Category: Locations
Pier at Puerto Vallarta
I am writing about this picture because I hope it will inspire you to keep looking when you are pretty sure you are destined for failure. I was down in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. If you haven’t been there, there is a lot of beach with heavy commercial development up and down the coast. This… Continue reading Pier at Puerto Vallarta
Texas: Chisos Mountains (Big Bend National Park)
Where the Rio Grande winds its way through desolate countryside between Texas and Mexico, there is a large bend in the river. On the north side of this bend is a national park aptly named Big Bend National Park. Measured in land area, it is one of the larger national parks (over 800,000 acres). Measured… Continue reading Texas: Chisos Mountains (Big Bend National Park)
Washington Coast: Rialto Beach
Rialto Beach is one of the most scenic areas of coastline in the state of Washington. It is a beach that is dominated bye sea stacks with trees growing out the top of them. It is technically within Olympic National Park, although the coastal areas are separated from the main body of the park. Getting… Continue reading Washington Coast: Rialto Beach
Florida Panhandle: Western Lake on 30A
How to capture this photogenic coastal dune lake near Seaside on the 30A. If you live in the midwest United States, you have probably seen stickers on cars from time to time that look something like this: 30A is a scenic coastal road in the Florida panhandle that stretches for 28.5 miles along the Gulf of… Continue reading Florida Panhandle: Western Lake on 30A
Southern California: El Matador Beach
A beach with nothing but sand is boring. For coastal photography, you want something with some interesting features, like large rocks and boulders. That will provide your pictures with some sort of subject or center of interest. I found such a beach with all sorts of great rock features. It is called El Matador State Beach… Continue reading Southern California: El Matador Beach
Ireland: Giant’s Causeway
Along the northern coast of County Antrim in Ireland lies a unique coastal area made up of hexagonal columns called Giant’s Causeway. The strange shape of its rocks has spawned legends among the Irish. It is now one of the top tourist areas in all of Ireland (North or the Republic). It was declared a World… Continue reading Ireland: Giant’s Causeway
Ireland: Kylemore Abbey
In the remote western side of Ireland, in a wild region called Connemara, sits an abbey called Kylemore. There is a photogenic castle, and it is an easy place to get a great picture. This is one of those pictures that everyone seems to have. In this article, I will tell you all about it… Continue reading Ireland: Kylemore Abbey
Spain: Ronde de Toledo
The Scenic Route Around the Ancient City of Toledo, Spain When visiting Madrid, it is very common to take a day trip to Toledo, which is the old capital of Spain. You should definitely do that, and in fact, I would encourage you to stay over a night or two. For the photographer, Toledo is an… Continue reading Spain: Ronde de Toledo
New York: Brooklyn Bridge Park
Looking to get skyline shots of New York City? Looking for a clean foreground? Want the Brooklyn Bridge to be a part of that picture? Then look no further than Brooklyn Bridge Park. Brooklyn Bridge Park is a narrow park that hugs the East River on the Brooklyn side of the bridge. Until a few… Continue reading New York: Brooklyn Bridge Park
Tarrant County Courthouse, Part 1: The Planning and Capture Phase
Usually, I am just a guy wandering around with a camera. I don’t know if I am going to end up with a great picture or not. Therefore, while I have wanted to show an example of creating a photo from start to finish, I have never figured out how to do it (other than,… Continue reading Tarrant County Courthouse, Part 1: The Planning and Capture Phase
Chicago: Hancock Observatory (or 360 Chicago)
On the north side of Chicago’s downtown is a nearly 100 story building in which you can go to the top and take pictures of Chicago’s skyline. The building is called the Hancock Building and the top floor was previously called the Hancock Observatory, but is now called 360 Chicago. True to its new name,… Continue reading Chicago: Hancock Observatory (or 360 Chicago)
California Coast: Pigeon Point
Along the coastal highway in California, north of Santa Cruz but south of San Francisco, sits a lighthouse. You can see it from miles away. It is actually the tallest lighthouse in California. It is perhaps the most picturesque lighthouse on the western coast of the U.S., and one you should visit if you get… Continue reading California Coast: Pigeon Point
New York: Top of the Rock
Whenever anyone goes to New York City, one of the things they want to do is go up in the Empire State Building. And why not? It is an iconic building and it offers great view of the city. But there is a problem with the view from the Empire State Building for photographers. That… Continue reading New York: Top of the Rock
Photographing The Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most photographed structures in the world. In a sense, it needs no introduction, and you need no particular information to photograph it. So why am I writing this article? Because there are some different angles and spots to photograph it from that are better than others. There… Continue reading Photographing The Golden Gate Bridge
Bay Bridge
I want to use this picture as an example because it is a poster child for some of the research tips I have mentioned. I was just going to San Francisco for a one-day business trip. I thought I would have a chance to get away for the evening so I brought my camera. As I… Continue reading Bay Bridge