>> OUTDOORS SPECTACULAR SPOTS TO GET THE SHOT Garrett Talkington’s passion for the environment and sustainability is underscored in the thousands of photos he’s taken of the Pennsylvania landscape. Elk in the Pennsylvania Wilds. A creek in the Allegheny National Forest . Meteor showers in Slippery Rock . A waterfall in Upstate PA. The skies of Potter County. The sunset over the ridges and valleys of the Allegheny Plateau . The Kinzua Sky Walk in the Allegheny National Forest. His desire to capture that perfect photograph provides the perfect motivation to take in Pennsylvania’s breathtaking natural beauty. “Photography gives me an excuse to get out into nature as much as possible,” says Talkington. “Photography was the reason I got into hiking.” His preferred place to photograph? Anywhere in the Pine Creek Gorge ’s 47-mile gorge lined with pure wilderness beauty. “I love the diversity of terrain there,” Talkington says. “There are incredible waterfalls, precarious cliffs, wildlife … all in abundance.” The college senior and photography enthusiast grew up an hour from Colton Point State Park and Leonard Harrison State Park so he visited the Pine Creek Gorge often. His father got him started early with drawing sketches and sculpting. Borrowing a camera for a hike with friends, though, turned into a fascination. THIS PAGE: PHOTOS BY GARRETT TALKINGTON; FACING PAGE: VISIT ERIE Kinzua Bridge State Park Mt. Jewett TALKING SHOP For Garrett Talkington, photography is a stress-reliever. Since he was 15, the senior environmental studies and sustainability major at Slippery Rock University grabs his Canon 7D Mark II with a Samyang 16mm f2 lens and heads out by himself or with friends to hike and photograph the Pennsylvania landscape. “I’m constantly looking for an opportunity to explore new locations — many of which people don’t see for themselves,” Talkington says. “Documenting my journeys in a creative way is, to me, very fulfilling and purposeful.” visitPA.com 27 Advice to other budding shutterbugs: Work with the weather, not against it! “We have ever-changing skies, temperatures, and seasons in Pennsylvania,” he says. “If it’s a gorgeous, sunny day, go for that golden hour light. If it’s overcast and dark, seek out some moody scenes. You will find yourself trapped if you only wait for the nicer days to shoot.” —BY ERICA LEVI ZELINGER Follow Garrett’s work on Instagram @gtalk_photos .
Pennsylvania Happy Traveler Guide 2020: Page 27
