Photography Tips
Capturing the Magic of Hawaii's Parks
Capturing the Spirit of Wahi Pana
Photographing Hawaii's sacred places requires more than technical skill—it demands understanding and respect for the land and its stories. These wahi pana (legendary places) have been photographed millions of times, yet each moment offers a unique opportunity to capture their essence through your own vision.
This field guide draws from Leilani Ako's years of experience photographing Hawaii's parks, from the fiery glow of Kīlauea to the emerald valleys of Kauaʻi. Whether you're shooting with a smartphone or professional gear, these techniques will help you create images that honor these sacred landscapes.
Essential Gear & Camera Settings
📷 Essential Equipment
Camera & Lenses
- • Wide-angle lens (16-35mm) for landscapes
- • Telephoto zoom (70-200mm) for isolating details
- • Sturdy tripod (essential for long exposures)
- • Extra batteries (cold at elevation drains power)
Filters & Accessories
- • Polarizing filter (cuts glare, enhances colors)
- • Neutral density filters for waterfalls
- • Lens cleaning kit (salt air and volcanic dust)
- • Weather protection (rain covers)
⚙️ Key Settings
Landscape Photography
- • Aperture: f/8-f/11 for sharp foreground/background
- • ISO: Keep as low as possible (100-400)
- • Focus: Hyperfocal distance or focus stacking
- • Shoot RAW for maximum editing flexibility
Waterfalls & Motion
- • Slow shutter (1-4 seconds) for silky water
- • Use ND filters to allow longer exposures
- • Tripod essential for sharp, stable shots
- • Bracket exposures for high dynamic range
Mastering Hawaii's Light
🌅 Golden Hour Magic
The hour after sunrise and before sunset provides the warmest, most flattering light for landscapes.
Best For:
- • Canyon photography (Waimea, Haleakalā)
- • Coastal shots with warm reflections
- • Silhouette photography
- • Portrait photography with natural glow
🌌 Blue Hour Drama
The 20-30 minutes after sunset when the sky turns deep blue, providing even lighting and dramatic skies.
Best For:
- • Volcano photography with lava glow
- • City lights from elevated viewpoints
- • Star trail preparation shots
- • Dramatic seascape compositions
☁️ Overcast Advantage
Cloudy conditions provide soft, even lighting perfect for certain subjects, especially in rainforest environments.
Best For:
- • Waterfall photography (no harsh shadows)
- • Forest detail shots and close-ups
- • Saturated green vegetation
- • Moody, atmospheric landscapes
⏰ Timing Your Shoot
Sunrise Locations:
- • Haleakalā Summit (requires reservations)
- • Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail (Oʻahu)
- • Kīlauea Crater viewpoints
- • East-facing beaches (Lanikai, Kailua)
Sunset Locations:
- • Waimea Canyon lookouts
- • Puʻu ʻUalakaʻa State Park (Tantalus)
- • West-facing beaches (Poipu, Makena)
- • Nāpali Coast from boat or helicopter
Composition Techniques for Hawaii's Landscapes
🌿 Powerful Foregrounds
Strong foreground elements create depth and lead the viewer's eye into the composition.
Natural Elements:
- • Volcanic rock formations and lava flows
- • Native plants (ʻōhiʻa, koa, hapuʻu ferns)
- • Tide pools and coral formations
- • Interesting driftwood or beach stones
Pro Tip: Get low and close to foreground elements. Use wide-angle lenses to exaggerate perspective and create dramatic depth.
➡️ Leading Lines
Use natural lines to guide the viewer's eye through your composition toward your main subject.
Natural Lines:
- • Coastlines and wave patterns
- • Ridge lines and mountain silhouettes
- • Rivers, streams, and waterfall flows
- • Lava flow patterns and rock striations
Example: Use the Chain of Craters Road as a leading line toward the ocean, or follow stream beds up to waterfalls.
📏 Showing Scale
Hawaii's landscapes are massive. Include recognizable elements to convey the true scale of these natural wonders.
Scale Indicators:
- • People or hikers in the distance
- • Boats against cliffs (Nāpali Coast)
- • Cars on winding canyon roads
- • Trees or vegetation for size reference
Technique: Place scale elements in the lower third of your frame, but make sure they don't dominate the composition.
🖼️ Natural Framing
Use natural elements to create frames that focus attention on your main subject and add depth.
Framing Elements:
- • Cave openings and lava tubes
- • Overhanging tree branches
- • Rock arches and natural windows
- • Canyon walls and cliff edges
Example: Frame Diamond Head through the ironwood trees at Koko Head, or use lava tube openings to frame distant landscapes.
Location-Specific Photography Techniques
🌋 Volcano Photography
Example: Capturing volcanic landscapes requires understanding light, composition, and safety protocols
Lava & Crater Shots:
- • Use telephoto lenses to safely capture lava details
- • Shoot during blue hour for best glow contrast
- • Protect gear from volcanic gases and ash
- • Use manual focus (autofocus struggles in low light)
Safety & Settings:
- • Tripod essential for sharp long exposures
- • ISO 800-1600 for handheld night shots
- • Bracket exposures for extreme contrast
- • Always follow park safety guidelines
💧 Waterfall Photography
Silky Water Effect:
- • 1-4 second exposures for smooth flow
- • Use ND filters to reduce light
- • Overcast conditions provide even lighting
- • Focus on rocks or pool edges for sharpness
Composition Tips:
- • Include interesting foreground rocks or pools
- • Capture mist and spray for atmosphere
- • Try vertical compositions for tall falls
- • Look for rainbow opportunities in mist
🏖️ Coastal & Cliff Photography
Wave & Tide Techniques:
- • Time arrivals with tide charts for best compositions
- • Use fast shutter speeds to freeze wave action
- • Polarizing filter essential for reducing glare
- • Shoot from higher vantage points for better perspective
Cliff & Canyon Views:
- • Use zoom lenses to isolate dramatic details
- • Include clouds for scale and visual interest
- • Side lighting enhances cliff texture and depth
- • Multiple focal lengths capture different perspectives
Protecting the Places We Photograph
🌱 Leave No Trace Photography
Ethical Practices:
- • Stay on designated trails and paths
- • Don't move rocks, plants, or natural features
- • Avoid trampling vegetation for better angles
- • Don't use drones in national parks (prohibited)
- • Respect wildlife viewing distances
Remember: Take only photographs, leave only footprints. These places are sacred to Native Hawaiians and fragile ecosystems.
🙏 Cultural Respect
Honoring Sacred Places:
- • Learn about the cultural significance of locations
- • Don't climb on heiau (temple) structures
- • Avoid taking rocks from sacred sites
- • Be respectful when photographing cultural sites
- • Share knowledge about Hawaiian culture with visitors
Perspective: Approach these landscapes with the same reverence you would show any sacred place. Your photographs should honor, not exploit.
🗺️ Parks Guide
Getting started
Reservations & PermitsBooking guide
Oʻahu ParksDiamond Head & more
Maui ParksHaleakalā & ʻĪao Valley
Kauaʻi ParksNāpali & Waimea Canyon
Big Island ParksVolcanoes & refuges
Hiking GuideTop trails by skill level
AccessibilityAccess for all visitors
You are here
📸 Quick Settings Guide
Landscapes
- • Aperture: f/8-f/11
- • ISO: 100-400
- • Focus: Hyperfocal distance
Waterfalls
- • Shutter: 1-4 seconds
- • Use ND filters
- • Tripod required
Lava/Night
- • ISO: 800-1600
- • Manual focus
- • Blue hour timing
🌤️ Weather & Timing
Golden Hour
First/last hour of sunlight
Blue Hour
20-30 min after sunset
Overcast
Perfect for waterfalls
Trade Winds
Affect stability, plan accordingly
🔍 Essential Filters
- Polarizing:
Cuts glare, enhances colors
- Neutral Density:
Allows longer exposures
- Graduated ND:
Balances sky/foreground