Photography Highlights
Photography memories to bring home on your South America adventure
Culture, cuisine, city life — South America undoubtedly has some of the best. On this adventure across four countries, you’ll encounter people, landscapes, and flavors that you’ll remember forever. Here are some ideas and tips to help you make the most of your journey and return home with snapshots you can’t wait to show off.
Culture
In Argentina, you’ll gain an understanding of the country’s cowboy culture at a Polo Ranch. The polo demonstration is an excellent time to capture the gauchos in action, making for unbelievable photos set against the arid, dusty backdrop of the ranch.
Pro Photo Tip: In Argentina, your private tango lesson will occupy your hands, so make sure to ask your Adventure Leader or a fellow traveler to snap some shots of you. Between the flamboyant outfits of your instructors and the passionate dance moves, this is an experience you’ll surely want to share with friends and family back home!
Pro Photo Tip: In Argentina, your private tango lesson will occupy your hands, but make sure you ask your Adventure Leader or a fellow traveler to snap some shots of you during the lesson. Between the flamboyant outfits of your instructors and the passionate dance moves, this is definitely an experience you’ll want to share with friends and family back home!
Nature
Don’t forget your GoPro when you head into the thundering Iguazú Falls on both the Argentinean and Brazilian sides. We’ve enhanced this adventure with a Macuco Safari Boat Ride, which is a thrilling way to experience the falls up close!
Speaking of water, you’ll see both sides of South America, from Valparaíso’s hillsides on the Pacific to the world-famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro on the Atlantic. You’ll get great views of Copacabana Beach on a cable car ride to the top of nearby Sugarloaf Mountain, too.
Pro Photo Tip: Sunrise and sunset are the best times to photograph most natural locations, as the bold, striking colors make the details of the country stand out. Timing your photography sessions for an hour or so before sunset (known as golden hour) can make for beautiful photos, as the light bathes the landscape in warm hues without washing out colors.
Cuisine
Qué sabroso! You’ll have plenty of opportunities to photograph food on this adventure. Food is, of course, one of South America’s tantalizing specialties. Your home-hosted lunch with a Chilean family in the Colchagua Valley will make for a memorable afternoon, so be sure to capture a few images of your hosts —ask permission for posed photos and candid shots.
Pro Photo Tip: Think of photography like telling a good story — there’s a beginning, a middle, and an end. Chronicle your home-hosted lunch from beginning to end, while documenting the progress of your empanada-making, too!
Architecture
South American architecture is a mix of modern, colonial, and baroque. Many churches and large government buildings were built under baroque influence; you’ll find the greatest 18th-century examples in Brazil. In Argentina, you’ll have plenty of time to explore architecture too, from the mansions of the Recoleta neighborhood to the rainbow-contrasted homes of La Boca.
Pro Photo Tip: When shooting buildings, prioritize your angles. Great lighting can emphasize a space, but good perspectives are also crucial. Choosing new viewpoints can expose new possibilities and reveal overlooked forms or details. Also, don’t be afraid to include people in your architectural shots — buildings wouldn’t exist without people, after all!
