Michael Kirchoff's Five Favorite: Destinations to Photograph

Tallinn, Estonia

When I was first asked to do a Five Favorite of my destinations to photograph, I thought, “no sweat, I can rattle that off in no time!” In actuality, it has been difficult and a bit painful. There are so many wonderful and exotic places to go in this world, with so many exciting cultures and people, that it really is excruciating to narrow a list down to only five. With that in mind I decided to make it my top five that are NOT some crazy difficult-to-get-to places that few people have heard about, but done more in the way of recognizable and accessible to everyone. Besides, one of my favorite things to do when visiting someplace obvious or touristy, is to photograph it in a way that is quite unlike anything else done before, or better yet, in a way that focuses attention away from the typical. Well, at least to my knowledge anyway. Therefore my list is made up of fairly common destinations that anyone would find fascinating from a visual standpoint. Also, I made up the list by city name. I didn’t want to be so broad as to name countries in general, nor so specific as to list actual sites or locations. People tend to make plans in this way anyhow, even if they have a narrowed idea of exactly where and when they go when they step off the plane or out the door.

Now I really don’t consider myself well traveled just yet, having visited maybe a couple of dozen countries in total. That’s a lot by some peoples standards, and a joke to others. But then, I’m not exactly done exploring yet, now am I? I also have a tendency to make my travels a solo endeavor a great deal of the time. Other people don’t always agree with the “just one more trip around the Colosseum”, or “we’ll just get up a couple hours before sunrise” mentality I have. Oh, and even though I enjoy eating in a nice restaurant as much as the next person, I’d rather just stay out shooting with an energy bar and a bottle of water. Staying active and shooting is time better spent to me. I didn’t go all that way to eat some chefs five-star seared octopus skewers (though it sure sounds yummy), I want to experience what the people and the landscape have to offer!

So here is my list, in no particular order. I’ve included only a few notes on each, as I would rather you did your own research and then go and discover them yourselves. However, if you ever need more advice, tips on traveling with gear (or film!), or want to know other worthwhile destinations, please feel free to reach out and drop me an email anytime.

St. Petersburg, Russia 

Now, if you know anything about me at all, or have seen any of my work, you know that I have a fascination with Russia. After visiting St. Petersburg the very first time, that fascination turned into a passion and love for a city that has placed it as my most visited foreign destination to photograph. Most people, myself included, consider St. Petersburg to be the cultural capital of Russia. Known as Leningrad during Soviet times, it is also a very untypical Russian city in terms of its layout and architecture, with a more Western feel than anywhere else in Russia. This is a city that was planned by Peter the Great to be the major seaport of Russia, and with the help of French, Italian, and Dutch architects, it was built with a number of waterways and canals that only lead to the inherent charm of this great city. One can spend a lifetime exploring the cities museums (Hermitage Museum anyone?), theaters, galleries, and monuments. I know I said this list is in no particular order, but between you and me, this is my number one pick.

Beijing, China 

Beijing is the place to go to ease into the culture shock of going to China. Full of history and culture and smog. Unbelievable amounts of smog, second only to the amazing places to discover. Don’t let it keep you away though, that would be a huge mistake...it does, after all, lend itself to some intense sunsets. I’ve found China in general to be a very friendly country, and Beijing is no exception, even with the big city vibe. People are extremely helpful if you’ve lost your way (which can easily happen) and will help you out with directions. Since it’s such a big city, English is pretty widely spoken as well, and people will help you practice your Chinese just about anywhere. One thing I noticed while exploring there was that most of the major sites require a lot of time to truly see. You will need an extended period of time when in places like The Forbidden City, The Summer Palace, and The Great Wall, for there is something quite wonderful at every turn.

Paris, France 

Do I even need to tell you why Paris is a favorite? You all already know more about this city without me telling you anything about it. All the great things you hear about Paris are absolutely true. Sure someone is going to be rude to you, but you knew that already too, so why not just laugh it off as another Parisian experience. Besides, if this was your home, you just might act the same way to someone like me butchering your language in an attempt to purchase bread and cheese to sustain you while walking around. Paris is full of romance, history, amazing food, and some of the most stunning architecture anywhere in the world. It truly is The City of Light, in more ways than one. Yes, there is the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame, but it is within the parks and streets that amazing scenes reveal themselves day in and day out...just ask Atget or Cartier-Bresson. Paris should be on everyone’s bucket list, photographer or not.

Prague, Czech Republic 

Visually, a city trapped in time, both over the long and short term. I had a thirteen year break in between visits here, and it seemed as though it was only a week. Not only were there very few changes to the establishments of the city, but during both visits I even spotted the same elderly gentleman playing violin in the shadow of Prague Castle, photographing him on 35mm film in 1998 and with my iPhone in 2011. My means of photographing him changed far more drastically than even him or where he played!

Thanks to the Nazis using Prague as a base of operations during World War II, this city suffered few casualties in the way of all the bombing going on. I could easily spend a week exploring gothic Prague Castle or St. Vitus Cathedral held in its midst. This is the kind of city that I tell people to “just go”...don’t ask questions, just go! Normally I’m a bit of a sissy when it comes to winter travel (I am from Los Angeles after all), but I feel that being here under a blanket of snow would prove to bring a whole new level of astonishment to the landscape. My own next visit here might be just that.

Tallinn, Estonia 

The original “Old Town” city center of Tallinn is the closest thing I know of to walking into a medieval world. Much like Russia, Estonia was a source of fascination for me as a child, being introduced to it by a comic book character by the name of Cerebus (nerd alert). Oh yea, a comic book that proved to be right when I arrived and was immediately transported back in time. My whole reason for even visiting Tallinn was that at the time I did not know a single person who’d ever been there, or even knew anything about it. Perfect enough reason for me to go then! The funny about Tallinn though, even though it has a reputation for being the center of Bohemia, it is also listed as a top ten “digital city”. Basically a city of technology, especially in the world of broadband communications and wireless networks. This is where Skype was invented, not that you would guess that standing at the base of the spire of St. Olaf’s Church, looking down at the original walled layout of the city. Another nice feature of Tallinn is its close proximity to both St. Petersburg, Russia, and Helsinki, Finland. Indeed, I arrived there from Russia via bus, and left for Finland via hydrofoil. In fact the Tallinn to Helsinki run and back is a hugely popular route for local weekend travelers looking for a change of scenery. Do yourself a favor and try out the photographic trifecta of St. Pete > Tallinn > Helsinki and you’ll come home full of stories and amazing images to go with them!

Beijing, China

Yes, I know, I didn’t include any cities in the U.S., but it was my intention to highlight the places that you need to really “get away to” on purpose. I have plenty of destinations in the U.S. I could include as well, but like I mentioned before, it was an impossible task to include all of my favorites. Seriously, how can you have a list of top five photo destinations and NOT include New York, the street photographers wet dream?! Clearly this is not a comprehensive list. What Top 5 list is? This is simply my own Five Favorites list as of today, and will most certainly change in the not so distant future. I want it to change, and change dramatically, for that would only mean I’m still out there exploring and discovering new places on the planet to cram into this list. The new entries could be very obscure, or they could come from a small town only a few miles away, and that’s the beauty of exploring. Travel can be expensive at times, it can be difficult or daunting, but it can also be life changing. You really don’t have to go very far at all, in fact, home may just well be your favorite place to visit, wherever it may be. What I would like more than anything is that you come up with your own list, then shatter it while you continue on your own journey...and I do hope you create some amazing photographs along the way. Safe travels everyone.

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." - Saint Augustine

Prague, Czech Republic

Photography has been a part of Michael Kirchoff's life since childhood, and an all consuming passion since his teen years. His work has graced many walls with solo exhibitions in Los Angeles, New York, Astoria, Oregon, and as far away as Lishui and Shanghai, China. Images from several collections can also be found in publications like Fraction, Adore Noir, Diffusion, B&W, Square, PH, Seities, and in blogs and sites like Lenscratch, Light Leaked, F Stop and Plates to Pixels. Michael’s photographs and constant blathering are all over the interwebs of Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram, hoping that a future copyright case isn’t in the not so distant future. When not talking so highly of himself in third person, he can be found planning his next get away, packing a minimum of clothing items in between mounds of cameras and Polaroid. Michael has also been known to be that guy getting pat down by irate TSA officers for carrying Ziploc bags full of sodium sulfite and lead bags full of film through security at your favorite airport....as if the concept of a favorite airport even exists. He also likes to list things, as evidenced by this bio and everything you’ve read here today.

New 55 Film

New55 photographed by Polly Chandler 

Alright, 4x5 photographers. We have a Kickstarter to get behind. New55 FILM is taking up the challenge of filling the market of the discontinued Type 55 film. The product has a different quality than Type 55, but from what I can tell from the samples, it looks beautiful. The product will produce a negative and a positive, and is used with a 545 Polaroid Land Film Holder. To learn more about the film, pledge a donation, and find out about other pledge perks, check out their Kickstarter. If they meet their goal, film is expected to shipped out in 8 months.

Here is some more information by Michael Kirchoff about New55:

There’s a new Kickstarter campaign on the block, and they want your hard earned money to help them bring about a new film for photographers to make images with. Film?...yes film. Some brief info on what it is and what they plan to do, before letting you watch the video and explore further on your own. The name of the film is New55, and it is a re-imagining of sorts of Polaroid’s legendary Type 55 positive/negative film, which ceased production back in 2008. That end was a shock to the system and careers of a great many photographers out there, as it was used for both commercial and artistic purposes. It was the film with the famous deckled edge and identifiable border that came in single sheet form for 4x5 view cameras. It had incredible tonal range and sharpness. It was loved by so many photographers out there that petitions to keep it in production flooded the halls of Polaroid. None of that worked however, as you might have guessed. Some, myself included, purchased and literally hoarded box after box of the film and put it into cold storage to be used sparingly until even now, because the thought of not having it is, well...sort of incomprehensible.

So what is New55? It is a film that uses Type 55 as a template for something similar, but quite different, and in some ways, an improvement. It still comes in single sheets of 4x5 black and white film. It is still a positive/negative film...meaning that upon peeling the shot sheet open, you are presented with a black and white positive print, and a high resolution negative of the same size, for either printing or scanning. One improvement is of a “green” nature, in that the redesign of the actual film packet means that less trash is created after it’s used. The possibility that the ISO of the film will be higher than Type 55’s ISO 50, maybe even as high as 200. Lastly, the film is exposure balanced, meaning that when you shoot a properly exposed sheet, you get a tonally rich print AND a perfectly exposed negative...something that Type 55 could never do. Cool, right? You’re damn right it’s cool, and quite beautiful as well! It’s also worth noting that there is no 4x5 black and white instant film currently in production anymore. Even Fuji has bailed on it. That leaves a big hole in what is a seemingly declining film market...or is it? Now is the time to get in on this Kickstarter, and hopefully, when fully funded, it will bring us a new and improved film worthy of making new art.

There is something quite special that occurs when using a product like instant film, especially one that gives you both a print and negative. Creating an instant tangible object with so much soul like that is the closest thing to magic that I can even think of. Even digital photography cannot instantly give you both a print and a negative! A long time ago in the very early days of my career I started working for an incredible photographer and mentor by the name of Alan Ross. Alan was one of Ansel Adams’ former assistants, and was (and still is) the guy who gets to make prints from Ansels original negatives that are sold in the Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite. On a couple of occasions I even assisted him in the darkroom during the making of these prints. I still have in my mind the very vivid memory of holding one of these hallowed negatives, ‘Moon and Half Dome’ to be exact. Let me tell you, I may as well have been holding a Fabergé Egg or the Hope Diamond as far as I was concerned. That negative was such a physical object of incredible history and culture, that it still resonates with me today. I think the new photographers out there willing to try something different than digital will see this in a film like New55. They get to create something tangible that has the potential to ignite their passion like nothing else.

This is what brings me to another reason I have for writing this article. One of the things that had been mentioned to me by the team behind New55 was that they felt a new, younger audience would be in the forefront of making pledges and showing support of their new endeavor. I was a little surprised at this initially, being one of the older, and past users of the original Type 55 Polaroid. However, the more I thought about it and the more I looked at what was happening with the analog photographers out there, I changed my view and now feel that they are absolutely right.

I recently read a post made on a Facebook page regarding New55 and the idea of bringing back a little of the old technology. The person responsible for the post stated that he liked having as broad a range of materials as possible to use in making our art, however, to not look to the old trends in using these materials. It seemed so contradictory to me, and made me think that a younger photographer would never think in those terms. It’s like saying that the original Ford Mustang or Chevy Camaro were so unbelievably great, but the contemporary versions have nothing to offer the new buyers, or the changes in technology could not possibly have made any improvements to them. Perhaps referring to New55 as a reinvention is not as accurate as saying that it is more of an evolved version of its predecessor, with some improvements, but still exciting and different. Honestly, the days of discussing the validity of what you shoot with are over. I don’t care what you use, just make the imagery the best you can with whatever it is that suits your vision. Truly, it is the newer generation of artists that are embracing the ways of old and trying out the things that often appear difficult or problematic. I suppose that some would simply call them hipsters, but really, that’s just another label for people to put on those who do things differently than they do. When you’re younger, you tend to be more optimistic about the world, and certainly more willing to get behind something you feel passionate about. Youth also seems to be more likely to take on risk. As “they” say...better to have tried and failed, than never to have tried at all. There are never any guarantees, but at least something was learned in the process. I know that as I find myself getting older, I try to remain young at heart and optimistic still. It gets harder every year, sure, but I do my best. I prefer to remember myself in those terms, when I was wide-eyed and excited about photography and the career I had chosen. That’s why I find myself getting behind the efforts of those responsible for New55 Film.

So now that you’ve read about me and my crazy romantic feelings towards analog photography and using film, I think it’s about time to move on and let you do some investigating of your own and draw some conclusions. Some may be with me, and some may not. The great thing is that everyone gets to have their opinion, and I’m more than willing to listen to yours. I’ve been doing this for a very long time, so you probably won’t be able to change my thoughts or opinions, but I definitely want you to form your own. Every now and then I hear someone write or utter the phrase “Photography Is Dead”. I can’t even seriously consider something like this to ever be true. With so many new and talented photographers out there willing to explore the limitless possibilities, how can it? Photography can only die if we give up on it and let it die. I don’t give up, and neither do the people behind New55 Film. Watch the video, do some research of your own, and consider the pay it forward aspect of this incredible opportunity. Thank you so very much for reading. 

Michael Kirchoff

Michael has spent his years capturing the still image of people, cultures, and landscapes with a unique and distinctive style. A native Californian, Michael resides in Los Angeles, though equally at home trudging through Redwood forests, riding the rails deep into Siberia, or navigating the chaotic streets of Tokyo. Michaels fine art imagery has garnered recognition from the International Photography Awards, the Prix de la Photographie in Paris, been published in Black & White, Fraction and Diffusion Magazine, as well as often exhibiting work throughout America. He has also been an active Board Member for the L.A. chapter of the American Photographic Artists since 2006.

View more of Michael's work here

Ashley Kauschinger: Several of your projects have a deep relationship to travel, architecture, and landscape. When did your love affair with this subject matter begin? What do you think is powerful about it?  

Michael Kirchoff: Some of my earliest memories are of flipping through the pages of National Geographic Magazine and being dazzled by the photos contained within their covers. Every page was a new and exotic location that I’d never heard of, and I was completely mesmerized by it all. It wasn’t just the thought of traveling to these exotic locations, but noticing how mankind was changing and shaping the existing landscape with its very own marvels of science and architecture. The structures that different people and cultures have constructed throughout history have always fascinated me. My parents, particularly my father, had a deep love of history, and this contributed to my desire to get out and explore. Around the same time I was given my first camera for my birthday, and used it extensively on a trip that I had been inspired to plan myself, while I was between the ages of seven and ten. My parents and I traveled by car throughout the Western U.S. for a month while I snapped away, and I was hopelessly addicted to travel and exploration of both the natural and man made world from then on.

The power derived from shooting this subject matter comes from creating images that give you a definite sense of the scale and magnitude, revere the past, and at the same time present them with an air of mystery. This mystery that I love to inject into my work is what I hope brings people to go out and discover these and other places for themselves. I’m a big advocate of getting out there and experiencing the wonders of this planet yourself. People need to leave their fears behind and not let it keep them from discovering the things that have the potential to bring them great happiness. Search and you will find, so to speak.

AK: Where are some of your favorite places to travel -- Top 5 locations you have photographed? 

MK: That is a difficult question, but I’ll do my best to keep it down to five. Here’s the basic list that comes to mind at present: St. Petersburg, Russia; Prague, Czech Republic; Beijing, China; Harbour Island, Bahamas; and Lake Baikal, Siberia. Within the U.S however, I could shoot forever in places like NYC or San Francisco and the Bay Area. Also, some of the most incredible natural spaces I’ve ever encountered could be found in states like Utah, Colorado, or along the coast of Maine. Okay, I get it, too many already right? I told you it was difficult to keep the list brief. The immense and varied landscape of the U.S. is always calling, and the history and culture of Europe and Asia needs also to be experienced and documented by anyone with even and inkling of curiosity.

The largest body of work I’ve been creating has been photographing the cultural landscape of Russia and her former territories.  It’s called “An Enduring Grace”, and I’ve been working on it consistently since 2007. That series alone has led me to travel solo along the original route of the Trans Siberian Railway, a journey that I will certainly never forget. It is also one that had enabled me to visit cities and towns I never would have seen otherwise, and bring back some truly wonderful images. There was a bit of trepidation about going at it alone, but then my process usually dictates that I am alone in order to achieve my desired results.

I’ve found it quite the challenge traveling and shooting alone throughout Russia, since I have no ties there and cannot read or speak the language. Thankfully though, I’ve always seemed to find a way to get around language barriers. Maybe my furious hand gestures and charades-like acting amuse people well enough to get me into, and back out of, some difficult places.  Because of my love for travel and history, I’ve developed a deep connection to Russia, both in terms of its culture, and of course its people and landscape.

AK: Describe your shooting process. Did you get permission to photograph in these locations? Do you like to work slowly with a large format camera, or to be more mobile with a toy camera? 

MK: First of all, before I leave for any location, I do a fair amount of research. I get some travel guides, peruse Google for helpful links, and occasionally reach out to people through social media who have insight into where I’m headed. It doesn’t bother me to go into a location blindly, but I’d rather have a rough outline in my head as to what I may want to achieve while I’m there. My process often leaves much to chance, so if I can eliminate some questions and variables while I’m out there, then much the better.

Permission to me is a relative term. I will definitely ask it if I feel it’s my only option, but will often find my own way to get things done if I’m refused. Going in through the out door has allowed me to get places most people don’t get into, at least for a short time. I like to fly under the radar whenever possible, but often stand out in a crowd, so I find the need to be quick on my feet. I like to shoot well-known places as well, but in a much less than conventional way than people are used to seeing. I usually find myself taking on the role of observer while I’m shooting, so I’m constantly hiding, stalking, and trying to predict what will happen next within my current environment. This goes for weather I’m shooting people and events, or even an architectural subject, as clouds and weather patterns play a key role in many of these images.

My fine art work finds me using cameras and film that are often unpredictable or downright problematic. I don’t know why, but for some reason I like to make things difficult for myself while I’m working. I usually use things like Diana and Holga toy cameras for some of the images, and a 60’s era Graflex XL medium format press camera for others. With either camera I sometimes forego even using the viewfinder, finding it unnecessary for my needs. Anyone who’s ever used a toy camera knows that they can break at any given moment, so I usually carry several. The Graflex allows me to shoot expired Type 665 Polaroid (also very unpredictable) to get a large negative, while still allowing me the mobility and quick reaction I like. It’s really the best of both worlds for me, but again, it is also a camera with its own set of quirks. Once, while traveling by ship along the Volga River between Moscow and St. Petersburg, the lens I was using had the shutter mechanism die on me. I had a different backup lens, but didn’t like the results I was getting with it. I was only a couple of days into this trip and thought I had a disaster on my hands. I went back to my cabin and with nothing to lose, began to disassemble the lens as much as I could with the few tools I had with me. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong exactly, but upon putting it back together, it suddenly worked again! It hasn’t failed me again since that happened three years ago. Quite often, luck prevails.

AK: What advice do you have on how to support yourself while being a fine art photographer, staying motivated, and conceptually moving forward?

MK: Thankfully, I sort of have it easy there. I don’t just shoot fine art work, I’m also a commercial photographer, and often work with other photographers doing lighting for still and motion projects. I travel often for that as well. Every single day I am immersed within some aspect of the photographic medium, so quite often the fine art side motivates and supports the commercial side, and vice versa. I have to say however, more of the motivation comes from the community of other photographers I work with, and am friends with. I feed off of the excitement others show for their own work, and love being supportive of their efforts. I am always amazed at the ideas others come up with for some of their work, and that in turn helps motivate me to conceive new work. Be honest and gracious with your colleagues, and it will return to you tenfold. This I know from experience.

Also, networking through social media has become an important part of staying out there and working hard. When I hear of someone saying they’re headed to overseas to shoot, it gets my blood moving, and I begin to think that I need to be out shooting and exploring more myself. I always have one eye gazing out at the horizon wondering where to go next.