As a photographer, you are likely always on the lookout for excellent experiences that allow you to make the most of your camera skills. Many want to spend their time abroad testing their skills and knowledge of framing, composition, and more. But another way to view photography on a vacation is that it allows you to take your memories home with you, sharing and looking back on the best moments of your life. For both purposes, these vacation spots are sure to provide you with long-lasting memories and incredible images.
The Namib, Namibia
Many vacationers aim to spend time in environments that they have never experienced before. For many, this includes dramatic, sloping dunes of arid desert landscapes. The Namib in Namibia is home to the largest dunes in the world, providing dramatic backdrops and foundations for your compositions. But there is much more than sand – The Namib is dotted with oases of water, clay, and little forests – both dead and alive.
New Delhi, India
Cultural differences are often among the most interesting highlights of world-travel, and India is a great place to see these. Not only is the city filled with people who themselves are traveling the world, but the natives themselves are seeing dramatic cultural shifts. There is no shortage of people working through their daily lives, weaving through traffic, talking with street vendors, and thriving amid the chaotic city.
Tokyo, Japan
Similar to India, Tokyo offers contrasting differences from the big city – but in a starkly different context. Tokyo has been built and rebuilt dozens of times, and the modern-day image of a brightly-lit city is often contrasted by calmly reposed locations like the Meiji Shrine and Zojo-Ji Temple. The brightly colored buildings offer up tantalizing opportunities for photographers from around the world.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Brazil is one of the most diverse countries in the Americas, and Rio de Janeiro is one of the most stellar examples of this. The rich cultural heritage of its citizens come out in their celebrations – and no celebration is more iconic than Carnival. The massive parade is a practice in excess, and the colorful costumes, floats, and decorations are a delight no matter how you photograph them.
Planning a vacation makes you think about all sorts of things – what do you want to see, eat, experience, and photograph. No matter where you go, a good photographer can make the most interesting images out of the most ordinary moments. But a good photographer also knows to be where the action is, and capture the extraordinary – hopefully one of these locals will make your next vacation the most picturesque one you’ve ever had.