From Copenhagen to Istanbul, we explore these stunning destinations and its best features that fit the various photography genres such as portraiture, architecture, street, landscape, and travel. Book your flight, pack your gear, and be prepared to experience a photography journey like no other.
EOS 70D, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens, f/2.8, 16mm, 1/1600sec, ISO100 by Junell Hackette Cornejo
The colourful townhouses in Copenhagen
Portraiture: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
EOS 5D Mark III, EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens, f/3.5, 100mm, 1/1250sec, ISO100 by Junell Hackette Cornejo
Fusing traditions with futuristic visions, Dubai brims with exhilarating energy and cultural dynamism, which may be the reason why the city attracts newcomers and visitors from all over the world. Besides its myriad of music, cultures, food, and landscapes (think ultramodern architecture and vast, golden sandscapes), it is Dubai’s openness towards people that serves as a perfect playground for photographers looking to capture the beauty of its people. Emiratis, Pakistanis, Indians, travellers in transit… opportunities for street portraits are everywhere.
Learn how to shoot portraits with EOS 5D Mark IV in: Hues of Hue – Portraiture Styles
Architecture: Copenhagen, Denmark
EOS 70D, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens, f/2.8, 16mm, 1/1250sec, ISO100 by Junell Hackette Cornejo
Think Copenhagen and what comes to mind is its bike-friendly streets, Michelin-starred restaurants, vibrant design scene, and most prominently, the colourful town houses. Danish architectural scene is going through a golden age, where there is no lack of world-class architecture alongside historic buildings and palaces. With critically acclaimed architects like BIG (8 House) and Zaha Hadid (Ordrupgaard Museum Extension) who had helped create magic on its cityscape, Copenhagen holds its position as an architecture paradise for photographers from around the world.
Explore the many ways to capture architecture in: 4 Tips to Capture the Beauty of Buildings
Street: Istanbul, Turkey
EOS 70D, EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens, f/2.8, 100mm, 1/4000sec, ISO100 by Junell Hackette Cornejo
Over the centuries, the Greeks, Romans and Venetians took turns to rule Istanbul, but it was the Ottomans who successfully stayed, leaving behind its legacy of beautifully decorated imperial mosques and churches. Beneath these layers of history is the meeting of east and west, a melting pot of cultures clearly evident on the streets of Istanbul. Explore the city’s numerous street stalls; peek into its beautiful tea gardens; have a damla sakızlı (Turkish coffee) in the coffeehouses, as you tell a travel story through street photography.
Learn more about street photography here: Shooting Cities: An Interview with Viven Balsomo
Landscape: Isle of Skye, Scotland
EOS 5D Mark III, EF50mm f/1.4 USM lens, f/5.6, 50mm, 1/250sec, ISO100 by Junell Hackette Cornejo
Somewhere in the northwest of Scotland lies an island where velvet moors, shimmering lochs, towering sea cliffs, and tiny villages stretch throughout its masses of undulating landscape. Isle of Skye, second-largest of Scotland’s islands, is not only home to brooding castles, charming museums and cosy pubs, it is a place that offers unique sights and stunning scenery. Travel on foot to the island’s far-flung corners and explore its enchanting natural wonders, mingle with herds of sheep and red deer, or challenge yourself to a climb up its sea cliffs as you document this journey with your camera.
See more tips on shooting landscapes here: Landscape Photography for Beginners
Travel: Hoher Kasten, Switzerland
EOS 5D Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens, f/6.3, 28mm, 1/125sec, ISO100 by Dominik Sartorius
There is something magical about Hoher Kasten, a mountain cosying up to the Appenzell Alps, that is appealing to even the most discerning travel photographers. Overlooking the Rhine in Eastern Switzerland, Hoher Kasten is easily accessible by cable cars (which have been operating since 1964) or a 3-hour hike to its summit. Once on top, you’ll observe the shapes, folds, and gigantic fractures of the rocky terrain, and grass that decline until the earth runs out. This mountain offers a panoramic view of eastern Switzerland and a chance to quietly immerse yourself in serenity. At times, lazy clouds blanket the mountain range, and when they part, reveal a spanning view of the jagged beauty that stretches beyond your sight.
Read the story of a travel photographer in: Over the land and seas: Life of a travel photographer
Know of more places that's great for travel photography? Share with us in the comments section below!
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