Article By: Antonio Lenza
There are numerous places of wonder, mystery and timeless beautiful that every photographer wants to see and capture once in their lifetime. Visiting such places is almost a spiritual journey for them to understand themselves and the world they live in. While we might not all see it, the world we live in is an extremely beautiful places when you look hard enough. So today, let’s pack up our cameras and take a look at 15 amazing places you need to see, experience and photograph.
Arizona, United States
We would be more specific with this one, but Arizona as a whole has a lot to offer photographers. Arizona offers The Wave, Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, all of which are incredible natural wonders that shouldn’t be missed by any photographer! If we really had to choose one place to visit we’d have to say Antelope Canyon, as it’s a natural convoluted maze through a sandstone canyon, which with the sun shining and a well timed photograph can shine inside and give the place an almost magical feeling. Make sure you take a tripod for this one and use long exposure in order to catch the real beauty of this place.
Aurora Borealis, Fairbanks, Alaska
The Aurora Borealis is one most people’s list of places to visit, whether you’re a photographer or not, you can only admire the beauty that is the Aurora Borealis. Many photographers chase the Aurora Borealis wanting to capture the surreal show in the night’s sky and one of the best places to capture the auroral oval (A ring-shaped area around the North Pole) is Fairbanks in Alaska.
Pategonia, South America
If you prefer scenic photographs then this might be the place to visit. Located between Chile and Argentina, the sparsely populated regions landscapes are covered in mountains, lakes, valleys, coastlines and plains, making for some amazing scenic photography that’s out of this world.
Cappadocia, Turkey
If you’re looking for some of the most unique landscapes to photograph then head to Cappadocia, sitting in south central Turkey, it’s one of the most unique landscapes you’ll ever encounter. With its ‘fairy chimneys’ setting it apart from any other landscape, you’ll be left thoroughly impressed, and if the insane beauty of the landscape isn’t enough you’ll find the beauty of the hot air balloons that are usually always scattered through the sky only go and add to the scene.
Petra, Jordan
If you’ve ever seen Indiana Jones (Or even The Transformers) you’ll probably recognise Petra. Petra is a famous archaeological site in Jordan. It dates back to around 300B.C. and was actually the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom. Possibly one of the most famous sights in Petra is the Treasury. But the incredible photography happens at night a few times a week, when they light up the treasury for an event called “Petra by Night”. If you really want to capture the beauty here, make sure to take your tripod.
The Neck, Saunders Island, Falkland Islands
Saunders Island is the fourth largest of the Falkland Islands and is actually run as a sheep farm. The Neck, is a privately owned mile-long isthmus, all of which is owned by the Pole-Evans family, who maintain the farm at the settlement. Despite the small size of the island, it’s a must see for many wildlife photographers, having been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area, as it is home to King, Gentoo, Rockhopper and Magellanic penguins.
Torres del Paine, Chile
Torres del Paine is a national park scattered with mountains, glaciers, rivers and lakes in Southern Chilean Patagonia. With wild weather, intimidating peaks, eerie glaciers and turquoise blue water, Torres del Paine is on any photographers travel list, just make sure you pack your warmest clothes because the weather can flip in a second.
Machu Picchu, Pera
No list would be complete without Machu Picchu, lost for almost 400 years, Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful places on earth, with high rising mountains, plunging valleys and the occasional friendly llama, and it’s a heaven for any photographer.
Darvaza, Turkmenistan
Darvaza, also known worldwide as the “Door to Hell” should be on any photographer’s bucket list. This fiery crater (set on a natural gas field) has been burning since 1971. If you are into experimenting with drone photography this is the place to put your skills in practice, as the entire scenery is best seen from above.
Chernobyl, Ukraine
A trip to Chernobyl is not for the faint of heart, as the still, dead and cold city can send shivers down your spine with its emptiness. The place is haunting and perhaps haunted as well, wrapped in a shroud of deafening silence, there’s nowhere more eerie than Chernobyl. It is an amazing place for black and white photography, but you should be able to master your own feelings, as Chernobyl and its events don’t let anyone leave with his or her heart unbroken. Specialists in Chernobyl photography recommend you bring on your DSLR and exercise with long exposures.
Central Park, NYC
Central Park is an urban park in Manhattan, NYC and is one of the most amazing locations in the world, as well as the most visited park in the US. The park contains around 21,500 trees, the park looks stunning inside and out, and if you can find yourself a high enough vantage point you’ll capture some amazing photographs.
The Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt
The oldest and largest of the three pyramids, the great pyramid is on of the world’s greatest ancient structures. The pyramids are surrounded by mystery in how they were engineered and this just adds to their beauty and allure. The pyramids are a must for any photographer wishing to capture a little bit of history and beauty.
Vaadhoo Beach, Maldives
Get ready for a truly surreal experience of capturing the bio-luminescent micro-organisms of the Indian Ocean as they wash away on this beach in Maldives. Night photography will never be the same for you as you see with your naked eye the blue lights covering the shores in glitter. If you want an experience for a lifetime, slowly walk on the shore and see your feet turn neon blue as you disturb the shallow waters.
Easter Island, Pacific Ocean
The statues of Easter Island – the moai – are iconic, mysterious and hard to comprehend, still giving scientists a lot to think about. Their majestic postures, their eternal silence and their haunting glow when captured at night under the starry southern sky spark anyone’s imagination and desire to learn more about their history and making.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
The world’s largest salt desert literally conveys the concept of the Earth meeting the sky, offering the visitor a unique experience of eternity and becoming one with the universe. The world’s largest floor mirror is the perfect setting for mind-blowing day photos and let’s all admit it, who doesn’t want to capture infinity?
Author Bio
Antonio has been an active photographer for more than three decades. An artist, coach and teacher, he has developed a unique educational philosophy centred on the Creative Process and the Transformational Learning Experience. He taught Photography and Digital Imaging at The School of Media of LCC (The University of The Arts London) for more than ten years. Antonio has trained and coached people from all over the world to the highly professional standards of National Geographic and he is currently developing new educational projects on Photography and Creative Development. He is now the owner of London School of Photography, where he runs classes and courses for novice photographers.
