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Chatfield Hollow State Park is primarily a recreation area,
but it does present opportunities for photographers, especially
off-season (between Labor Day and the following Memorial Day)
and on weekdays when fewer people are in the park. The best
times of year to photograph are during fall foliage season (usually
early- to mid-October) and the last month and a half of spring,
once trees and flowers are in bloom.
Several trails wind through forest of the 350-acre park, including
one that goes over a swamp catwalk, which is unfortunately closed
as of May 2003 (however, the catwalk itself can make for an
interesting photo, as viewed from the end of the trail).
If you're interested in photographing wildlife, hiking the
trails will be the best way to find it. Coyotes and deer populate
the area, along with many species of New England birds.
Streams abound in the park, including stereotypical babbling
brooks that feature water falling down hillsides over moss-covered
boulders. There are some nice locations for doing long-exposure
work of moving water. There's also a water wheel at the edge
of a small lake and a covered bridge (not for cars — it's
a walking bridge) over Chatfield Hollow Brook; just follow the
main road about a mile into the park and you can't miss them.
Most areas of the park are not likely to see sunrise or sunset
light at any time of year, though you can catch some magic-hour
light on either end of the day. Your best bet, being that most
of the park is in forest, is to photograph on slightly overcast
days.
There are no concessions in the park, but there are plenty
of picturesque picnic areas and sufficient gender-specific outhouses.
You'll certainly need a tripod if you're planning to shoot
scenery — the trees block too much light not to use one.
You'll most likely use only wide-angle and normal lenses, unless
you plan to photograph wildlife.
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