10 iconic places to photograph

From the treasures of ancient Egypt to the wilds of Tanzania, a National Geographic photographer shares his most beloved destinations.

By Jim Richardson
photographs by Jim Richardson
Published 30 Dec 2018, 18:01 GMT

Recently I was asked if I could name a 'bucket list' of iconic places in the world for photographers. It didn’t take long. Certain places attract photographers like magnets attract iron filings; we are drawn to them without quite knowing why. Nor do we absolutely have to know. For some of us it will simply be the joy of collecting the trophy pictures we’ve always wanted to take.

But for others, myself included, the exercise has something more to do with understanding both ourselves and the world. Here is my list (not terribly original, I’ll admit), with my reflections on why these places are iconic to me. I’m absolutely sure that everyone will have a different top 10. But just as going there and taking the pictures was a deeply rich experience, so too is the simple act of asking which ones—and why?

loading

Explore Nat Geo

  • Animals
  • Environment
  • History & Culture
  • Science
  • Travel
  • Photography
  • Space
  • Adventure
  • Video

About us

Subscribe

  • Magazines
  • Disney+

Follow us

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society. Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved