When it comes to nature on the British Isles, most people immediately think of Scotland. But let’s go just a bit south to Northern England. There’s an almost continuous strip of three national parks with landscapes reminiscent of Tolkien’s world. What types of opportunities does this lesser-known part of Europe offer photographers?

What exactly is the Way of St. James or Camino de Santiago? Originally, it was the pilgrimage route to the tomb of St. James, located in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. Today, there is more than one route to Santiago. The most famous is the 770km (478mi) long French Way (Camino Francés), but there are many other official and unofficial routes.  

Are you looking to photograph something in Europe that’s exotic, but think Iceland and the Canary Islands are overdone? Try exploring the Portuguese waters. In addition to the beautiful and photo-worthy Madeira, there are also the Azores. These islands have a little bit of everything, yet are very distinctive. Thanks to their remoteness, the Azores are still a safe haven from mass tourism. You will need at least one stopover when visiting any of the islands. Today, we’ll be talking about the largest and most easily accessible island, São Miguel. There are nine islands in total and all are unique. However, it is on this island where you’ll find the highest concentration of sights.

You have probably been somewhere and thought to yourself, “Wow, this is a true photographer’s paradise.” On the island of Madeira, this phrase takes on an entirely new meaning. The main reason is the island’s incredible diversity which is concentrated in a very small area. Imagine going from a tropical city at sea level to a mountain that’s over 1800m above sea level in an hour’s drive. If your goal is to try as many photographic scenarios as possible, then this is the place.

Short day hikes certainly have their charm. You have more freedom when planning and only need to carry the essentials. On the other hand, you’re usually hiking in the blaring midday sun and missing out on some of the most beautiful parts of the day. It’s a different story when you head into the mountains for days, weeks, or even months. All of sudden, you’re waking up to beautiful light, everything is constantly changing, and you’re rewarded with epic sunsets at the end of the day.

Imagine being literally flooded with greenery. It’s so thick it even blocks the sun and only a ray or two sneaks through every so often. Everywhere you turn, there’s a new scent to discover, something rustles, and then there’s the howling of monkeys that carries over everything. From this beauty, unique hills emerge that upon closer inspection reveal mysterious monuments of lost civilizations. Does this sound like something out of a movie to you? The truth is this is the reality you can encounter in the jungles of Mexico and Guatemala.

Mexico has a varied reputation among travelers. On one hand, we picture monumental pyramids and a turquoise-blue coast. On the other hand, some travelers only picture drug cartels and immense poverty. This may make a photographer wonder if this country is at all worth visiting. My response is absolutely Yes. Let me elaborate on why I think so.

Why should you make a winter photo series? First of all, because it’s an excellent skill-building exercise. Winter provides the right conditions for creatively working with various motifs, composition, and above all, color. Plus, you don’t have to search hard to find elements in a solid white landscape to draw the series together. These photo-worthy elements pop up on their own in a bleak winter landscape. Last but not least, you can bring a friend or furry companion along and have lots of fun at the same time.

One growing trend of our age is the search for simplicity. It’s expressed in nearly everything—from our style of dress to what we eat to the buildings where we live. This minimalism also has its place in art. And art may have stood at its beginnings. Remember the pioneering Bauhaus school, which emphasized the use of basic colors and shapes, clean lines, and overall clarity across all styles. This school’s heritage lives on in many fields—including photography. 

Every photographer knows how important it is to master their camera, know the principles of composition, and understand light. Even so, it is criticism and acknowledging opposing opinions that truly help their photography develop. Feedback is what gets you out of your comfort zone and forces you to further develop your skills. It’s critical that you are able to not only accept constructive criticism, but also make it work to help you further your photography.