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We love taking a few snaps while on holiday, keeping memories alive, and sharing our experiences in the world's most beautiful and fascinating places to visit with our friends. Good travel photographs capture the very essence of a destination, whether it be a famous landmark, colorful culture, architecture, history, or local cuisine.

We celebrate amazing travel photography and rightly so, but what about the times when it all goes wrong? Those hilarious occasions when people have traveled across the world and completely failed to share its beauty in a photograph. Times when they would've found more culture in their local supermarket than that blurry pic of the pyramids. This list of disappointing travel photos is funny for its self-awareness. These people understand the irony of traveling thousands of miles to see a tourist attraction that just happens to be cloaked in fog or undergoing repairs.

Scroll down below to see a collection of the very worst travel images of gorgeous places to see ever taken, and share your own in the comments!

#1

I Finally Got To See The Golden Gate Bridge Today

I Finally Got To See The Golden Gate Bridge Today

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So how can we improve our travel photography? Expert Vagabond has a few handy tips for beginners.

Wake Up Early, Stay Out Late: "The early bird gets the worm. I’m sure you’ve heard that phrase. Well, it’s also very true for travel photography. Light is the most important ingredient for great photography — and soft, warm, morning light creates amazing images."

Pre-Trip Location Scouting: "Read travel guidebooks about your destination. Scour the internet for articles and blog posts to help give you ideas for photos. Talk to friends who have been there. Reach out to other photographers. Become more knowledgeable about which images will capture the essence of a place."


#2

Not Mount Rushmore, But I Woke Up At 3am And Hiked Up Machu Picchu To Be There At Sunrise...

Not Mount Rushmore, But I Woke Up At 3am And Hiked Up Machu Picchu To Be There At Sunrise...

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#3

Traveled Thousands Of Miles To See The Big Ben

Traveled Thousands Of Miles To See The Big Ben

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Marcus Morgan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look on the bright side. Big Ben is actually the name of the bell hidden inside the clocktower, so very few Other people have seen it either!

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Rule of Thirds: "One of the most basic and classic of photography tips, understanding the Rule of Thirds will help you create more balanced compositions. Imagine breaking an image down into thirds horizontally and vertically, so it’s split into different sections."

"The goal is to place important parts of the photo into those sections and help frame the overall image in a way that’s pleasing to the eye. For example, placing a person along the left grid line rather than directly in the center. Or keeping your horizon on the bottom third, rather than splitting the image in half. Remember to keep that horizon straight too!"

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"Composing using the Rule of Thirds is easily done by turning on your camera’s “grid” feature, which displays a rule of thirds grid directly on your LCD screen specifically for this purpose. Now, before you compose a travel photo, you should be asking yourself: What are the key points of interest in this shot? Where should I intentionally place them on the grid? Paying attention to these details will improve the look of your images."

#4

After Our 9 Hour Car Ride, This Is The Picture My Mom Took Of Us At Mt. Rushmore

After Our 9 Hour Car Ride, This Is The Picture My Mom Took Of Us At Mt. Rushmore

ZimbleGoat Report

#5

Took A 6 Hour Coach Journey To See The View From Hitler’s Eagles Nest (Bavaria, Germany)

Took A 6 Hour Coach Journey To See The View From Hitler’s Eagles Nest (Bavaria, Germany)

the_englishman Report

Make Photography A Priority: "Attempting to take quick snapshots as you rush from one location to another will leave you with the same boring photos everyone else has. Make sure you plan “photography time” into your travel schedule. Good travel photography requires a solid time commitment on your part."

Patience Is Everything: "Photography is about really seeing what’s in front of you. Not just with your eyes, but with your heart & mind too. This requires dedicated time and attention. Slow down and make a conscious effort at becoming aware of your surroundings before pressing the shutter."

"Pay attention to details. Are the clouds in an eye-pleasing spot? If not, will they look better in 15 minutes? Sit at a photogenic street corner and wait for a photogenic subject to pass by. Then wait some more, because you might get an even better shot. Or not. But if you don’t have the patience to try, you might miss a fantastic photo opportunity! Good photography takes time. Are you willing to spend a few hours waiting for the perfect shot? Because that’s what professionals do. The more patience you have, the better your travel photography will turn out in the long run."

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#6

Planned A Dream Trip To China. This Is What The Great Wall Looked Like

Planned A Dream Trip To China. This Is What The Great Wall Looked Like

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#7

4 Days Of Trekking Through Mud To Machu Picchu Resulted In This Glorious View

4 Days Of Trekking Through Mud To Machu Picchu Resulted In This Glorious View

JSlasha88 Report

Always Bring A Camera: "There is a saying in photography that “the best camera is the one you have with you”. Be ready for anything, and always carry a camera around, because luck plays a pretty key role in travel photography. The difference between an amateur photographer and a pro is that the pro is planning in advance for this luck, ready to take advantage of these special serendipitous moments that will happen from time to time."

"You never know what kind of incredible photo opportunity might present itself while you’re traveling. Maybe while out walking you happen to stumble upon a brilliant pink sunset, a rare animal, or some random street performance. Keep your camera on you, charged up, and ready for action at all times."

For even more great tips like these, as well as some of the most amazing travel shots, check out Expert Vagabond for yourself!

#8

I Saved Up My Entire Life For A Dream Trip To Mt Fuji. Here's The Best Photo From It

I Saved Up My Entire Life For A Dream Trip To Mt Fuji. Here's The Best Photo From It

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Daria B
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was a senryu poem about that. It was something like "to see mt. Fuji in your dream.... What a blessing! No travelling costs"

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#9

This Is Me Experiencing The Grand Canyon

This Is Me Experiencing The Grand Canyon

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#10

Mt. Everest View At A Peak In Nepal

Mt. Everest View At A Peak In Nepal

ankitkrofficial Report

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ADHORTATOR
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Happened to me for Mont Blanc....always foggy wehen I was there...four times

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#11

Drove All The Way From Southern California To See The Golden Gate Bridge

Drove All The Way From Southern California To See The Golden Gate Bridge

SilentPear Report

#12

Flew To The National Gallery In London To See Van Gogh's Sunflowers (Free Entrance) Only To Learn It's Been Loaned To Another Exhibition With $25 Entrance Fee....

Flew To The National Gallery In London To See Van Gogh's Sunflowers (Free Entrance) Only To Learn It's Been Loaned To Another Exhibition With $25 Entrance Fee....

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Lisa Chambers
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We were pumped up to go see Monet at the Albertina in Austria, to learn that most of them had been loaned to tour America. We are Americans.

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#13

I Flew 10+ Hours To See Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

I Flew 10+ Hours To See Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

HurleyFerk Report

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phantomed avatar
Edgar Rops
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, this is perversely fortunate: it usually looks like Cinderella's Castle. With all that fog it looks like count Dracula's. Creepy...

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#14

Drove 1 1/2 Hours Out Of Our Way To See Mount Rushmore. It Was Foggy When We Got There

Drove 1 1/2 Hours Out Of Our Way To See Mount Rushmore. It Was Foggy When We Got There

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#15

My Parents Got To Visit Mt. Rushmore Today For The First Time. The View Is Spectacular!

My Parents Got To Visit Mt. Rushmore Today For The First Time. The View Is Spectacular!

HoneyBadgeSwag Report

#16

I Drove 21 Hours To Mount Rainier, And It Was Cloaked In Fog For Days

I Drove 21 Hours To Mount Rainier, And It Was Cloaked In Fog For Days

allybearound Report

#17

Climbed To The Top Of Mt Fuji To See Sunrise At 04.30, But It Was Foggy And Wet And Cold

Climbed To The Top Of Mt Fuji To See Sunrise At 04.30, But It Was Foggy And Wet And Cold

0801013 Report

#18

8 Hour Flight, 5 Weeks Of Anticipation, And An Hour Long Bus Ride To See The Cliffs Of Moher. Fog Had Other Plans

8 Hour Flight, 5 Weeks Of Anticipation, And An Hour Long Bus Ride To See The Cliffs Of Moher. Fog Had Other Plans

The_Greatest_Mate Report

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Podunkus
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is still a great photo for your memory book.

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#19

I Went On A Three Week Trek Around Mt. Manaslu In The Himalayas. Part Of It Peeked Through The Clouds One Time...

I Went On A Three Week Trek Around Mt. Manaslu In The Himalayas. Part Of It Peeked Through The Clouds One Time...

snekfarm Report

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#20

Hiked 4 Days To See Machu Picchu

Hiked 4 Days To See Machu Picchu

iBoy21 Report

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C Hypercube
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's 1AM and I read it as "hiked 4 days to see Pikachu". I should go get some sleep.

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#21

The Time I Flew 13 Hours To See The Great Wall

The Time I Flew 13 Hours To See The Great Wall

Shark-Farts Report

#22

Went To Visit Casa Batlló In Barcelona

Went To Visit Casa Batlló In Barcelona

KarmaCollider Report

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Aunt Messy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are many, many buildings in this style al over Barcelona. Missing one is not a tragedy.

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#23

Traveled All The Down To See The Golden Gate Bridge And This Is What I Got

Traveled All The Down To See The Golden Gate Bridge And This Is What I Got

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FloC
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a great picture ! I like how it disappears in the fog.

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#24

Traveled​ To Wittenberg, Germany In 2011. The Door Martin Luther Nailed The 95 Thesis To Was Being Restored

Traveled​ To Wittenberg, Germany In 2011. The Door Martin Luther Nailed The 95 Thesis To Was Being Restored

Trowj Report

#25

My Trip To Mount Rushmore Last Year

My Trip To Mount Rushmore Last Year

parkourgamer Report

#26

Flew To Another Continent To Watch The Glacier 3000, Cant Say Worth It

Flew To Another Continent To Watch The Glacier 3000, Cant Say Worth It

aneminemfan Report

#27

This Is Why Selfie Sticks Were Invented

This Is Why Selfie Sticks Were Invented

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#28

When You Go To London To See Big Ben

When You Go To London To See Big Ben

E_AD Report

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SirPatTheCat
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But isn't it fairly common news that it was going to be under construction for 4 years? I don't even live in the UK

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#29

The Spectacle That Is Mount Rushmore

The Spectacle That Is Mount Rushmore

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#30

Went Out Of My Way To Visit Crater Lake

Went Out Of My Way To Visit Crater Lake

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Dan White
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You did well! Was there on a June 27th, they had a big snow storm and closed the roads going in and out. The road around the lake had not been plowed of their winter snow yet.

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#31

Went To The Top Of Mt Pilatus In Lucerne, It Was Cloudy...

Went To The Top Of Mt Pilatus In Lucerne, It Was Cloudy...

hyzerhuck1989 Report

#32

Flew 6,000 Km's To See The Night Watch ...

Flew 6,000 Km's To See The Night Watch ...

ChrisRandy416 Report

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vita ariztegui
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

saw it last year and it was IMPRESSIVE. wish you could go back and finally have the experience yourself!

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#33

Our Trip To Mt. Vesuvius

Our Trip To Mt. Vesuvius

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#34

My Trip To The Grand Canyon

My Trip To The Grand Canyon

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BusLady
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In that fog, I would be too afraid to get that close to the edge.

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#35

It’s Not Mount Rushmore Or Machu Picchu, But This Was Our View Of The Grand Canyon After Coming Down From Canada

It’s Not Mount Rushmore Or Machu Picchu, But This Was Our View Of The Grand Canyon After Coming Down From Canada

heeeresjohnny123 Report

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CbusResident
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why sometimes you do want to do things exactly when all the tourists do; I got to the GC in early August, it was packed with tourists, but in the bright, blazing sunshine it looked like a storybook image of a romantic Old West drama.

#36

I Raise You “Traveled 10 Hours To The Grand Canyon”

I Raise You “Traveled 10 Hours To The Grand Canyon”

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#37

I Drove 3 Hours Out Of The Way To See Mt. Rushmore

I Drove 3 Hours Out Of The Way To See Mt. Rushmore

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#38

Mt Fuji In Tokyo Was On My Bucket List Unfortunately It Was Foggy... Left The Next Day Disappointed In Life

Mt Fuji In Tokyo Was On My Bucket List Unfortunately It Was Foggy... Left The Next Day Disappointed In Life

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#39

I Flew Into Colorado Today Then The First Thing I Did Was Climb Mount Quandary, This Was The View From The Top

I Flew Into Colorado Today Then The First Thing I Did Was Climb Mount Quandary, This Was The View From The Top

thefoodieat Report

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#40

Flew 9,000 Miles To Climb Adams Peak At 2:30am For The Legendary Sunrise. Amazing View

Flew 9,000 Miles To Climb Adams Peak At 2:30am For The Legendary Sunrise. Amazing View

hereforthecomments1 Report

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#41

I Live In Texas Where I Do Not Get To See The Ocean A Lot. I Was Excited To Go On A Business Trip To Santa Barbara And See Sunny California. I Supposedly Came The One Week Out Of The Year It Rains

I Live In Texas Where I Do Not Get To See The Ocean A Lot. I Was Excited To Go On A Business Trip To Santa Barbara And See Sunny California. I Supposedly Came The One Week Out Of The Year It Rains

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#42

4 And A Half Hour Hike, The Smoke Came When We Got To The Top

4 And A Half Hour Hike, The Smoke Came When We Got To The Top

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#43

My Trip To The Edge Of The Grand Canyon A Few Years Ago. Once In A Lifetime Event

My Trip To The Edge Of The Grand Canyon A Few Years Ago. Once In A Lifetime Event

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Zelda Blue
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was at this spot as well to see the Grand Canyon. I got to see a line of tourists that had just unloaded from a bus all standing in line with their cell phones and selfie sticks waiting for their chance to stand on that rock and take a picture. When they were done they all lined up against the railing. We had to drive to another spot to view the canyon.

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#44

Mnt Fuji Everyone. Took A Two Hour Train To The Wrong Stop. Missed A Train And Wade It To Mnt Fuji. Was Not Disappointed

Mnt Fuji Everyone. Took A Two Hour Train To The Wrong Stop. Missed A Train And Wade It To Mnt Fuji. Was Not Disappointed

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#45

I Was Finally Able To Take Some Paid Leave, Worth Every Penny!

I Was Finally Able To Take Some Paid Leave, Worth Every Penny!

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