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Non-portrait photography in Florida? What is there to shoot?

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icor1031

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As soon as possible, I'll be moving to Florida. And I'm trying to decide whether any of the commonly-accessible styles interest me.

What I mean by that is, for example: Studio portraits would be a great option, because in FL people tend to be very beautiful.

But as far as I can discern, there's very little opportunity for nice landscapes. Florida isn't pretty, in that regard; the closest thing to that is their beaches.

Am I wrong about landscapes? And what other options (non-landscape) would be good?
 
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If landscape equals mountains for you, no. But otherwise have a look at this book, or even buy it:

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www.paulmarcellini.com

Or simply enter "florida landscape photography" into Google.
 
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There are tons of landscape opportunities in Florida!

Here's a few of my favorites that I've taken over the years:

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www.larrybrooksphotography.com
 
icor1031 said:
As soon as possible, I'll be moving to Florida. And I'm trying to decide whether any of the commonly-accessible styles interest me.

What I mean by that is, for example: Studio portraits would be a great option, because in FL people tend to be very beautiful.

But as far as I can discern, there's very little opportunity for nice landscapes. Florida isn't pretty, in that regard; the closest thing to that is their beaches.

Am I wrong about landscapes? And what other options (non-landscape) would be good?
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I just checked my AllTrails hiking app for Tampa and 250 nature trails popped up.
 
BBbuilder467 said:
icor1031 said:
As soon as possible, I'll be moving to Florida. And I'm trying to decide whether any of the commonly-accessible styles interest me.

What I mean by that is, for example: Studio portraits would be a great option, because in FL people tend to be very beautiful.

But as far as I can discern, there's very little opportunity for nice landscapes. Florida isn't pretty, in that regard; the closest thing to that is their beaches.

Am I wrong about landscapes? And what other options (non-landscape) would be good?
Click to expand...
I just checked my AllTrails hiking app for Tampa and 250 nature trails popped up.
Click to expand...
Wow, that is a lot!
 
It seems like there might be lots of interesting mid-century modern homes or maybe motels or something in Florida. I'd probably photograph those.
 
You've got to make the best of the situation and photograph what is available where ever you are. Believe me you can make the best of it and enjoy Florida.

Kent
 
icor1031 said:
But as far as I can discern, there's very little opportunity for nice landscapes. Florida isn't pretty, in that regard; the closest thing to that is their beaches.
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I won't argue with your definition of "pretty," but having grown up in Florida, I characterize it as "beautiful."
icor1031 said:
Am I wrong about landscapes?
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Very subjective. If you are attracted to mountain terrain as your primary subject, then you will be disappointed. But as others here have mentioned, there is an abundance of different types of landscape opportunities to expand your interest.
icor1031 said:
And what other options (non-landscape) would be good?
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Architecture. Flora and Fauna. If you like closeup and still life: sea shells (no two are alike!) and other such subjects.
 
I lived in Florida for 20 years and I can attest not everyone there is beautiful. That being said when I lived there I never saw the beauty of the landscape and always wanted to move back the beauty of the mountains I was originally raised in. I moved to East Tennessee in the heart of the Smoky Mountains 15 years ago. Now I am sick of the mountains and very much look forward to the newly discovered beauty I have found in the Florida landscape and look forward to photographing it every time I am there.
 
pcrc11 said:
I lived in Florida for 20 years and I can attest not everyone there is beautiful. That being said when I lived there I never saw the beauty of the landscape and always wanted to move back the beauty of the mountains I was originally raised in. I moved to East Tennessee in the heart of the Smoky Mountains 15 years ago. Now I am sick of the mountains and very much look forward to the newly discovered beauty I have found in the Florida landscape and look forward to photographing it every time I am there.
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Sure, but compared to SD, NC, TX, TN, OK, MO, WY. -- FL is way head when it comes to beautiful people.

And I'll be moving to Gainesville, so... :)

I'm glad you went back to FL! And found that you enjoy the scenes.

Where would be good places for me to find scenes similar to this? I'm guessing any of the large cities: Tampa, Miami, Jax, etc.?

https://flic.kr/p/2jYdSHy
 
I know many photographers who winter in Florida exclusively because of all the stuff to photograph. Here is a short list: birds, beaches, waves, surfers, beach houses, lifeguard stations, birds, palm trees, sunsets and sunrises, the Everglades, alligators, lizards, birds, Sanibel Island, historic buildings, ships, fishermen, birds.....
 
The waterfowl in wildlife preserves are beautiful. Look for places like Blue Springs State Park for crystal clear natural springs. The cypress swamp of Highland Hammock State Park is fascinating. Of course sunsets and sunrises and beaches and palms. I love bringing my gear to Florida.
 
CameraCarl said:
I know many photographers who winter in Florida exclusively because of all the stuff to photograph. Here is a short list: birds, beaches, waves, surfers, beach houses, lifeguard stations, birds, palm trees, sunsets and sunrises, the Everglades, alligators, lizards, birds, Sanibel Island, historic buildings, ships, fishermen, birds.....
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Not to mention all the birds!
 
JustUs7 said:
CameraCarl said:
I know many photographers who winter in Florida exclusively because of all the stuff to photograph. Here is a short list: birds, beaches, waves, surfers, beach houses, lifeguard stations, birds, palm trees, sunsets and sunrises, the Everglades, alligators, lizards, birds, Sanibel Island, historic buildings, ships, fishermen, birds.....
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Not to mention all the birds!
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;-)
 
icor1031 said:
And what other options (non-landscape) would be good?
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Florida has wildlife.

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You are joking, right? Here are a few ideas: Sunrise and sunset over the ocean, moonrise and moonset over the ocean, tons of beaches, the Everglades, the Keys, botanical gardens, beautiful streams and rivers, lighthouses ( Pensacola, St. George Island, St. Marks, St. Augustine, Ponce Inlet, Jupiter,) , beautiful live oaks, the oldest city, the Rocks, Alligator Farm, Plantations, barrier islands, forts, egrets ( great, snowy, tricolor, cattle). Herons, ibis, cranes, storks, manatees, canopy roads and more! But, you are right, we are all beautiful.



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icor1031 said:
But as far as I can discern, there's very little opportunity for nice landscapes. Florida isn't pretty, in that regard; the closest thing to that is their beaches.

Am I wrong about landscapes?
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You are probably wrong. Florida has vast areas of wilderness, wildlife areas, national forests, national parks, and state land. Isolated islands, undeveloped beaches, rivers, swamps, deep forests...

Everglades National Park alone is 1.5 million acres. You canoe out there for a week and come back saying there's nothing to photograph, I'll eat my own shorts. :)
icor1031 said:
And what other options (non-landscape) would be good?
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Historic sites, lighthouses, boats, flowers, birds, underwater photography...

Plus the usual 'everyday' stuff you perhaps shoot now. Architecture, sports, news events, cultural events...
 
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