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THE GRASSLANDS NATIONAL PARK - A LANDSCAPE I NEVER EXPECTED TO SEE IN CANADA.

My name is Lisa Scholz, I am a professional photographer and OM SYSTEM Ambassador and I am currently exploring North America with my partner Patrick in our camper.

When I happened to come across Grasslands National Park while planning my route, I could hardly believe my eyes. The endless hilly steppe, which is home to rattlesnakes as well as many other exciting animals, does not at all correspond to the flora and fauna I expected in Canada and from the first second it was clear to me: I want to go there!

OM-1 • M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO • 7 mm • 1/10 s • F6.3 • ISO 80

On the first evening, I set off with my camera and jumped for joy when I spotted a bison in the breathtaking, dusty landscape. For today's hike I chose the OM-1 with the 7-14mm F2.8 PRO as well as the 40-150mm F2.8 PRO and the 300mm F4.0 PRO.

OM-1 • M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO • 300 mm • 1/1250 s • F4.0 • ISO 320

The days we spend in the national park are almost unbearably hot. The dusty air heats up to around 42 degrees and we look for shade in vain.

I am glad that my OM SYSTEM equipment is so robust and that I don't have to worry about dust thanks to the IP-53 standard. The compactness of the camera and lenses are also a valuable advantage for me on long and demanding hikes like this.

Unfortunately, the bison disappear at some point and I no longer get the picture I had actually dreamed of: one or more bison at sunset in the brilliant backlight.

Due to the conditions, we ask ourselves: Continue our journey or stay here for another day in the sun with our dog, in order to perhaps take THE picture the next evening?

We decide to stay here and make another attempt. The endless hours of waiting for good light in the blazing sun are getting to us. To make the heat a little more bearable for our dog, we shower him off regularly.

OM-1 • M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F2.8 PRO • 150 mm • 1/640 s • F2.8 • ISO 200

Even at 8 p.m. our thermometer still shows 38 degrees, the hike is tugging at me and I fervently hope that the exertions will be worth it and that I will still get the picture of the bison in the backlight. I walk on and on through the landscape of grasses and hills and see nothing. Luck is not on my side today - I don't find a single bison.

OM-1 • M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F2.8 PRO • 40 mm • 1/1000 s • F2.8 • ISO 200

What I have noticed all day, however, are the incredibly cute prairie dogs, some of them very shy. So I decide to dedicate the great light entirely to them and am finally rewarded with some special pictures.

OM-1 • M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm F1.2 PRO • 25 mm • 1/3200 s • F1.2 • ISO 80

When taking nature, landscape and wildlife pictures, I can always advise the following:

  • Be patient
  • if possible, wait for the right weather and lighting conditions
  • and most important: stay flexible

If the planned image doesn't work out, I look around and think about what else the situation, the landscape or the place offers. There is always something to discover in nature and if you keep an open mind and don't stick too doggedly to the one motif you have planned for, you often end up going home with another exciting picture. But remember, even if you don't, be sure to take time to enjoy just being out there. It is an experience like no other.

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About the author

lisascholz

Hi there, my name is Lisa Scholz, I’m 30 years old and I’m a professional photographer and OM SYSTEM Ambassador from Southern Germany.

I'm specialized in product- and advert as well as landscape and adventure photography. 

Besides photography my passion is traveling as well as outdoor sports like climbing, surfing and hiking. Together with my partner Patrick I’m living and traveling full-time in our campervan since 2018. Together we are holding live multivision shows about our travels. 

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