KTJohnson Loc: Northern Michigan

In this country (the U.S.) I've never really been disappointed.

However, here's two iconic foreign locations that I thought were way over-rated.

That is not to say that there weren't other photo opportunities in those cities & countries.

"Manneken Pis", Brussels, Belgium


"The Little Mermaid", Copenhagen, Denmark

Susan yamakawa

All places 👍👍🤗🤗

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

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!

louparker Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

Anyone who says that Monument Valley is disappointing obviously was not there at sunrise or sunset, or any other time of day and does not have the talent to recognize photo opps when they see them -- look at any issues of Arizona Highways or any other photo magazines as well as any of Ansel Adams' work. I'm surprised you didn't include the Grand Canyon, Yosemete, Glacier, Crater Lake National parks, to name a few, in your list of "disappointing" photo opp locations.

cytafex Loc: Clarksburg MA

Acadia and Monument Valley are 2 favorite places and never disappoint! As to the crowds, it depends on when and if you get out away from the crowds can find opportunities for solitude. I will say both places present difficulties physically and getting around. Hire a guide at Monument Valley Tours and you won't be disappointed. I finally got to Acadia in the Winter, we had the place to ourselves!

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

Best time to go, but don't tell anyone.

Lagoonguy Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL

I live a mile from the Canaveral National Seashore and I was there this morning shooting about 10:00 AM on a very blustery and cloudy day. Very few people were stirring because of the weather. Usually the place is packed by 9:00. It is sad to see the throngs ruin the travel experience of places like Venice, Dubrovnik and Monserrat but then you realize “we have met the enemy and it is us”.

Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal

Alcatraz and Muir Woods.

doxphoto Loc: Allentown, PA

I hate going places with iconic sites...Sydney operas house, I’ll Duomo in Florence...and having them covered in scaffolding!

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

I am a native of NY City. Seen I don't know how many thousands of photos of the Cities location over the years. But there are no bad locations to shoot in the City. There are only bad photos, not bad locations. I know., because most of my photos are bad (hence deleted)

Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal

Not a native but I worked there for almost a decade. I fell in love with the City curing my time there and I agree with you: Look in any direction at any time of the day and you will find something interesting to photograph.

kenabr Loc: S.E.Wisconsin

I've been to both locations with professional workshops. These people know where to look for great images and get you to spots you probably would miss on your own. Were you out in the valley at Monument or did you stay up by the hotel ? Acadia has a great lighthouse and a fishing village that have a lot of photo ideas.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

If you tell everyone the best time to go
and everyone does,
it won't be the best time anymore......

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

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