16 Stunning Bucket List Spots Celebrating World Photography Day 2022

An annual celebration of art showcasing the beauty of the world takes place on World Photography Day on 19 August

It is always the simplicity of those unprompted scenes that capture so beautifully on film. Times in which the lens becomes the eye of the viewer- the voyeur of the natural world.  From the rugged beauty of the Californian coastline, to the vibrant colours of the Hollywood strip. Pretty pink flamingos in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a snapshot of The Hachinohe Sansha Taisai festival in Japan.

Check out these 16 stunning picks of our breathtaking world captured by talented photographers, inspiring every travellers’ next getaway.

1. Big Sur, California

The Big Sur coastline is a rugged stretch of coast in Central California that features some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. www.visitcalifornia.com

2. Sunset Strip, West Hollywood

A perfect showcase of the nightlife, glamour and excitement of West Hollywood’s iconic Sunset Strip, looked upon by the Santa Monica Mountains. www.visitwesthollywood.com

3. Mammoth Mountain, California

H

iking and mountain biking in the summer to skiing and snowboarding in the winter, California’s Mammoth Mountain offers excitement and unforgettable adventures all year round. www.mammothmountain.com

4. Morro Rock, San Luis Obispo County, California

Formed over 23 million years ago, Morro Rock is one of Central California Coast’s most distinctive and recognised landmarks. Due to its unique geographical position, it creates ideal conditions for surfers in San Luis Obispo County (SLO CAL). www.slocal.com

5. Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Mariposa County

There are few places in the world that are as stunning and dramatic as Yosemite in Mariposa County, California. Home to icons such as the Half-Dome and Yosemite Falls, the park has been a muse to photographers, artists and authors for decades. www.yosemite.com

6. Aerial Tram, Greater Palm Springs

Located just outside of Palm Springs, you will find the world’s largest rotating tram cars, soaring through the San Jacinto Mountains for views over the nine cities and surrounding desert. www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com

7. Golden Tower Bridge, Sacramento, California 

The Golden Tower Bridge is an iconic structure that symbolises California’s Gold Rush past – creating an idyllic backdrop and gentle nod to its heritage. www.visitsacramento.com

8. Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle, Washington

At the Seattle Centre next to the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass merges nature with the intricate art of glass blowing through Dale Chihuly’s comprehensive collection of work including vibrant exhibitions and garden installations. visitseattle.org

9. The National Avery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Allegheny Commons Park, located in Pittsburgh, is the largest indoor bird zoo in North America. The popular attraction houses over 500 birds and more than 150 species. www.visitpittsburgh.com

10. Cowboy Culture, Colorado

Colorado is well-known for its western heritage and travellers can channel their inner cowboy with dude ranch stays and horseback rides through the beautiful landscape. www.colorado.com

11. Marco Island, Florida’s Paradise Coast

The diverse landscape of Florida’s Paradise Coast, offers intense and  adrenaline-filled watersports such as  WaveRunners by Marco Island Watersports, speeding through the waters. Mangrove forests and wildlife including dolphins, manatee and exotic birds make up this astonishing natural habitat.

12. Nuku Hiva Island, The Islands of Tahiti

Nuku Hiva, or the ‘Mysterious Island,’ is the second largest island in the Marquesas hosting mystical volcanic mountain masses,fascinating historical sites, tiki statues and more. www.tahititourisme.uk

13. Sansha Taisai Festival, Hachinohe, Japan

A burst of colour at the Hachinohe’s Sansha Taisai Festival, that happens every summer and welcomes over one million spectators each year. www.visithachinohe.com/en

14. Yakushima National Park, Kyushu, Japan

The Yakushima National Park is home to a real-life magical forest which has inspired artists around the world, including filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki who included Yakushima in Princess Mononoke. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1993. www.visit-kyushu.com/en

15. Itsukushima Shrine, Japan

A serene spot built over water in the Hiroshima prefecture, the Itsukushima Shrine is known for its ‘floating’ Torii gate during high tides. The island it sits before is Miyajiama, meaning shrine island, known for its sacred temples and ancient forests. www.japan.travel/en/uk/

16. City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia, Spain

Crowned The 2022 World Capital of Design, Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences is an absolute must-visit in the city. www.visitvalencia.com/en

There are many outstanding spots all over the world waiting to have the beauty of the moment captured on film: where will your camera lens take you next?

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