Location Photography Guides

I'm often asked by people who are travelling to Sydney what to photograph there, what are Sydney's best sunrise and sunset locations. So I've decided to write down some notes about shooting Sydney and about best photography spots. For Sydney skyline to be precisely. It's not a comprehensive Sydney city photography guide but it will give you a good idea of shooting locations around Sydney, when to shoot there and how to get there. It could be very useful if you have limited time but still want to get some nice photos. By browsing through the images in this guide you can decide where to go to get the view you want.

Sydney sits on the south-east coast of Australia and provides plenty of opportunities for shooting sunrise but in this article I am going to give you some of Sydney best sunrise locations (in my opinion) that are easy to get and give you tips on how to shoot them. All these places and lookouts are easily accessible by foot, public transport or by taxi/car. I have also included links to Google Maps and SunFollower.net as well for each of these locations.

Every year since 2009, Sydney holds the Vivid Sydney Festival of Light, Music and Ideas. Here, designers showcase their talented and intricate minds by putting together some amazing installations and animations. World famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge are illuminated in vibrant colours and animations whilst other landmarks play host to some quirky yet entertaining installations. The event is held during winter in central Sydney over the course of 18-days in May and June. The centrepiece of Vivid Sydney is the light sculptures, multimedia interactive work and building projections that transform various buildings and landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge in and around the Sydney CBD into an outdoor night time canvas of art. Vivid Sydney was voted Australia's Best Event in 2013 and Best Tourism Event in 2014. It attracts lots of Sydneysiders and tourists and provides plenty of opportunities for photographers. I hope this guide with simple recommendations, tips and tricks will help you shooting the next Vivid Sydney event.

Melbourne is a very beautiful and photogenic city. It has been named the world's most liveable city for seven years in a row! While it doesn't have any iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge it still has plenty of photographic opportunities such as Flinders Street Station, Southbank, St Kilda Pier etc. It's packed with nice photo spots. Many spots can be photographed at sunrise, daytime and sunset changing it's appearance dramatically. Another good thing about Melbourne is that everything is so close there so you can walk from one spot to another.

After putting together a list of my favourite Sydney's photography locations, I think it's time time to start developing a list of great photography locations in Brisbane, Gold Coast and National parks nearby. Due to proximity of these two cities and the National Parks I decided to combine them into one photography guide.

The Pinnacles of Nambung National Park are the major natural attraction in Western Australia. The park is located about 25 kilometres south from the town of Cervantes and about 250 kilometres north of Perth, Western Australia. The Pinnacles were sculptured by wind, rain, vegetation, sun and time for many thousands of years from limestone. These limestone formations reach four metres tall of sand of varying colours. It is a favourite subject for photographers. I created a short photography guide on this amazing location. Hopefully you will find it useful.

I cannot not mention my wife's travel blog she started in 2005 and which has tons of great information about Australia, Japan, New Zealand, USA, Singapore, South Korea and China. It's a great place if you want to plan your own trip and need information on the locations, maps, transport etc. It would be especially useful for travelling to Australia and Japan.

Please use Google Translate to translate the site to your language. Trust me - content worth extra effort.

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is one of the most photographed landmarks in the world. To help you capture stunning images of this iconic structure, here’s a guide to some of the best vantage points around the bridge, complete with tips on the best times to visit and recommended lenses for each location. This is not a comprehensive guide, but it allows you to choose the best spots for photographing if you have very limited time in San Francisco.

San Francisco, with its iconic landmarks, rolling hills, and breathtaking views, is a paradise for photographers. From the golden hues of the Golden Gate Bridge at sunrise to the sparkling city lights at dusk, the city offers endless opportunities to capture its charm and character. Whether you're seeking sweeping panoramas, architectural details, or hidden gems, San Francisco’s diverse landscapes cater to every style of photography. This guide explores the best locations to photograph the city, including tips on the ideal times to shoot, the best angles to consider, and the lenses to bring along. Get ready to discover the most photogenic spots in the City by the Bay and elevate your portfolio with stunning images of this vibrant urban landscape.