early springscapeWhen I first came to Vermont I wanted to reacquaint myself with the state that I had grown up exploring so I made a journal to record my travels and photographic discoveries. Everywhere I went to photograph, every place that I took a picture I recorded in this journal. Two years later this journal became The Photographer’s Guide to Vermont published by the Countryman Press, the first of three photographer’s guides I did and the first of probably two dozen photographer’s guides that Countryman Press has done.

Now it is time for you to do your own.

The process couldn’t be easier. I made up a 2-page form of mostly blank lines that had space to record things like- directions, nearest town, trails?, time of year, entrance fee, opening/closing times/dates, nearest restaurant, possibilities for other seasons, subject to photograph, GPS coordinates, important considerations, safety concerns, etc.- and then I went to a copy center and had 50 run off and spiral bound making a nice notebook. Then when I went to a location I just recorded what I found and all the pertinent information.  In no time I had my very won photographer’s guide!

This is a great project for just you but it is also a great project for a group of photography friends to do or for a camera club. The more people involved the more different photography genres included- historic, nature, wildlife, architecture, festivals, gardens,- making the guide even more useful and comprehensive. What  a great resource to have for a camera club!

The added benefit of this project is that it encourages you to seek out new places and after it is completed it becomes a great reference to refer to when you are thinking about where next to photograph. Rather than going to the same old spots the photographer’s guide will remind you of other worthwhile places that you have forgotten about. I still refer to my original notes when I get the itch to photograph locally.

No excuses now, this one is a no brainer. I mean really, why wouldn’t you do this?