Photos and Text by Jim Richardson
Like iron filings drawn to a magnet, we can’t resist the pull of the world’s most iconic places—their mystery, their splendor, their improbable but undeniable place in history.
Any attempt to list such places will always be arbitrary. But after photographing more than 50 stories for National Geographic, I find the exercise has something more to do with understanding both ourselves and the world. Just as going there and taking the pictures was a deeply rich experience, so too is the simple act of asking which ones—and why?
Taj Mahal, India
Reflection pictures are often best when precisely symmetrical, so this is one time when it’s perfectly OK to break the “rule of thirds.” Put the horizon in the exact middle of the frame to capture the elegance of the Taj Mahal’s Mughal architecture.
Stonehenge, England
When it’s very dark, try photographing a crowd with a long time exposure. Though most people will be blurred, somebody within the picture will probably hold still long enough to provide a center of interest. Head there for the summer solstice, when the crowd hushes to watch the sun rise after a long night.
The Temples of Karnak and Luxor, Egypt
Egypt can swamp the photographer with visual details, like these temples’ complex hieroglyphics. Look for ways (like a shaft of light) to focus on a few details, creating a simpler, stronger picture. It’s a paradox, but less can be more.
Antarctica
Antarctica’s vast vistas might tempt you to include everything—which often results in boring pictures. Use a telephoto to zoom in on segments of the whole scene, searching for layers of dramatic shapes, rich colors, and surprising textures.
Venice, Italy
When a place’s color could heighten the mood of a photo, turn off the auto white balance on your camera. This scene of Venice was taken so late after sundown that the light had turned very blue, which auto white balance would have turned into a boring gray.
Easter Island, Chile
Treat Rapa Nui’s ancestral moai statues as if they were people, moving among them and composing the picture as if you were photographing a spontaneous street scene.
Ta Prohm Temple, Cambodia
When visiting Angkor, don’t try to fight the crowds at popular locations. Be very patient, arrange to go early or late, or detach yourself from the group tour and go the opposite way around. But don’t waste your time getting mad at people for being in the way—instead, look for quiet scenes, like these fig roots intertwined with the temple itself.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Forget trying to get the perfect picture. Instead, look for the unconventional, accept harsh weather and strange light as an opportunity, and you’ll have many more chances of taking an interesting picture, like these migrating wildebeest that remind me of ancient cave paintings.
St. Kilda, Scotland
Remember to set the stage with your photographs. At some point, climb the hill to get the overall view that will serve as context for the rest of your more detailed pictures. Here, I wanted to show the loneliness of St. Kilda, an island abandoned in 1930 after millennia of human occupation.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Accept serendipity as a gift. When I was photographing Machu Picchu from the terraces above, these llamas didn’t get in my way—they made the picture.