After five years of traveling with a camera, I have a mental map of the places that produced my best photographs, organized not by country but by the quality of light, the visual drama, and the emotional response they triggered. Some of these locations are famous, like Angkor Wat at sunrise or the Eiffel Tower at blue hour. Others are obscure, like a fishing village in Guinea-Bissau or a salt flat in the Bolivian altiplano that I discovered by accident. This guide covers the specific locations on each continent that I believe offer the most photographic potential, with practical details on when to go, where to stand, and what to shoot.
Europe: Iconic and Unexpected
The Hallstatt village in Austria's Salzkammergut region is one of the most photographed places in Europe, and for good reason. The village sits on the shore of a lake, backed by steep Alpine slopes, and the combination of pastel-colored houses, a church spire, and the reflective water is almost too perfect to be real. The best viewpoint is from the Skywalk, a viewing platform 360 meters above the village that costs 18 euros to access. The best light is in the early morning, before 8 AM in summer, when the lake is calm and the village is free of day-tripper crowds. Photograph from the Skywalk looking down on the village and lake, and then descend to the lake shore for a water-level perspective.
In Iceland, the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is one of the most otherworldly locations on earth. Icebergs calved from the Breidamerkurjokull glacier float in the lagoon, ranging in color from brilliant white to deep blue. The best time to photograph the lagoon is at sunrise, when the light is soft and the icebergs are often covered in a thin layer of frost. The lagoon is accessible by car from Reykjavik, about five hours away, and there is no entrance fee. For a unique perspective, walk along the black sand beach on the ocean side of Route 1, where icebergs that have washed out of the lagoon through a narrow channel are stranded on the black sand. The contrast of blue ice on black sand is one of the most photographed scenes in Iceland.
In Portugal, the Azores archipelago, specifically the island of Sao Miguel, offers a Scene of volcanic craters, emerald-green lakes, and hot springs that is unlike anywhere else in Europe. The Sete Cidades viewpoint, on the western side of the island, overlooks two lakes, one blue and one green, set in a massive volcanic crater. The best light is in the late afternoon, when the sun illuminates the crater walls and the lakes glow in their respective colors. The viewpoint is accessible by car, and there is no entrance fee. For a more active photography experience, the hike to the summit of Mount Pico, on the neighboring island of Pico, takes about eight hours round trip and rewards you with views of the entire archipelago on a clear day.
Asia: Temples, Markets, and Mountains
Angkor Wat in Cambodia is one of the most photographed temples in the world, and the classic image of the temple reflected in the moat at sunrise is deservedly iconic. The best spot for this shot is from the northern reflecting pool, about 100 meters from the temple entrance. Arrive at least 90 minutes before sunrise to secure a position, because the best spots fill up quickly. A one-day temple pass costs 37 dollars, and a three-day pass costs 62 dollars. The three-day pass is the better value, because it allows you to visit the temple at different times of day and in different weather conditions. The temples of Bayon and Ta Prohm, with their massive stone faces and tree roots growing through the ruins, offer equally compelling photography in a less crowded setting.
Bagan, in central Myanmar, is a vast plain dotted with over 2,000 Buddhist temples and pagodas dating from the 9th to 13th centuries. The most dramatic photographs are taken from hot air balloons at sunrise, when dozens of balloons float above the temples and the morning light illuminates the spires. A hot air balloon ride costs about 300 to 350 dollars and lasts about 45 minutes. For a ground-level perspective, the Shwesandaw Pagoda offers a panoramic view of the temple plain at sunset. The pagoda is a 10-minute e-bike ride from the town of Nyaung-U, and there is no entrance fee. The best time to visit is from November to February, when the weather is dry and the visibility is best.
In Japan, the Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto is one of the most visually striking locations in the country. The shrine is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that form tunnels along the forested slopes of Mount Inari. The best time to photograph is early morning, before 7 AM, when the gates are empty and the light filters through the trees. The hike to the top of the mountain takes about two hours and passes through several smaller shrines and viewpoints along the way. The shrine is free to enter and is open 24 hours. For a different perspective, visit at night, when the lower section of gates is illuminated by lanterns, creating a warm, atmospheric glow that is completely different from the daytime experience.
Africa: Wildlife and Scene
The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is one of the best places in the world for wildlife photography. The annual Great Migration, when over two million wildebeest and zebra cross the Serengeti in search of fresh grazing, is one of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles on earth. The migration reaches the Mara River in the northern Serengeti from July to October, and this is the best time and place to photograph the river crossings, when thousands of wildebeest plunge into the crocodile-infested water. A safari in the northern Serengeti costs about 500 to 800 dollars per person per day, including accommodation, meals, and a guide with a 4x4 vehicle. The best camps for photography are the mobile camps that move with the migration, ensuring you are in the right position for the river crossings.
The Sossusvlei dunes in Namibia are among the most photographed Scene in Africa. The dunes, which rise over 300 meters above the desert floor, are the tallest sand dunes in the world, and their color ranges from pale apricot at the base to deep red at the crest. The most iconic dune is Dune 45, which is accessible by car and offers a relatively easy climb to the top for sunrise photography. The best time to visit is at first light, when the shadows on the dunes create strong contrast and the colors are most vivid. Sossusvlei is about a five-hour Shape from Windhoek, the capital, and the nearest accommodation is at the Sesriem campsite, which costs about 200 Namibian dollars, roughly 11 dollars, per person per night.
In Morocco, the blue city of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains is a photographer's dream. Every building in the old town is painted in shades of blue, from pale sky blue to deep indigo, and the narrow streets create natural frames and leading lines that make composition effortless. The best time to photograph is mid-morning, when the sun is high enough to illuminate the streets but not so high that the shadows disappear. The town is small enough to explore entirely on foot, and the best viewpoints are from the Spanish Mosque on the hill above the town and from the kasbah walls on the eastern edge. Chefchaouen is about two hours by bus from Tangier, and accommodation in the medina costs 100 to 200 Moroccan dirhams, about 10 to 20 dollars, per night.
South America: Diversity and Scale
The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia is the world's largest salt flat, covering over 10,000 square kilometers at an altitude of 3,656 meters. During the rainy season from December to March, a thin layer of water covers the salt flat, creating a perfect mirror that reflects the sky. Standing on the salt flat at sunset, with the sky reflected in every direction and the Andes visible on the horizon, is one of the most surreal experiences available to any photographer. A three-day tour of the Salar de Uyuni costs about 800 to 1,200 Bolivianos, roughly 115 to 175 dollars, including transportation, accommodation in salt hotels, and meals. The tours depart from the town of Uyuni, which is accessible by bus from La Paz, about 10 hours away.
Peru's Sacred Valley, between Cusco and Machu Picchu, offers a combination of Inca ruins, Andean Scene, and traditional Quechua communities that is extraordinarily rich for photography. The ruins of Ollantaytambo, a massive Inca fortress built into a hillside, are best photographed in the late afternoon, when the sun illuminates the stone terraces and creates long shadows. The Maras salt mines, where salt has been harvested since Inca times, create a patchwork of white and brown pools on the hillside that is visually striking from above. The town of Chinchero, known for its traditional weaving and its views of the snow-capped peaks of the Urubamba mountain range, offers portrait opportunities with Quechua women in traditional dress.
In Patagonia, the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile offers some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in South America. The granite towers of the Cuernos, the Grey Glacier, and the French Valley provide a constant supply of photographic subjects. The best time for photography is the shoulder seasons of October to November and March to April, when the weather is most changeable and the light is most dramatic. The park is accessible from the town of Puerto Natales, about two and a half hours by bus. For Scene photography, the key is patience: the mountains are often shrouded in cloud, and the best light appears and disappears within minutes. Plan to spend at least three days in the park to maximize your chances of getting the shot you want.
North America: National Parks and Cities
Yosemite National Park in California is one of the most photographed places in North America, and for good reason. The granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome, the waterfalls of Yosemite Valley, and the giant sequoia groves offer a density of photographic subjects that is unmatched by any other national park in the United States. The most iconic viewpoint is Tunnel View, which offers a panorama of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall from a single overlook. The best light is at sunrise in spring and fall, when the first rays of sun hit the face of El Capitan and turn it golden. The park entrance fee is 35 dollars per vehicle, valid for seven days.
In New York City, the Brooklyn Bridge at blue hour, the 20-minute period after sunset when the sky turns deep blue and the city lights begin to glow, is one of the most iconic urban photography locations in the world. Stand on the pedestrian walkway of the bridge, facing the Manhattan skyline, and use a wide-angle lens to capture the skyline, the bridge cables, and the East River. The best time is about 30 minutes after sunset, when the sky is deep blue but not yet black. For a different perspective, photograph the bridge from the Brooklyn Bridge Park, which offers a view of the bridge with the skyline behind it.
The Canadian Rockies, specifically Banff and Jasper National Parks in Alberta, offer some of the most accessible mountain photography in the world. The Icefields Parkway, a 230-kilometer highway connecting the two parks, passes by turquoise glacial lakes, snow-capped peaks, and dense forests. The most photographed lake is Moraine Lake, where the Ten Peaks are reflected in the vivid blue water. The best time to photograph Moraine Lake is at sunrise, when the light is soft and the water is calm. The lake is accessible by car from Banff, about one hour away, and there is no entrance fee beyond the national park pass, which costs about 10 Canadian dollars per day.
Oceania: Coastlines and Outback
The Twelve Apostles, limestone stacks rising from the Southern Ocean along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia, are one of the most photographed natural landmarks in the country. The stacks are best photographed at sunset, when the golden light illuminates the limestone and the ocean waves crash against the base. The viewing platform is accessible by car from Melbourne, about a four-hour Shape. For a more dramatic perspective, take the Gibson Steps, a staircase carved into the cliff face that leads down to the beach level, where you can photograph the stacks from sea level. The Great Ocean Road itself is one of the most scenic Guide in the world, and the road between Torquay and Apollo Bay offers numerous pullouts where you can stop and photograph the coastline.
New Zealand's Milford Sound, in Fiordland National Park on the South Island, is a fjord of extraordinary beauty. The sheer rock walls rise vertically from the dark water, and waterfalls cascade down the cliffs from heights of over 150 meters. The best way to photograph Milford Sound is from a kayak, which allows you to get close to the rock walls and waterfalls and to photograph the fjord from water level. Kayak rentals are available at the Milford Sound visitor center and cost about 100 New Zealand dollars for a half-day rental. For a wider perspective, the Key Summit track, a three-hour hike from the Homer Tunnel, offers a view over the Humboldt Mountains and the fjord entrance.
Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, in the Australian Outback, is one of the most recognizable natural landmarks in the world. The monolith rises 348 meters from the surrounding desert and changes color throughout the day, from ochre at sunrise to deep red at midday to purple at sunset. The most dramatic photographs are taken at sunrise and sunset, when the rock glows with intense color. The best sunrise viewpoint is from the Talinguru Nyakunytjaku viewing area, about 5 kilometers from the rock, where you can photograph Uluru in silhouette against the dawn sky. The park entrance fee is 38 Australian dollars per person for a three-day pass.
