From majestic wildlife havens to lively neighborhoods, DPReview readers share their favorite local photography spots – and what keeps them coming back.
We take photos for a number of reasons, both personal as a hobby and professional for our work. During our journey as photographers, we discover magical places close to home that move us so deeply that we tend to return to them whenever we buy a new camera or lens.
Last week, we asked you what your favorite local photography spot is. Responses ranged from cityscapes to landscapes to photos of home itself. Read on to see what places the community chose, along with the photos and stories behind them.
Wonderous wildlife
Zeee: I have two. Lockport, Manitoba, Canada. About a 30-minute drive north of my city. And Fort Whyte Alive, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Wild Bird Sanctuary within the city.
FrancoD: We live by the bay and close to the mouth of a creek, as well as next to several nature reserve areas, all within walking distance. A few times a week, we do a 5 km-or-so circuit walk in an area where we can see 180 different bird species (many migratory) as well as several reptiles (yes, including snakes). These are from today’s walk.
Lush landscapes
Ruby Rod: Definitely Letchworth State Park in Upstate NY.
wondrouslight: I live in lower Westchester Co., NY, and, more than a single spot, I love an easy day trip around the hilly Hudson River section between Croton-on-Hudson and Bear Mountain Bridge. This is an area that in the Winter hosts almost 200 bald eagles.
On the West side lies Harriman State Park, with several small lakes, and Bear Mt, with its jaw-dropping views of the bridge and the river valley. Fall foliage here is gorgeous. On the East side, between Peekskill and Croton-on-Hudson, there are several pretty riverside parks ideal for eagle watching and photography. A quick drive farther north to beautiful Cold Spring offers dramatic views of the river between rocky Storm King Mt and Breakneck Ridge.
Happiness at home
jarren: My favorite spot is actually home, my children, and my dog. Or, if home is not allowed, the playground nearby. But for pure photography, there is a small castle about a 15-minute walk away.
GinoSVK: For me, the answer is rather obvious: our castle and its surroundings. I’ve photographed it thousands of times over the years, and there’s always something different to discover… a new perspective, unique lighting, or simply a different view. Sometimes I end up with a rather forgettable picture, but hey, without all those attempts, I wouldn’t have the few that I admire the most.
Vivid ocean views
Id_bl: My favorite spot here in Auckland, NZ, is Piha Beach. I’ve visited it countless times, taken thousands of pictures, and even had my wedding here.
Fujifilm X-T2 | Fujinon XF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR @ 268.2mm | F6.4 | 1/1000 sec | ISO 320.
STU-C: There’s a place called Saltburn here in the North of England; I love it. It is very busy these days, but some awesome shots to be had. It has the weird feature of being on the North side of a peninsula on the East coast, meaning you get a sunset of sorts in the sea (that is actually over land but doesn’t look like it).
Seasons and sunny skies
Canon EOS R5 | Canon RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM @ 24mm | F8 | 1/80 sec | ISO 100.
ShipleyNW: I happen to live in a spectacularly beautiful valley in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. Easily half of everything I shoot is within 30 miles of home. One of the places I go back to over and over again is the Northwest Railway Museum. It just takes the light and atmosphere nicely.
Sony a7R IV | E 17-28mm F2.8 @ 28mm | F22 | 1/10 sec | ISO 100.
ahaslett: The Marine Lake, West Kirby, The Wirral, England is mine, although it is one of several favorites.
Decadently decorative
PhotoBobPhoenix: Here are a few pictures I took last week at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. The one above is the lead photo. Click on my name to view the rest.
Ricoh GR IIIx | 26.1mm F2.8 (40mm equivalent) | F2.8 | 1/250 sec | ISO 3200.
olli thomson: I live in Guangzhou, China. Around a fifteen-minute walk from my apartment is a little neighborhood called Liuyun Xiaoqu. It was once a very utilitarian neighborhood of identical apartment blocks, but over time, people began to convert the ground-floor units into shops, then into bars, restaurants, and boutiques. Then the neighborhood was pedestrianized. The local residents are still there, but in the evenings and especially at the weekends it’s a gathering place for fashionable younger people. It’s a regular haunt for me with great photo opportunities.
Skylines and streetscapes
Canon EOS 70D | Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM @ 31mm | F10 | 1/250 sec | ISO 100.
Nilesh Trivedi: The Lakes, in Dubai. This city is one of the fastest-developing cities on the planet, and I return to this spot – which overlooks the Dubai Marina – every couple of months to marvel at the skyline’s rapid evolution.
Hank Jay: The quiet country towns surrounding me.
There is an even more diverse set of local photography spots our community chose in the discussion thread. Join in and share yours by clicking on the blue button below!
Related, we put out a poll asking you if your photography was for a hobby, work, or both. The poll is still open, and we’d love for you to participate to help us get a picture of our community’s interest.
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