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Forfatters billedeMarius Karlsson

6 tips on how to find photography locations in new countries

Finding photo spots in new places or countries can be very hard, most people don't want to waste precious time trying to find photo spots when visiting a new place, especially a new country. In this blog post, I (Marius Karlsson) will try and share some of the things i do to find photo spots and hidden gems!



A fair share of my photos are planned beforehand. When it comes to being in the right place at the right time there is no luck, just a lot of planning ;-) This photo was planned. Knowing what I want and at what time helps a lot when creating great images! This photo is from the Faroe Islands and I have wanted to visit this island for a fair bit of time.

1.

First, do your research. Before you even set foot in a new country, take some time to research the places you want to visit. First, you should start googling things like "Best photo spots in Iceland (or wherever you are going)". Reading blogs about the country you are visiting is a good idea, often there will be beautiful pictures with image text that tell you where it's taken (if not you can use google reverse image search). Remember to make a note each time you see a beautiful place you want to visit, don't risk forgetting it!



2.

Next, take advantage of social media. Instagram, for example, can be a great tool for finding photography locations in new countries. Follow photographers who live in or frequently visit the country you're interested in, and take note of the places they shoot. Additionally, you can use hashtags to search for specific locations or types of photography.

I found this place on the internet and decided to stop by when we were close, except it was dark... But the day before me and my friend had seen noctulicent clouds so we thought maybe they would come again. Well my friend had shot noctilucent clouds before and could see they were forming, so we stayed, and well i think it payed off, i got two good shots, this is not my favourite from this location but a close number two...
Noctilucent clouds above glaciers and mountains. I found this place on the internet and decided to stop by when we were close, except it was dark... But the day before me and my friend had seen noctilucent clouds so we thought maybe they would come again. Well, my friend had shot noctilucent clouds before and could see they were forming, so we stayed, and well I think it paid off. There was also no tourist because we were there at night so that was another great thing! I got two good shots, this is not my favourite from this location but a close number two...

3.

Another tip is to talk to locals. They often know the best places to take photos that most tourists don't know about. Locals are nearly always the people who know where all those hidden gems are. This approach is great, first of all, you get to meet the local people, see their culture and maybe (if it's a very friendly country) you will be invited inside, and they may know some places that are not visited by tourists, this is, at least for me, a big deal as I like having a place to myself.





4.

Utilize Google Earth. Google Earth is a great tool for finding photography locations. Using google earth you can turn on 3D mode to see how the landscape looks in real life. Another great thing to do is turn on "Photos" in the menu, this enables you to see photos from where you are looking, there are lots of photos, even in the most remote places on earth there are photos (See picture below).

5.

Take a guided tour. Guided tours can be a great way to find photography locations, especially if you're short on time. Look for photography-specific tours or join a tour led by a photographer. I haven't tried a photo tour but have heard good things about it, so if you have some spare cash, I think you should try it out. Usually, there is also a professional photographer who can teach you tips and tricks and other like-minded photographers.



6.

Finally, don't be afraid to wander. Sometimes the best and most rewarding photography locations are the ones you stumble upon by accident. So take a walk, explore, and keep your eyes open for interesting places to shoot.


Two types of pine, and for some reason one was white and red and the others were normal green. I found this place by just flying around the place. I had found this on google earth not far from where i lived so I knew there would be big lines of pine but nothing like this!



Overall, finding photography locations in new countries can be a fun and exciting adventure. With a little bit of research, some help from social media, and a willingness to explore, you're sure to discover some amazing places to take photos. Happy shooting and please sign up for my news letter to get more content like this!

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Marius Karlsson
Marius Karlsson
Jan 19, 2023

More of this?😁

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