Best Locations to Work as a Photographer
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 4:26PM This is no exhaustive list that shows up so often on photo and travel blogs with predictable locations and pedestrian subject matters. But rather places that I've worked in and can speak personally about why these are great locations to be a photographer. You may or may not be able to get yourself to some.
Every photographer has a unique personality and approach to seeing and world-view and that greatly influences how a photog moves about a place, interacts with people or doesn't for that matter.
You don't have to be a photographer to 'click' with a place (excuse the pun). Sometimes, other cultures, local hospitality, cuisine, and absolute beauty draws you in and makes you want to stay a while. Conversely, some places, you may come back with epic photos, but working as a photographer, is just dang hard. Sometimes there are obvious risks (the easy ones) and not obvious ones (secret government guys following you).
But as a photographer working internationally, there are certain things that can exist, not seen in the images, that can make it easier to craft that image. Some places inherently have better light, richer color, and more dynamic culture than others, that's what draws us as photogs, for sure but what about the other stuff not seen; weather, security, xenophobia, tourists.
1. Yemen
Yemen is really a mystical place and old Sana'a is the heart of it. It's a special place and you know it; you feel the pressure to be in the now and experiencing it. There really isn't anything like this city in the world. It's a sensory overload. A constant commotion of sights, sounds and smells that literally transport you to another time. I've been here numerous times and I never saw a westerner. The medieval souk is a discordance of shop owners calls, billowing silks, walls of olive soap, mountains of dates, overflowing bags of cardamom, burning frankincense, the list goes on. This is the real farmers market — this is the original spice road.
From the vaulted stone ceilings, shafts of filtered sunlight beam down onto the crowds. The smell of baking bread fills the air and the spices totally tickle the nose. The alleys twist and turn in every direction (some no wider than two people) to picturesque mosques, and murmuring madrassas (places of study) and tucked away khans. These were the merchants' quarters that, since the Middle Ages, offered shelter to traders on the journey along the Spice Road.
Why it's good as a photographer
- No tourists! I promise - shoot without some oblivious American tourist walking into your shot.
- No tourists. Seriously experience a place that hasn't changed in thousands of years and you've got it all to yourself. There is NOTHING like that experience, camera or not.
- The people. Regardless of what you may hear about that troubled nation, the Yemenis are seriously some of my most favorite people on the planet; the most hospitable I've ever met. Period.
- The light. Sana'a is 7,300 ft elevation, but you'd never know it (until you run up the stairs) from the monochromatic landscape surrounding the city. That mountain air seems to let that light pour into deepest alleyways in the most unique way.
- How often do you get to time travel - especially in your subject matter.
Tips
- Be slow. Take your time. Wander around, meet people, don't be shy.
- Bring a fast lens or two, nothing long.
- Travel light.
- Don't be stupid. This is Yemen.
- Eat the food, it will blow your mind. Middle Eastern but with the spicy, fresh, sea food influenced coast of Baja California. Plus, you'll meet people.
- Getting there. Either through Khartoum, EAE, Qatar or Beirut. Visas might be tough for you Blue passport holders.
2. South Sudan
Why not go the world's newest nation? Yea it's hot, really hot - the hottest place I've ever been actually (and I grew up in Kern County, CA). There are almost no roads, no internet access, tropical disease is very rampant (malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever) and because of all the international NGO's, hotel prices are like 5 star prices in Paris.
So what's so great there for a photographer?
The old school 'National Geographic' type Africa doesn't really exist like you think it does. Well it does, just where colonialism didn't have much reach. So what that means, you've gotta go pretty far and know a lot of folks to get to the real 'bush', if you will. But in South Sudan, especially because of it's newfound UN status, you can have relative easy access to some pretty great places and people and traditional cultures; but you gatta prepare. This ain't your plush Africa experience.
Why it's good as a photographer
- Because travel in-country is so unbelievable difficult, you end up walking everywhere (for better or worse). This is the single thing that I strive for in EVERY place I travel. There is nothing worse than spending all day hop-scotching in a car and trying to take meaningful intimate images. Walking makes all the difference in connecting with place and people. While walking around in Africa is no novel idea, it's quite different in South Sudan.
- The combination of the extreme conditions, unique traditional culture, unobstructed views, and kind of wild west way of getting things done, provides boundless photographic interest.
Tips
- Bring extra batteries or a solar charger. Electricity is pretty much generator only.
- Flights twice daily from Nairobi only.
- Sun block is pointless, you'll just sweat if off.
- Bring a SteriPEN - reliable clean water is hard to find.
3. Lake Como, Italy
The place where Italians go to vacation. Simple as that. I've been fortunate enough to travel to Europe many times and often to the charming must-go-to destinations. But those who have been there before know that some, most, of the best parts of Europe requires walking the opposite direction of the tour group. I always feel bad seeing the flocks tourists walking along Pier 39 in San Francisco, knowing so well that they are not quite getting the real experience.
Lake Como, nestled warmly in the foothills of the Italian Alps, just close enough for a weekend trip for anyone in that region. For Europe, this is a very diverse location to shoot; mountains, lake, upscale Italy with out being pretentious, phenomenal restaurants, and pretty much amazing views from even the most modest hotel.
Why it's good as a photographer
- I wouldn't say no tourists, but it's got the right kind of tourist.
- Potentially classic Europe 'travel' genre shots but with out the cliche backdrops.
- Easy to get to and it's great to shoot any time of year.
Tips
- Dress well, you traveling slob. Bring a good classic, well-tailored, non-business suit.
- Flights into Milan. Or, fly into Zurich and take the train. Best train ride in Europe.
- Pick a hotel North of the main city of Como, along the lake.
4. Jordan - The whole country
Fly to Amman, rent a car, buy a map, go explore anywhere you want, uninhibited, get on your plane home, and then tell all your friends freaking amazing your trip was and you haven't even talked about Petra yet.
It isn't just desert, that's for sure. But if you want desert, it's some of the most amazing that you'd ever see.
Do you best to get lost and ask some friendly Bedouin for directions - you'll probably end up eating dinner under a tent in the red-sand desert. While someone near you roast coffee beans in the desert night, you'll be looking at the black sky trying to figure out how that country put more stars in it.
Why it's good as a photographer
- You are free to pretty much explore most places that you'd want to explore. It's safe, all locals are helpful, and having a camera out is expected.
- Endless things to photograph.
- The light is incredible.
- Go for Petra, stay for - Wadi Rum, Aqcaba, Dead Sea, Little Petra, Madaba, Jerash, the food.
Tips
- Sand is an issue. Don't change your lens if you don't have to.
- Bring hiking boots, Petra is huge! It's not just the treasury, which is what everyone knows.
