The Photographer’s Bucket List: Top 50 Sights to Snap

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By: Lisa Evans
Published: January 23, 2017
Last Update: December 6, 2022

If you’re a photographer you have probably already started a bucket list of places you want to visit. Whether you’re interested in capturing people, animals, landscape or culture, consider visiting some of these places during your photographic journey.

1. St. Andrews Bay | South Georgia

A wild and windswept island, St. Andrews Bay is exceptionally remote: the closest land mass is Antartica, over 900 miles away. This undisturbed location makes the island a perfect home to an array of Antarctic wildlife including enormous elephant seals and - most impressively - hundreds of thousands of towering king penguins. Combine this with a backdrop of cutting blue waves and snow-capped peaks, and it's easy to see why St. Andrews Bay is a wildlife photographer's paradise.

St Andrews Bay, South Georgia

2. Torres del Paine| Chile

Wrap up warm and take your camera to Torres del Paine in Chile. The natural landscape of this 935 square mile park provides gorgeous views of striking blue glaciers, towering mountains and beautiful turquoise waters.

Torres Del Paine-Chile

3. The Tiger’s Nest Monastery | Bhutan

The Tiger’s Nest Monastery requires a three hour hike to get there, but once you’re at the top, you will be rewarded with many photo opportunities. These include the majestic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, as well as the monastery which clings to the side of a cliff.

Bhutan

4. Ladakh | India

Go hiking in Ladakh and discover the scenic beauty of this region. With its barren mountains, clear blue skies and snow capped peaks, you will be spoilt for your choice on where to photograph.

Ladakh-India

5. White Sands | New Mexico

With pure white sands stretching to the horizon, White Sands National Monument is renowned for it's rare gypsum sand dunes. As the sun rises and falls, deep shadows are cast upon the dunes, creating the illusion of undulating ocean waves.

White Sands National Monument

6. Haida Gwaii | British Colombia

Often referred to as the ‘Galapagos of Canada’, Haida Gwaii is a serene and beautiful location with an abundance of wildlife for you to capture including orcas, sea lions, herons and humpback whales.

Queen Charlotte Islands

7. Haleakala National Park | Hawaii

If you’re a fan of photographing the night sky, then set up camp in Haleakala National Park. There is little light pollution, so you will be able to capture stunningly clear photographs of planets, stars and moons.

Haleakala National Park, Hawaii

8. Komsomolskaya, Moscow | Russia

Find beauty in the unlikeliest of places at Komsomolskaya, a metro station in Moscow. From the imposing yellow ceiling to the magnificently elegant chandeliers, you'll be amazed at how many stunning photographs you will be able to take.

Komsomolskaya, Moscow, Russia

9. The Kimberley | Australia

Explore one of the wildest and remotest landscapes on Earth. The natural beauty of this region is utterly breathtaking as you’ll encounter ancient pictographs, amazing waterfalls and distinctive beehive shaped mountains.

The Kimberley, Australia

10. Gorkhi-Terelj National Park | Mongolia

This beautiful national park is home to 250 bird species as well as gorgeous brown bears, but it’s not just the wildlife you need to capture. There are also two famous rock formations that are simply named after what they resemble, the Turtle Rock and the Old Man Reading a Book.

Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, Mongolia

11. Sicily | Italy

Italy is a very photogenic country, but the gorgeous island of Sicily has been captivating photographers for many years. With its awe-inspiring landscapes of Greek temples, well preserved ruins and the prominent Mount Etna, you will be spoilt for choice for what to photograph first.

Sicily, Italy

12. The Drake Passage | South America to Antarctica

Photograph powerful, volatile weather and soaring icebergs as you journey through the historically challenging Drake Passage. The 500 mile wide passage is known for its menacing waves, harsh winds and gigantic icebergs, which creates the perfect photo opportunity to capture the power of the ocean.

The Drake Passage, South America to Antarctica

13. Antelope Canyon | Arizona

Timing is key at this sandstone slot canyon, which provides gorgeous views when rays of sunlight beam through it. To capture the shafts of light, it’s best to visit the canyon between mid-March and mid-September, as it does not shine through in the winter months.

Antelope Canyon, Arizona

14. Lake Clark | Alaska

Travel across the beautiful Lake Clark to photograph stunning images of grizzly bears in their natural habitat. If you’re lucky, you might even capture a hungry bear hunting fish out of Silver Salmon Creek.

Lake Clark National Park

15. Havana | Cuba

With its outdoor boxing rings, curbside checker players and 1950’s cars, there are endless photographic possibilities in this city. Despite being only 90 miles south of Florida Keys, Havana will make you feel like you have visited a different world.

Havana, Cuba

16. Baja California | Mexico

Capture the beauty of the friendliest of all the whales by travelling to Baja California. Every winter, hundreds of gray whales swim from the Arctic to Laguna San Ignacio, providing plenty of opportunities for close up encounters.

Baja California, Mexico

17. Aurora Borealis | Fairbanks, Alaska

Photograph the breathtaking light show of the Aurora Borealis in Alaska. The Aurora forms an oval shape around the North Pole and is best seen at Fairbanks, to fully capture the vivid streaks of color in the sky.

Aurora Borealis, Fairbanks, Alaska

18. Waimea Bay | Oahu, Hawaii

Take a trip to the gorgeous North Shore coastline in Hawaii and capture the spectacular crashing of 30 foot waves. The sea is at its most powerful from November to February.

Waimea Bay, Oahu, Hawaii

19. Bora Bora | French Polynesia

Travel to French Polynesia and capture the stunning beauty of the island of Bora Bora. It’s distinctive blue lagoon and coral reefs will captivate you for hours and provide many opportunities to take breathtaking photos.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

20. Dingle Peninsula | Ireland

If you are interested in photographing natural beauty, take a trip to the Dingle Peninsula. This area in County Kerry, Ireland, offers a beautiful landscape of lush green hills, cloudy mountains, traditional farms and charming villages.

Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

21. The Wave | Arizona

This gorgeous red sandstone rock formation will captivate you the moment you walk into it. Not many people have visited this mystical place which was carved out of sand, as only 20 individual permits are allowed a day.

The Wave, Arizona

22. Westland Tai Poutini National Park | New Zealand

Capture stunning glacier and ice imagery in this national park which is known as ‘glacier country’. It’s also a great location to photograph two of the highest peaks of New Zealand’s mountains.

Westland Tai Poutini National Park, New Zealand

23. Tikal National Park | Guatemala

Photograph the largest and most impressive site of pre-Columbian civilization at Tikal National Park. Huge pyramids and temples tower over the lush green jungle to create spectacular panoramic views.

Tikal National Park, Guatemala

24. Machu Picchu | Peru

Our bucket list wouldn’t be complete without including the incredible Machu Picchu. Capture the stunning ruins and Andes of this 15th century site via the less traveled Salkantay Trek.

Machu Picchu, Peru

25. Museo Subacuatico de Arte | Mexico

Grab a mask and snorkel and dive into the Caribbean waters. Lying 28 feet underwater, you will be greeted by an unusual collection of 400 eerie life-size human sculptures. These are part of Jason deCaires Taylor’s sunken ‘Silent Evolution’ and are certainly worth a photograph or two.

Museo Subacuatico de Arte, Mexico

26. Grand Bazaar | Istanbul, Turkey

Travel to Turkey’s largest covered market and capture the wide range of shops displayed under elaborately decorated grand passageways. Go early in the morning when there are plenty of goods on display to get the best shots.

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey

27. Marrakesh | Morocco

Capture Marrakesh at night, when it truly comes alive. The Djemaa El-Fna market provides many photo opportunities in the evening, from buskers on the street to people dining at food stalls. If you have chance, try and find a good vantage point to take a photo of the whole market, as it illuminates the square.

Marrakesh, Morocco

28. Moai | Easter Island

Capture hundreds of magnificent moai statues on Easter Island. These massive megaliths are what the island is famous for, and are best photographed early in the morning when the stars are still visible in the sky.

Moai, Easter Island

29. Dravuni Island | Fiji

Take a trip to Fiji and visit the wonderful Dravuni Island, to capture its white sandy beaches surrounded by crystal clear seas. Sunlight shines brightly throughout the day here so you have plenty of time to get the perfect shot.

Dravuni Island, Fiji

30. Geysir National Park | Iceland

Photograph the impressive geysir called Strokkur, as it erupts and shoots out water every 5-10 minutes. The surrounding bubbling and steaming geothermal pools create a wonderful backdrop when capturing Strokkur in all its glory.

Geysir National Park. Iceland

31. Car Art Reserve | Nebraska

Discover this unique art compound featuring amazing sculptures created out of vintage American-made automobiles. Among its collection is a Stonehenge replica, a windmill made of wheels, and a brightly colored sculpture representing Nebraska’s four seasons.

Car Art Reserve, Nebraska

32. Copacabana Beach | Brazil

Capture the beauty and gorgeous colors of the Copacabana Beach in Brazil. You will find endless photographic opportunities, and you can get a lovely shot of the beach and skyline from Sugarloaf Mountain. Just be aware that pickpockets usually operate in this area.

Copacabana Beach, Brazil

33. Shibuya Crossing | Tokyo

Travel to the busiest intersection in the world and capture the masses as they go about their daily business. The best vantage point to capture the activity of the crossing is at the Starbucks in the Tsutaya building.

Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo

34. Cenotes | Mexico

Explore the cenotes of Riviera Maya and photograph crystal clear waters surrounded by exquisite limestone formations. The most striking photographs are taken when the sun shines through the cenotes and creates a beautiful glow in the turquoise water.

Cenotes, Mexico

35. Seychelles

The islands of Seychelles encompass numerous wildlife, beaches and coral reefs. The light in the morning and evening is the best time to capture the beauty of the turquoise water, white sandy beaches and lush green jungles.

Seychelles

36. Lei Chau Island | Hong Kong, China

Climb the 643 foot Yuk Kwai Shan Mountain to capture a bird’s eye view of the world’s second most densely populated island. In less than one square mile there are 86, 782 houses, so you will be able to get a good shot of a lot of architecture. Alternatively, a photo in front of the harbor creates a picturesque setting.

Lei Chau Island, Hong Kong, China

37. Papal Audience | Vatican City

Take a trip to Rome and visit the Vatican City on a Wednesday to capture an audience of people listening to the Pope. The Papal Audience is held from spring to autumn in St Peter’s Square, which provides a beautiful backdrop for your photographs.

Papal Audience, Vatican City

38. Galapagos Islands

Experience nature at its finest by visiting the beautiful Galapagos Islands. The area provides plenty of opportunities to take close up images of the friendly wildlife which happily share the beaches with people.

Galapagos Islands

39. Blue Lagoon | Iceland

Capture the large crowds as they relax in the milky blue water of the Blue Lagoon. The fog from the active fumarole creates a surreal atmosphere which is enhanced during sunset.

Blue Lagoon, Iceland

40. The Pillars | Tasmania

Capture the striking dolerite sea columns that are found along the coastline of the southern Tasmania Peninsula. These pillars protrude up to 300 meters above the sea and are best photographed during stormy weather as the waves crash against them.

The Pillars, Tasmania

41. The Alps | Switzerland

Travel to the summit of the 13,661 foot Breithorn to capture stunning views of the French, Italian and Swiss Alps. It won’t be easy getting to the top but the effort will be worth it to photograph the iconic Matterhorn.

The Alps, Switzerland

42. Maasai Mara | Kenya

Capture the amazing wildlife in the Maasai Mara National Reserve including Masai lions, Tanzanian cheetahs and African leopards. Every year from July to October, the Great Migration takes place, and wildebeests, gazelles and zebras migrate from Tanzania to this area.

Maasai Mara, Kenya

43. Masaya Volcano | Nicaragua

Photograph the billowing steam from an active volcano! The Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua is easily accessible and provides you with the opportunity to take stunning photographs of the emitting smoke and sulphur gases from the crater.

Masaya Volcano, Nicaragua

44. Horse Bend | Arizona

Take photographs of this amazing natural wonder from a perspective not seen by many. Travel by boat along the Colorado River and get up close with the geological layers of magnificent red rock.

Horse Bend, Arizona

45. Holi Festival | India

Capture the bright colors and smiling faces of revelers taking part in the Holi Festival. Make sure you protect your camera as you photograph the beautiful burst of colors as it can get messy.

Holi Festival, India

46. Victoria Falls | Zambia

Photograph the stunning Victoria Falls as the water flows downstream during the spring and summer months. Rainbows appear throughout the day which enhance the beauty of the falls, so it’s worth waiting around to capture one.

Victoria Falls, Zambia

47. Mount Fuji | Japan

Capture the magnificent Mount Fuji reflecting into Lake Shojiko. As Japan's tallet peak, this active volcano towers over 3,700 meters into the air and is renowned as a sacred mountain.

Mount Fuji, Japan

48. Angkor Ruins | Cambodia

The ancient kingdom of Angkor is one of the most impressive archaeological sites that you can photograph. From the gorgeous cultural architecture to the beautiful canals and ornate monuments, you will be spoilt for choice on what to photograph first.

Angkor Ruins, Cambodia

49. Namib Desert | Namibia

Capture the towering dunes of the Namib Desert, some of which are among the highest in the world! During the day, the stunning scenery of the orange colored dunes contrasts beautifully with the bright blue sky.

Namib Desert, Namibia

50. Petra | Jordan

Journey to Petra during the morning to capture the vast and rugged landscape of this fascinating city carved into the rock. It’s best to photograph between mid morning and midday, as the light accentuates the pink and red hues of the carved sandstone.

Petra, Jordan