No Filter: 10 Dream Destinations for Travel Photography
26 March, 2020
- Words by
- Words by Jacob Elwood and Robbie Hodges
Forget
Forget
Instagram and leave your VSCO filters at the door: these
are the world’s best destinations for photographers who mean
business.
Andalusia
Spain
There’s something about those rolling hills, echoed in that
curvaceous Moorish architecture which is so compelling. In summer
you can’t beat the yellow dust sparkling gold as it mingles with
what sun-dried greenery still remains – it’s even better when
kicked up by gallivanting wild horses.
Fogo Island
Canada
It’s not an overpowering landscape, but the stilted houses that
perch between the rocks provide endless stimulus. For a
photographer, the editing process can be a bit challenging – there
are almost too many angles from which shots look spectacular.
Marrakech
Morocco
Marrakech is a photographer’s dream. It has everything going
for it: elegant shadows carved by sweeping arches and intricate
Islamic windows; an ever-shifting mosaic of jewel-toned tiles; an
endless thoroughfare of interesting faces; and a handful of
architectural styles all layered on top of one another.
Iceland
Europe
It’s so often used as a backdrop for adventure-photography
shoots, and with good reason. It’s a country of severe contrasts,
one with both sky-high mountains and sprawling black beaches. In
summer it’s all felty and covered with lush green fuzz, come winter
it’s glossed over by ice.
Valley of the Gods
Utah, US
It’s unlikely that you’ll encounter any wayward wanderers
ruining the vistas here. It’s like shooting on Mars, though
marginally cooler and with a far higher survival rate. Everything
in this surreal, fiery-red landscape looks like it’s been recently
scorched.
Lofoten Islands
Norway
It’s a rambunctious, rocky landscape which bathes in teal
waters: real Scandinavia. The fishing villages speckled throughout
are gold mines for nosey photographers – their weather-hardened
fisherfolk make for magnificent portrait subjects.
Mongolia
East Asia
Photographs taken here could date from any point over the past
century – you’ll encounter wrestling, archery and bareback
horse-racing competitions all undertaken in painstakingly handmade
costumes. It feels like the land that time forgot.
Madagascar
Africa
As a photographer, the difficulty here is avoiding
tropical-island clichés (and keeping your equipment dry). It spoils
the lens with its juicy rainforests and almost luminescent beaches,
which are staggered with dusky-coloured fishing huts.
Kamchatka Peninsula
Russia
This vast peninsula in the Russian Far East is a moody
wilderness lacerated by icy streams and punctured with grumbling
volcanoes smothered by smoky clouds. Those with enough patience
might snap some wild bears – just watch your back as you go.