Everglades landscapes

The landscape of the Everglades is as different from the Pacific Coast as you can get. There are no towering cliffs, no crashing waves, and no dramatic redwoods. Instead, it’s a quiet, sometimes eerie swamp, where ancient cypress trees stand timelessly in still waters. As a landscape photographer, you have to approach this environment differently. While sunrises and sunsets are always an option, the Everglades offer unique opportunities even in the middle of the day.

One of the most striking features of the Everglades at midday is the dramatic cloud cover. I initially tried capturing it in color, but the images lacked impact. It wasn’t until I switched to black and white that the clouds truly came to life, adding depth and contrast to the scene. If you find yourself in the Everglades, I highly recommend experimenting with black-and-white photography to highlight the sky’s dramatic textures.

For sunrise and sunset shots, I found some great locations along the main road inside the park. The key to a compelling shot is finding an interesting foreground to complement the colorful sky. For sunset, we drove around until we found a perfectly positioned clump of cypress trees that added depth to the composition.

For sunrise, we headed to Lone Pine Key Campground and used the lake as a reflective foreground element. The still water beautifully mirrored the colors of the sky, creating a stunning effect.

Overall, the Everglades offer endless photographic opportunities. I could easily spend a week here capturing its landscapes at different times of the day, each with its own unique atmosphere and beauty. If you’re planning a photography trip, don’t limit yourself to the golden hours—embrace the midday skies, explore different compositions, and experiment with black-and-white for a fresh perspective.