That's why I tell random people (that I don't want near me) that the best time to photograph "My Beaches" is 12:00 - 3:00 PM. Sunrise and sunsets are for suckers

I felt the same way about Acadi. I thought it was great, but photographically nowhere near what I hoped for. But then, sometimes the time of year, or perhaps some limited areas I might visit play into it. I would go back, but not with an intense desire to photographic.

Most of the places in which I am disappointed are due to the crowds, not the scenery itself. Italy was a perfect example. This is not a great photo, but getting it was a mammoth undertaking because what you cannot see, are literally several hundred people crowded around it, some with feet in the water which is unquestionably against the law, in Italy. It took almost an hour to get a shot without ten or more people in the picture. In fact, not long after we left, there was legislation that I believe was ultimately ratified that provided for huge penalties for throwing money and other things into the pool around the fountain, or getting into the water, even minimally. There is nothing we can do about crowds; others have every right to be wherever we want to shoot. But it is disappointing, none-the-less.

I think the key is to go just off-season or plan in a way to avoid the crowds. Even when I lived only an hour downeast from Acadia, if we were gong to go to take a day hike or spend a little time in "Bah Hahbah" in the summer, we would check the cruise ship itinerary and shoot for a day with no dockings. September is great, early October even better, but the weather is a little chancier.

I have been to Yellowstone twice - once towards the end of June (we still had a little snow) and once in early October (almost no one there, but then, a lot of places were closing for the season). The crowds in June were not too bad.

We spent a week in Paris years ago - we went in May to avoid the crowds. The weather was cool, but mostly clear and sunny, and we really weren't bothered by crowds of people (in travel to Europe, you need to read Rick Steve's guidebooks for tips on avoiding crowds. Getting a museum pass in Paris, for example, allowed us to skip lines to purchase admission at the Louvre and several other museums, and to just walk in, waving our pass).

On a recent trip to London we did not heed the suggestion that said not to go to Windsor Castle in the morning - that's when everyone goes - but to go late morning or early afternoon. We went in the early morning - and waited about 45 minutes in line. When we left a few hours later there was no line!

Most likely everyone has looked forward to visiting famous locations.....and afterwards felt that the photo ops were disappointing or overrated.

For me, Acadia National Park and Monument Valley come to mind. These two are extremely popular and favorites for many. I can’t say I didn’t find good photo ops, just that, overall, they were less than I expected.

I realize the above may be a reflection of a personal shortcoming on my part.

Are there famous locations that you found overrated or disappointing photographically?

That's why I tell random people (that I don't want near me) that the best time to photograph "My Beaches" is 12:00 - 3:00 PM. Sunrise and sunsets are for suckers