Best Places for Scenic Photography in Virginia Beach, Virginia

What types of places for scenic photography are available in Virginia Beach, Virginia?

Scenic photography is an American passtime that has captivated enthusiasts for over 100 years. Whether your're hiking into the woods or just stopping on the side of the road on the way home from work to capture a sunrise over the ocean, your photos can bring hours of joy to a large audience or just your family and friends.  If you are on the coast in a place like Virginia Beach opportunities abound for getting great shots of a wide range of scenery.

The ocean presents itself on nice days as a comforting dreamscape that can take your imagination to times past of hanging out with friends.  On stormy days it can inspire awe and make you feel small and vulnerable or sad and insecure.  Farmland and wilderness offer grass roots scenes of everything from fields and hills to forests and lakes.  Lighthouses and other historic sites can add content or context to a shot.

Where are the best places for scenic photography in Virginia Beach, Virginia?

A trip to the Virginia Beach Boardwalk can afford great scenic photo possibilities without going far off the beaten path.  Sandbridge beach and others are also available and since the Atlantic is always changing no two shots will ever be quite the same.  The time spent at the beach is fun and lends itself to peace and relaxation, so there is more there than just photos to be had.

If you want an adventure a bit further outside the concrete jungle, First Landing State Park offers 2,700 acres of cypress swamps, woods, and numerous bird species who nest in its protective seclusion.  Hiking trails lace the park and provide access for even those unable to break trail into virgin forests.

Another wilderness option is the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which offers the possibility of getting some animals into your scenic views if you are so inclined.  A hike through the Isle of Wight in Smithfield can give you a chance to photograph fields and nature scenes.

Use the water, too.  When it comes to great places for scenic photography in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the peer is a good way to get out into the sea a little and give your shots perspective back toward the shore.  There are businesses that rent paddle boats and other watercraft that grant you access to little traveled waterways and hidden coves on the rivers.

If you want to shoot something with a bit more history try the old Cape Henry Lighthouse, which also has tours for $5.  Another historic site, with a nice chance for scenic nature photos along the way, is the hike through Grandview Nature Preserve which finds its way to the Back Bay Lighthouse Ruins.

The beautiful landscape and its lush greenery present an endless supply of photo ideas for hobbyists or professionals looking for the best places for scenic photography in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  These wonderful sites all afford unique compositional elements that can inspire a photographer to look at scenes just a little bit differently.