How to Take Beautiful Photos in “Ugly” Locations

Tips

Mar 12

What makes a “good” photo? Of all the elements involved, you typically wouldn’t put the location at the top of the list (unless you’re a landscape photographer, of course)! In this article, we’re going to go over some tips and inspiration for taking gorgeous photos in “ugly” or atypical locations!

What makes a “good” photo, anyway?

Good photos are a balance of technical skill, artistic vision, and emotional impact. Some elements involved are:

Strong composition
Lighting
Technical aspects like sharp focus and depth of field
Emotion and storytelling
Colors and tones
Timing and moment
Unique perspective or creativity

Notice how we didn’t include the scenery or location on that list? That’s because the location only adds to an image, it doesn’t make the image (again, unless you’re a landscape photographer and your subject IS the scenery).

So, if the location isn’t that important, we can take photos wherever we want! Even the most unattractive, ugly, or boring locations can yield spectacular images if some or all of the elements of “good” photos are present. Let’s get into some ways to embrace or overcome our location in photos.

*Image by* *Ryan Chard Smith*
Edited with Limited Release Chroma Presets

Embrace Your Location

First, we’ll look at ways to embrace the locations you have available to you and get inspired by some incredible images where photographers have done so.

Ugly is Cool

Some of the “ugliest” locations are full of interesting textures, detritus, and decay that is fun to photograph and catch the eye of the viewer! Posing your subjects in such spaces, you can juxtapose the subject to have them stand out against the background, or have them fit in thematically with the location.

*Image by* *Gail Secker Photography*
Edited with Limited Release Chroma Presets

*Image by* *Gary Crowson*
Edited with Quest 44 Aureus

Light & Shadows

Utilize available light and shadow or create your own, taking advantage of how light and shadow can hide or highlight specific things in an image or composition. Look for patterns in the shadows, like light shining through a chain link fence or shadows on the ground that might create a unique pattern on your subject!

*Image by* *Sarah Ching*
Edited with Quest 45 Atelier

*Image by* *Gary Crowson*
Edited with Limited Release Chroma Presets

Image by Bruno Novais
Edited with Quest 44 Aureus

Color

Using color to draw the eye to your subject in an otherwise boring, minimal, or uninteresting location can make your image stand out! Use your subject’s clothing, hair color, or even an element that stands out in the environment like graffiti or paint.

*Image by* *Anna-Maria Langer*
Edited with Limited Release Chroma Presets

Tip: Combine color and posing for extra “oomph”! Using bold, solid colored outfits can boost your subject’s pose, making them stand out even more.

*Image by* *Brittany De Jesus*
Edited with Quest 45 Atelier

*Image by* *Shanea Snyder*
Edited with Limited Release Chroma Presets

Props

Add props your subject can hold or pose with to tie them to the location or set them apart from it, making your audience ask questions and investigate the image.

*Image by* *Gary Crowson*
Edited with Quest 40 Del Mar

*Image by* *Michele Klopfenstein*
Edited with Quest 45 Atelier

*Image by* *Cecilia Nava*
Edited with Quest 44 Aureus

Overcome Your Location

Really, really hate the location you’ve chosen? Here are some ways to overcome the location and still create beautiful images!

Fill the Space

Use a shallow depth of field to blur the background and hide your location by filling the space with your subject. Use an extreme close up or have the subject pose to take up all of the space in the frame.

*Image by* *Corey Lynn Tucker*
Edited with Limited Release Chroma Presets

*Image by* *Twig and Vine Photography*
Edited with Quest 35 Nexus

Neutralize the Location

Find a blank or uncluttered space in your location and use that to create a backdrop for your subject— a simple concrete or painted wall, the ground, or even the sky can work to make your location “disappear”!