All Categories - Photographic Destinations

Photographic Destinations

Dunedin (in progress)

11/20/2021

Dunedin, located along the Gulf Coast just west of Tampa, is known for its annual Scottish celebrations and its quaint downtown, among its other allures. One of the oldest towns on the West Coast of Florida, Dunedin has a wooded and subtropical setting with almost four miles of picturesque waterfront. Besides the downtown area of shops, dining and night life cafes, the Dunedin Causeway and Honeymoon Island is a great place to chill, enjoy the water and catch some rays.

To Do: Stroll the streets of downtown; Visit one of the many local bars; Shop daytime or nighttime
About: To learn more about Dunedin - its history, geography, culture and more ... click here.
Photo Recommendations:
* Sunset on the pier (get there earlier than others)
* Marina at Sunset; (centered on the boats)
* Nighttime photo of the Marina
* Defending - Freedom Arch
* Kayaks on the Causeway (Sunrise)
* Train Depot; *
Other: Dining: for lunch XXX

Clearwater

11/9/2021

Clearwater Beach dazzles with impeccable beaches and inviting waters. Trip Advisor named it the nation's #1 beach in 2018. Besides the beaches, Clearwater itself has an inviting, small-town atmosphere.

Suggested Photo Opportunities:
* Pier 60 - capture people activity during the day or night
* Pier 60 and Marina area - (a must) for sunrise or sunset
* Clearwater Memorial Causeway at sunset and after (causeway, marina, park sculpture)
* City Walk in the Pier 60 area for night time photos (take bracketed photos with tripod)
* Local shops and bars for 'Outside-In' theme captures
* Check for moon rises and sets
Note: most parking is fee-based, and busy so plan on scouting area for parking lots.

Jacksonville -

11/8/2021

Jacksonville is the most populous city in Florida, and is the largest city by area in the contiguous United States as of 2020. Florida's largest city is also one of its oldest. Soon after Spain gave up Florida to the United States, folks near the area the British had called Cowford started founding this town named after Andrew Jackson. It was officially incorporated in 1832. From hiking trails to beautiful beaches, Jacksonville appeals to just about everyone.

Suggested Photo Opportunities ... central city photo shoot planned for 2022
* Main Street Bridge (John Alsop Jr. Bridge) - capture this bridge at night from Friendship Park
* Riverside Historic District (tbc)
*

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacksonville,_Florida

Quincy - tobacco and Coke Cola

11/8/2021

This town in Gadsden County was established in 1828, named for our sixth president, John Quincy Adams. In its early years Quincy became very prosperous due to a booming tobacco industry. Just 20 minutes west of Tallahassee, the Old Florida city of Quincy surprises visitors with its array of Victorian homes in the quaint downtown district. (Quincy's downtown square, built around the Gadsden County Courthouse, an old-time drugstore and many other touches of the Florida that once was and, in places like Quincy).

* Quincy Downtown Square - explore the area by taking one of several walking tours
* Soldiers Cemetery (tbc) - Historical Unknown Soldiers Marker, established early in the war
* Coke Cola Sign (tbc) - how Quincy became a town of millionaires. Find the old Coke Cola signage.
* Shoe Tree (tbc) - haven't found it but it is a popular local story

Note: (tbc) = to be captured
https://www.florida-backroads-travel.com/quincy-florida.html

Tallahassee

11/8/2021

Tallahassee was incorporated in 1825. It was chosen as the capital of Florida long before Florida became a state, due to its central location between Pensacola and St. Augustine.

Suggested Photo Opportunities
* Florida State University - Founded in 1851; FSU is the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida
* Goodwood Museum and Gardens - National Register of Historic Places and serves as museum on 20-acres of land with centuries old live oaks and gardens. Must see: main house, and 20 structures dating from 1835 to 1925.
* Mission San Luis - the mission was the western capital of Spanish Florida from 1656 to 1704. The Mission brings the 17th century to life through interpreters, reconstructed buildings, museum exhibits and archaeological demonstrations.
* Frank Lloyd Wright Spring House - Designed and constructed in 1954, the Spring House is the only built private residence designed by Wright in the state of Florida.
* Old State Capital - Since 1845, the Historic Capitol has symbolized Florida state government. Restored to its 1902 appearance, the Historic Capitol stands as an icon at the center of Florida’s Capitol complex;

Marianna - City of Southern Charm

11/8/2021

Marianna: Marianna was founded in 1828, and named for the Scottish founder's wife Mary and her friend Anna. Marianna's downtown has a nicely restored historic district, and it has been recognized as a Florida Main Street Town. The town's historic district has many examples of Victorian homes, some restored and others not.

In 2020, Hurricane Michele took a toll on Marianna and many areas in and around Marianna. Recovery efforts and restoration continue today (Nov 2021) and devastated areas can still be seen.

Suggested Photo Opportunities
* Marianna Main St - an older Florida town (one of the oldest) going through renovation.
* Florida Caverns (State Park) - The Cavern has dazzling formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flow stones and draperies and the only State park offering tours
* Bellamy Bridge - one of the ten oldest bridges in Florida and believed to be Florida's Most Haunted Bridge

Fernandina Beach - Most Northeast Florida location

11/7/2021

Fernandina Beach: The "Isle of 8 Flags" may have been controlled by eight different nations, but it's been an incorporated town here since 1825. The history of this city in Northeast Florida goes much, much farther back. Many of the 19th-century buildings remain in the downtown district.
Today Fernandina Beach it is a bustling little city of about 13,052 people living within the city limits. Probably at least that many more live on Amelia Island. It is a self sufficient place with a solid paper industry, a shrimp fleet, and plenty of service industry jobs generated by the affluent retirement and second home communities of southern Amelia Island.

Suggested Photo Opportunities
* Interior & Exterior St Peters Church
* Tree-lined Main Street and shops
* Palace Saloon - The Ship Captain's Bar and Florida's Oldest Saloon 1903
* Amelia Island Lighthouse (careful Coast Guard property may be secured)
* Amelia Island Pier at Sunrise (TBD directions)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernandina_Beach,_Florida
https://www.florida-backroads-travel.com/fernandina-beach-florida.html

Pensacola - maybe the oldest

11/7/2021

Pensacola is one of the oldest and most historic cities in America, with a settlement that predated even St. Augustine's (but only lasted a short time). Pensacola became part of the U.S. in 1821, and it was officially incorporated in 1825. Its history far predates this time, and it was ruled by five different flags in its history. It is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle.

Pensacola is the site of the first Spanish settlement within the borders of the continental United States in 1559, predating the establishment of St. Augustine by 6 years, although the settlement was abandoned due to a hurricane and not re-established until 1698. Pensacola is a seaport on Pensacola Bay, which is protected by the barrier island of Santa Rosa and connects to the Gulf of Mexico. A large United States Naval Air Station, the first in the United States, is located southwest of Pensacola near Warrington; it is the base of the Blue Angels flight demonstration team and the National Naval Aviation Museum.

Suggestions for Photo Opportunities:
* Naval Air Museum
* Pensacola Lighthouse
* The Historic District
* Fort Pickens (may be closed but exterior photos available)
* Pensacola Pass
* Pensacola Beach Pier

Key West, FL.

11/2/2021

The island is the southernmost point in the continental US and is actually closer to Havana, Cuba than it is to Miami. This small island has a rich and varied history. The town has an independent and free-spirit as demonstrated in its 1982 symbolic secession from the Union when it dubbed itself as the Conch Republic. This unique spirit is perhaps why so many artists and writers have made this place their home at various times including Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, and Robert Frost.

Suggested Photo Ops
* Sunset on Mallory Square (arrive early, however the best light is after sundown and crowds leave)
* Ernest Hemingway's Key West Home
* Key West Historical Cemetery
* Local habitat - Roosters
* The southern atoll 90 miles from Cuba (early to avoid crowds)
* The Key West Lighthouse
* Street night time photography (Strand theater, pubs, people and other low-light photos)

Matlacha, FL. - Old Florida Art and Fishing Village

10/28/2021

If you want to experience the colorful charm and laid-back lifestyle of turn-of-the-century Florida, the old fishing village of Matlacha is the place to visit. With a population of under 800, this waterfront community of artisans and fishermen is located on a tiny island in Matlacha Pass on the road between Cape Coral and Pine Island.

Matlacha, pronounced Mat-la-SHAY, means “Big Warrior” in Seminole, and the history and heritage of this community extend over many centuries. Sign up for a walking tour of the island’s unique and eccentric homes, bars, galleries and gift shops or just park beside the road and make your own discoveries. It’s like nowhere else!

Suggested Photo Opportunities:
* Daylight & nighttime photos of the art and craft shops
* The main bridge highlighting locals fishing and the Bridge House at night (lighted)
* Colored pilings at Bert's Bar & Grill - waterside
* Sunset from the Bridge and moored vessels
* Side canals highlighting water proximity to homes

Additional information:
Florida Back Roads Travel - Matlacha and Pine Island
Must Do - Visitor Guide and Drone Overview by site