Favorite Places

[steve_rasmussen]

I once wrote an article for a photographic magazine for their "Favorite Places" segment in which they never responded. It was never published and so I cancelled my subscription. I feel that this forum is a good place for us to share our favorite places to shoot. There are some incredible places that very few photographers know about. Since this is a small forum, I thought I'd share a few with you. 1. Crystal Creek, North Rim Grand Canyon. 2. Toroweep overlook, North Rim, Grand Canyon. 3. Aravaipa Canyon, Arizona. 4. Mt. Wilson Colorado. 5. Atiu Island, Cook Island group. 6. Moorea, French Polynesia. 7. Huahine, French Polynesia. 8. Taveuni, Fiji 9. Aitutaki Island, Cook Island group. 10. Superior, Arizona---------------Feel free to add your choices. SR

[warren_kato]

Never been to your places but I like 1. Pebble Beach (near Half Moon

Bay--not the golf course) Calif., 2. Betatakin Ruins, UT, and 3.

Mecca Hills (near Salton Sea), CA.

[gene_crumpler18]

Rock City State Park between Deming, NW and Silver City is worth a

stop if you are in the area. See

 

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[gene_crumpler18]

Thje site is;

 

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[steven_hupp2]

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona is quite beautiful.

Also the piney mountainous area around Payson, AZ. Since I'm from the

Hoosier state, I have a soft spot for the hills of southern Indiana,

especially around the quarries. It's beautiful in the fall, but

crawling with tourists.

[steve_rasmussen]

I will second that "favorite places" suggestion by Mr. Hupp of Organ

Pipe Cactus Nat Monument. I was there after an El Nino winter and the

flowers were just incredible. Saw lots of 4x5 people but no MF

shooters. SR

[arfle barfle gloop]

Are we talking just US scenics here or what? For a different

perspective - I like shooting the new building projects on reclaimed

land around Tokyo Bay - Odaiba, Yokohama Minato Mirai in particular,

and for old Japanese architecture Nara is difficult to beat (Kyoto is

more popular, but is full of tourists and one can't really relax there

- Nara has a much slower, easier pace which I find contributes to

contemplative photography). For scenery, Matsushima is terribly over-

rated but the central part of Hokkaido and the Japan Alps are

be

[steve_rasmussen]

Mark, anywhere in the World is fare game. Thanks for the

contributions. I have noticed that many photographers get stuck in the

rut of only photographing well known subjects. Subjects that other

photographers have made famous. This is a big planet with much

opportunity for finding undiscovered beauty. Many of my published

shots are from areas that no one shoots. SR

[milton_barrocas]

If you are in the Yosemite area Mount Hoffmann is a must. It is a

short 1.2 miles hike from SR120 to Lake May. This lakes sits at about

9000 feet. You then need to climb another 2000 feet to the top of

Mount Hoffman. There is an undocumented trail that leads you from the

lake to the top but I would not suggest it because it is long, dusty,

and steep in places (I used it on my way down). Instead climb the

rocks straight up it will be faster. I did it with my P67, 4 lenses in

backpack, tripod, lunch and half gallon of water (it was challenging

but not the hardest climb I've done). When you get to the top you will

be rewarded by the most magnificent view of the lake rock formations

and the entire park including the valley! As if that weren't enough on

the opposite side you will get five more small lakes. These are

beautiful turquoise lakes. Photographing from this altitude is like

shooting fish in a barrel. The air is perfectly clear, the sky is such

deep blue that will amaze you everytime you look at it (the only

challenge may be the wind). I got lots of incredible shots. The one

that got away was a view of an eagle from the top. He was rising on a

thermal over a small beautiful lake (he was kinda surprised when he

got to the top and spotted me). How did I miss this shot? Reloading

film! Anyway I've always been interested in high altitude photography

at Yosemite but was surprised with Mount Hoffmann because it is so

accessible and definitely my favorite place, what can I say...you have

to see it.

[mark_smith10]

The Ozark Nat. Forest in Arkansas is a sublime place for images: deep

hardwoods, Bluffs, waterfalls, vast scenics, wild flowers. Spring,

Fall, Winter are all great. Incredible hiking trails, and a

noticeable lack of people. Buffalo National River is a good start.

mark smith