Biggest pleasant surprise when arriving at a destination?
Jan 13, 2020 03:51:41 #
We just had an epic thread on overrated/disappointing locals for photography. Seems that excessive crowds almost anywhere were a common denominator. I think the converse would be interesting: What spot surprised you as a photographic gem?
Most recently for me it was the lightly traveled back roads in Norway. I still need to do post processing. The glaciers, narrow roads along Fjords, the majestic waterfalls, the roads with dozens of switchbacks were phenomenal. Again, I went to shoot night time views of the Tower of London and instead sat by Tower Bridge enamored by motion shots as buses and trucks entered the bridge. Also, in Italy, I came across a wonderful town in Southern Italy, the region of Basilicata, called Matera, soon to be exposed for its charms in the next James Bond edition. I knew nothing, wondering why Michelin had recommended it and why all the hotels were full as we drove up. Then I walked the town. Wow. None of these were the original photographic objective of my trip.
What pleasant surprises have you encountered?
Most recently for me it was the lightly traveled back roads in Norway. I still need to do post processing. The glaciers, narrow roads along Fjords, the majestic waterfalls, the roads with dozens of switchbacks were phenomenal. Again, I went to shoot night time views of the Tower of London and instead sat by Tower Bridge enamored by motion shots as buses and trucks entered the bridge. Also, in Italy, I came across a wonderful town in Southern Italy, the region of Basilicata, called Matera, soon to be exposed for its charms in the next James Bond edition. I knew nothing, wondering why Michelin had recommended it and why all the hotels were full as we drove up. Then I walked the town. Wow. None of these were the original photographic objective of my trip.
What pleasant surprises have you encountered?
Jan 13, 2020 06:23:15 #
I have nothing to share on this thread, but I am now looking forward to seeing some of those photos you took!!
Jan 13, 2020 06:37:19 #
Dossile wrote:
We just had an epic thread on overrated/disappoint... (show quote)
As the OP of the ‘epic thread’ to which you referred, I would first of all say “wise move on your part” for choosing the topic you did. I was actually considering doing a similar type post myself.
Your pleasant surprise sounds very exotic and wonderful.
My pleasant surprise happened a few years ago during a tour of Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. While waiting for the sunrise at the iconic Mesa Arch the small group of photographers and I compared what we had seen and where to go next. Someone mentioned Capital Reef National Park and some said they planned to skip it. I am very glad I went to Capital Reef...very delightful and unique in its own way...and less crowded as well..very highly recommended.
Jan 13, 2020 07:17:33 #
DougS
Loc: Central Arkansas
I have often found that after taking a 'spectacular' shot, to turn around 180° to see a 'wow' shot that has been missed by most!
My biggest surprise was the road north of Valdez, AK. Or was it Katmai, or the Paint Pots in Yellowstone, or any/every road less traveled!
My biggest surprise was the road north of Valdez, AK. Or was it Katmai, or the Paint Pots in Yellowstone, or any/every road less traveled!
Jan 13, 2020 07:19:34 #
Dossile wrote:
We just had an epic thread on overrated/disappoint... (show quote)
Most of my frustrations have been relative to human crowds and commercialization of popular sites.
My happy discoveries included Iceland for the same reason you mentioned in Norway: easy access to wonderful places off small well kept roads with few tourists. (Except in the areas right around Reykjavik). Also, as someone mentioned, Capital Reef and the surrounding areas as an alternative to the crowded Arches park, the Icefields parkway in Alberta (170 miles of intensely beautiful photo ops on a road you can simply pull off of and park on the shoulder to shoot), Big Bend NP which is immensely accessible by car and on foot, and in fall & winter is almost empty, and essentially all of Newfoundland and Labrador you can get to.
Jan 13, 2020 07:32:43 #
I did no research on Carlsbad Cavern other than deciding I was close enough while in southeastern New Mexico to drive down and spend the day. Amazingly, you can bring in a tripod on a narrow dark, 1-way path through the self-guided tour area. A flash adds to the what you can accomplish, such as this 5-second capture with the lowly EF 50mm f/1.8. Maybe it helped it was a Tuesday in late December, where there were more people than maybe I expected in this remote location, but a lot less than it could have been.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park by Paul Sager, on Flickr
Carlsbad Caverns National Park by Paul Sager, on Flickr
Jan 13, 2020 07:34:52 #
Ballard Locks in Seattle was fascinating. I had envisioned sitting on a grassy hillside overlooking the area, but instead you can stand right beside the locks, including in the middle where you have boat traffic going both directions. Big ones, little ones, tugged ones, tours - all expertly managed to fit as many at a time as possible, then the doors close and water rapidly rises or lowers, hour after hour after hour 
Click: A National Historic Site
Busiest locks in the nation, operated by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
.
Click: A National Historic Site
Busiest locks in the nation, operated by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
.
Mid-week at end of September, few tourists but still lots of boat traffic.
Jan 13, 2020 09:03:08 #
In the navy we were at sea on the submarine for three months. Upon arriving back in the States we were given three days of R&R in Florida.
Jan 13, 2020 09:32:48 #
My friend and photography mentor, Frank Lee Ruggles, says he uses the "photographer's circle." Put plainly, he says every time he's looking at a particular shot, he takes the time to do a 360° circle from his vantage point. Sometimes, he says, the best photograph is the one behind you.
I had that experience at Panorama Point in Capitol Reef, Utah. Everyone was looking at the majestic rock structures, when I happened to spy a lone tree, stark, weathered, but surviving. I had to wait 15 minutes as people walked right past it (one moron actually climbed it - where are the Park Rangers when you need them?) for the shot. But it's one of my favorites. And hangs in my bedroom.
I had that experience at Panorama Point in Capitol Reef, Utah. Everyone was looking at the majestic rock structures, when I happened to spy a lone tree, stark, weathered, but surviving. I had to wait 15 minutes as people walked right past it (one moron actually climbed it - where are the Park Rangers when you need them?) for the shot. But it's one of my favorites. And hangs in my bedroom.
Jan 13, 2020 10:15:06 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
I knew locks were used to allow boats/ships to pass between two bodies of water that are at different levels so I wondered what the Ballard Locks were for. Google came through again. Alexa knew also and went into more detail. With Alexa, however, it was TMI.Ballard Locks in Seattle was fascinating.
Jan 13, 2020 10:59:23 #
Capitol Reef certainly is beautiful. I’m equally surprised when people forget to mention Bryce, especially off season, when discussing Utah NP.
Here Is a picture taken with my iPad originally for easy sharing with the family. I am away from my photos and have lousy internet, so it’s all I have. It’s of Matera, Italy, a small city that I recommend for an evening or day trip after visiting the Amalfi coast. You’ll see Daniel Craig there if you like Bond movies.
Here Is a picture taken with my iPad originally for easy sharing with the family. I am away from my photos and have lousy internet, so it’s all I have. It’s of Matera, Italy, a small city that I recommend for an evening or day trip after visiting the Amalfi coast. You’ll see Daniel Craig there if you like Bond movies.
Jan 13, 2020 11:01:14 #
In 2012 my wife and I spent a week in Bora Bora. With my first DSLR in hand, a Canon T3i, I confidently (after 1 basic DSLR class at the local community college) started snapping away. I was most pleasently surprised to find out that the place is so beautiful that it is almost impossible to take a bad shot! The reality check came when I got home and started shooting 'normal' scenery!
Jan 13, 2020 11:20:58 #
Jan 13, 2020 11:23:18 #
Dossile wrote:
We just had an epic thread on overrated/disappoint... (show quote)
I do a lot of driving throughout Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming. I tend to have more fun between destinations than I do at the destination. I can easily turn a 3-hour drive into a 6-hour drive by stopping here, there, and everywhere to see what's there.
Jan 13, 2020 12:29:55 #
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