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Archive 2014 · Books/resources to find picturesque spots

  
 
Alan Louie
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Books/resources to find picturesque spots


Hi all! I didn't realize this forum existed until now But I wanted to open a thread on what resources you have found really helpful in taking both planned and more spontaneous trips.

For my own contribution, the National Geographics Guide to Scenic Highways and Byways is a constant companion in my car.

http://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Scenic-Highways-Edition/dp/1426210140

If you're driving to some destination, it's a well organized book to show you routes you might want to take along your way along with decent descriptions of what you'll see and some of the more picturesque sites. It's a tad light in detail at times but it keeps the book relatively lightweight and portable.

What's a favorite resource/method of your own? I've also opened up a custom google map to start plotting places I want to hit in the future at some point and have started harvesting sites from the landscape forum.



Sep 05, 2014 at 11:37 AM
Greg Campbell
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Books/resources to find picturesque spots


FWIW, I use Google Earth to explore the landscape. Enable the 'photos' layer to see what sort of images others have made.

I've never been much for following someone else's travel suggestions, particularly those in 'guide books.' Travel and photo preferences aside, all too many are scarcely disguised ads for regional business interests. Or the proffered route is just the fastest route between Bucket/'Hit' List destinations, which is also rather beside the point IMO. It's FAR more interesting to plan my own itinerary, for better or worse. Print a map or two and jump in the car to go see what there is to see! Once out hiking about, I enjoy short side-trips off the 'standard' trail, wandering where few have been.

A 'gazette' map is my only standard travel companion.

Edited on Sep 06, 2014 at 12:17 AM · View previous versions



Sep 05, 2014 at 12:01 PM
stanparker
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Books/resources to find picturesque spots


I've stopped picking up other sources and just use the internet. I do research while at home, save links in folders (by state) then access them when on the road.


Sep 05, 2014 at 07:40 PM
LeeMc
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Books/resources to find picturesque spots


While I agree that the web has become invaluable, it’s not always available when I’m on a photographic trip. For me guide books written by photographers are also very helpful – especially ones written about a specific area.

For a recent trip to Seattle from the SF Bay Area via the Oregon coast a friend loaned three guides that I used daily:
Photographers Guide to the Oregon Coast by David Middleton and Rod Barbee
Photographing Oregon by Greg Vaughn
Photographers Guide to Puget Sound by Ron Barbee

These were of great help in planning the trip. They describe the best spots to photograph and also provide advice on how to get to the best vantage points -- which is sometimes not obvious.

Michael Frye’s Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite sets a gold standard for photo guides. It's available as a book or as a iPhone/iPad app which is more useful than the book. He covers the well-known vistas and also provides maps of short hikes to spots away from the roads and crowds. For each spot he lists the months and the hours for best view and light. His blog at http://www.michaelfrye.com/ has outstanding photos from his current work and tells where and how they were taken. It is a must for photographers interested in the Sierras.

Then there is Galen Rowell and his incredible photographs. His books are not travel guides, but he does identify locations. He was an accomplished mountain climber. I am not, but many of the spots he photographed can be reached without technical skills. While much of his work focused on the Sierras, one of his books, North America the Beautiful has photos across the continent. It’s out of print, but still available. By the way, if you are in the Sierras spend some time at the Mountain Light Gallery in Bishop, CA. It has an inspiring collection of Galen & Barbara Rowell’s photos and books.

These guides are all for the states on the Pacific coast where I live. There may also be comparable photo guides for other regions and countries. If anyone has some to recommend, please post them.
Lee





Sep 13, 2014 at 02:23 PM
msshea
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Books/resources to find picturesque spots


Definitely, the three volumes of "Photographing the Southwest" by Laurent Martres. At least two of them are now 2nd editions. Excellent locale descriptions with detailed driving instructions.

Merrill



Sep 14, 2014 at 09:34 AM
ckcarr
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Books/resources to find picturesque spots


The internet is casual, But I don't rely on it for much. I've built a library over the past several years consisting of:
Photography books. On landscapes, ruins, petroglyphs, etc...
Regional calendars
Postcards
Writings...
Anything I can gather together. Then, when there's a location I'm interested in or I've lost my motivation I'll pull it all out and try and find some fresh place.

I really like to look at a real, printed image.

Trick is to learn to learn, and where to quickly find resources.



Sep 14, 2014 at 02:08 PM
Wilbur Su
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Books/resources to find picturesque spots


Shot Hot Spot can be useful at times.

http://www.shothotspot.com/



Sep 26, 2014 at 03:04 PM
Michael White
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Books/resources to find picturesque spots


I'm going to say back around 2008 or so there was an iPhone app that used your current location and showed you a bunch of spots that had photos associated with them. It gave the photog credit for his image. Let's say your out on nine mile hill west of ABQ nm on i40. One location was the bridge over the rio puerto iirc the casino further west the vintage rvs at enchanted trails are the ones that come to mind this long past.

First I lost the app and for got the nave of it to boot.



Sep 26, 2014 at 09:28 PM
Alan Louie
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Books/resources to find picturesque spots


Picked this off of a post in the Landscape forum - Aurora forecast

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/ovation/



Sep 29, 2014 at 04:48 AM





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