I once wrote an article for a photographic magazine for their "Favorite Places" segment in which they never responded. It was never published and so I cancelled my subscription. I feel that this forum is a good place for us to share our favorite places to shoot. There are some incredible places that very few photographers know about. Since this is a small forum, I thought I'd share a few with you. 1. Crystal Creek, North Rim Grand Canyon. 2. Toroweep overlook, North Rim, Grand Canyon. 3. Aravaipa Canyon, Arizona. 4. Mt. Wilson Colorado. 5. Atiu Island, Cook Island group. 6. Moorea, French Polynesia. 7. Huahine, French Polynesia. 8. Taveuni, Fiji 9. Aitutaki Island, Cook Island group. 10. Superior, Arizona---------------Feel free to add your choices. SR

-- Steve Rasmussen (srasmuss@flash.net), September 08, 2000

Answers

I will second that "favorite places" suggestion by Mr. Hupp of Organ Pipe Cactus Nat Monument. I was there after an El Nino winter and the flowers were just incredible. Saw lots of 4x5 people but no MF shooters. SR

-- Steve Rasmussen (srasmuss@flash.net), September 23, 2000.

Mark, anywhere in the World is fare game. Thanks for the contributions. I have noticed that many photographers get stuck in the rut of only photographing well known subjects. Subjects that other photographers have made famous. This is a big planet with much opportunity for finding undiscovered beauty. Many of my published shots are from areas that no one shoots. SR

-- Steve Rasmussen (srasmuss@flash.net), September 25, 2000.

Never been to your places but I like 1. Pebble Beach (near Half Moon Bay--not the golf course) Calif., 2. Betatakin Ruins, UT, and 3. Mecca Hills (near Salton Sea), CA.

-- Warren Kato (wkato@aol.com), September 13, 2000.

Rock City State Park between Deming, NW and Silver City is worth a stop if you are in the area. See

-- Gene Crumpler (nikonguy@worldnet.att.net), September 13, 2000.

Thje site is;

http://home.att.net/~gene.crumpler/w3.html

-- gene crumpler (nikonguy@worldnet.att.net), September 13, 2000.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona is quite beautiful. Also the piney mountainous area around Payson, AZ. Since I'm from the Hoosier state, I have a soft spot for the hills of southern Indiana, especially around the quarries. It's beautiful in the fall, but crawling with tourists.

-- Steven Hupp (hups@sinai.org), September 22, 2000.

Are we talking just US scenics here or what? For a different perspective - I like shooting the new building projects on reclaimed land around Tokyo Bay - Odaiba, Yokohama Minato Mirai in particular, and for old Japanese architecture Nara is difficult to beat (Kyoto is more popular, but is full of tourists and one can't really relax there - Nara has a much slower, easier pace which I find contributes to contemplative photography). For scenery, Matsushima is terribly over- rated but the central part of Hokkaido and the Japan Alps are be

-- Mark Brown (mark@enri.go.jp), September 24, 2000.

If you are in the Yosemite area Mount Hoffmann is a must. It is a short 1.2 miles hike from SR120 to Lake May. This lakes sits at about 9000 feet. You then need to climb another 2000 feet to the top of Mount Hoffman. There is an undocumented trail that leads you from the lake to the top but I would not suggest it because it is long, dusty, and steep in places (I used it on my way down). Instead climb the rocks straight up it will be faster. I did it with my P67, 4 lenses in backpack, tripod, lunch and half gallon of water (it was challenging but not the hardest climb I've done). When you get to the top you will be rewarded by the most magnificent view of the lake rock formations and the entire park including the valley! As if that weren't enough on the opposite side you will get five more small lakes. These are beautiful turquoise lakes. Photographing from this altitude is like shooting fish in a barrel. The air is perfectly clear, the sky is such deep blue that will amaze you everytime you look at it (the only challenge may be the wind). I got lots of incredible shots. The one that got away was a view of an eagle from the top. He was rising on a thermal over a small beautiful lake (he was kinda surprised when he got to the top and spotted me). How did I miss this shot? Reloading film! Anyway I've always been interested in high altitude photography at Yosemite but was surprised with Mount Hoffmann because it is so accessible and definitely my favorite place, what can I say...you have to see it.

-- M.B. (mbarroca@americasm01.nt.com), September 25, 2000.

The Ozark Nat. Forest in Arkansas is a sublime place for images: deep hardwoods, Bluffs, waterfalls, vast scenics, wild flowers. Spring, Fall, Winter are all great. Incredible hiking trails, and a noticeable lack of people. Buffalo National River is a good start. mark smith

-- mark smith (msmith@fayar.net), January 25, 2002.