How to choose a good photo spot

A good spot is one that other people can find and re-photograph exactly — weeks, months, or years from now.

What makes a spot work

• A fixed, reachable standpoint. Stand somewhere unambiguous: a bench end, a bridge railing, a trail marker. Avoid "somewhere in the field".
• A clear subject with room to change. Growing trees, construction sites, riverbanks, shorelines and streetscapes all tell a story over time.
• Safe and legal access. Only create spots where anyone can stand safely without entering private property. Whenever possible, avoid including private property or people in the photos without permission.
• Landmarks in frame. Include something permanent (a building edge, a mountain line) so future photographers can align their shot properly.

What to avoid

• Viewpoints that depend on a season (a gap in summer foliage disappears in winter — that can be the point, but the standpoint must survive).
• Spots reachable only at low tide, behind fences, or on unstable ground.
• Near-duplicates: if a spot already exists a few steps away, contribute to it instead of creating a new one.

When you create the spot, write a short description of where to stand and where to aim — future you (and everyone else) will thank you.