Photogenic Experiences and Locations to {Photograph} in Mexico
Mexico, the charming land of tacos, iconic artist Frida Kahlo, vibrant Tequila, and distinctive cactus crops. Past its stereotypical portrayal within the media, Mexico unveils a wealthy tapestry of numerous landscapes, charming tradition, and storied historical past, making it a haven for photographers looking for to seize its multifaceted essence. After spending a couple of weeks immersing myself within the stunning landscapes and energetic tradition of this stunning nation, I’m keen to focus on some important experiences that shouldn’t be missed by photographers venturing to Mexico.
Mexico on a map doesn’t look that large however belief me once I say it’s greater than I anticipated. With its 32 states, Mexico provides an enormous array of locations to discover, making it difficult to resolve the place to go and what to see based mostly in your obtainable time. Throughout my 2.5-week journey by Mexico with G Adventures on the Viva Mexico: Historic Ruins + The Mayan Riviera itinerary, I found the comfort of their numerous vary of excursions, ultimate for these with restricted time who want to expertise as a lot as doable. These excursions not solely simplify your itinerary but additionally assist you to focus extra on capturing memorable moments by your images.
Written + Photographed by Julia Marr
#1 Watch the dawn in a scorching air balloon over the pyramids of Teotihuacan.
Teotihuacan is an archaeological complicated northwest of Mexico Metropolis, right here you can see the temple of Quetzalcoatl, pyramid of the moon and pyramid of the solar.
One of the best ways to see these pyramids is from above in a scorching air balloon, not solely do you get to see the huge measurement of those pyramids from above, however you get to expertise hovering excessive within the sky with many different scorching air balloons. That is the right photograph alternative to create stunning imagery in any respect angles and you’ve got the right gentle too.
I booked by Get Your Information, and all the pieces was tremendous straightforward, they decide you up out of your lodge at 4:50am and also you drive roughly 50 minutes to San Juan Teotihuacan. They organise your teams and then you definately hop into the air balloon basket and away you go.
Picture Tip – I like to recommend utilizing a flexible lens like a 24-70mm, as you possibly can’t take luggage with you on the balloon so altering lenses isn’t doable. To learn extra about photographing dawn, take a peek at ‘Setting the Scene‘.
#2 Avenue images in Oaxaca de Juárez
Oaxaca is a state in Mexico, Oaxaca de Juarez is the most important metropolis within the state. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Web site, it’s identified for stunning historic structure, vibrant streets, vibrant markets and conventional delicacies. Just a few Highlights within the metropolis embody Oaxaca regional museum, Benito Juarez Market, Santo Domingo de Guzman Church.
A favorite spot of mine in Oaxaca was the neighbourhood of Jalatlaco, that is the right space to {photograph} all the colorful buildings, flags and tradition in Oaxaca.
I like to recommend doing a strolling tour, there are a couple of images strolling excursions which are obtainable. Strolling excursions are nice to show you in regards to the historical past and the tradition within the areas and present you the most effective locations to go.
Picture Tip – I like to recommend waking up early earlier than the crowds set in and utilizing the early morning gentle to your benefit. One other concept is to seek out rooftops to shoot off to get a distinct perceptive.
#3 Hierve El Agua
Hierve El Agua is a set of pure travertine rock formations within the state of Oaxaca. This waterfall was created by mineral water that pushes by limestone, settling onto the mountains edge creating this waterfall that appears frozen in time.
It is extremely completely different to different waterfalls that I’ve photographed earlier than, however it’s a rare web site that shouldn’t be missed when visiting Mexico. It’s about 70km outdoors of Oaxaca metropolis and finest visited throughout a day journey from town. Its open between 7am – 6:30pm, It’s price discovering a driver that may head out early to be the primary ones there because it does get busy from round 9am.
Rent an area information to take you across the waterfalls, there’s a small hike and the entire expertise goes for an hour. That is finest to {photograph} the waterfall from all viewpoints together with instantly beneath. Then upon getting all of your photographs taken, take pleasure in a dip within the mineral swimming pools on high.
Picture Tip – Use a polarising filter when photographing Hierve El Agua as it should more than likely be beneath harsh direct daylight and you’ll want to minimise as a lot glare as doable and darken the sky. Â
#4 {Photograph} Dawn on Lake Bacalar
Bacalar Lagoon is a slender freshwater lake, its often known as the lagoon of seven colors from electrical turquoise to deep indigo. The reason for that is from a combination of the limestone content material within the lake, the white sand, wind and solar, these all play an element in creating these magic colors. You gained’t want a lot photoshop when taking pictures right here as a result of what you see on-line is strictly what you see in particular person, it’s a very stunning place.
Photographing the dawn is ideal right here because it rises over the lake, there are various public jetties you can {photograph} it from, and it is extremely quiet as most individuals aren’t awake at the moment. I photographed the dawn right here for 3 days straight and day-after-day it was stunning to see, the colors every day have been completely different, and it was good to experiment somewhat with my images.
Picture Tip – I like to start out photographing dawn half-hour earlier than the solar is imply to rise, as I discover that typically that is when the most effective colors shine by.
#5 Go to Chichen Itza
One of many seventh wonders of the world, Chichen Itza was a big metropolis constructed by the Maya individuals round 600 A.D. It’s an unbelievable archaeological web site that holds essential information of historical past from these historic instances. It’s an unbelievable web site to see and to study, after visiting right here I’ve been very interested by studying in regards to the Mayans and the methods to which they lived.
Chichen Itza is open to the general public from 8am – 5pm, 7 days per week, its positioned within the state of Yucatan, japanese Mexico. Proper in the course of Merida Yucatan and the well-known metropolis of Cancún Quintana Roo. It will get very busy and scorching; I like to recommend staying shut by and getting there round 7:30am to attend in line to be one of many first by the gates. Additionally, you possibly can rent a tour information to show you in regards to the historical past and which means behind the ruins, that is price doing as you be taught a lot and it’s so fascinating plus it provides a component to your images if you understand precisely what you’re photographing.
Picture Tip – The entrance of the Chichen Itza Pyramid is at all times essentially the most crowded, I like to recommend framing your photographs with a plant within the foreground to create a picture with minimal individuals. In any other case across the again and in the direction of the perimeters of the pyramid there are usually much less individuals, and these will also be an excellent angle to shoot on.
#6 Discover the Cenotes
With over 6,000 cenotes in Mexico, it may be somewhat difficult to know which of them are the most effective to {photograph}. A lot of the cenotes in Mexico are within the state of Yucatan. There are lots of common ones, and they’re all distinctive in their very own methods, it additionally is dependent upon if you wish to images them from above or underwater.
Cenotes are pure wells, fashioned when limestone bedrock collapses and exposes water beneath. They’re primarily contemporary water, purified from the earth making them so clear and contemporary.
Under is somewhat record of the most effective ones for images relying on what you wish to obtain along with your photographs.
- Cenote Samula – Underwater images, cave methods
- Ik Kil Cenote – Pure Sinkhole, pure enchantment for photographers
- Suytyn Cenote – Instagram worthy second with round platform surrounded by clear turquoise waters.
- Cenote Zaci – Semi Open cave, excessive cliffs, waterfall (One among my favourites)
- Grand Cenote – Nice for underwater, wildlife alternatives (Bats, turtles, crabs & fish)
Picture Tip – These cenotes can get very busy, arrive early to keep away from giant crowds and ensure it’s a sunny day to have the ability to seize the gorgeous colors and underwater moments.
#7 {Photograph} Avenue Artwork
Regardless of the place you go in Mexico there can be stunning road artwork, gorgeous, vibrant murals painted everywhere in the cities and small cities that you’ll want to {photograph}. They differ from conventional artwork works to artistic summary murals, my high locations to {photograph} road artwork are Mexico Metropolis, Oaxaca, San Cristobal and Bacalar.
For those who solely need to images road artwork in Mexico, you possibly can e book a road artwork strolling tour and be taught all in regards to the stunning artworks and artists.
There are additionally hidden road murals by the well-known Diego Rivera in Mexico Metropolis to seek out.
Picture Tip – Use a wide-angle lens to have the ability to seize giant artworks right into a single body. This can assist present the size of the artworks that you’re photographing.
#8 Mayan Ruins – Tulum Archaeological Zone & Palenque
Apart from Chichen Itza and Teotihuacan, there are round 200 different Mayan websites that we find out about to go to that provide a distinct photographic expertise. The 2 that I consider provides essentially the most distinctive photographs are the Tulum Archaeological zone & Palenque.
Tulum Archaeological zone is a really scenic location, as it’s located proper on the gorgeous shoreline of Tulum. The ruins right here aren’t very large however they’re stunning, the temple of Frescoes maintain a number of the best-preserved painted murals that depict life and work of the Maya. There are gorgeous photograph alternatives within the particulars of this web site in addition to the fantastic thing about the encompassing pure components.
Palenque is within the state of Chiapas, this web site may be very particular as it’s surrounded by lush forests and waterfalls. It appears like a totally completely different world in comparison with the opposite Mayan websites in Mexico. They consider that solely 10% of this historic metropolis has been excavated with the remainder nonetheless coated by the dense forest, it’s a phenomenal web site to {photograph}.
Picture Tip – Don’t be afraid to zoom in and create detailed, cropped photographs of ruins. This permits for extra selection and uniqueness to your images.
#9 Immerse Your self within the Tradition of Indigenous Communities
In all places I’m going I like to immerse myself in different cultures and study their beliefs and practices. I often at all times do a homestay or e book a visit to an indigenous neighborhood; I really like having the ability to inform a narrative by my photographs of the lifestyle for these communities.
There are lots of completely different indigenous teams in Mexico, majority of indigenous populations are concentrated within the south-central and southern area of Mexico.
Many traditions in Mexico proceed by silver-smithing, mosaics, textiles, pottery, basket-weaving and Alebrijes. Photographing these traditions is a phenomenal approach to join with the indigenous individuals of Mexico, study their tradition and use your photographs to teach others on conventional methods of life.
You may e book excursions to go to indigenous communities with native guides, this can be a nice approach to assist and provides again to the indigenous individuals. In case you are wanting one thing a bit longer a homestay can be an ideal possibility the place you pay or commerce providers with an area household and actually immerse your self of their traditions and beliefs.
Picture Tip – At all times ask permission to take pictures. Typically I don’t need to miss the candid second, so I’ll take the photograph after which present the person who I took the photograph of and ask whether it is okay if I hold the photograph, if they are saying sure then nice, if they are saying no then I’ll delete it and respect their needs.
#10 Azul Agua Waterfalls
Azul Agua interprets to Blue Water in English, In Mexico nonetheless it’s collection of waterfalls positioned on the Xanil River within the southern Mexican state of Chiapa. These waterfalls are fairly straightforward to entry, mostly by catching public transport from Palenque or a day journey from San Cristobal and prices solely 40 pesos to enter.
These waterfalls are finest to {photograph} in the course of the dry season (December – April) as that is when the water is vivid blue in color, however in the event you have been to go to within the moist season it should nonetheless be price a go to to see the mass of water flowing down these falls. If in case you have a drone, this can be a excellent spot to fly it and create some insane aerial images.
Picture Tip – Convey alongside a tripod and a ND filter to have the ability to create some lengthy publicity magical of the waterfalls at any time of the day.
*The hyperlink to G Adventures is shared for these eager to comply with an analogous itinerary. Julia is a contributor of The Wandering Lens and was a paying buyer of G Adventures, this was not a paid commercial, and isn’t a sponsored publish, as an alternative it’s a set of gorgeous photographs and moments from her expertise travelling from Mexico Metropolis to Tulum.
Julia is at all times looking for to discover and seize new adventures that take her the world over. Primarily based in Australia, Julia is a portrait photographer with a ardour for journey and nature images.