The Sydney Opera House. The Wanaka Tree. Crawley Boat Shed. Sugarloaf Rock. Turimetta Beach.

What do all these locations have in common ? I've heard them all referenced by other photographers as "overshot". That is, too many photographers go there to get the same shot and then share it online. I know of some photographers who seem to take pride in avoiding these locations and go for more out of the way, off the beaten path places. While I don't begrudge anyone who's into travelling to far flung places and camping in the middle of nowhere to get shots of unique spots, the way it's held up as a point of pride and elitism baffles me.

Here in Sydney we're spoiled for locations to shoot, especially landscapes and seascapes. I've visited nearly every location within the Sydney coastal strip. That include places like Turimetta beach which is a seascape mecca for a lot of photographers. Does that mean I shouldn't shoot it anymore ? Of course not. And my reasoning is very simple.

You can take shots of Turimetta today and come away with some nice images. I can go there tomorrow and shoot the same spot you did. My images will be different. Why ? Weather. Today you might have shot Turimetta with clear skies and low tide. Tomorrow I might shoot it with heavy cloud and a high tide. While you'll recognise the same rocks etc, the mood will be entirely different. That is why I return to the same locations, because the conditions will be different - tide, swell, wind, cloud all will have changed. Depending on the time of year, even the light will be different.

So I cannot subscribe to this mindset that you only visit a location once, and then you tell all and sundry that you've already shot it and now it's being "overshot". Please ! This sort of photographic elitism bores me to tears. If that's your thing then great, have at it Hoss, but don't then use it to somehow make it seem that you're a better photographer because you won't shoot the same location twice or go to popular areas.

My mantra is to keep visiting places I enjoy shooting, and continue to look for compositions I've never shot before, and enjoy whatever conditions nature provides. Everything else I personally think is a bit too much over thinking and navel gazing for what should be an enjoyable hobby that gets you outdoors.

Agree ? Disagree ? Rolling your eyes ? Let me know in the comments below. :)