We all get burned out on the same locations. You get that wanderlust envy scrolling through your Instagram. So if you’re unable to just get in the car and explore, use these 2 Easy Ways of Scouting Photography Spots.

Tourism can be revealing! The Internet has bridged the gap of many unexplored places. Let others travel destinations inspire your ideal locations. Social Media can be a great tool, but it often doesn’t provide much information. Here’s my first pro tip.

2 Easy Methods Of Scouting Photography Spots

1st Method:

Reddit Forum Posts

People love to share tips and advice on Reddit. It can be an invaluable tool. If you can sift through the sarcasm and opinionated users, you can find some really great directions to what is basically a free unbiased travel guide.

It can be as simple as searching in this format. ( best scenic photography around {x} location ). For my most recent trip to Galveston I did a couple days of research sifting through reddit users offering great tips. By the end of it, I had over 70 spots to see on my google maps. Now this is objective because it really depends on what you prefer to take pictures of. I wanted to see the beach, and shoot the local wildlife. So as long as you’re willing and open minded, you’ll find lots of options.

These are not paid travel guides, these are simply thoughtful and encouraging users offering suggestions. All for FREE! Remember you can post your own specific question to any of the places you may be looking for. Like the example here, being Subreddit/ Houston

So I took the suggestion Hermann Park after I got my insanely delicious Voodoo Doughnut and enjoyed the view.

• 

• 

• 

Google Maps

Method 2:

Sometimes we’re not even sure where to go. What we want. This is where I utilize Google Maps Street View and scout locations before I deal with the traffic, the weather, or the distance it may take.

Here is how I utilize Google Maps.

I go ahead and save possible places of interest that I read on Reddit or by word of mouth that others have suggested. Like Voodoo Doughnuts or Torchys Tacos. Lets say we’re interested in seeing the Texas Capitol building.

Google does a great job at summarizing what this location is. Gives you exact coordinates, whats nearby, and you can browse others images that they uploaded throughout time. But lets get closer. Let’s plan out some angles, and a real “street” view.

You’ll notice a little golden person figure on the screen. On web its bottom right.

You’ll take that little guy and drag him on the Texas Capitol Building.
Here is what I see.

You can see the user who uploaded this view, and where it is on the bottom left map. What’s great about this is you can click and drag to look around. Lets do a 180 degree turn and look directly behind us.

Lets try a location I saved, visited, and shot myself.

Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge | Ladybird Lake Lamar Metro Park

Lets get a Street View! Grab your guy and drag him to the icon.

Street View of Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge

Note that you can only place the Golden Street View Person along the blue lines. I walked a good bit of this, and walked over the bridge right behind the picture above. I had my Lumix GH4 and was riding my bike. How I manage both I really don’t know. It’s not easy. Here is my favorite shot I came away with.

The Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge offered this view.

• 

• 

And that’s really all there is to it. By Utilizing Reddit for feedback and suggestions, and Google Maps for a more in depth visual. All without leaving your home, you can build up a ton of locations to see by using these 2 easy methods of scouting new photography spots.