National Park Foundation: Top Ten Parks for Fall Foliage '09

Olympus Gives Tips on Taking Stunning Photos as Share the Experience Photo
Contest Continues

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Park Foundation released today
the 2009 list of the most photogenic parks for fall foliage. The announcement
is made in partnership with Olympus, the proud sponsor of the Share the
Experience photo contest, which is seeking this year's best photo of the 391
national parks. The grand prize winning photo will be featured on next year's
Federal Recreation Lands Pass and will receive an Olympus E-3 Digital Camera.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090630/DC40408LOGO )

The 2009 list of the most photogenic parks for fall foliage with expected time
frames for peak colors:

-- Acadia National Park, ME
-- Peak colors are expected now through October 15(th).
-- Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH
-- Peak colors expected the third and fourth weeks of October.
-- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, PA
-- Peak colors are expected the weekend of October 17(th).
-- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC/TN
-- Peak colors are expected during the last two weeks of October.
-- Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, IN
-- Peak colors are expected this weekend and for the next ten days.
-- Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, MN
-- Leaves are already turning; the peak is expected in the next ten
days.
-- Mount Rainier National Park, WA
-- Peak colors are expected this weekend and for the next ten days.
-- New River Gorge National River, WV
-- Peak colors are expected during the third week of October,
starting
around the weekend of the 17(th).
-- Saratoga National Historic Park, NY
-- Peak colors are expected this weekend and for the next ten days.
-- Valley Forge National Historical Park, PA

-- Peak colors are expected during the last two weeks of October.

To help amateur photographers make the most of the opportunities, Olympus
offered the following tips to park-goers:

-- Sun hiding behind the clouds? Don't be disappointed. Colors can
often
appear more vibrant in an overcast day. This type of even lighting is
also great for displaying details in the shadows.

-- Consider different perspectives for each photo. Look up toward the
sky
and down toward your feet. You'll be amazed by the number of
interesting subjects available beyond eyelevel.

-- Look for the small details. The landscape vistas will be beautiful
with
fall colors but close-up photos of small objects such as a single leaf
or cluster of fall berries can also make for a striking photo.

-- Think about backlighting your subjects on a sunny day. Backlighting
is
when you intentionally place the main light source behind your
subject.
Pictures of colorful leaves can be very striking when photographed
this
way. Also, don't let the sun shine directly into your lens.

-- Bring a lens cleaning cloth. When capturing images outside, dust and
moisture in the air can build up on the lens' glass surface. You'll
want to keep it clean so that the light can pass through evenly.

Amateur photographers are invited to submit up to three photos to the Share
the Experience contest through December 31, 2009. In addition, at the end of
the submission period the public will be invited to vote for their favorite
photo. Enter by visiting www.sharetheexperience.org or pick up a brochure and
entry form while visiting a Federal Recreation Land this year. Great prizes
include: Olympus digital cameras, trips to a federal recreation area, Federal
Recreation Lands Passes and more!

Share the Experience is the official photo contest of America's national parks
and federal recreation lands. Sponsored by Olympus and the National Park
Foundation in partnership with the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land
Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
the U.S. Forest Service, the Share the Experience Photo Contest showcases the
more than 500 million acres of Federal Lands and draws entries from all across
the United States.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
The National Park Foundation is an independent charitable organization
chartered by Congress in 1967 to strengthen the connection between the
American people and their 391 national parks. As the official national
non-profit partner of America's National Parks, the Foundation raises private
funds, makes strategic grants, creates innovative partnerships and increases
public awareness about the need and opportunity for park philanthropy. In its
2008 fiscal year, the National Park Foundation distributed grants and program
support of $27.3M.

ABOUT OLYMPUS IMAGING AMERICA INC.
Olympus Imaging America Inc. is a precision technology leader, designing and
delivering award-winning products for consumer and professional markets.
Olympus Imaging America Inc. works collaboratively with its customers and its
ultimate parent company, Olympus Corporation, to develop breakthrough
technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality that enhances
people's lives every day. For more information, visit: www.getolympus.com.

National Park Foundation
Contact: Mark Shields
(202) 354-6480
mshields@nationalparks.org

SOURCE National Park Foundation

Mark Shields, National Park Foundation, +1-202-354-6480,
mshields@nationalparks.org