Finding great outdoor locations

[2SkinnyDogs]

So, I am new to photography, and am taking a "Photographing People" class. I have some assignments for class and am looking for places to take outdoor pictures. How do you find some awesome spots in your area?

BTW: I'm in Iowa, so if you know of any specific places, let me know!

[bbtom10]

Originally Posted by 2SkinnyDogs

So, I am new to photography, and am taking a "Photographing People" class. I have some assignments for class and am looking for places to take outdoor pictures. How do you find some awesome spots in your area?

BTW: I'm in Iowa, so if you know of any specific places, let me know!

Get on your bike and turn left, then keep turning alternately left and right until you a) find the perfect spot, b) find a not perfect but adequately acceptable spot or c) collapse.

Now that's answered, can anyone advise me how long a 'piece' of string might be?




Sorry to be obtuse about this, but Iowa is a beautiful part of the world so it shouldn't be that hard surely?

Tom

[SusanH1970]

Honestly, sometimes I just get in my car and drive around. You can find amazing little spots - doesn't even need to be a wide open field, etc. I've seen some gorgeous photographs taken in a tiny patch of wildflowers by the side of the road with an industrial park behind it - the photographer just made sure the angles of the photos didn't include the ugly background.

Another idea is to google "parks in (insert your town here)". I did that and found a couple of parks in my town that I hadn't even known existed, and they're gorgeous!

[morgandavis]

It depends where in Iowa you are. I'm in the Des Moines area.

Here's a link to a Location Scouting Group on Flickr.
Flickr: Des Moines, IA Location Scouting

[Eastree]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Another idea is to google "parks in (insert your town here)". I did that and found a couple of parks in my town that I hadn't even known existed, and they're gorgeous!

^^^ This, completely. And add "trails" or "hiking" to the list if you want to find a wooded area.

Also, it depends on what sort of "outdoors" you mean: outdoors as in nature, or just not inside a building. If the latter is the case .....

Even if you're in the city, and you want a more urban location ...
Try the backs of stores and strip malls. Of course, beware that trucks might drive through, so ask some management (and really, saying you're doing it for a photography class WILL get you more permissions than just wanting to go back there) about when would be best. Usually it will be weekends or after a certain time.

If you're daring, a train yard or junction. Avoid the cliche "model on the tracks! So deep and meaningful!" I just assume creativity and originality might help with your grade.

Just .... be creative. Things off the main path will usually be a little more eye-catching, woods, field, or whatever.

[dakwegmo]

Try this: NatureFind Home
I use their iphone app and love it for getting ideas for new places. I found an awesome new park in my town that I didn't even know was there.

[dakwegmo]

Also, check out Zack Arias's Keynote address at PhotoCamp Utah. PhotoCamp Utah
He talks a lot about making the most of what you've got. There are two images in partcular at the 9:40 mark and about 28:55, he talks about two images that look like they were made in a wide open area that were shot in downtown Atlanta.

[2SkinnyDogs]

Originally Posted by bbtom10

Get on your bike and turn left, then keep turning alternately left and right until you a) find the perfect spot, b) find a not perfect but adequately acceptable spot or c) collapse.

Now that's answered, can anyone advise me how long a 'piece' of string might be?




Sorry to be obtuse about this, but Iowa is a beautiful part of the world so it shouldn't be that hard surely?

Tom

I agree that Iowa is beautiful! We LOVE it here I guess my more specific question should have been how to find great spots to take pictures of people...so great places that have interesting background. The problem might just be one of perspective

[2SkinnyDogs]

Originally Posted by morgandavis

It depends where in Iowa you are. I'm in the Des Moines area.

Here's a link to a Location Scouting Group on Flickr.
Flickr: Des Moines, IA Location Scouting

We are in the Cedar Rapids area, but this gives me a good place to start! Thanks

[oldwolf]

Never take the usual short way home.

We normally just ask other people or we drive around taking the long way home and find places. Interesting is all in the angles.