There are a number of very well-known and well-liked spots for landscape photography, and for many people, visiting them is essentially checking something off their bucket list.
Is there any use in shooting them when they are so well-liked, though? In this outstanding video essay, a seasoned landscape photographer discusses the subject.
This fantastic video essay from Steve O’Nions explores the question of whether capturing famous landscape areas will improve your skills as a photographer.
I believe the issue is that when a location is so well-liked, just about every imaginable combination of circumstances, lighting, season, angle, and composition has already been captured on camera (and you have probably seen most of those combinations). As a result, it is nearly impossible to come up with something new, making it doubtful that you will benefit much as a photographer from it.
To that end, go ahead and have fun if all you’re doing is going for the experience and no other reason. However, there might be more effective ways to use your time and money if you’re trying to get better. See the video up top for an overview from O’Nions.