.
I can’t believe these images are digital—they don’t feel that way at all.
That’s the thing: At the beginning, I said, “Let’s do it in digital,” because of money. But at the same time, it was easier to show the guys the pictures right after I shot them, to see if they liked it. If they didn’t, we’d repeat the picture and make edits to how we photographed them. So we shared our thoughts on the session when I was working with them.
Can you tell me a bit more about your own story and how you got into photography?
As I told you, I’m from Colombia. Socially and politically, Colombia is a complicated place. At the beginning, I was meant to study more on the journalistic or anthropologic side of things, but I discovered photography when my sister coincidentally brought a camera to our place. In an instant, I was like, “What the hell is this thing?” We build our relation with the world through words, through sentences, through this verbal experience. And with photography, it’s completely different. That’s what really struck me about it. At 17, I got a scholarship in Argentina and moved there by myself, because I needed to find a job. I studied there for five years, then I moved between Israel and Palestine for another scholarship that I got from the university. I applied for another scholarship here in Madrid for a master’s degree, and now I’m finishing my Ph.D. in photography.
Quite a long, long path—but fortunately, I could attach all my education to my practice.
Courtesy of Felipe Romero Beltrán
Is there a photographer whose work you find particularly inspiring?
I’ve always pulled references, not just from other photography, but also paintings and movies; one of the references for this project was Pier Paolo Pasolini, the Italian filmmaker. I found it interesting how he approached not only the visuals, but also the narrative itself. So that’s one instance. But photographically speaking, I’m keen on a lot more.
On one hand, I’m really interesting in photographic surface—like Wolfgang Tillmans, for example, who’s really sophisticated, educated, and respectful with the photographic medium. But at the same time, I’m fascinated by the conceptual approach: One of the references from the development phase of the Dialect project was [painter] Diego Velázquez, because he was from Seville. He has this relation with the Baroque that you can still feel in the city: in the architecture, in images, and in the religion.
What are you most proud of when it comes to your career and journey as an artist?
That’s a complicated question. But the thing that makes me happiest is that every project is a learning path, and it’s always connected with my next thing. For example, we are now working on a different project with two of the guys from Dialect that has to do with dance and movement. This is an example of that organic path.
At the same time, the thing I’m most proud of is that each project allows me to learn and be more precise, not only when it comes to the concept, but also in the photography. I’m trying to improve every single day that I’m doing pictures.
The AlUla Skies Festival is returning for a second year, from April 26th until May 13th, with a range of adventure, cultural, heritage, and entertainment experiences.
Read More: Here is a List of Top Events to Attend in Saudi Arabia 2023
A host of unique activities, including hot air balloons and stargazing, are sure to provide an incredible spectacle from every angle.
Visitors will have the chance to view AlUla from a hot air balloon or helicopter during the daytime, while stargazing, music shows, and astrophotography will be among the nighttime activities.
Phillip Jones, chief tourism officer at Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), said: “AlUla Skies Festival is a unique opportunity to welcome visitors from the Kingdom and the world to AlUla, to further strengthen its position as a leading tourist destination in the region.
“Since ancient times, the sky has been a map for those who visited AlUla, as they were guided by the stars and the constellations to travel on the ancient incense trading route, and today we celebrate the history of the skies with unique events and offers that position AlUla Skies Festival as a must-do on the travelers bucket list every year.”
Hot air balloon trips in North Hegra will operate each day from 7 am to 8:30 am and 4 pm to 5:30 pm. You can book your flight over the UNESCO World Heritage Site here.
Helicopter tours will give you birds-eye views of AlUla’s most famous landmarks and heritage sites. The flight duration is 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, AlUla Skies is also providing a combined experience of stargazing and astrophotography from 4.30-10.30 pm daily, in an area that offers some of the very best views of the night sky.
A Giant Swing where participants jump off the mountain edge and swing is also available, an outdoor cinema, and AlUla Stairway, with a descent all the way back down on a 150-meter zipline, are also available during the event.
The theme for the third round of the Camera Jabber Photographer of the Year (CJPOTY) competition was ‘Spring’ and once again there were some fabulous images submitted. After a lengthy judging session, we are delighted to announce that the following images will be added to our shortlist to be judged by our illustrious panel of judges at the end of the year.
One of these ten shortlisted images has also been selected as the round winner with the photographer being awarded a voucher from MPB worth £500 – scroll down to find out who.
CJPOTY March 2023 Spring shortlisted images
Rebecca Hedges
Crocus flowers are a welcome sight every spring. We loved Rebecca’s low-level shot that includes snow-topped mountains in the background. It encapsulates that feeling that spring can lapse back into winter at any moment.
Pawel Zygmunt
Who doesn’t love a puffin? Pawel’s image stands out from the crowd because of the action, with the puffin building momentum to take-off, while the sea pinks make the season clear. Pawel’s focusing is perfect while his choice of shutter speed has ensured the puffin is frozen mid-step.
Sarah Williams
The parakeets living in the south east of England don’t always get the best press, but they are undeniably attractive. The bright green of the bird contrasts nicely with the pink of the spring blossom, which also matches the beak rather well. It’s a lovely cheery image with spot-on focusing.
Marie Jones
Marie has captured one of the less-celebrated sights of spring and she’s done it superbly. The water is perfectly still and there’s a nice reflection of the rather proud-looking frog keeping an eye on the spawn.
Mai-Britt Larsen
Mai-Britt did well to spot these tiny flowers and we love how she has captured two in a soft, dreamy landscape. The flowers look delicate and vulnerable. There’s also a nice sense of the early-morning chill of spring.
Jane O’Connor
Jane’s beautiful image reminds us of a Japanese painting, we’d love to see it printed and hanging on a wall. We were drawn in by the dark branches in the foreground against the pink blossom of the trees in the distance going down the hillside.
Eric Browett
Boxing hares are a rare sight these days and our guess is that Eric had to be very patient to capture this fabulous shot. His timing is superb and both animals look very dynamic.
Anne-Marie Smith
This is another image that must have taken lots of patience. Anne-Marie’s composition is excellent with both the crocus flower and the bee coming in alongside it perfectly sharp. Judging by the size of the pollen collections on the bee’s legs, it’s been very busy.
Angi Wallace
Angi is the current Camera Jabber Photographer of the Year and this image is typical of her fantastic photography. The background is wonderfully blurred and in keeping with the subjects, which are perfectly sharp and beautifully positioned in the frame.
Ana Peiró Muñoz
Anemones make fabulous subjects and Ana has delivered a superb image here. We love how the super-sharp anthers at the centre of the flower are peeping out from between the petals. The background is also nicely blurred and tones well with the flower.
CJPOTY March 2023 winner: Jane O’Connor
Congratulations Jane, a voucher to the value of £500 from MPB is heading your way!
Jane’s image joins the other 9 images that have been selected this month and goes onto our shortlist for judging by our panel of VIP judges at the end of the year for the overall prize.
CJPOTY April: Movement
The theme for the fourth round of the 2023/24 Camera Jabber Photographer of the Year (CJPOTY) competition is ‘Movement’. It’s up to you whether that movement is frozen or blurred. You could even use a neutral density filter to enable a long exposure to blur the movement of water or clouds – or maybe intentional camera movement is your thing? So long as there’s movement of some sort in your image, it’s eligible for this round.
This round of our monthly competition is open for submissions until 23:59 BST (00:59 CET and 15:59 PST) on 30th April 2023.
To submit your entry follow the link to cjpoty or click on the CJPOTY button at the top of any of our website pages. You can submit up to three entries for £2.00 plus payment processing costs (£0.26). Images should be Jpegs at least 1920 pixels along their longest side but no larger than 2MB.
Camera Jabber Photographer of the Year prizes
At the end of the month, the Camera Jabber team will pick one winning image and nine runners up from the April entries. The photographer of the winning image will receive a voucher from MPB.com to the value of £500 which can be spent on anything from a huge range of kit from the World’s biggest platform for used photographic gear.
All 10 of the selected images will go into our shortlist for the year.
We’ll do this each month in 2023 so that by the end of the year, there will be 120 shortlisted images. These will then go before our fantastic panel of judges who will decide the 1st, 2nd and 3rd-placed images.
The photographer of the first-placed image overall, as decided by the panel of judges , will receive a voucher to the value of £1000 from MPB.com as well as a trophy and the title ‘Camera Jabber Photographer of the Year 2023‘. The photographers who come second and third will receive vouchers worth £500 and £250 respectively.
About MPB
Founded by Matt Barker in 2011, MPB is the world’s largest platform for used photography and videography kit. MPB has transformed the way people buy, sell and trade equipment, making photography more accessible, affordable and sustainable.
Headquartered in the creative communities of Brighton, Brooklyn and Berlin, the MPB team includes trained camera experts and seasoned photographers and videographers who bring their passion to work every day to deliver outstanding service. Every piece of kit is inspected carefully by product specialists and comes with a six-month warranty to give customers peace of mind that buying used doesn’t mean sacrificing reliability.
Kate Middleton exhibited some fancy footwork as she scooted closer to Queen Margrethe of Denmark and Crown Princess Mary in a resurfaced moment that went viral, via People Magazine.
During her visit to Copenhagen two months ago, the Princess of Wales, 41, posed for pictures to the Danish royals. In the clip, the queen, 83, motioned for Kate to stand closer to her, she discreetly scooted closer to the monarch via a heel-toe slide which TikTok users have dubbed the ‘Princess Shuffle.’
The video was posted by @the.royal.watcher on TikTok on Monday, and it already has more than 1 million views and 50,000 likes.
“And in heels!” remarked one commenter, zooming in on Kate’s black stiletto pumps. “I would definitely get caught on the carpet and wipe out.”
“I’m going to do that next time I’m taking a photo with someone,” said another.
“This will never not be funny to me [crying laughing emoji] the Queen literally invited her to come in closer. She didn’t need to shuffle in [crying emoji],” one person commented.
Another commentator added, “This is less discreet and less smooth than just taking that tiny step over.”
One fan chimed in, “Shufffffffle!! Discreet and elegant love you Kate [Loved up emojis]”
The Denmark trip was a chance for Princess of Wales to learn how the country, a close ally of Great Britain, had “created an enabling culture for early childhood development, specifically how it has promoted infant mental wellbeing alongside physical health, and how it harnesses the power of nature, relationships and playful learning in the first five years of life,” Kensington Palace announced at the time.
One of the our top-rated astrophotography cameras is massively reduced at Walmart.
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II is one of the best astrophotography cameras that money can buy right now – but it doesn’t come cheap. That’s why we were so surprised to stumble upon this doozy of an offer from Walmart.
The retailer is offering the OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1 Mark III for just $1204.95 – a discount of nearly $600 from the MSRP of $1799. Weirdly, the Walmart page doesn’t mark it down as a deal, but this is indeed a great discount on this lightweight astro camera.
Update: The price jumped up by about $60 since we first published about it, so we’ve updated the article accordingly. It was $1141.97, it’s now $1204.95 – still a great deal.
OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1 Mark III – Was $1799,now $1204.95 at Walmart
Save nearly $600 on one of the best astrophotography cameras around (lens not included)View Deal
One of the best features of the OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1 Mark III is its Starry Sky Autofocus, which means the camera is able to use an algorithm to zero in on the smallest stars visible for an impressively sharp picture.
There are two priority modes, too; one for accuracy, and one for speed. The former is ideal for tripods, but the latter means you can grab some great astrophotography shots with a handheld camera. Don’t worry about your arm getting tired, either – the OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1 Mark III is impressively compact and lightweight.
That small size does mean the sensor is a little smaller, but with the wealth of features on offer we’d say it’s still worth a look.
There’s even a Live Composite mode that keeps the shutter open for six hours, adding exposure when lighting changes, and USB connectivity is ideal for keeping the battery topped up while out and about.
You will need your own lenses, however, as this deal is for the camera body only.
Looking for more of the best cameras around but taking photos of nature instead? Be sure to check out our picks for the best wildlife photography cameras.
Who doesn’t love cute animal photos? Whether they’re our beloved pets or wild creatures in their natural habitat, animals have a special way of bringing joy and happiness into our lives.
The “Important Animal Images” Facebook page knows this all too well, and has curated a collection of heartwarming and uplifting animal pictures that are sure to put a smile on your face. From snuggly pets to adorable wildlife interactions, these photos capture the beauty and wonder of the animal world. So sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the best pics from this beloved Facebook page.
Here in this gallery, you can find 30 funny photos from Facebook page. All photos are linked and lead to the sources from which they were taken. Please feel free to explore further works of these photographers on their collections or their personal sites.
A dainty duchess. Princess Kate exhibited some subtle fancy footwork during a February photo opportunity — and the moment is now going viral.
During her visit to Copenhagen two months ago, the Princess of Wales, 41, posed for pictures with Queen Margrethe of Denmark and Crown Princess Mary. After the queen, 83, motioned for Kate to stand closer to her, the Duchess of Cambridge discreetly scooted closer to the monarch via a heel-toe slide which social media users have dubbed the “Princess Shuffle.”
Princess Kate Through the Years: From Commoner to Future Queen Consort
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A clip of the moment shared by TikTok user @theroyalwatcher on Monday, April 24, already has more than 1 million viewers and 70,000 “likes.” Fans took to the comments section to praise the royal’s moves.
“And in heels! I would definitely get caught on the carpet and wipe out ,” one commenter wrote.
Another chimed in: “Shufffffffle!! Discreet and elegant love you Kate .”
Some social media users, however, thought the technique was unnecessary.
“This will never not be funny to me the Queen literally invited her to come in closer. She didn’t need to shuffle in ,” one person commented.
Another added: “This is less discreet and less smooth than just taking that tiny step over.”
In addition to creating a viral moment, Kate’s trip to Copenhagen marked her first solo overseas tour since 2017. During her visit, she stopped by the Copenhagen Infant Mental Health Project (CIMHP), which aims to promote healthy relationships between infants and their parents.
Kate’s Best Looks of All Time: From Monochrome Moments to Stylish Suits
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A statement from Kensington Palace at the time noted that the trip had given the duchess an opportunity to see how Denmark had “created an enabling culture for early childhood development, specifically how it has promoted infant mental wellbeing alongside physical health, and how it harnesses the power of nature, relationships and playful learning in the first five years of live.” The St Andrews alum launched her own project centered around the well-being of children — the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood — in June 2021.
Fans’ support of the “princess shuffle” comes less than two weeks before Kate and her husband, Prince William, will reunite with Prince Harry at King Charles III’s coronation on May 6. The occasion will mark the duchess’ first time seeing her brother-in-law, 38, since Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022 — and since the release of Harry’s January bombshell memoir, Spare.
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In the tell-all, the Duke of Sussex claimed that William, 40, and Kate — who share sons Prince George, 9, and Prince Louis, 5, and daughter Princess Charlotte, 7 — encouraged him to dress as a Nazi soldier for a 2005 costume party.
“I went up and down the rows, sifting through the racks, seeing nothing I liked. With time running out I narrowed my options to two. A British pilot’s uniform. And a sand-colored Nazi uniform. With a swastika armband. And a flat cap,” the BetterUp CIO wrote. “I phoned Willy and Kate, asked what they thought. Nazi uniform, they said. I rented it, plus a silly mustache, and went back to the house. I tried it all on. They both howled.”
After the book hit shelves, a source exclusively told Us Weekly that Kate was “appalled” at Harry for “dragging her name through the dirt.”
Prince Harry and Princess Kate’s Relationship Through the Years
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Although the Archewell cofounder was invited to his father’s coronation next month, tension between him and the royal family remains high.
“After Harry said so much about Kate in Spare and about [his stepmother, Queen] Camilla, the extended family … none of them really feel the need to follow up with the conversation,” royal expert Nick Bullen exclusively told Us on Saturday, April 20.
Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle — who share son Prince Archie, 3, and daughter Princess Lilibet, 22 months — have been at odds with The Firm since stepping back from their roles as senior royals in 2020.
“I think he’ll be nervous about how the family [will] react to him,” Bullen told Us of Harry’s upcoming trip across the pond for the coronation. Meghan, 41, will not attend the event, which takes place on Archie’s 4th birthday.
Prince Harry’s Ups and Downs With the Royal Family Over the Years
Read article
“I think Meghan not attending is a huge relief for everybody involved,” the editor-in-chief of True Royalty TV said. “Then [there would be] shots of, ‘Does she give side eye to Kate or does Kate give side eye to her?’”
Bullen added of the Suits alum’s estrangement from Kate: “There was never really any relationship beforehand.”
Apr. 25—SOMERSET, Pa. — Somerset County is kicking off a photography contest aimed at capturing the beauty of the county’s trails.
The county’s parks and recreation board is inviting photography fans and outdoors enthusiasts to submit photos of the trail or surrounding nature alongside the Great Allegheny Passage, Flight 93 National Memorial Trail or Somerset Lake Nature Park.
Photographs might be of the path itself, nearby wildlife or a scenic setting — “it could be almost anything as long as it’s taken by someone on one of the trails,” Somerset County Director of Parks and Trails Lindsay Pyle said.
Prizes will go to first- through third-place entries selected by the parks and recreation board as well as a People’s Choice prize chosen through an online Facebook vote, she said.
The first-place winner will receive $140 in gift cards, while second and third places will receive $125 and $75 in gift card prizes, respectively, she said. The online winner will receive a $50 prize.
Only one entry per person is permitted.
A $10 entry fee, by check, is required with proceeds going toward the trail maintenance fund, Baer said. Submissions must include a 5 x 7 hard copy of the photo as well as a digital copy.
The deadline to enter is June 2.
A link to enter is posted on facebook.com/SomersetCoRecreationandTrails
Somerset County approved a request for proposals Tuesday for a firm to design the next stretch of the September 11 National Memorial Trail.
The section is just a fraction of a mile extending the trail from Garrett Borough past a U.S. Route 219 overpass just north of the borough heading toward Berlin.
The September 11th National Memorial Trail is a 1,300-mile network of roads and multi-use trails that connects the three sites where hijacked planes crashed on Sept. 11, 2001, including Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County, the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Virginia and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City.
Appalachian Regional Commission funds were secured to pay for the project. Somerset County commissioners said proposals for the design work are due May 22.
12 Awe-Inducing National Parks Near Vegas Mark Brodkin Photography – Getty Images
For the most part, you probably associate Sin City with partying, partying, and oh yeah, more partying. But a quick look at a map will remind you that Las Vegas is actually surrounded by breathtaking nature too, thanks to its proximity to more than a dozen national parks out West. The best part? All of these Vegas-adjacent natural wonders are located within an eight-hour drive of the Strip, which makes them perfect for a day or weekend trip during your visit. And considering that each park has an entirely different claim to fame, from surreal desert vibes to awe-inducing big trees to thousands of acres of open land, you’ve got plenty of options to tack onto your next Vegas vacay. Here are our favorite national parks near Vegas, plus approximately how long it’ll take you to drive to each spot from your hotel in LV.
Death Valley National Park
Travel time from Vegas: two hours
Be warned, this park gets hot as hell around this time of year— summertime temps regularly pass 115 degrees! If you go, bring lots of water, both for yourself and your car (in case the car overheats). And be sure to visit the salt flats of Badwater Basin, which, at 282 feet below sea level, are the lowest point in the United States.
Roman Slavik
Travel time from Vegas: two and a half hours
Obviously, this park needs no introduction. The 278-mile-long Grand Canyon, located east of Vegas, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World—and a true American mainstay. Coming from Vegas, the west rim is the most accessible part of the park, though of course the entire canyon is powerful to witness if you’ve got the time. Also easily accessible: the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a horseshoe-shaped bridge with a glass bottom that’s located directly above the canyon floor (aka looking down while you stand on it is a little bit scary but a lot bit worth it).
Dean Fikar – Getty Images
Travel time from Vegas: three hours
Located northeast from Las Vegas on I-15, Utah’s first national park is a crowd favorite for good reason: The nature is truly insane. With jaw-dropping views of colorful sandstone cliffs, not to mention tons of options for epic backcountry adventures, Zion will 100% make you fall in love with the West. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, one of the most famous hikes, known as “The Narrows,” heads up Zion Canyon, and even requires tromping through the Virgin River. Fun fact: At one point on the hike, the canyon walls are more than 1,000 feet tall!
pick-uppath – Getty Images
Travel time from Vegas: three hours
Joshua Tree is undeniably Instagrammable (do you see those Dr. Seuss-like trees?!), but this southeastern California park is even more surreal IRL. The scenery is so otherworldly, it seriously feels like you’re walking on Mars. Plus, the skies are some of the darkest in the U.S., which is a great antidote to the bright lights and big city vibe that is Vegas. Be sure to check out all of the crazy rock formations (one’s in the shape of a skull!), and the Cholla Cactus Garden at sunrise or sunset (the magic hour light on the cacti is unreal).
Westend61 – Getty Images
Travel time from Vegas: four hours
Even if you are not a “nature person,” there’s no way you won’t be blown away by the hoodoos at Bryce Canyon. Hoodoos are tall, thin rock formations that are shaped by the wind, and kinda look like giant people…if people were made of stone slabs. Though hoodoos are found in many areas, there are more of them in Bryce than any other place on Earth. Another perk: The park is small enough to see in a day.
(c) Swapan Jha – Getty Images
Travel time from Vegas: four and a half hours
Google image this eastern Nevada park, and the photos will speak for themselves: There are alpine lakes and limestone caverns and Nevada’s only glacier, oh my! Great Basin is also home to the second-highest point in the Silver State, the 13,063-foot-tall Wheeler Peak, not to mention the 5,000-year-old Bristlecone pines that are thought to be the oldest living trees on the planet. Casual.
James Ronan / EyeEm – Getty Images
Travel time from Vegas: five and a half hours
You don’t have to go to Colorado to see all of the red rocks. This expansive park in south central Utah, northeast of Las Vegas, gets the job done, too—and done well. Not only are the views truly incredible (lots of red rocks and blue skies for days), it’s also known for its tremendous boulders, including one that looks like the U.S. Capitol dome (hence the name of the park).
But Capitol Reef is perhaps most famous for its 100-mile Waterpocket Fold, which is a literal buckle in the Earth’s crust that has created lots of deep, narrow canyons through the park. While the terrain makes it difficult to cross the park from the east side to the west side (there’s only one paved road that crosses over), the one main highway that runs parallel to the fold provides access to all sorts of trailheads and crazy-scenic views.
Jill Buschlen – Getty Images
Travel time from Vegas: five and a half hours
When you think of Yosemite, you probably picture its famous waterfalls, or all of the mountain peaks, or the fresh air, or, yeah…all of the people. As one of California’s most well-known national parks (if not the most well-known), Yosemite is often teeming with people, especially in the popular areas such as El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and the trail to Half Dome. Pro tip: For a different, less-crowded experience, check out the Hetch Hetchy Valley on the west side of the park, which is just as beautiful as Yosemite Valley—and way quieter.
zorazhuang – Getty Images
Travel time from Vegas: five and a half hours
Though the name of this park makes it sound rather scary, the ~petrified~ part comes from its gorgeous and very much not-scary forests of petrified wood (aka fossils). When you go, be sure to check out both the fossils and the colorful hills of the Painted Desert, which was named for the red, yellow, and lavender colors that mark the sandstone hills. All told, the geologic features in the park represent more than 200 million years of history on display—a great juxtaposition to the relatively new casino resorts that line the Strip.
LarryKnupp – Getty Images
Travel time from Vegas: six and a half hours
Sequoia is all about—you guessed it—big trees. Giant sequoias are thought to be the largest living organism on Earth! The highlight of this park just may be the General Sherman Tree, which is 275 feet tall (and still growing today). Another highlight: Moro Rock, which offers spectacular views of the Great Western Divide of the High Sierra.
Carmen Martínez Torrón – Getty Images
Travel time from Vegas: seven hours
As Sequoia National Park’s sister park, Kings Canyon (which is adjacent to Sequoia) is also all about big trees—but it’s still an entirely separate and lesser-known park. That makes it another worthwhile destination from Las Vegas, especially if you want to go somewhere a bit more off-the-beaten-path. The star of the show here is the General Grant Tree, the second-largest sequoia in the world. Other big trees, like redwoods and cedars, are also all over the park. This probably goes without saying, but…don’t forget to look up.
thinair28 – Getty Images
Travel time from Vegas: 7 hours
Chances are, you’ve seen this ~very photogenic~ park northeast of Las Vegas on your IG feed. As the name suggests, it has thousands of natural stone arches, all eroded from stone over time—and standing under one of them is a popular photo-op. In fact, most rock features are a short hike from the main road through the park, so you won’t have to go far to get your shot. FYI, the most iconic arch of them all is Delicate Arch, which even appears on Utah license plates.
