Fine Art Photography

Get Off the Tourist Path

One of the most important ways to begin to make photographs rather than just take snapshots is to “get off the tourist path” both literally and figuratively.

Literally, it means getting away from touristy spots when you travel. By all means, see the sights of Paris, but don't overlook that obscure, quaint marketplace where numerous photo opportunities are awaiting your camera.

Get off the tourist path by passing up scenic over looks for more intimate views of nature and landscape. Hike down into that canyon or follow the path to the base of the waterfall. If you do, you'll be rewarded with photographs you ordinarily can't get.

Figuratively, getting off the tourist path means involving yourself in your photography to the point where you do what's necessary to obtain a rapport or one-on-one relationship with your subject.

For example, if you enjoy photographing wildflowers, moss-covered logs or flora coating the forest floor, be prepared to get dirty. In other words, get on the ground, put your heart and mind into your photography, and just do it!

If you like photographing sand dunes as I do, be prepared to get up very early in the morning to catch the shadows and be prepared for some hiking.

Getting off the tourist path can be going to an unusual destination, perhaps even a place where fefw people travel. Baffin Island is just such a location. It's a large but remote island situation in the high Canadian arctic. Baffin provided many photo opportunities. The picture shown here is Mount Thor, which is located in a remote part of the island.

Getting off the tourist path also means doing what it takes to get your photograph even in a potentially embarrassing situation. For instance, if it takes lying on the ground in front of fellow travelers to get that worm's-eye view of a towering Redwood tree…just do it! Don't be concerned what others may think.

Getting off the tourist path will payoff with more meaningful, impact-filled photographs.