It’s that thrilling time when travel, landscape and wildlife photographers are finalising this year’s travel itineraries, and travel gurus and experts have revealed the hot destinations for tourists to visit in 2017. What I hope to do here and with a nod to both, is highlight the top travel destinations where demand for images is likely to increase. The focus is on destinations that are slowly opening to tourism, have become safer politically, and places where there are huge efforts being made to maximize the potential of what they can offer visitors. And I promise there is one place albeit small, which I’m including, where we only have at this time 8 images on Alamy!
If you’re shooting with submitting images to Alamy in mind, do take a look at what we have already. I wouldn’t be discouraged by the numbers of images we have as many places at any one time need updating. Countries are developing their infrastructures, with modern city developments like Dubai rewriting history and skylines are changing. Famous landmarks and heritage sights are having makeovers, more wildlife is being protected as the desire to conserve, preserve and protect heritage, culture and traditions is becoming more valued and urgent.
It’s helpful also to consider the reasons why people travel – this information is what travel companies tap into and will influence the kind of images that they buy to illustrate their itineraries. The reasons have become more sophisticated: a desire to engage with people from different cultures and tackle new terrains, be enthralled by the culture, learn something new, seek spiritual development, be sated by the food or just simply soak up the vibe.
For a philosophical interpretation on travel, Alain de Botton, comments in his book “The art of travel” that the “tyranny of guidebooks, the dullness of great sights, our acquisitive reaction to exotic splendours, all these are part of the traveller’s affliction” and he prescribes to “remain curious, remain aware, nature and the sublime can help correct our psychological imbalances.” Something to think about!
Another consideration is that travel imagery is evolving with some new and ongoing trends. This change is mainly being driven by social media and the immediacy of being able to communicate easily from your destination. The ‘king of trends’ is storytelling which encourages a narrative style in photography which weaves in all those nuances found in a place that make it unique and original. The aesthetic of travel photography has also been moving towards a more subdued colour pallet and an appreciation of the barometer of light found in different regions. From that almost ‘white’ sun drenched light that you find in the desert to the more moody light in Scandinavia. This is essential to the character, atmosphere and culture of a region.
One other trend that I’d like to mention is the use and growing influence of drones for travel photography. This technology enables an almost unworldly view of the many diverse environments of the world. Aerial photography continues to be a big trend and in demand from image buyers. Just published on this subject is travel photographer (and Alamy contributor) Chase Guttman’s drone handbook which is certainly worth checking out.
Aarhus, Denmark
This is a big year for Aarhus as the co-European Capital of Culture. It’s an example of a charming compact city in the shadow of Copenhagen but its cultural coronation will have put a spring in its step! It’s being primed for highlighting all its charms to maximum effect and has a trio of Michelin starred restaurants, new bars and restaurants. Tip: Include some enticing food imagery in your Aarhus storyboard.
Anywhere it seems in South America!
The different countries and regions of South America came up in a number of sources that I used. This chimes with the 2017 itinerary of prolific travel photographer David Noton, who I caught up with just as he’d just returned from Argentina. I asked him what was next . “South America remains for me the continent where further adventure beckons….Where to now? Well my boots have yet to tread in Ecuador and I hear Columbia is the new hot destination in Latin America on the brink of a tourist boom…..in fact I’m of the mind to book flights here and now, before I’ve even recovered from the jet lag!” David has been to Argentina seven times and his recent trip is a testament to “how much that large and varied country has to offer the traveler, adventurer and photographer”.
As well as Columbia, Chile continues from 2016 to be a hot destination for 2017. Described as South America’s most overlooked wonderland, it offers 36 national parks, some of the most extreme and diverse landscapes which is accessible through its infrastructure of roads and footpaths. Tip: Read the seminal travel book ‘In Patagonia’ by Bruce Chatwin.
Sabah, Borneo
If your thing is to photograph rare and unusual wildlife, pristine rain forest or more waterfalls than you care to count, then Sabah is worth considering. It’s a wilderness area with challenging terrain that is slowly being opened up to trekkers. Tip: Stunning shots of rain forest and waterfalls can also be used in advertising usages in a conceptual context.
Finland…
…is having its Centenary celebrations which was kicked off with the Party of the Century on New Year’s Eve! Aside from that it draws visitors in with its pristine forest, lakes and Islands and with the Northern Lights, nature is the big draw. Remember I mentioned we had only 8 images of a place on Alamy – well it’s the island of Vallisaari, a few minutes by waterbus from Helskinki. It used to be off-limits but is now open to day trekkers. Apparently it has great and photographically untapped views of Helsinki (another 2017 hot city destination) – I’m imagining there might be some tripod wars going on to achieve a new perspective on the Finnish capital! Tip: For 2017 there’s a new national park opening in Finland to photograph, Hossa National Park.
Canada
Canada was mentioned in a number of sources. And this was before it gained heightened interest from Americans considering relocating there in light of America’s very recent travel bans. This aside, Canada is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Canadian Confederation. Lively parties and interesting events will proliferate and The Trans Canada Trail (promoted as The Great Trail) will be completed this Summer. Hiking and landscape photography, what a magical combo! Tip: Parks Canada is offering free entrance to its 47 parks and 168 historic sights. What a not-to-be-missed opportunity!
Myanmar
Also included as a 2016 destination to encourage visiting while it remains unspoiled. For 2017, new flights and relaxed visa rules means that more of the country is accessible and tour companies can operate in more areas. Visually there is so much new to photograph. Tip: don’t forget the detail shots that add that extra nuance to a place.
Pistoia, Italy
Is sometimes referred to as “Little Florence” for its concentration of art and architecture. This year Pistoia is Italy’s Capital of Culture and highlights the importance of photographing these less hailed towns and villages. Tip: Include those smaller often overlooked cultural gems in your itinerary not just the ones with the grand slam sights.
Seoul, South Korea
If you want to photograph shimmering architecture and dazzling neon, then Seoul might be a fine choice. It’s still under the radar in terms of tourism but this is likely to change and Seoul is proving to be a viable alternative to Tokyo. Tip: Dial up the futuristic and modernity of this dynamic city in your photos.
Jura, France
Described as a medieval-era region this is a draw for gourmands and nature lovers alike. Tip: it’s an ideal location to photograph in a narrative style, weaving in elements of viticulture, Jura’s rustic cuisine and its areas of natural beauty.
Laos
Has been somewhat overshadowed by its tourist magnet neighbours but is becoming more accessible. It offers ancient golden stupas, crumbling temples and mountains covered in jungle – what an intoxicating mix! It’s ripe for documenting and conveying its rarified atmosphere and unique attributes in images. Tip: There are more flights in 2017 from Bangkok to Laos so perfect for combining photo trips to both countries.
What’s on the itinerary for some of our other Alamy photographers?
Henk Meijer likes to “combine cities and landscapes. Culture and nature, meeting people or being alone in remote places is what I search in my travels and photography.” Some of his travel plans for 2017 include a trip to the more remote areas of the American Southwest, touring Ireland, photographing castles in Germany and visiting the cities of Prague and Dresden.
Inge Johnsson will be heading again to Mexico, a nation he thinks that is often “mischaracterized, especially in American media as only full of dangers and poverty. In reality, Mexico is a place full of friendly people, fantastic cuisine, and endless opportunities for photography.” Africa is also on the itinerary, Inge is “particularly fond of the southern part of the continent with its access to both some of the best wildlife photography in the world, but also rich culture and quite varied landscapes. Both Botswana and Namibia are countries that are excellent to visit for anyone wanting to experience the best of Africa.”
Tanveer Badal main destination was Iran for 2017 but is reconsidering in light of the recent US travel bans. He has on the radar though for this year Georgia and Southern Africa (Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia). He’s just returned from his first trip to Iceland and “it’s already one of my all-time favorite places to visit and photograph. I imagine I’ll be going back there and also to the nearby Faroe Islands, as well as Norway and Finland.”
Chase Guttman is looking forward to exploring picturesque Bavaria in southeastern Germany. He’s “incredibly intrigued by the region’s historic architecture and colourful flavor as stunning medieval villages such as Rothenburg ob der Tauber and extravagant castles like the Romanesque Revival Neuschwanstein, create spectacular fairytale landscapes throughout the German countryside.” Also on the list for 2017 is Santorini, “yet another breathtaking destination” and he comments that “there are few scenes as magical as the multihued cliffs of Santorini in the Cyclades.”
Nino Marcutti has already embarked on his 2017 itinerary and can tick Florence off the list. Good time to have visited I imagine as there are fewer tourists and the light is different. Nino has also added new 2017 images of New York which he finds a “source of endless inspiration for photography” and he’s happy that he’ll have “sufficient time to capture some incredible details and moments”. From there he plans to visit Canada and Cuba.
This is a lively and diverse selection of destinations and must say I’m looking forward to seeing the fruits of their travels!
There are many more top destinations for 2017 to consider and check out the following sources that I used for more inspiration!
Forbes best 2017 destinations for travel photography
Guardian top 2017 travel destinations
Telegraph 20 best travel destinations 2017
Lonely Planet best cities 2017
Travel and Leisure best places to travel 2017
Alain de Botton Guardian review of the Art of Travel
MOOOOOOO….!