Scouting out a location

[toverman]

My family took a semi-spontaneous trip to Austin this weekend and spent some time on Mt. Bonnell. It's a beautiful, short hike and I highly recommend it. There was a professional photographer who we came across while up there ... as soon as I saw her and what appeared to be an engaged couple I took my kids and headed the other way to give her space. They had gotten there not long before us. She might have gotten some incredible shots, but the location she was using at the time was just OK. About 100 yards to the right was a much better view, no metal fence and sweeping vistas that put the backdrop she was using to shame. They headed back down the steps after spending about 10 minutes in that corner.

This isn't about that particular photographer. It got me thinking that when scouting a location before doing a shoot, scout the ENTIRE location. You never know what you'll find hidden or just out of your initial line of sight. Often there is better light, a cleaner angle, a better tree, a cooler old building, an old bridge, an awesome little water feature, etc. etc. I try to do this but can do a better job of it.

[jeffkohn]

And that goes for pretty much any type of outdoor/location photography. The easiest/most-obvious spot will rarely be the best.

[venchka]

My rule of thumb for water features: If I'm not getting wet, I'm not close enough.

[janikphoto]

Originally Posted by venchka

My rule of thumb for water features: If I'm not getting wet, I'm not close enough.

True. I hate when brides want a fountain in the background and the only way to even see it is 300 miles in the background. She mind as have asked for the moon to be in the shot, too...

[sldi]

When you can stop ooohhhing and awwwing long enough at a beautiful sunset, be sure and look directly behind you at what it has been lighting up.