I remember when this location was unknown, but for a very few film photographers. The location is a bit tricky to climb down to, then to walk over large, ankle-busting boulders, then the final assault over wet, slimy boulders (where you could fall in an instant) to the edge of the water. If one was lucky enough to get there on a great morning, with water gently breaking over the boulders and an absolutely cloudless sky at the horizon, it was perfect and was basically like hitting the photo-lottery.
Once I made it down to the edge and deftly maneuvered to the perfect composition, I was unlikely to move, using various exposures as the light changed and switching out grad NDs. When the ethereal cherry light touched the boulders, one only had a few seconds to get it. It was wonderful to be there alone to literally be “one” with the scene and to feel the slowly pulsating movement of the water as it created a fog over the boulders inundating inward and receding for the extremely long exposures. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it. Well, if you weren’t lucky enough to have that experience, you most likely won’t at this particular location, anymore.
Since the advent of digital photography, where anyone with a couple hundred bucks can buy a pretty sophisticated P&S camera, aspiring and novice photographers can go online and research locations to go there themselves. This was my first time on Boulder beach in years, as I have found another, similar, and more difficult to get to, and unpopulated location, which will remain unpublished.
This morning, I took 3 of our workshop participants down to boulder beach, where there were already three photographers. (over crowded by professional standards). However, we were able to get down to the water’s edge before the population exploded. A number of individuals and a 10-12 person workshop followed us. I’m sure I could have done quite well if I had a concession down there! Although, we had our positions staked out, the mood was certainly shattered. Another workshop instructor wanted everyone to work together, which is quite impossible. He also seemed a bit troubled that no one wanted to all line up to get the shot, then move around en masse. I felt the need to say something. To paraphrase, “This area is viable for 3-4 photographers, at the most. We cannot all shoot from the same location so everyone can get the shot. No one is going walk down here to give up their positions to accommodate someone who got there late. If you want to get the best positions, it’s very simple: get up earlier and get here before any one else does, learn and/or teach your clients how to use Content Aware in PS….etc., etc. etc.” I must admit that I was bordering on losing it a bit, hence, this will be my last time photographing at boulder beach (although I will take workshop clients, of course).
This magnificent scene has become a caricature. As far as I know, the only thing that would make this great scene unique would be if a UFO landed on Otter Cliffs!
It escapes me why so many aspiring photographers consider themselves “artists,” yet continually visit very often photographed and published locations, even replicating the same composition created by someone else. That is not unlike tracing an image and claiming it as your drawing. I understand to need and excitement to photograph an iconic scene, but how about some common sense? Snap shots are one thing, but photography is about the experience, of which the image is only a part. When a large number of people show up at dawn and start jockeying for position or dialogues ensue about making room, it just kills everything. I have left many locations when such things occur. I don’t know what the point here is. I guess I’m just venting a bit…
I learned a valuable lesson from an old friend, many years ago during a Smokies workshop. Chris asked the great Pat O’Hara how he would compose a particular shot. Pat brilliantly found a way to frame a distant subject between tree branches. Chris said, “Thanks!” and packed up his tripod without shooting the scene. Astonished, I asked, “Aren’t you going to shoot that?” Chris replied, “No. That’s Pat’s shot.” I was floored, and I learned.
It would be a more interesting photographic world if more photographers adopted Chris’s attitude.
The lead image, my last from boulder beach, was texturized using a flypaper texture, and Nik Color Efex Pro Reflector filter and digital gradND. I would have chosen to position myself further to the right, but there were four other photographers there!
I’d like to get some feedback on the continuous and ever growing flood of photographers to iconic locations.
Thanks and I’ll see you online!
Tony
I think that’s the key, Steve. Look where everyone is teaching and go there some other time…..like winter! It’s the new normal, man.
Alright, pal (rhinton). First off, I NEVER move in front of anyone without talking to them. Anyone who knows me and how I conduct business, knows this. If you were shooting somewhere and we walked in front of your shot, I obviously didn’t see you. You should’ve stepped up and said something, rather than stomping off like a petulant three year old, bringing it up anonymously in a blog years later. Are you serious?
Image how I felt a couple of years ago when I was in the Smoky Mountains with a friend minding my own business getting a shot of my own, when Tony Sweet moved his workshop of 4 or 5 people right in front of my obstructing my shot.
Tony, really good stuff. I plead guilty to trying to replicate great shots I’ve seen – like of ones you’ve taken – Cades Cove, Magnolia Gardens, etc. That comment of Chris’ hit home. The herd mentality is definitely something I’ve seen a lot – the blue poppies at Longwood was like a feeding frenzy. Everyone obsessively intent on getting their great photos. None of the shared, supportive atmosphere at Lonaconing. I’m sure it’s only going to get worse because that’s the new etiquette these days, which is no etiquette, just self interest. Same at Antelope Canyon. So many people that it was claustrophobic. One woman stopped right in front of my camera while I was exposing an image, smiled and said “Am I in your way?” Remember at Cades Cove, we were taking pictures of the path and a woman on the other side just starts walking leisurely up the road? When I was photographing a waterfall in the Smokies, a huge pickup pulled up alongside me, a hand with a camera came out the window, took a picture and drove off. Unfortunately I think that’s the normal sensibility of most people and more of them are buying fancy cameras and taking workshops to get their trophy shots. For the past ten years or so, I’ve only gone to Cape Cod in the winter.
nope, improvement is a pipe dream. It’s the new reality. The key is out smart the competition, know where they’re going and go somewhere else!
Tony, I remember being with you in Cades Cove on Sparks Lane when another workshop group came and began setting up to photograph early morning light. Another group of photographers did not stop but went further up the road to ruin the photographs of both workshop groups. I remember the yelling back and forth and thought everyone was going to come to blows. With low costs airfares, internet search engines and more folks using digital cameras I have found a lot of the locations crowded. I am amazed when folks arrive late and get in front of other photographers and just “camp out”. When that happens I try to be polite so I can get one shot and then leave. I don’t think its going to improve. Hang in there my friend.
Very poor form by your instructor, Carolyn. We look for good spots for our clients, then get out of the way and let them shoot. We do our work before and after the workshop.
I was in an Acadia workshop with a professional by the name of Shaw. I informed him I may step “out” to capture an iconic lighthouse since it was not on the schedule. Next day, the class was taken there. I set up with a little room between me and the person in front. Amazingly, our “professional” squeezed directly in front of me!!! I was livid! Being almost 70 years old, knowing I would never return and how difficult it was to get in place down on those boulders with strong cold wind carrying heavy gear!
Thanks for your thoughts, Roger. This herd thing appears to be the new normal.
No flax from me, Tom. I have friends, including editors, who if they never see a slot canyon shot again, it’ll be too soon. Although, I must admit that being in the slots by oneself is pretty amazing!
As far as “flocking to iconic” images goes, I avoid it. There are certain places I love and visit often, such as the Oregon coast, since I am a resident and never tire of capturing Haystack at Canon Beach in new ways, but as I have stated on my blog that no one reads
, I find the whole and complete world special and mysterious, as well as all the denizens that inhabit this incredible globe, so I am never at a lack for subject matter. If I never see a southwest “red rock” image again, it will be to soon for me. Yosemite, who better than Ansel.
I know I may receive flax on this, but it doesn’t concern me. I will continue in my own way to honor this earth and her creatures, even if they are just down the block, or wherever I travel, without trying to duplicate what’s been done a thousand times before.
“…to mourn the loss of the nature experience” to which I think needs to be added “at the iconic locations”. I experience the irony mentioned below now in the tug-of-war every time I decide to travel for photography. I want to get to many of the iconic locations I have not been to, especially national parks, but I don’t want to take the shot everyone else has taken and I don’t want to have throngs of folks round me. So, sometimes I pick much less iconic places like my neighborhood or I go to the iconic locations in the “off” season, usually winter, or I just suck it up and deal with the throngs. Like pretty much everything else in America, it’a all getting bigger, faster, gaudier, more congested, etc. but there are still plenty of places to commune with nature and take great photographs (well, for you to take great photographs and most of the rest of us to just take photographs). I do sympathize with (and recognize the ironic element as well) that as pros you and others, practically speaking to attract customers, “need” to go to the iconic locations. Coincidentally, the only location I have been to on one of your workshops where the “throng” element was almost oppressive was at Acadia two years ago. At almost every spot there were other workshop groups (except for the nor’easter you took us out in when everyone else with a brain was inside!
– best, by far, shooting experience of the workshop – I still love my images I got in those couple of hours spent overlooking Boulder Beach.
Ok, David, point taken. And it is certainly sweetly ironic that those responsible for popularizing a place ( me included ) gripe about its popularity! But, what I was venting about was the lack of common sense, exemplified by cramming in a ton of “photographers” into a place made for only a few. As stated in a previous post, there are nature photographers and there are grab shooters, and both have very different agendas. A pristine example is the average stay in the Grand Canyon being only a few minutes, as the grab shooter takes snap shots at several overlooks, then leaves the park. To a more serious nature photographer, experiencing natures solitude and getting the shot are tantamount. I’m not even sure what the ultimately point to this post is except to mourn the loss of the nature experience, regardless of the reason. Thanks a lot for taking time to chime in, David.
Thanks for bringing up manners for all to discuss. This is very clever irony. I am not sure to take you seriously or not since I don’t know you. I hope you take this in good humour, and we can all laugh at ourselves. I go to Acadia every fall for solo photography, and I understand what you mean. However, it is sweetly ironic to be irritated about crowds at the popular photo spot while taking your photo workshop there. It is like a popular fishing radio show host in Florida who always says … “I don’t know why we don’t have any good fishing anymore in Tampa Bay, I remember hen we use to fill up our boat with fish every weekend!”. Take care and have fun! Spirits up!
Hey Stacey. yeah, the crowds at “check list” locations are a bit much. I agree with you. with the exception of workshops, I look for lesser known places. I hope you had a great road trip!
Hi Tony, I just finished my 10+ week roadtrip around the US and I thought about this same subject at bit as well. I have become generally adverse to places I know a lot of photographers will be gathering. I have avoided places like the Snake river bend by the Grand Tetons, Antelope canyon, the Wave, etc. – places that have just become checklist items. I much rather find an obscure place where others haven’t been or frequent. To me the artistic challenge is to create something from what others may not give a second look at. Do I only shoot “original” work? No. There are times where I imitate to learn, but I rather be someplace new with no expectations, no pressure to imitate, a place where I have to contemplate how to create something beautiful and unique from sometimes seemingly “nothing”. Thanks for writing down your thoughts.
I agree about the imitating to learn idea, do it myself, and certainly encourage it. The gist of the post was common sense and courtesy. BTW, I haven’t, nor will I ever refer to myself as an “artist.” Those kinds of terms are how others define “you,” and are very overused by mediocrities. Me? I’m a photographer and educator.
I experienced the same thing at that same location. My friend and I got up early and were in position well before sunrise and well before anyone else. I remember sitting there in the dark listening to the waves crash and just taking it all in. Very peaceful experience. Then came a workshop of 10-12 people and a few others. The mood totally changed as they were all trying to get into position. However, we weren’t giving up our spot. It’s like in the movie theater. I get there 30 mins. early just so I can sitt where I want. I certainly do not move for anyone who gets there as the movie starts and wants the entire row to move just so the late comers can sit together. That’s total BS!
As far as shooting what has been shot 1000′s of time’s, I can only partly agree with you on this one. When I first started shooting about 6 yrs ago, I did try to shoot exactly what others shot for the learning experience. It taught me about compositions, f/stops and shutter speeds. However, I never tried to pass myself off as an “artist” by doing so. Now when I visit a location, I do take the iconic shot if I have not shot it before. But I then seek to find something different. And when I do so successfully, I then and only then will consider myself an artist.
Great post and we all need to vent once in a while!
just a bit of venting, Mike. Thanks for taking time to comment!
I agree with you, Fred, but again, grabbing shots of an iconic location as a learning experience is one thing. The nature photographic experience is quite another. It’s always trying when these two concepts collide.
Tony,
Hostility was not my intent. I do get your broader point and sympathize with it. We’re all culpable in the overcrowding, myself included. Your mentioning of how aspiring photographers visit these iconic locations and copy others compositions, however, does strike me. I feel that this is part of the learning and development process any artist goes through. Just my 2 cents and my opinion.
Fred
Wow- I think you hit a nerve here Tony. I think the biggest point you made here, is that so many people have forgotten the word “courtesy”.
Thanks for a great conversation starter- always great.
Hey Andrew! I’m really happy to hear that you are doing so well these days. As instructors, part of the job is to create our competition, either professionally or through word of mouth spreading news of new, cool photo locales. It comes with the turf, I guess. We wish you continued success and a continuous rise to the top of this profession. All the best to you!
A sense a bit of hostility, here, Fred, and you miss the broader point of my comments. Personally, I may have taken 30 workshop clients down to boulder beach since I’ve been going there. The great majority opt to shoot from the granite just off of the road, and I have never published how to get there. So, the vast commercialization is the accumulation of many instructors and WOM. The broader point here is how can anyone enjoy a location if the mood is shattered by jockeying for position and mindless chatter and complaining. For some people, that’s enjoyment. For others, it’s time to move on.
Tony,
I felt compelled to comment after reading your post. I can sympathize with how it must be as an instructor and encounter people who may not be as considerate as you when a location is overrun with swarms of others, all vying for the same shot. A certain level of etiquette and respect are in order. However, instructors and workshop leaders like yourself are actively commercializing these locations, so how can they not get popular? Boulder Beach is for everyone to enjoy, whether they are pro, amateur or a non-photographer.
It’s hard for me to understand how you could gripe about people visiting well known locations and copying others compositions. I would be willing to bet that most every artist goes through a stage where they emulate someone else’s work, whether they are a painter, photographer, or musician, for that matter.
Everyone is an amateur at some point, right?
Fred
Hey Steve…thanks much for commenting, man! NICE STORY about the NSW guy. Wow! What is the point of THAT??? I hear you guys have snow over there!
Very salient words, my friend. Finding new places is hard and rewarding at the same time. There are many, many places I will never go as they are way over done, like my Grandma’s hamburgers which were black hockey pucks! There will always be those who have to copy others, perhaps because they have little originality of there own. When we were at Katoomba NSW viewing the iconic Three Sisters rock formation, we watched one guy spend nearly an hour holding a photo in one hand and trying to re-create it with a camera in the other hand. Talk about bizarre!
Rock on, T!
Hi Tony, it has been awhile sine I visited your site and of course on my return found an article that hit so close to home. I just finished my fall workshop series today and over the years have taken hundreds of photographers to my hard found favorite locations here in Ontario.
The ironic thing is that there is nothing like sharing a “hot spot” with clients knowing they will leave with more then they came with ( in a photographic sense so to speak ). It is good for business and referrals as well as the satisfaction that comes from helping others learn and enjoy this beautiful art form. The downside is that word spreads quickly and a proven “honey pot” cannot stay a secret for long.
As I learnt from you years ago the one thing most lack is effort. The effort to do what ever it takes to succeed in this competitive business, to find the locations, to get up early, to innovate and to be creative. In essence to find your own style. Most will copy but only a few will lead! The leaders naturally rise to the top as the followers are always left behind.
So here is to getting up even earlier to ensure your position at the best locations, to miles of hiking and scouting for those hidden honey spots, and to committing to being a leader and not a follower!
Cheers Tony to your innovation and leadership!
Thx for commenting, Eric. Wow! FiVE guides tossing powder into the air. Any sneezing going on???
It’s tough to pass up the iconic locations – especially when leading a workshop. But it certainly takes the fun out of a location when you have 20 others after the same cliche image. I came to a similar conclusion a couple of years ago when there were nearly 100 “photographers” in Antelope Canyon – and dust from 5 guides throwing sand into the air.
I appreciate your thoughts, Roger, and you don’t need to copy anyone. Your work always has a refreshing angle and approach.
After going through days of sleep deprivation and driving half asleep to a location, walking over a less than friendly environment in the dark, I don’t move for late comers. You shouldn’t either, Dan.
Smart move, Mike! It appears to have served you well.
Tony, think “winter” (thus, why I’m signed up for your Cape May November worshop). On my bucket list for years has been the Canadian Rockies. I went in November faced the frigid temperatures (I’m a Florida boy) and had many, many spots all to myself.
“It’s someone else’s shot” actually be-devils me at times in my attempt to avoid such shots. Getting ready to head to D.C. in December with IR in mind (in winter there are far fewer tourists so peopleless daytime shots are more easily attained) I started looking at some IR shots of D.C on the internet and suddenly stopped not wanting to see something that having seen it taken by someone else would now be dropped from my list of shots to take.
As to courtesy, I cannot imagine anyone in any setting who would be more courtesy and sensitive to other folks shooting than you. Lastly, your shot of Boulder Beach is new to me – like so many, many others it does NOT show the curve of the beach off the right side of your frame yet captures the mood, etc. wonderfully.
While I am happy that more people are getting the advantages of “communing” with nature because of there camera I have been more than a little disgusted by their lack of ethical behavior. I recently spent several days shooting the Presque Isle River area and on a couple of occasions was asked to move away while a late comer got their shot. This was after situating my camera and tripod at ground level and laying down on the ground to work on the composition. Your words are well said and thanks, Tony.
Tony, that’s why I gave up on landscapes back in 2004 on my trip to Yosemite, to many photogs shoulder to shoulder fighting for tripod space shooting the same scenes. With macro my images are all original and no one can copy them, as the environment has erased those subjects, never to be shot again.
Yep, completely agree, Mark. Always nice to see you guys, too!
I totally agree with everything you said in your post. Trying to squeeze that many folks in one spot is silly. I can totally see why you’d be frustrated, so venting isn’t a bad thing! Ha!
Every once in awhile it feels good to open the vent. Nice post on the picture.
Good to see you in Acadia. The Portland gang has been complaining about photo ediquette for years. It’s definitely getting worse. We don’t go to Boulder Beach anymore either, we’ve found many of our own hideaways over the years. It’s much more rewarding.
Agree with your first sentence completely. Just looking for a little sanity, Dave. As mentioned in an earlier reply, I’ve often passed on a scene that was over crowded, and returned at another time. A packed scene has little to do with the photographic experience and more to do with snap shots.
Just venting a bit, Bernie, and looking for some sanity, common sense, and courtesy. An over crowded area becomes less about photography and more about crowd control.
Hey Eric, thanks for taking time to comment. I may have been a bit harsh and will re-word some of the blog text, but I guess the point was one of courtesy and common sense. 20 people in a location made for 3-4 only cheapens the experience for everyone. I can’t count the times that I left a crowded location to return another time. I certainly agree about trying to come up with a new rendition of a very photographed locale.
Everyone is just trying to make better photos. We are all looking for that “special” spot, whether we discover it on our own, find it online and are introduced by a pro at a workshop. As we amateurs learn we try to emulate better photographers. I was in Paris this summer and scoped out a great spot to make a shot at dusk. When I arrived that evening, a professional was making a portrait in front of my subject. I waited for him to finish and then moved in a set up my tripod. While I was there, a succession of people from all over the world came out to my spot to check it out. I took a lot of tourist pictures with P&S cameras for these people. I got my shot, though! Getting the shot and remaining ethical is a challenge. Getting an original shot is the toughest challenge of all.
I don’t know how many images of boulder beach I’ve seen (including the ones I’ve made) and I find myself wondering how many folks I’ll run into in Death Valley in a week. Maybe there’s a need for folks to imitate to prove their skills (look — just like Ansel). If its gotten to the point where it tries your patience Tony, it must be problematic.
For my work, I mostly avoid the well known spots (with exceptions — repeated returns to Watkins Glen for example)and have a self assignment to make interesting images within two miles of my house (an easy walk which avoids those “iconic” Amherst views). Peace!
Tony, with everyone starting to flock to the iconic locations, maybe it’d be a good reason to challenge yourself to “see” new images of the same old places. I know you do that anyway, but to me it’s fun to try and find that new composition that nobody has seen. Whether I succeed or not is a different story! It also may be a good reason to find and make new “iconic” locations. Keep the great images coming!
Ed, jesus god, man. As I recall, Greg and I offered to work with you and around you and you got pissed and took off. That kind of irrational, childish crap sticks in my craw. This post also has nothing to do with “going around” and “coming around.” The incidents are completely unrelated.
Tony,
As I commented several years ago after a Cades Cove misadventure where a pro arrived at Sparks Lane after me but ended up taking over my spot to film a video – what goes around comes around.
Sorry, but it still sticks in my craw.
And a “Hardy Amen” to your post/vent…mature iconic scenes hold less and less interest for me.
Iconic locations are maybe not so, but rather only that random unknown place where you catch a good pic every once in a while. I don’t get out of my neighborhood much but am sure we will never have this problem over here -;0)
Thx for reading this, Cindy! Just venting a bit, that’s all…
Touche….