Author Topic: Comfort Zones or The Path Less Travelled? (Read 2004 times)

Late Developer · « **on:** October 25, 2016, 10:40:25 AM »

When we visit new places (or even places we've visited many times previously) with a view to spending time taking photographs, are we drawn to the tourist hot-spots or do we seek out the new / unusual / off the beaten track areas?

Francois · « **Reply #1 on:** October 25, 2016, 02:11:58 PM »

Strangely I tend to do both...
It depends how I feel. Feel like seeing other human beings bring me to tourist traps.
But more often than not these days I end up opting to go off the beaten path. Not necessarily because I want to but because I don't want to be stuck in endless traffic all day for a single often lousy picture... When will they decide to manage the road work in Montreal and not just cover the city in orange wedding cakes... (Rant over)

Late Developer · « **Reply #2 on:** October 25, 2016, 02:19:41 PM »

Interesting, Francois, as I've recently been making a deliberate effort to seek out the more obscure and, often, more interesting places where I visit.

I saw a book on urban decay a few weeks ago and, although I didn't buy it, it left me feeling that we miss opportunities if we only head for the places where tour guides want us to go. I'm not suggesting we never go to the tourist traps, just that we should have a look at what the other 95% of the town or city we're visiting looks and feels like. Caution is needed if we stray close to any bad neighbourhoods but, so long as we're sensible...

Bryan · « **Reply #3 on:** October 25, 2016, 04:18:34 PM »

When I travel for pleasure I usually make a point to see the main attractions and find that there is not a lot of time to explore much. Though I have done it, definitely try not to stray into bad neighborhoods, that's how tourists end up missing. When I travel for work and spend months at a time in one location I try to explore every nook and cranny on my days off. Working in Eureka, Nevada a few years ago I couldn't tell you how many ghost towns and old mines I explored.

02Pilot · « **Reply #4 on:** October 25, 2016, 08:00:36 PM »

Bryan, you have no idea how much I want to explore some ghost towns and old mines out west. When I have NV on my list of destinations I'll have to pick your brain.

Generally, given my borderline pathological hatred of crowds, I avoid tourist traps at all costs. Off the beaten path is much more my speed, though practicing street photography can create a sort of zen anonymity in crowds that helps to mitigate the effects of feeling the crush of humanity closing in. I also think there's another aspect to the question: not where, but when. Popular destinations when no one is there are great. Early morning, late at night, off-season, whatever; I love the idea of photographing an empty space where people expect to find a crowd.

kentish cob · « **Reply #5 on:** October 25, 2016, 08:21:39 PM »

Quote from: 02Pilot on October 25, 2016, 08:00:36 PM

Popular destinations when no one is there are great. Early morning, late at night, off-season, whatever; I love the idea of photographing an empty space where people expect to find a crowd.

This is certainly true with me...
I spent half a day in Southwold in Suffolk (well known "honeypot" location) earlier this year, and I didn't take a single shot... I could certainly see the potential, but the day / time I was there it was just too busy, and I'm afraid it didn't spark my mojo..!
I much prefer to be where the crowds aren't.

gsgary · « **Reply #6 on:** October 25, 2016, 08:36:45 PM »

I avoid all Cities like the plague, at the moment the film shooters at our club are trying to organise a trip to Grimsby docks (used to be one of the busiest fishing towns in the UK), now there is just a few boats fishing and the dock area is going to be demolished so we want to record it before it is too late

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astrobeck · « **Reply #7 on:** October 25, 2016, 10:00:15 PM »

Less traveled is more filling for me.
The farther away, remote, desolate and derelict a place is, the more it calls to me.
I do go to touristy spots like Zion, Bryce and Moab in the dead of winter and usually have the place to myself...especially after sunset when everyone is at dinner and it's too cold for most tourists to want to be outdoors.

My first choice is always remote, dusty, dirty old roads and houses....

Francois · « **Reply #8 on:** October 25, 2016, 10:07:28 PM »

I guess not too many of us are inclined to go and see the world's biggest ball of yarn. Complete with rotating ball top restaurant and gondola to reach it in order to get a ½ star diner as rated by the Moochelin guide

astrobeck · « **Reply #9 on:** October 26, 2016, 01:24:24 AM »

I have seen the largest ball of barbed wire if that counts....

Late Developer · « **Reply #10 on:** October 26, 2016, 08:40:48 AM »

Quote from: astrobeck on October 26, 2016, 01:24:24 AM

I have seen the largest ball of barbed wire if that counts....

Not at the Museum of Barbed Wire on Route 66, by any chance? Lara and I saw it on Billy Connolly's serialisation of his R66 trip and decided we'd pop in if we went past it - which we did. I had my reservations as how interesting can a museum devoted to "The Devil's Rope" be? It was excellent and well worth the few bucks entrance fee.

Overall, I'm seeing a pattern in the responses that doesn't really surprise me as I imagined most would gravitate away from touristy places in favour of the more interesting and esoteric.

Kentish Cob's experience of a visit to Southwold is exactly how I react. Southwold is an hour away from where I live but, as I only ever get to visit at weekends, the place is mobbed. O2 Pilot's and your reference to considering "time" is very relevant as it's possible to see some of the things we want to see (and as we want to see them) if we think about when would be quietest / most opportune.

We've had a trip to Whitby booked for a while and, when we go, it will be out of season. An early morning start will also allow us to miss any "crowds". Can't wait.....

KevinAllan · « **Reply #11 on:** October 28, 2016, 08:03:28 AM »

Quote

We've had a trip to Whitby booked for a while and, when we go, it will be out of season. An early morning start will also allow us to miss any "crowds". Can't wait.....

Early morning in Whitby ? It doesn't get much earlier than this ... even in August you can avoid the crowds at 4am ...there were a few people about but they were in a ship on the horizon

Late Developer · « **Reply #12 on:** October 28, 2016, 08:21:46 AM »

Very nice, Kevin. We may not be there at 4 but I will be looking up sunrise time.

Kayos · « **Reply #13 on:** October 28, 2016, 07:34:12 PM »

Quote from: gsgary on October 25, 2016, 08:36:45 PM

I avoid all Cities like the plague, at the moment the film shooters at our club are trying to organise a trip to Grimsby docks (used to be one of the busiest fishing towns in the UK), now there is just a few boats fishing and the dock area is going to be demolished so we want to record it before it is too late

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Can you gain access to the dock?

I took a few shots of one of the buildings a few weeks ago but saw the barrier on the road going in, didn't want to risk in in a sign written van as I shouldn't have been there

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MacArron · « **Reply #14 on:** October 28, 2016, 09:56:39 PM »

I use to feel quite intimidated by crowds when I get my camera out of the bag. I do not really feel comfortable at all.

So if I'm strolling in, let's say, Venecia, and I follow the yellow path marked on every map, the camera is resting in the bag all the way. To do the way back, I use to study the map to search an alternative to the yellow line

and step by step I kind of get lost where only locals are. Then it is time for my camera to start working

So yeah, comfort zone becomes the less travelled path for me

This is talking about crowded places. Otherwise, I do not mind to follow the marked path on a mountain trekking day if that allows me to 'plant' the tripod, put the camera on top, measure the light, choose the lens, decide what angle to shoot, without disturbing people around. I'm happy there and I can keep inside the comfort zone.

It is all about people.

Early hours are very ok, but unfortunately they are not for me...

gothamtomato · « **Reply #15 on:** October 30, 2016, 11:23:43 AM »

I'd say both. If you're unfamiliar with a place you don't always know what's going to be a tourist trap till you get there. I really hate having mobs of people (who have a lot of nerve interfering with my photos

) in my photos (plus tourists move like snails), so I go looking for calmer, quieter places.

But then there are the tourist traps you can't avoid. The entire West End of London was like Times Square last week, but if I wanted to go to the theater I had to deal with it.

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #16 on:** October 30, 2016, 10:47:31 PM »

I head for the touristie places to shoot the tourists. Florence is great for that.

Francois · « **Reply #17 on:** October 31, 2016, 02:04:48 PM »

That must mean you have a great collection of people wearing white socks and sandals

Late Developer · « **Reply #18 on:** October 31, 2016, 02:19:52 PM »

Quote from: Francois on October 31, 2016, 02:04:48 PM

That must mean you have a great collection of people wearing white socks and sandals

.....or, if they're Brits, grey socks and sandals.

Francois · « **Reply #19 on:** October 31, 2016, 08:34:14 PM »

jharr · « **Reply #20 on:** November 03, 2016, 04:55:54 AM »

Living in a city that attracts a lot of tourists and has a lot of tourist attractions, I can find a crowd any time I like, but for me the 'well worn path' is around my neighborhood. I take 90% of my pics well within 5 miles of my home which is in the suburbs and away from any bustling crowds. Mainly this is because I don't fancy myself a 'street' or even a 'people' photographer. My comfort zone is among the flowers and trees. They never scowl or turn their backs.