Some people indulge in photography as a hobby, some have it as a profession
and some just chew on any good photograph. One thing is however common
among all i.e. all get swayed or pause for a moment after seeing a
captivating photo. This weekend, I enclose few locations which have been
rated as the best locations for photographing by a leading photography
magazzine. Some locations might be famous, some might have been visited by
few; one thing is for sure that many still would remain un-explored.
Interested souls can book their tickets to these destinations post some
googling on the snippets provided.
1. Siem Reap, Cambodia
The center of the capital of the Khmer Empire until the 15th century,
Angkor Wat, after the Khmer’s decline, remained lost to the outside world
until 1860. The temple complex is considered one of the world’s most
important architectural sites. The central tower is surrounded by four
smaller towers and adorned with intricate statues and carvings depicting
scenes from Hindu mythology. Most of the temples face east, so the best
light is the morning, while west-facing Angkor Wat gets the best light in
the afternoon.
Must-get shots: A reflection of the temple complex in the waters of the
moat, and the massive Bodhisattva head carvings of Ta Prohm, the only
temple that’s been left largely unrestored.
2. Ajanta and Ellora, maharastra
Situated in the Sahayadri Mountain Range near Mumbai, the 34 caves of
Ellora were carved out of the face of the Charanandri hills in the 5th
century A.D. The nearby Ajanta caves date back to 200 B.C. and are nearly
completely covered in astonishing frescos that are masterpieces of Buddhist
art.
Must-get shots: The amazing architecture of the Kailasha Temple near the
village of Ellora—almost 10,000 square feet, it took almost a century to
build and is considered as the world’s largest monolithic structure.
3. Yucatán,Mexico
The main attraction of this archaeological site is the central pyramid, El
Castillo. Built by the Maya between the 1000 and 1200 A.D., it is one of
the most astonishing monuments in the Western Hemisphere. Check out nearby
cave of Balankanche, which was discovered by a tour guide in the late
1950s. Among the huge glittering stalagmites you’ll see artifacts that
remained untouched for centuries.
Must-get shots: Visit on either the spring or autumnal equinox to
photograph as the setting sun creates a shadow of a snake that slithers
down the steps of the temple of El Castillo over the course of 34 minutes.
4. Chinle, Arizona
This canyon is one of the longest continuously inhabited landscapes of
North America. The area, populated solely by Navajo people as part of the
largest Indian reservation in the U.S., is most famous for its multistoried
cliff-side homes made from sun-dried clay, first built by the Anasazi
people between 350 and 1300 A.D. A four-hour drive from the Grand Canyon,
this 130-square-mile canyon is no match in size, but its 2,000 years of
history and color-changing sandstone walls make it a crucial stop for
anyone who wants to appreciate the ancient beauty of the southwest. Plan
your visit over the Fourth of July weekend for the Navajo Nation Powwow in
nearby Window Rock, AZ.
Must-get shots: The towering solitude of Spider Rock, pictographs on canyon
walls that date back to the 4th century.
5. Jordan
Referred to as a “rose-red” city because of the pink-hued rock that
comprises its sole building material, Petra is an enormous, ancient city
that was carved into rock face by the Nabataeans more than 2,000 years ago.
The entrance to the city, through the narrow, winding, mile-long Siq Gorge,
is an amazing photo op in itself. The gorge leads you to the most famous
part of Petra, the Treasury, a classical Greek-style temple carved into a
130-foot cliff that dates back to 56 B.C.
Must-get shots: Hundreds of elaborate rock-cut tombs with intricate
carvings. For an unusual take on an oft-photographed site, crank up your
ISO and take a candle-lit nighttime tour.
6.Ecuador
Six hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador, the 58 islands and cays of the
Galápagos archipelago are home to more endemic species of animals than
almost anywhere else. That’s why it was so crucial to Charles Darwin’s
development of the theory of evolution. And, of course, it’s why so many
photographers love to take pictures there. In the air, look for pelicans
and albatrosses, on land spot 29 species of land birds and two species of
land iguana, and underwater look for dolphins and hammerhead sharks.
Must-get shots: The 400-pound Galápagos tortoise, marine iguana, flightless
cormorant, Galápagos penguin, and, of course, the famous blue-footed
boobie.
7. Manitoba, Canada
Photographing polar bears anywhere other than a zoo can prove an elusive
task. Which is why a true wildlife lover should make the trek to the “polar
bear capital of the world,” more than 600 miles north of Winnipeg in Cape
Churchill. The massive predators convene here in October and November to
hunt seals while newborn cubs frolic in the dramatic, icy landscape. The
location is a little remote, so your best bet is to travel with a tour
group that will charter a flight and take you right up to the action.
Must-get shots: Playful cubs, action shots of adults sparring and feeding,
and the striking colors of the aurora borealis in season.
8. South Australia
You’ll find more wildlife and fewer people on this 90-mile island than in
many other places on the planet. Visit during the island’s winter
(June–September) to easily spot kangaroo and wallaby joeys feeding next to
their mothers, baby koalas riding on Mom’s back, “mating trains” of the
spiky, platypus-like male echidna, the intricate courtship fights of
ospreys, and southern right whales migrating in large numbers.
Must-get shots: Fairy penguins among the perfectly white sand dunes,
hundreds of sea lions lounging near Seal Bay, and the surreally (and
naturally) sculpted boulders aptly named “Remarkable Rocks.”
9. Fiji
The waters of Fiji are home to one of the most diverse and populous marine
habitats on earth, including 1,000 species of fish and several hundred
types of coral and sponges. You’ll also find myriad anemones, mollusks, and
crustaceans, as well as reef passages that take you to gray reef sharks,
silvertips, and hammerheads. Visit the Vanua Levu Island for the colorful
corals of the famous Rainbow Reef and the opportunity to take the dive boat
L’Aventure, where marine biologists will guide you through the amazing
underwater world.
Must-get shots: The shallow waters of Naviavia Reef make it easy to
photograph brightly colored fish in front of coral, or snap away at
pipefish, squid, sea stars, butterfly fish, blue starfish, schools of
barracuda, sea turtles, and giant schools of parrotfish.
10. East Himalayas
This isolated country is nearly 70-percent forest, and photographing there
would be a feather in any traveler’s cap, as the government limits the
number of tourists allowed in each year. Those dedicated enough will be
rewarded with a pictorial feast. Visit in the spring for the blooming
rhododendrons and orchids, as well as a peek at the snow-capped mountains.
Secure a spot in the spring or fall for one of the Tshechus dance
festivals, where local people don colorful costumes and perform masked
sword dances and other rituals that date back to the Middle Ages. Truly
dedicated travelers should make the several-day trek to Chomolhari,
Bhutan’s highest mountain, to visit Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest, one of
Bhutan’s most revered monastries.
Must-get shots: Close-ups of red chili peppers, wide views of lush rice
paddies, plus yak herders, and women weaving back-strap looms in the
eastern mountain villages.
11. Central Highlands, Kenya
Eschew the popular national parks of East Africa for a wilderness excursion
on a private wildlife preserve in the foothills of Mount Kenya led by
native guides. You’ll be able to snap elephants, giraffes, zebras,
antelopes, and both the endangered black and white rhinos—without the
crowds. And isn’t that all you came here for?
Must-get shots: Relative close-ups of animals in their natural habitats,
doing what comes naturally.
12. Antartica
A continent of contradictions, Antarctica defines isolated. Volcanoes erupt
from a frozen landscape comprising every shade of blue and white
imaginable. Miles of snow and ice stretch as far as your lens can see, yet
less than 6 inches of snow falls each year. A layer of ice up to two miles
thick covers the continent. A visit here isn’t easy—cruise and expedition
ships are the only way to see this one-of-a-kind landscape. Upon arrival,
you’ll be rewarded with wildlife, including hundreds of penguins, who so
rarely see people that they’ll allow you to (respectfully) get up close.
Visit during the austral summer (November to February), when temperatures
reach an average high of 27 degrees Fahrenheit and the sun shines for 24
hours a day.
Must-get shots: Penguins and seals with an iceberg backdrop.
13. Seychelles
The 115 Seychelles islands straddle the equator nearly 1,000 miles off the
east coast of Africa. Most are reachable only by charter flights or boats,
and many are uninhabited. While they all offer the kind of remote, tropical
beauty that’s the stuff of daydreams, two are must-sees for photographers.
Aldabra has been open to the public only since 1991. Coined a living
natural-history museum by biologists, it’s home to the giant 600-pound
Aldabra tortoises. La Digue is a favorite among photographers for its
perfect beaches, blue-green water and traffic-free towns.
Must-get shots: The tree-like formations of the raised coral reef (the
world’s largest) in the center of Aldabra and the huge pink granite
boulders of La Digue. And those tortoises.
14. Peru
The Colca Canyon was largely inaccessible until the 1970s—a valley
seemingly forgotten by the outside world—and the inhabitants lived in
almost total isolation until a road was built. At 62 miles long and up to
2.5 miles deep (twice as deep as the Grand Canyon) Colca is visited yearly
by thousands of tourists, yet the villages there remain mostly unchanged.
Must-get shots: Cruz del Condor provides a lookout point where condors
glide by the snow-covered mountains above the canyon.
15. Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea
This island’s remote location—seashells were used as currency until
1933—and vast biodiversity would put it on any travel photographer’s
must-shoot list, but it’s the indigenous population of Papua New Guinea
that’s the real draw. During August and September, hundreds of people from
700 tribal groups travel for days and dress in elaborate body paint,
headdresses, and wigs to participate in a series of shows for the Sing-Sing
festival. The event has become popular with tourists, and inevitably more
commercialized in recent years, but it’s still a must for photos of people
that you won’t see anywhere else.
Must-get shots: Close-ups of the vivid primary color face paint, detail
shots of costumes, as well as action shots of performances.
16. Amsterdam, Netherlands
This annual celebration in honor of the Queen of the Netherlands,
Koninginnedag in Dutch, is surefire for candids. Celebrated now on April 30
(the birthday of now-Queen Beatrix’s mother Juliana), the quaint streets
and canals of Amsterdam erupt with a million orange-clad revelries for
dancing, decorated canal boats, parades, street theater, fireworks, and a
massive citywide flea market. The craziness starts the evening of the 29th
(Queen’s Night) and runs to the night of the 30th, after which the city
empties out to nurse its collective hangover.
Must-get shots: Famous Dutch architecture, bicycle traffic, street vendors,
and endless rows of brightly colored tulips in the fields outside the city.
17. Port of Spain, Trinidad
Considered the mother of all parties, Carnival officially takes place the
Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, but in this Caribbean nation the
celebrations begin the day after Christmas when calypso tents open, limbo
competitions start, and steel bands compete in preliminary contests. The
spectacle kicks off at 4 a.m. on the Monday known as J’ouvert. Over the
next 48 hours, you’ll load your memory card with images of revelers covered
in everything from elaboratly beaded and feathered costumes to mud and
paint, dancing all day and night to the battling masquerade bands.
Must-get shots: The challenge won’t be figuring out what to photograph, but
staying up for the entire party to capture it all.
18. Roswell, New Mexico
On July 8, 1947, an object fell from the sky near this desert town, and the
ensuing (alleged) government cover-up has sparked decades of conspiracy
theories. Plan a trip for the July 4 weekend for the annual four-day
celebration of all things extraterrestrial.
Must-get shots: People and their pets dressed in alien, sci-fi, and
space-related costumes, the pancake (a.k.a. flying saucer) eating contest,
and the intergalactic fashion show.
19. Fez, Morocco
Visit Fez during June to get a chance to photograph musicians from all over
the globe. You’ll hear everything from Gregorian chant to Harlem gospel
performed (and sometimes danced) by people in traditional garb—whirling
dervishes included—in multiple daily outdoor concerts. Although music
festivals like this take place in many cities around the world, no others
boast a backdrop of crenellated fortress walls, scalloped arches, minarets
and brightly coloured mosaics.
Must-get shots: The medieval town’s narrow, winding streets overflow with
markets and shops—and a wealth of photo ops.
20. Iceland
This misnamed country (it’s about 89% ice-free) is home to mud pools, hot
springs, lava fields, geysers, glaciers, enormous craters, volcanoes,
mountains and waterfalls, and a million other photo ops. In Kverkfjöll, hot
springs beneath a glacier have created amazing ice caves, and in many
places you can see layers of white and black ice, formed from volcanic ash
covered with snow. Spot icebergs floating on picturesque lakes, such as the
Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon in the southeast. Drive the 860-mile, two-lane
ring road. Visit in the winter for the contrast of snow against black lava
fields and a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Must-get shots: Bathers in the Blue Lagoon—a natural, blue-green, steaming,
thermal swimming pool. And be sure to shoot the Geysir area, where the
geyser Strokkur produces a high column of boiling water every 15 minutes.
21. Tromso, Norway
One of nature’s most photogenic natural phenomena, the Northern Lights are
visible on cloudless nights from late November to early April from several
arctic locations and even many places much farther south. But this
Norwegian city is the largest north of the arctic circle, making it one of
the most popular locations to view the whirling, color-shifting lights in
their full glory. Local guides can take you deeper into the mountains where
the lights are most intense and you can avoid the light pollution of the
town.
Must-get shots: The display is perfect for long exposures and time-lapse
photography—frame with the snow-covered mountains or city lights in the
foreground for added impact.
22. Victoria Falls, Zimbawe
The mist from these mile-wide falls can be seen from more than 40 miles
away, and the cascade of crashing water to the gorge below create a near
constant display of rainbows. If that’s not enough of a natural phenomenon
for you, three times a month, from the Zimbabwe side of the falls, lunar
rainbows are formed by the bright moonlight between dusk and dawn.
Must-get shots: Breathtaking aerial shots of the size of the falls from
the “Flight of the Angels” plane rides, and don’t miss the changing pink
and orange hues of the mist at sunrise and sunset.
23. Stromboli, Italy
Stromboli, which occupies its own island in the Aeolian Archepelago between
Sicily and southwestern Italy, has been erupting nearly continuously for
more than two millennia. Currently the most active volcano in the world, it
erupts about every 20 minutes. Called the “Lighthouse of the
Mediterranean,” it typically produces small explosions that throw clots of
molten lava tens or hundreds of feet into the air.
Must-get shots: The incandescent fountain of magma against the colors of
the setting sun.
Like I always say, brickbats and bouquets welcome!
-Sukhi
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