There is a debate going on in the landscape photography world about whether or not you should visit and photograph iconic locations. If you are on social media, it’s easy to see tons of images of these types of places, such as Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, California, the Wanaka Tree in New Zealand, Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, Utah, or Portland Head Light here in Maine. There are so many images out there, that the belief is it’s not possible to create unique images of such locations anymore, thus raising the question if it’s even ‘worth it’ to go and photograph them.

Kylemore Abbey is one of the most iconic places in Ireland. For years, any time I went to a travel agent, I saw images of this famous place on posters and brochures. When I finally had a chance to visit Ireland, I made sure this was one location on my list to see. While my photos are certainly not unique, they are my own, and it was absolutely worth it to me to see and photograph the abbey. Connemara, County Galway, Ireland

      I’d like to weigh in with my two cents on the subject because it’s a debate that can be very discouraging for folks, especially for new photographers. First of all, I don’t think this is something anyone can answer for anyone else. I think it’s a personal, individual choice that you have to make for yourself. Since photography is an art form and thus a form of self-expression, I think what subject matter a photographer chooses to shoot and why (or why not) is entirely up to that individual. It can’t be dictated by others because when it’s forced, it’s not felt, it’s not something that comes from within, and the image will always reflect that and suffer for it.

      Now, if you’re trying to decide for yourself what you ‘should’ do, whether to photograph one of these locations or not, I can’t answer that. But, I can give you some things to think about to try to answer that question for yourself. I think the best place to start is to ask yourself why you do photography. Do you want to capture something no one ever has before? Do you want to be famous? Do you want to be the best? Do you want to see all this beautiful world has to offer? Do you want to share your adventures or experiences with others? Do you want to bring the beauty of the world to those who can’t experience it first hand? Do you want to attempt to put your own unique spin on a location, to bring your vision of a place to life? Do you want to document what is for future generations? Do you want to be a voice to raise awareness to help protect people/animals/places? I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. There are many reasons why someone might love landscape photography. Depending on what your reasons are, you might feel more inclined to lean one way or another in this debate.

On a tour of Denali National Park, I was one of the lucky few who are able to see Mt McKinley in all its glory. They say only about 30% of park visitors ever actually get to see the mountain due to the weather it generates. Since I was fortunate that day, I took a ton of photos from every viewpoint in order to capture the memory and share it with others. They may not be the best photos, as I definitely only had a couple of minutes at each location, but I'm glad I took each and every one of them. Denali National Park, Alaska

      While, personally, I don’t think it’s a problem photographing these places, if you’re someone who doesn’t want to, that’s quite all right. But, for those of you who want to know why it might be ok, let me give you a few examples. I think it can be very beneficial, no matter your skill level. If you’re a beginning photographer, it can be a great tool to get better. You can study all the different images of the location to see which ones work well and which not so well. When you get on location yourself and see what the actual conditions are like, you can think back to those images and understand more about how to read the scene, lay out compositions, why photographers might have made the decisions they did, and what you’d like to do for your own photos. They give you a place to start, a leg up, so you’re already a step ahead. They can also provide motivation to help you to move around the scene more, to try to figure out where some of the images you’d seen had been taken from. Any time you explore an area, you’re bound to produce better photos than if you only take one from where you first encounter it. Now, that’s not to say that first spot might not be the best, but if you move around, you’ll be able to determine what’s the best spot for you. You’ll experience more and feel more connected to the location, which itself will improve your images.

I have seen images of Double Arch for years, and it has always been my favorite. When I finally had a chance to visit myself, while the conditions weren't the best, I still took the opportunity to move around the scene a lot, photographing from many different angles, trying to get the best image I could. Arches National Park, Utah

      Secondly, these places are famous for a reason. If you are just starting out, it is a great way to build your portfolio. There is usually something about these locations that makes them special, and that very often translates into inherently better images. In addition, they are so recognizable that it makes it easier to win recognition from the non-photographers in your life. And, when you’re just starting out, that support and encouragement from others is very important in boosting your confidence and helping you to continue getting out there with your camera.

I only managed to get a couple of photos at the famous Cliffs of Moher when I was there. It was midday, and I was still relatively new to photography. The photos are definitely not very good, but everyone back home knew what they were of and were very proud of them and of me, and that helped boost my confidence a lot. I hope to return some day for a chance at making much better images. Doolin, County Clare, Ireland

      In addition, if there are iconic locations relatively local to where you live, it can be even more beneficial to photograph them. The ability to visit more than once can be extremely advantageous. It gives you the opportunity to grow as a photographer and a tangible way to measure that growth. By reviewing your images after each shoot and comparing them to previous outings, you can see where you’ve grown and where you need to improve. You can strive to do better than you’d done previously, both technically and artistically. Photographing the exact same composition on different trips is one way to improve. But, you can also expand your creativity by looking for new ways to photograph the location each time you return. Seeing the location in a multitude of conditions provides plenty of possibilities for new and interesting images.

I live about an hour from Portland Head Light, so I have been able to visit multiple times over the years at different times of day and in different seasons. Each time I visit, I work on trying to better compositions I'd taken previously as well as finding new compositions. This image was from my most recent visit, and is among my best so far. I look forward to continuing to build up my repertoire of images from this particular location. Cape Elizabeth, Maine

      Remember, this debate does not have to have a black and white answer. These places are amazing to behold and well worth the experience of seeing them in person. If you have no desire to see a particular place, then don’t go. But, if you have even the smallest urge and the opportunity, please go. From a life perspective alone, don’t miss out on the wonders that surround us just because they’re ‘over-done’. You can always decide whether to photograph the location or not once you’re actually there in person and see it for yourself. Let the place and the moment speak to you and help you decide if you want to make an image or just capture a memory.

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Click here to see more photos of Maine lighthouses.