What's Your Method for Scouting A Location?

[Lightscamera]

I have less and less time to take photos now. When I do have time, I often have no idea where I want to go locally (within an hour or two driving or even closer to home) and end up doing nothing.

When you're in your home area, how do you get ideas for places you want to shoot when you have time? What's your method for scouting out locations? It seems like a basic question, but I'm hoping to get some ideas and techniques that I can build on. I may have some time to shoot this weekend....

[navcom]

Originally Posted by Lightscamera

I have less and less time to take photos now. When I do have time, I often have no idea where I want to go locally (within an hour or two driving or even closer to home) and end up doing nothing.

When you're in your home area, how do you get ideas for places you want to shoot when you have time? What's your method for scouting out locations? It seems like a basic question, but I'm hoping to get some ideas and techniques that I can build on. I may have some time to shoot this weekend....

My favorite photos are sunrise and sunset photos. My first task is to find out when and where the sun will actually rise and set. I use the Navy's site at http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.php to find the time as well as the exact direction the sun will appear.

Using this info, I head out during the day and try to find good composition foregrounds and use a compass to determine where the sun will be at sunset/rise. I then come back when the time and conditions are right. I usually like days where there are some clouds or other atmospheric disturbance as the colors and patterns in the sky are better.

If you do this, keep in mind that the official sunset or sunrise time will not be precise as this is the time it will be at the exact horizon. If there are hills or other obstruction, that time will need to be modified.

Hope that helps!

[spookie5150]

Step one is keep your camera with you always. You never know what you'll see when you're out and about. I also carry a small notebook with me and write possible spots for shooting down when I can't stop.

Just a couple of ideas, but they've helped me out a bit.

[OsmosisStudios]

I always keep my camera with me, even if it's just a P&S. That way I can at least take a shot of what I want to work on.

I also have a "note" function on my phone (Blackberry 8120), so I jot down notes (location, time of day, direction, etc).

[JoesPhotos]

Just like memory cards a notebook w/multiple pens are a NECESSITY in EVERY camera bag.

Years ago I could remember where a place was, but that was years ago

[Marco_D]

First of all, I decide at home what kind of photos I want to take. Then, I look carefully at Google Maps and I search a location that satisfies the photographic subjects. The next step is to search for some informations about that location, in particular the light.
Finally, I take my DSLR with me and I go shooting... I think that the study of the place before photographing it, is very stimulating from the cultural point of view too.

[kencaleno]

You can use an analogue watch to determine where the sun will be at any one time:

If you wear an analogue watch- point the twelve o'clock marker towards the sun-, now each 5 minute marker equals 2 hours of time (360 degrees to a circle, divided by 24 hours = 15 degrees to an hour, so each 5 minute marker =30 degrees = 2 hours) Using this, and knowing which direction the Earth is travelling, you can figure where the sun will be at any time of day.

[nicotine]

Originally Posted by kencaleno

You can use an analogue watch to determine where the sun will be at any one time:

If you wear an analogue watch- point the twelve o'clock marker towards the sun-, now each 5 minute marker equals 2 hours of time (360 degrees to a circle, divided by 24 hours = 15 degrees to an hour, so each 5 minute marker =30 degrees = 2 hours) Using this, and knowing which direction the Earth is travelling, you can figure where the sun will be at any time of day.

That's a really cool trick.

As for scouting locations most of the time I just think about places I've been before that would be cool to photograph, or ask friends who know the area for cool spots.

[windrider86]

I like to take long drives and scout out the area. Then make mental notes of a scene I might like to shoot at a different time of day.
Much more fun than hanging out at home watching my husband watch golf on tv

[300busa]

I just go for a drive and stop whenever I see something.