Remote And Worthwhile Photo Destinations

By Ron Rosenstock

Since the early 1970s, I’ve been taking small groups of photographers to unspoiled places around the world seeking out their natural beauty. A few of the very worthwhile places that I frequent are the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, Denmark’s Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic, and the west coast of Greenland. These amazing destinations offer an abundance of unusual and majestic scenery that are off-the-beaten-path and well suited for photography. It is in such locations that you can experience the primeval beauty of nature in the vast array of incredible land and seascapes.

Often, I’m asked what is my favorite country for photography. My reply is always the country that I’m in at the time. Each destination gives unique opportunities to delve into the natural wonder and beauty in our world.

Scotland’s history is written in its architecture and landscape. Scotland has had its share of turbulent wars and struggles. The wars ended centuries ago but the majestic castles remain as well as dwellings that go back to 500 B.C. called a Scottish broch. Going much further back in time there are the Standing Stones of Callanish on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.  These stones that hold ancient secrets are over 5,000 years old and are arranged in an inner and outer circle. We photograph the stones several times at sunrise and sunset to get as much as possible of the ever-changing lighting conditions. Most often at sunrise, we are the only people at this ancient site. The Outer Hebrides also have several incredibly beautiful beaches that stretch for miles of white sand, dunes, and tidal rivulets all having infinite possibilities for photographers.

The Faroe Islands comprise a land mass of several islands connected by undersea tunnels, land bridges and ferries. There we find the essence of unspoiled land and seascapes. The islands are known for their high vistas with clouds above and below, pristine sand beaches, rock pools and what is locally known as the Witch’s Finger pointing skyward. The Faroe Islands are a protectorate of Denmark located halfway between Norway and Iceland in the North Atlantic Ocean. One of the many surprises of the Faroe Islands was the excellent cuisine. Every meal in our hotel was delicious as were the lunches in various towns we visited. In one restaurant we enjoyed Italian food as good as you would find in any restaurant in Tuscany. The friendliness of the people was another characteristic of the Faroe Islands that made the trip unforgettable. I look forward to visiting the Faroe Islands again in May of 2024.

Greenland is also a fabulous destination for photographers! I always bring people in September when the weather is generally mild, between 30° and 50° and never too cold to work with our cameras. We travel in an enclosed heated boat with plenty of room in the bow and the stern to photograph the icebergs and glaciers lining various mountain ranges. We also have the opportunity to photograph in a remote Inuit village called Kapisillit. This year we will have one night in luxury tents. It’s called Glamping. This will be many miles up one of the many fjords from our home base in Nuuk. Our land accommodation is in one of the very best hotels in the capital of Greenland, Nuuk. It has two gourmet dining rooms and an amazing breakfast buffet! 

I have been blessed with a life in photography and have been teaching photography and leading photo tours since my first teaching job in 1969. Shortly after I began teaching, I started leading international photo tours. I have been very fortunate to have been working with Strabo Tours for the past thirty years. I can concentrate on helping my fellow travelers make more meaningful photographs while Strabo Tours takes care of the many details necessary to make every tour run as smoothly as possible.

To give you an idea of my philosophy of teaching photography I have to quote the 13th-century theologian, Meister Eckhart, who wrote “Art is not just for special people, but everyone is a special kind of an artist”. My photography teacher, Minor White, said that the photograph is a mirror of the photographer. We seek to know who we are through our photographs.

Over the years, my photographs have been made part of numerous museum collections such as the Peabody Essex Museum, the Fogg Art Museum, the Worcester Art Museum and the International Center of Photography in New York City as well as many private collections.

I look forward to leading photo tours for many more years and helping people to make meaningful photographs.

If I’ve piqued your interest in traveling to such exciting destinations, please go to: https://phototc.com/photo-leaders/ron-rosenstock/  to find out more about me and the photo tours I lead. Strabo Photo Tour Collection 607-423-2525.