Some cities promise the perfect image at every turn but prove frustratingly tricky when you actually get there. Knowing which cities pose these challenges and how to overcome them can transform your shots and your mindset when traveling.
Coming to you from Jason Row Photography, this practical video breaks down why seemingly photogenic spots like Bruges and Amsterdam may not easily yield postcard-perfect images. In Bruges, the serene canals and medieval buildings draw massive crowds that never seem to clear. The combination of endless tourists blocking your compositions and weather that can flatten colors makes Bruges uniquely difficult. To get around the crowds, Jason Row suggests timing your shoots creatively—early dawn sessions or late-night strolls—and working with gloomy, cloudy days rather than waiting them out. He explains how these settings actually lend themselves perfectly to moody photography.
Row points out similar practical hurdles in Amsterdam, a city where the bustling pace and clutter can make clean, well-structured photos rare. Gritty sights in spots like the Red Light District can clash with the city's iconic charm, adding visual confusion that challenges any photographer's skill in composition. Row's advice is straightforward: find less traveled places, hidden side canals, and intriguing details. Photograph textures, reflections, and the quiet glimpses of Amsterdam away from the cliché images. He emphasizes staying flexible, maybe traveling outside peak tourist months to increase your photographic opportunities.
Berlin presents a different dilemma. Row explains how—apart from a few famous landmarks like Brandenburg Gate and remnants of the Berlin Wall—modern, visually neutral buildings dominate large sections of the city, defying expectations of traditional European beauty. Photographing Berlin means discovering character in street art, newly designed spaces, and compelling contrasts between old and new. Row encourages photographers to shift gears into street photography mode, exploring raw urban compositions and subtle visual stories hidden in graffiti and repurposed spaces. By embracing Berlin's contrasts and imperfections without fixating only on traditional landmarks, your photographs capture authentic visual narratives you won't find elsewhere.
Bangkok contrasts completely but brings its own difficulties. Extreme heat, humidity, and incessant street chaos push your endurance as much as your creativity. Row details how crowded, busy scenes can quickly become overwhelming: lenses fog, clothes stick to your body, and noise erodes your focus. But he also argues convincingly that the chaotic energy is Bangkok's heart and soul. Rather than avoiding chaos, he advises shooting early, before heat and crowds peak, seeking out calmer temples or side markets for a different perspective, or welcoming blur and motion intentionally to communicate the city's dynamic essence.
Cities that first appear picture-perfect often prevent ideal shots through unexpected hurdles like overwhelming crowds, visual chaos, modern monotony, or intense weather conditions. These settings compel you to innovate, explore deeper, and experiment beyond traditional postcard imagery, sharpening your photographic eye as you go. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Row.
