Have you ever found yourself yearning for a unique landscape to photograph, but felt stymied by the crowds swarming the popular spots? Capturing truly unique landscapes requires a blend of creativity, timing, and perhaps most crucially, location. While well-known spots like the Grand Canyon and Yosemite offer awe-inspiring vistas, they are now saturated with tourists and photographers. Fortunately, plenty of lesser-known places offer equally stunning, if not more unique, opportunities for your lens.
North America
Newfoundland, Canada
Newfoundland, an island off the east coast of Canada, is often overlooked but offers extraordinary landscapes. The rugged coastline, with its dramatic cliffs and secluded coves, serves as a dream for landscape photographers. The island also features quaint fishing villages with colorful houses, adding excellent foreground interest to your shots.
Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
While many flock to nearby Grand Canyon or Zion National Park, the Valley of Fire offers equally impressive rock formations without the throngs of people. The park’s red sandstone formations glow at sunrise and sunset, and its lesser-visited trails offer an intimate experience with nature.
Apostle Islands, Wisconsin
A hidden gem in the Midwest, the Apostle Islands include 21 islands on Lake Superior, each featuring unique geological formations and old-growth forests. During winter, the frozen waterfalls and ice caves create an otherworldly landscape perfect for ethereal shots.
South America
Puna de Atacama, Argentina
Puna de Atacama, located in the high Andes, is a remote and seldom-visited area with a surreal desert landscape. Salt flats, volcanoes, and unusual rock formations make this region an unmissable spot for any adventurous photographer.
Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, Brazil
Located in central Brazil, Chapada dos Veadeiros offers dramatic canyons, waterfalls, and crystal-clear rivers. The rugged terrain, dotted with Cerrado vegetation, serves as a fertile ground for capturing striking and diverse landscapes.
Europe
Faroe Islands, Denmark
Amidst the North Atlantic, the Faroe Islands are a group of 18 rugged, volcanic islands. The dramatic landscapes, with their towering cliffs and misty peaks, offer an endless array of photographic opportunities. The islands’ relatively small size also makes it easy to explore multiple viewpoints in a short period.
Triglav National Park, Slovenia
Often overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbors, Triglav National Park features the highest peak in Slovenia and offers incredible vistas of the Julian Alps. The park’s clear rivers, glacial valleys, and alpine meadows create a serene and picturesque environment ideal for landscape photography.
Asturias, Spain
While many photographers flock to Spain’s southern coasts, the northern region of Asturias offers equally captivating, yet far less crowded, landscapes. The dramatic coastline, replete with secluded beaches and limestone cliffs, juxtaposes beautifully with lush, rolling hills and traditional villages.
Africa
Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa
The Drakensberg Mountains offer awe-inspiring vistas with their towering basalt peaks and deep valleys. Less visited compared to South Africa’s coastal attractions and major cities, this mountain range provides a pristine and relatively untouched canvas for your photography.
Skeleton Coast, Namibia
Namibia’s Skeleton Coast is one of the most surreal and hauntingly beautiful places you’ll ever photograph. The area features desolate landscapes, shipwrecks, and an eerie fog that add a mysterious and otherworldly quality to your shots.
Asia
Svaneti, Georgia
Nesting in the Caucasus Mountains, Svaneti is an ancient land where medieval stone towers dot the landscapes. The dramatic mountain scenery and well-preserved architecture provide a unique backdrop for your photographs. This lesser-known region is a paradise for adventure photographers.
Doi Inthanon, Thailand
Most tourists stick to Thailand’s beaches, but Doi Inthanon National Park, home to the country’s highest peak, offers lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and beautiful hill tribe villages. The misty mornings and vibrant vegetation make this park a fantastic destination for landscape photographers.
Tottori Sand Dunes, Japan
Most people associate Japan with its bustling cities and serene temples, but the Tottori Sand Dunes offer an entirely different landscape. These dunes stretch along the Sea of Japan and provide a surreal desert-like atmosphere perfect for unique and striking photos.
Oceania
Flinders Ranges, Australia
While many head to the Australian Outback or coastal cities, the Flinders Ranges offer a different kind of rugged beauty. The red quartzite ridges and arid valleys, coupled with unique wildlife, create a captivating landscape perfect for photography.
The Catlins, New Zealand
Located at the southeastern corner of New Zealand’s South Island, the Catlins are often bypassed by travelers. However, the area is replete with waterfalls, rugged coastlines, and lush rainforests. This region provides a diverse range of landscapes to capture, from serene beaches to turbulent seas.
Tips for Photographing Lesser-Known Spots
Research and Planning
Although these spots are less crowded, they may require more effort to reach. Make sure to do thorough research on the location, weather conditions, and access routes. Blogs, social media, and local tourism websites can be valuable resources.
Timing is Key
The golden hours—shortly after sunrise and before sunset—offer the best lighting conditions for landscape photography. These quieter hours also mean fewer people, giving you an unobstructed view of your scene.
Pack the Essentials
Always carry the essential gear, which includes a sturdy tripod, extra batteries, memory cards, and a variety of lenses to capture wide-angle shots as well as detailed close-ups.
Be Mindful of Nature
When visiting these lesser-known locations, it’s essential to respect the natural environment. Avoid leaving a trace and be considerate of local flora and fauna.
Conclusion
Exploring lesser-known spots for photography not only offers unique opportunities to capture stunning and unusual landscapes, but it also often provides the chance for solitude and a deeper connection with nature. Whether you’re venturing to the rugged coastline of Newfoundland or the haunting Skeleton Coast of Namibia, these lesser-traveled paths offer some of the most compelling backdrops for your lens. So, the next time you plan a photography trip, consider these hidden gems to add an exclusive feel to your portfolio.
