How do you find your landscape photography locations? We’re in an age where many of us own at least one guidebook to an area; indeed, there are a lot of photography location guidebooks out there, and some of them are excellently written.
A few of you have heard my story about “Bob,” another photographer I met in Joshua Tree National Park one afternoon a couple of years ago. I was photographing some boulders late in the day, and Bob came up, asking if he could shoot around me. No problem. I watched him pull a few folded up sheets out of his pocket–they were images he’d printed off the internet of other photographers’ images from the area. He went through each one of them systematically, moving his tripod to exactly copy each photograph. I confirmed with him that this is what he was doing.
Contrast Bob with who I call the “Wanderer”. The Wanderer explores areas that may not necessarily be famous, but when done well, can come up with unique compositions and subtle beauty just about anywhere. Bob and the Wanderer are the two extremes of a continuum.
Most of us, I think, lie somewhere along this continuum. Most people are constrained enough by time (i.e. other commitments in life) that they can’t always wander as much as they’d like. Personally, I do rely on guidebooks and word of mouth to help guide me to pretty locations, but once I’m in the area, I very often will wander, looking for unique compositions. Fortunately, most of these locations are really conducive to letting creativity flow.
Despite relying somewhat on guidebooks, sometimes serendipity can strike in really sly ways. In January, I followed vague directions to what is supposed to be a charming set of hoodoos in southern Utah. From the parking area (a cow pasture), the directions I had told me to “walk up the canyon for an additional mile to the hoodoos.” The problem is that there were two canyons. Which way to go?
It turns out I chose wrong, and the hoodoos were nowhere to be found, even after more than a mile of walking. I ended up at the head of a canyon that I would bet only ranchers and cows have been in for a very long time. However, I was able to find some badlands, and one hoodoo, and I ended up really loving this image–not a bad “consolation prize” at all.
- Church Wells, January 2011
I guess all of this is a roundabout way of saying that even though its okay to follow directions to beautiful places, don’t be afraid to wander up the wrong canyon now and then. You might just be delighted with what you find.
Great commentary Greg. And a strong image too!
Great post and image Greg. It’s hard to imagine what goes through the mind of someone like Bob. Certainly not passion and maybe not even enjoyment.
I too use guidebooks to familiarize myself with a location, then I try to just let go of any previsualizing and let my curiosity and craft take charge. Often, as you found, a wrong turn can lead to surprising rewards.
Nice find Greg! Best thing about wandering is you can eventually have enough knowledge to write your own guide book. I prefer vague directions, it adds a sense of adventure and the uncertainty creates a little more excitement in one’s life.
SS
I am a total wanderer. Most of the time I get in the car and have no clue where I even want to go! It has never even occurred to me to copy someone else’s shot. Ever.
Great post Greg~
Great post. I use just about everything available when researching a trip. Like everyone else I need to maximize my time and money on every trip. That said I also love to explore and find new out of the way locations and compositions. While I have to stand elbow to elbow with everyone else at Delicate Arch, finding the unknown jems away from the crowds is much more rewarding to me.
Wandering is the best – you never know what you may find!
Heather, I like your ideas, it must keep your photography fresh!
I have learned the value of wandering more and more – especially after I am familiar with the more “iconic” sites in an area. I have no idea what enjoyment “Bob” gets from his actions though.
I’ve probably spent more than half of my adult life lost, and with a little luck I’ll stay that way. It always amazes me what kinds of things you can find when you’re not following someone else’s map.
In your case it looks like your ‘wrong’ choice here proved to be the right one. Good photo and good thoughts.
Hey Steve, it does for the most part, I surely wish I could go further though distance wise LOL..I do better in new places vs the same old same old……
We shoot the same places over and over, but I never see them the same way. Maybe primarily shooting the ocean helps – it is always different.
That is a really cool shot, Greg. I’m ready for a trip west again.
Sharon
Thanks for all the great comments, everyone!
Its great to see that this idea has received your attention; the use of guidebooks and originality in photography is something I’ve thought a lot about lately, and although time usually limits my wandering adventures, I try to always make a conscious effort to wander.
Steve, in regard to your comment, I think we all need a little adventure now and then…its getting harder to come by!
Great post, Greg.
It’s quite easy I guess to forget why we do this in the first place (in my case, the joy of being out of doors) and get so caught up in making THE shot, that we forget about the simple pleasures of just enjoying, discovering, wondering around the area we visit. Thanks for the reminder.
My favorite game is….”I wonder where this road goes?”
Most of the time it leads to nothing more than the satisfaction of finding out where it goes. Other times it leads to a special place. These special places are the ones that keep me looking.
Great post, Greg. That image was worth getting “lost” on the “wrong” trail.
Nice one… Bob sounds scary!!
I, of course, am a wanderer. 🙂