Photographers love to create beautiful, interesting, and unique photographs. We carry several pounds of gear on our backs through forests and mountains to find beautiful and sought-after scenes. When we finally find something amazing and photograph it, it’s a wonderful feeling knowing that we’re are not repeating the same clich photograph that hundreds or thousands of other photographers have already created. And so it’s no wonder that some photographers prefer to keep these locations a secret.
I get it, I totally do. Portrait and wedding photographers may not want other competing photographers hogging their “favorite” locations, especially if there is something about that spot that helps shape their style or brand. But what about landscape photographers? By sharing locations, do we also encourage too many photographers to that spot, potentially damaging not only the originality of the photo, but (more importantly) also putting the environment at risk as well?
Let us also not forget the non-photographers, such as , or people just looking for something to do on the weekend. Does making a beautiful spot too well-known and popular (because of its visibility through photography) “cheapen” it in any way? Most photographers I know, as well as avid hikers, adopt the “leave no trace” policy. Yet when the general public has access, these locations have a much higher chance of becoming littered with graffiti, cigarette butts, and other unnecessary trash.
Issues like these makes me wonder if keeping locations secret helps the greater good for all of us. Should we perhaps not share locations when we photograph them? Or, is it beneficial to collectively adopt a more sharing attitude and give out information when requested? I wouldn’t know about half of the places I seek out if not for other photographers who share their knowledge about locations. One of my favorite websites to research waterfalls to photograph in the Pacific Northwest, the Northwest Waterfall Survey, not only shares photographs and names of the waterfalls, but also detailed information on how to drive or hike to the waterfalls as well.
For me, I have always been one to share the locations of the places I photographed. Most of the time, I’m not venturing out into the middle of nowhere or finding a hidden gem that nobody knows about. Many of my photographs are in well-known areas or are obvious landmarks. And if someone asks me where a waterfall I photographed was taken, for example, I will tell them the truth, as opposed to vaguely telling someone to do a Google search for “waterfalls in Oregon”. By nature, I enjoy teaching and educating, and it just feels wrong to intentionally keep that information private.
In the end, everyone has a right to say as much, or as little, as they want about their photographs. I don’t think that there is a right or wrong way to go about. This article is my way of starting a conversation. And I am curious: what do you do? Do you share your location information, or do you keep it to yourself?
I am doing a 365 photo blog and I love it where people share their locations … it inspires me to want to go our and explore new places, try my own skills out and to try and capture my own image. I even have a note book now of places I would like to visit … when I see something stunning…. in my opinion … it is lovely when we share.
https://renoufdesign.wordpress.com/my-challenges/ – is my blog… if anyone wants to pop over and say hi or offer me some pointers!
Generally, I freely share any of my photographic knowledge, including locations. However, I’ve had some exceptions that are worthy of further consideration. I live in an unusually photoscenic area, and run photo workshops here. An acquaintance asked if I’d join her for a day of shooting while she visited my area. We had a wonderful day shooting in the obvious, and more importantly, many not so obvious locations. But just a few months afterwards, she started offering destination photography workshops including the locations I shared. She did not disclose her workshop intentions, and I unwittingly gave away my insider’s knowledge,… Read more »
I try to keep my locations secret. I’m also big on “Leave No Trace”. I’ve seen inconsiderate portrait photographers trashing locations all the time. It can be so frustrating and has become such a problem in my area that many towns are trying to find a way to keep photographers from photographing in the parks. I believe it is a case of a few bad apples ruining the bunch.
I’ve heard about this from other sources … it’s becoming a significant enough problem to where leaving locations off makes a lot of sense.
This is an issue about which I have had to do some deep thinking, and about which my perspective has evolved over the past decade or so. At this point I think that photographers have an ethical obligation to consider the effects of their subjects when they write about them. The answer is neither purely “yes” nor “no” — it is situational. There are places that are already well-known, are easily accessible, are not likely to be damaged by increased visitation, and so forth. There is much less need to remain quiet about them. On the other hand, there are special,… Read more »
Great article and great comment Dan
It wouldn’t hurt to see another person’s take on the location.
Another angle to consider is that by sharing we remove the opportunity for people to discover a location for themselves, and all the additional satisfaction that goes with that. A certain amount of sharing is good but I hope never to live in a world where everything is known.
Ian, I strongly agree with this point, and I’m glad that someone mentioned it. For me, a big part of the joy of photography is that it allows me to learn places and develop my own special relationships with them — which can lead to seeing them in a way that is my own.
I recently completed a book (now available) on fall color photography in the Sierra and I made decisions to not be too specific and to leave out certain places for precisely that reason.
Dan
I really like the idea of photographers sharing their locations with one another. But I agree, there’s no right or wrong about it. It’s up to the photographer whether they want to share or not.
While I don’t typically shoot landscapes, I’m more of a cityscape kinda gal, I tend to not share my location – that’s obviously if it’s not a familer, well known area. I might give info on a general part of town, but I won’t typically give specifics. I figured if they really want to photograph the same location, they’ll put the same legwork into finding it, like I did! :)
Just be aware of what is being shared, sites with endangered species for example should not be openly promoted. If your images have embedded GPS data you could end up sharing unintentionally!
There is a similar question asked by anglers (my other hobby) when it comes to sharing their ‘secret marks’ and no doubt many other pastimes and activities.
I’m quite happy that someone should keep anything secret provided they never benefitted by someone eles providing them with advice, input, direction or knowledge – otherwise they are takers who do not share; that may be considered ‘normal’ for a 2 year old, otherwise I think is one of the lowest levels a person can sink to.
Maybe there is a difference between sharing location info in a freely viewable forum like Facebook, Twitter etc or any of the plethora of photography websites (for example I use Behance quite a lot) and sharing information privately or to those we know will care for a location. I like to share information with other photographers, be it locations or techniques but I wouldn’t give out this information to just anyone. I see to much scrawled graffiti and name carving in beautiful places not to mention litter. I research locations online before I take a road trip so it’s certainly… Read more »
I only ever share secret locations with my trusted friends. People whom I know can be discrete and will leave the place as they found it.
For wildlife, and landscapes to a lesser extent, there may be more to it than location. It’s easy, for example, to say “Yellowstone”, but knowing when to be there and where to be takes time. . I know a professional photographer who is free with giving out locations. It is still worth the money to pay for a trip with him because he knows where and when to go while I could waste days trying to figure out where I should have been.
My favorite kind of photography involves urbexing; visits to abandoned homes, factories, and other buildings. The codex of “leaving no trace” is extremely strong in this sub culture (take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints) and it’s very rare to openly share the location of those places – for reasons mentioned in the article: tagging, vandalism, theft, general wear. However, most urbexers willingly share via private messages or in closed groups, because then we can feel reasonably confident that the others have the same values. As for not sharing simply because you want your own special place – well,… Read more »
I’m happy to share but as with all things, it depends. I’m not so worried about another photographer making pictures at a location that I THINK I’ve discovered. His or her vision is different than mine. I’d like to see how another photographer saw the same place. Note that phrase — I think — because its more than likely that I was not the first person there or the first person to photograph it. That said, I do get protective of locations out of the fear that they will be destroyed or trampled. I don’t even care about the research… Read more »
I thought about this too and I think it would be great if we shared the locations with each other. There are so many and if we got them all on a map, wouldnt it be great to just spend some seconds to find the right locations? I don’t think people that want to destroy the location start searching these in the internet. I actially startet a Website called http://www.photo-location.org to share these locations.
Kind regards
I lead photographic workshops in the midwest. Specifically in Southern IL. There are many fabulous opportunities there and I work hard networking with locals and property owners to find access and get permission to shoot there. I don’t keep the locations very secret. In fact anyone who takes the workshop will know where these locations are. The one thing I don’t openly discuss is the best time of day to shoot at that spot. Some places will look their best in a specific 90 minute window, others are full sun only, still others its irrelevant; cloudy, rainy, sunny, whatever. I… Read more »
The photographers that won’t share a location with other photographers – especially when the other photographer asks – are just selfish (and probably suffer from either low self-esteem or an inflated ego). The argument that someone will “damage … the originality of the photo” is false – we all know that people standing next to one another at a site will end up with very different images. Generally everyone that receives the information won’t get to follow up on it for various reasons – and even if they do, it will often be at a different time or season. Most… Read more »
coincidentally, i’ve been thinking of this all week. i live in a large city with great wildlife in certain areas mostly known to locals. i can’t imagine how much worse things can get. all i have to do is set up a shot or stay in one spot, camera raised, to attract attention. a lot of wildlife photography requires extreme patience, some science, and sometimes a lot of luck. cant exactly convince your subjects to pose for you, & they arent exactly thrilled to have children shrieking for 20 min straight, trying to attract their attn. mostly ruins your session… Read more »
Doing research on places for good shooting (photos) in North Carolina. Great article. I’m sort of hanging on a line when it comes to sharing locations. It’s usually according to where it was and the situations. I’ve gotten comments from my writings and photos of Arkansas and Missouri spots to not share too much about the area that it would bring too many people in. Some of the places were pretty remote and even on private land. Permission to shoot is needed in some spots.
Great writeup and way to introduce and ask this question, it really resonated with me! This is a question I have often struggled with, as in the past I was very free about describing the places I was shooting, and then, within a few years, I watched as word spread around about one particular location I’d spent a lot of time at (not directly from me I am sure, but from others sharing and those shared with sharing with their friends), and before long I was seeing not only hundreds of “iconic” photos being taken in that location each year… Read more »
I left a local landscape photography Facebook group today, over this issue (and the moderator’s “you want to know the location, go find it” remark).
I am interested in landscape photography, and also very interested in landmarks, travel and geography. So it is mental torture for me to see a photograph and not be able to know the location. Location information is key to my enjoyment of my landscape photography hobby.
So for map-nerds like me, knowing a bit about the location enhances the enjoyment of viewing the image.
(“local” to me is Vancouver Island)
Generally, I freely share any of my photographic knowledge, including locations. However, I’ve had some exceptions that are worthy of further consideration. I live in an unusually photoscenic area, and run photo workshops here. An acquaintance asked if I’d join her for a day of shooting while she visited my area. We had a wonderful day shooting in the obvious, and more importantly, many not so obvious locations. But just a few months afterwards, she started offering destination photography workshops including the locations I shared. She did not disclose her workshop intentions, and I unwittingly gave away my insider’s knowledge,… Read more »
This is an issue about which I have had to do some deep thinking, and about which my perspective has evolved over the past decade or so. At this point I think that photographers have an ethical obligation to consider the effects of their subjects when they write about them. The answer is neither purely “yes” nor “no” — it is situational. There are places that are already well-known, are easily accessible, are not likely to be damaged by increased visitation, and so forth. There is much less need to remain quiet about them. On the other hand, there are special,… Read more »
Great article and great comment Dan
It wouldn’t hurt to see another person’s take on the location.
Maybe there is a difference between sharing location info in a freely viewable forum like Facebook, Twitter etc or any of the plethora of photography websites (for example I use Behance quite a lot) and sharing information privately or to those we know will care for a location. I like to share information with other photographers, be it locations or techniques but I wouldn’t give out this information to just anyone. I see to much scrawled graffiti and name carving in beautiful places not to mention litter. I research locations online before I take a road trip so it’s certainly… Read more »
I really like the idea of photographers sharing their locations with one another. But I agree, there’s no right or wrong about it. It’s up to the photographer whether they want to share or not.
While I don’t typically shoot landscapes, I’m more of a cityscape kinda gal, I tend to not share my location – that’s obviously if it’s not a familer, well known area. I might give info on a general part of town, but I won’t typically give specifics. I figured if they really want to photograph the same location, they’ll put the same legwork into finding it, like I did! :)
I am doing a 365 photo blog and I love it where people share their locations … it inspires me to want to go our and explore new places, try my own skills out and to try and capture my own image. I even have a note book now of places I would like to visit … when I see something stunning…. in my opinion … it is lovely when we share.
https://renoufdesign.wordpress.com/my-challenges/ – is my blog… if anyone wants to pop over and say hi or offer me some pointers!
I try to keep my locations secret. I’m also big on “Leave No Trace”. I’ve seen inconsiderate portrait photographers trashing locations all the time. It can be so frustrating and has become such a problem in my area that many towns are trying to find a way to keep photographers from photographing in the parks. I believe it is a case of a few bad apples ruining the bunch.
I’ve heard about this from other sources … it’s becoming a significant enough problem to where leaving locations off makes a lot of sense.
I only ever share secret locations with my trusted friends. People whom I know can be discrete and will leave the place as they found it.
There is a similar question asked by anglers (my other hobby) when it comes to sharing their ‘secret marks’ and no doubt many other pastimes and activities.
I’m quite happy that someone should keep anything secret provided they never benefitted by someone eles providing them with advice, input, direction or knowledge – otherwise they are takers who do not share; that may be considered ‘normal’ for a 2 year old, otherwise I think is one of the lowest levels a person can sink to.
I’m happy to share but as with all things, it depends. I’m not so worried about another photographer making pictures at a location that I THINK I’ve discovered. His or her vision is different than mine. I’d like to see how another photographer saw the same place. Note that phrase — I think — because its more than likely that I was not the first person there or the first person to photograph it. That said, I do get protective of locations out of the fear that they will be destroyed or trampled. I don’t even care about the research… Read more »
My favorite kind of photography involves urbexing; visits to abandoned homes, factories, and other buildings. The codex of “leaving no trace” is extremely strong in this sub culture (take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints) and it’s very rare to openly share the location of those places – for reasons mentioned in the article: tagging, vandalism, theft, general wear. However, most urbexers willingly share via private messages or in closed groups, because then we can feel reasonably confident that the others have the same values. As for not sharing simply because you want your own special place – well,… Read more »
Another angle to consider is that by sharing we remove the opportunity for people to discover a location for themselves, and all the additional satisfaction that goes with that. A certain amount of sharing is good but I hope never to live in a world where everything is known.
Ian, I strongly agree with this point, and I’m glad that someone mentioned it. For me, a big part of the joy of photography is that it allows me to learn places and develop my own special relationships with them — which can lead to seeing them in a way that is my own.
I recently completed a book (now available) on fall color photography in the Sierra and I made decisions to not be too specific and to leave out certain places for precisely that reason.
Dan
I thought about this too and I think it would be great if we shared the locations with each other. There are so many and if we got them all on a map, wouldnt it be great to just spend some seconds to find the right locations? I don’t think people that want to destroy the location start searching these in the internet. I actially startet a Website called http://www.photo-location.org to share these locations.
Kind regards
The photographers that won’t share a location with other photographers – especially when the other photographer asks – are just selfish (and probably suffer from either low self-esteem or an inflated ego). The argument that someone will “damage … the originality of the photo” is false – we all know that people standing next to one another at a site will end up with very different images. Generally everyone that receives the information won’t get to follow up on it for various reasons – and even if they do, it will often be at a different time or season. Most… Read more »
Just be aware of what is being shared, sites with endangered species for example should not be openly promoted. If your images have embedded GPS data you could end up sharing unintentionally!
Doing research on places for good shooting (photos) in North Carolina. Great article. I’m sort of hanging on a line when it comes to sharing locations. It’s usually according to where it was and the situations. I’ve gotten comments from my writings and photos of Arkansas and Missouri spots to not share too much about the area that it would bring too many people in. Some of the places were pretty remote and even on private land. Permission to shoot is needed in some spots.
For wildlife, and landscapes to a lesser extent, there may be more to it than location. It’s easy, for example, to say “Yellowstone”, but knowing when to be there and where to be takes time. . I know a professional photographer who is free with giving out locations. It is still worth the money to pay for a trip with him because he knows where and when to go while I could waste days trying to figure out where I should have been.
Great writeup and way to introduce and ask this question, it really resonated with me! This is a question I have often struggled with, as in the past I was very free about describing the places I was shooting, and then, within a few years, I watched as word spread around about one particular location I’d spent a lot of time at (not directly from me I am sure, but from others sharing and those shared with sharing with their friends), and before long I was seeing not only hundreds of “iconic” photos being taken in that location each year… Read more »
I left a local landscape photography Facebook group today, over this issue (and the moderator’s “you want to know the location, go find it” remark).
I am interested in landscape photography, and also very interested in landmarks, travel and geography. So it is mental torture for me to see a photograph and not be able to know the location. Location information is key to my enjoyment of my landscape photography hobby.
So for map-nerds like me, knowing a bit about the location enhances the enjoyment of viewing the image.
(“local” to me is Vancouver Island)
I lead photographic workshops in the midwest. Specifically in Southern IL. There are many fabulous opportunities there and I work hard networking with locals and property owners to find access and get permission to shoot there. I don’t keep the locations very secret. In fact anyone who takes the workshop will know where these locations are. The one thing I don’t openly discuss is the best time of day to shoot at that spot. Some places will look their best in a specific 90 minute window, others are full sun only, still others its irrelevant; cloudy, rainy, sunny, whatever. I… Read more »
coincidentally, i’ve been thinking of this all week. i live in a large city with great wildlife in certain areas mostly known to locals. i can’t imagine how much worse things can get. all i have to do is set up a shot or stay in one spot, camera raised, to attract attention. a lot of wildlife photography requires extreme patience, some science, and sometimes a lot of luck. cant exactly convince your subjects to pose for you, & they arent exactly thrilled to have children shrieking for 20 min straight, trying to attract their attn. mostly ruins your session… Read more »
Nope, not where I live. It has taken me, many of us local photographers years….
miles of hiking, driving, etc … to find our secret shooting spots. Here in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore area tourists leave their litter all over the place, trespass, etc ….
Nope, not gonna share my secret spots.