Patagonia has long been a dream destination for photographers—dramatic peaks, vast landscapes, and the raw beauty of nature. I had high hopes of capturing my own version of this rugged terrain, expecting to find inspiration in the remote landscapes and the challenge of shooting in unpredictable weather. After finally making the journey, I left feeling uninspired, frustrated, and disappointed. And honestly? I have no desire to go back. Here’s why.
Too Many People, Too Few Moments
When I imagined Patagonia, I pictured solitude—standing in awe at towering mountains all to myself. The reality? Crowds. Everywhere. Whether at Torres del Paine, Fitz Roy, or El Calafate, I was constantly surrounded by people, many of whom were there just to check it off their bucket list. The dream of capturing untouched landscapes was shattered when every viewpoint was packed with tourists taking selfies. Even reaching these locations required long and exhausting bus rides. These were usually filled with other travelers who had the same itinerary, making the journey itself feel like part of the tourist machine rather than an adventure into the wild.
It Didn’t Feel Like Chile or Argentina
One of the most rewarding parts of travel photography is immersing yourself in the local culture—learning the language, talking to locals, and capturing the spirit of a place. But in Patagonia, I only heard English. Hostels, restaurants, and even trail conversations felt more like a North American or European travel hub than South America. As someone trying to improve my Spanish, I felt like I missed out on a key part of the experience.
$45 a Day to Shoot Landscapes?
Let’s talk about the cost. National parks in Patagonia charge hefty entrance fees—up to $45 per day for Fitz Roy, and even more expensive in Torres del Paine. When you’re staying multiple days to capture different lighting conditions, it adds up fast. Unlike other wild destinations where you can freely explore, Patagonia feels like a pay-to-play experience, which took away from the sense of adventure.
The Photos Felt Unoriginal
Despite the stunning scenery, I struggled to create images that felt personal or unique. The reality is, Patagonia has been photographed to death. The classic sunrise shot at Laguna de los Tres? It’s been done a million times. The jagged peaks of Torres del Paine? Hard to make them look fresh when you’re standing in the same spot as dozens of other photographers. While I expected to be inspired, I instead found myself wrestling with the feeling that I was just replicating what had already been captured countless times.
Would I Go Back? Probably Not.
Patagonia is undeniably beautiful, but for me, photography is about more than just landscapes—it’s about the experience, the culture, and the feeling of connection to a place. While I don’t regret the trip, I left knowing that there are other, less commercialized locations where I can find that inspiration again. So, if you’re a photographer looking for solitude, unique shots, and deep cultural immersion, you might want to think twice before booking a ticket to Patagonia.
How dare other people show up to a locale that has been heavily marketed to attract tourism! How dare the countries require money to fund park upkeep and benefit their people! And ugh, the nerve of photographers taking pictures of the same mountains!
I know, right? I don't get how or why people just think everything should be free or that they are the only ones who are expected to be at these locations, as if the masses should not be there. I get it that some people don't like big crowds, but don't go to places where there will be big crowds. IJS
This mass phenomenon is not entirely unknown and now dominates not only the entire photography influencer scene. For years now, I have been deliberately visiting the "negative space" of mass tourism. The good news: it exists. The bad news: how long will it last?
I think Mr. Chandler has a basic understanding of Patagonia. He comments on his dissatisfaction because he went to the probably 3 most popular tourist spots in Patagonia and they were packed with people, and he couldn't find any angles or inspiration for his photos. It's like saying that I want to take pictures at EL Gran Capitan and complaining because there are too many people and the photos all end up looking very similar. And even worse, saying he wouldn't return to the Western Cost for that reason. Argentine and Chilean Patagonia is full of hundreds of places to photograph that have practically no tourists. Towns off the beaten track with great cultural value.
But of course that means doing a survey and research of the places and not just choosing them from the comfort of a travel agency.
Had the same experience at Angkor Wat. It was more like Grand Central Station in New York.
The best way to see Angkor Wat is, in my opinion, to see mostly the surrounding area, which is actually around 150 square miles, and only spend enough time at the huge main temple to see it and be done with the huge crowds. Local transportation, such as Tuk Tuks, ae not expensive to hire for the entire day (around $20 or so), and they can take you to far less visited places. A bit of walking will take you away from virtually all crowds, and you'll have photos that others do not get. In fact, there are temples scattered all around Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar (off limts now, but I went there before the military destroyed the people there) etc. I understand that there are now helicopter rides (!), which completely destroys the ambiance of anywhere.
I spent 5 years traveling in Southest Asia after I retired, and my wife is Thai. When we first went to Angkor Wat in 2006, the place was virtually deserted in early morning. I understand that it is now a nuthouse all of the time.
Then you didn't do your research because the whole temple area is massive - we drove for 2 hours away and were still in the 'temple area'! Over 5 days 90% of the temples we visited (many) had zero, or at worst 2-3, people there.
Of course Angkor Wat is going to be crowded - it's over-marketed (because it's amazing) and is very very close to Siem Reap. And I went there before dawn to get a shot of the reflection in the pond in front - not one person there when I arrived (an hour before dawn) and even at dawn just a handful (by an hour after dawn 80-100). Timing.
This article is lame AF.
It is, frankly, embarrassing
I’m appalled that other people had the gall to go to Patagonia while you were there. Couldn’t they have gone some other time. Didn’t they know who you were? The entitlement of them. Do they think they are special or something? Disgraceful too they are charging money to be able to pay locals to upkeep the park. It should be free. Chilean and Argentina taxpayers should be more generous Photographers have to pay thousands for camera gear and they expect them to have 45$ to pay for entry to photograph. How inconsiderate is that. Yes if I were you I’d refuse to ever go back.
Couldn't disagree more with your take here. I spent a month there last autumn and loved every second. Backpacking leaves the crowds behind, which I thought were on the light side anyway. Rental car in Punta Arenas was crazy cheap, so avoid the buses. I guess anything is what you make of it. Sounds like you didn’t make much. That's your fault.
Thanks for this article. While I will at some point go to Argentina, I won’t be going to those places.
The first time I went was 2010 and it was not easy to figure out the trip and the W. You just had to be a bit brave and plan best you could and figure it out as you went. The same holds true now. You have to go to new places and be a little brave, adventurous means just that. Out of your comfort zone. The world has changed and I'm afraid we've lost a lot with the internet and bloggers. Much of the worlds mystery is just gone, just gone. I've lived through the change and it remarkable. Also many places are not as safe anymore. I hitchhiked over the Kyber pass in 1977 but you can't do that now. Now I still enjoy photography. I don't care how many people shot the same thing. I have a good time, enjoy the outdoors and take some awesome pictures. When traveling It's all about making the most of every day no matter what.
It is fair to be annoyed about the resources spent on an experience which did not meet expectations. However, like anywhere: you might have a more unique time if you struggle for it a bit more. People tend to go to THE spot for THE photo, and rarely stray far from the established path. If you want the hot-spot to feel a little more lonely you'll probably have to wait for another pandemic.
Yep. Thanks for sharing your experience (or lack there of). So many good photos undocumented to capture. Keep on keepin'!
Sooooo, you dont do any research and then feel entitled to complain? lame. Also, Patagonia is 3000km long and about 1000km wide. You went to the 3 most visited places. Have you been anywhere else? The moment you move to more remote places there are less people, and its cheaper. But then maybe you have to make an effort...
Well well well.... there are many problems here. I can give you my opinion as an argentinian thas has travel a bit of my country, including what you call Patagonia.
1) Patagonia is not Calafate and El Chalten. Andean Patagonia extends over hundreds of kilometers and there are a lot of places, including National Parks, that are lonely and unvisited yet. You could make some research and try and explore other places, too.
2) Patagonia is not Argentina. There are thousands of kilometers of the Andean mountains you could visit, with an overwhelming variety of landscapes. For example, last year I went to Jujuy (to the North of Argentina), where you can visit a rain forest and see the transition to the Puna (highlands). Completely different landscapes and as much as beautiful.
3) If you like to have a feel of Argentina, anyone knows that you should not go to Patagonia, which is overcrouded with tourists. Do your research! Culturaly speaking, Argentina is a very diverse country. Again: go to Calilegua region in Jujuy. Nobody speaks in English there (and good luck with that!).
4) I agree with the high access costs to trails. That was recently enacted by the new goverment, those f*** libertarians that turn everything a business for their own benefit.
5) If there are a lot of people beside you and you feel that the photos feel unoriginal, the problem is you. That means you are in the most accesible and popular spot, that obvioulsy has been photographed to death. Do your research!!! Go to unexplored placed. O even better: train your creativity to make an original picture of a well known place. That means mastering landscape photography.
My own two cents....
I get what the author is talking about.
They are not being critical of that tourists are there. The problem might be hie limiting thr pkacr could be.
Ive not been there, ive been to many US national parks. Ive seen how things have changed over 30 years.
I recall being in zion np in the virgin river narrows not far from when it starys. It was early august. The only number of others sering thus with me in thr immediate area was a couple snf kne ither person. Gling to that same area at the same time of year i would see 100+
Many tourists are doing the " griswald". In nany of thr parts you can wander a bit and get your view. Or you need yo be very patients with thr clods, sun, and wind.
I get whst the author us s as ying.
Ive bern doing dtiff for 30 yrs snd i have sern th he c rrg owds grow in dize.
Many of them are "griswald"s in thrir visits.
I have not been to south america. I dont know how restricting the park is to wandering
30 yrs sgo i was in zion narrows near where it starts. It ess mid summer. It was m.j e snd a fee other people. Same place at the samd time of year and its 100+
I've learned that many of the overcrowded areas (in the U.S. and overseas) have nearby places which are nearly as nice, and end up being far better as they are nearly deserted. As a retired U.S. National Park Ranger, I NEVER visit popular National Parks etc, but drive on backroads on Forest Service and BLM areas, and usually camp (camping is not always necessary however). I do the same thing overseas, and have been to many places where tourists are nowhere to be seen.
You went to the three most visited parks in one of the most famous locations in the world and were frustrated that you couldn't find anything original to shoot? If you were looking for something original, maybe get off the beaten path.
I had to check this wasn't an April Fools article. I traveled to Patagonia, lost my camera in a taxi on the first day, relied on my Pixel Pro 6 for the rest of the trip, and still took better photos than the ones in this article.
Patagonia is big. Like really big. If you want the sweeping vistas and isolate described in a book like "Surviving Patagonia" then guess what, you gotta earn them. Hop in a car and drive away from El Calafate. Keep driving. Eight hours later, you'll arrive at Perito Moreno National Park. Presuming you've done the appropriate preparation (scheduling, guides, etc) you'll be able to through-hike the park over multiple days in true isolation.
We did this, two weeks before the season formally started, so it was technically still winter. We were the only ones in the park, which meant we were the only people around (apart from the gate ranger) for 50km.
The real isolation is not in the open parks, but in the estancias. You have to spend quite some time around and arrange things, talk to people, learn the ways, and then you´ll get to remote places.
This is the reality at all the beautiful national parks in the US too. I went to Yosemite and was so put off by the crowds. Same at Seqouia. Almost impossible to just go sit with nature and take inspired landscape photos. Just selfie zombies everywhere.
Someone needs to seriously stop traveling to any famous place, period. It's like this all over the world.
As a European it's a long trip to Patagonia, I'm on my way back for yet another trip, one of many! The beauty of LGNP is that you do have freedom to roam. You can find places off the beaten track. With some glacial experience you can circuit the Fitz and Torre range. My favourite season is winter. On winter days you can occasionally feel like the only person in the park. The new $45 entrance fee his high, but an annual fee is affordable for those keen to really immerse themselves in the park. I still get inspired even after three years in Chalten.
Yo!, don´t tell about the winter ;-) hahahah
Well, if someone travels all the way to Patagonia from distant lands, $45 shouldn't be much of a problem.
So you went to major places in Patagonia and complain about the crowds. You go to a world renowned place where a lot of people dream of but cannot afford. You then tell everyone how annoyed you are with everything and how you'd never go back even though you got to experience (for most) a once in a lifetime trip. This is nothing but a reflection of how entitled you are.
This has to be the most gringo article I've ever read in my life.
You go to somewhere as a tourist, you're probably going there because you've been hit by publicity stunt in someway and complain that other people decided to be there too?
You spend all this money on camera gear, travelling and complaining about an upkeep fee?
You take mid pictures and the problem is the place?
I am sure Chilean/Argentinian people should be very grateful that Chandler is visiting and letting him do everything for free. Hell, they should've carried you around to the most photogenic spots. Talk about gringo entitlement when travelling.
If you talked only in English when there, it's your own fault.
Mah comps! They stompin!
Good grief, the quality of articles on this site is really sliding. Who the fck approved publishing this junk?
I'm titling my comment, "Why I'm Not Going Back to Read Anything Written by Chandler Borries on Fstoppers as a Photographer."
Why didn't you go out hiking in the wilds? That would guarantee being by yourself. I feel like either you're very young and naive or just never been traveling before... I'll let you in on a secret, you gotta go off a beaten path to be by yourself in popular natural places. Sounds like you almost wanted to be grounded down by tourist industry.
So after reading your article, and coming away with disbelief at your takeaway message: "Patagonia" is ruined and nothing worth shooting or experiencing.
You must be the root cause of your own complaint that's actually directed at yourself. As many others here have commented, Patagonia is vast and mostly absolutely unpopulated. There's nearly unlimited adventure and solitude for the intrepid. Torres del Paine and El Cheltan are overrun because of easy access and infrastructure.
I then read your little bio :
"Chandler Borries has traveled to over 55 countries. He specializes in visual storytelling and has worked with brands such as Arc'teryx, Marriott, and National Geographic". Um okaaay.
My only guess is you are a studio photographer that gets dropped into highly staged high budget productions that are trying to replicate the image of adventure for a brand, but you are really having the antithesis of experience, adventure, insight, wonder ... You get your image, which has no personal meaning to you and get paid.
Stop counting countries (whenever someone prominently displays their country count it tells you right away they are cheap tourists that only care about image and surface level gratification). Go somewhere uncomfortable. Wander. Connect with people. Get curious. Put in effort. Study maps and trip reports of expeditioners. Be open. Reflect. Create. Experience.
Hi Joe, thank you for the comment. I would happily reply to every negative/critical comment on my article, but I'd rather not respond to nasty comments just to explain myself. I think it's easy to assume things just from an article or reading somebody's bio. You're actually completely wrong, I have never shot in a studio once in my life. I am a travel photographer that has only shot in natural light. I have lived outside of the US for over a decade. I live in countries for 2-3 months minimum to actually experience the culture and document it. Being a freelance travel photographer, saying I have been to over 55 countries can help legitimize myself to brands or in the travel space, which has helped get work along the way. I'm not sure if you are or know what it is like to be a freelancer, but you have to hustle and sell yourself (hence my bio).
The thing that upset me about Patagonia is everything you see online is only about Fitz Roy or Torres del Paine (Nobody is talking about the "remote locations") Everything you read is about how amazing and empty those parks are. When you create expectations in your mind about a place, and for good reason from reading articles like that, you expect it to be quiet. But when you finally arrive to these parks and it seems more like a theme park rather this rural, remote experience, you leave feeling a certain way. I have been to very remote locations in the world like east Greenland and parts of Alaska, which is what I was maybe expecting with these parks of Patagonia since it is advertised that way.
And I'm sorry for not responding to all of these previous comments, I don't check this much. If people want to speak to me about my articles, please reach out to my email or Instagram and I'm happy to chat. Thanks!
I agree. I'm retired from the U.S. National Park Service (law enforcement), and now never go to National Parks (except for the mostly unvisited ones). After I retired as soon as possible, I traveled for over 8 years in Central/South America and Southeast Asia, from northern China to Indonesia and Vietnam to Nepal/India; I met my wife in Thailand and she also likes seclusion, despite being from Bangkok. Much of that travel was in completely non tourist places, where the locals stared at me, but were very friendly.
I wish that people, camera buffs or not, would go to see the lesser known places, where they are mostly alone. Nothing like sitting under a black, non artificial lit sky, be it in Nepal or Utah. I seldom see U.S. tourists in most of these places; they are usually Europeans.
I'd say this is an indictment of the travel industry, not photography per se. Travel in general has been heavily commoditized, standardized and packaged. The root of of the problem has 2 aspects. First, too much demand - as the world has gotten richer, more people now find they can afford travel. And the industry accommodates them, but at a cost to everyone in terms of a degraded experience. Second, the disease of social media causes mobs of mindless selfie-seekers to queue up in front of every single "sight" you came for.
You're absolutely right because the same phenomenon has occured for photographers in an equally 'unspoiled' location, New Zealand but having grown up there I know that off the tourist trail lie places that have never or rarely been photographed before even to this day. It's easy to be disheartened. I am and also reluctant to add to the problem of pollution and overcrowding by travelling at all. It's a conundrum but if you absolutely have to go then do your research and stay off the beaten path.
Shame on fstoppers for publishing this elitist nonsense. This article is so full of contradictions that it’s hard to count them all. The most ridiculous is the complaint that Patagonia is too crowded and yet the entrance fees are too high. Well, if you want to eliminate the crowds then raise the daily entrance feee from $45 to $450. That will get rid of everyone. If you go back 75 years, only the very wealthy could see gorgeous places like Patagonia. The fact that more and more people now have the means to go is a good thing.
LOL! Classic clickbait trolling. Well done, but super annoying.
I have the same feeling for most of the famous tourist destination. My camera stays in the bag when the "energy" of the location is off. Way too many location "destroyed" by tourist..
I missed going to the Vatican/Sistine Chapel over 20 years ago. I decided this past Feb. while I was in Europe to go visit it. OMG, the crowds and the lines. How depressing that the masses just shuffled by often attached to the screens of their phones. Horrid. However, that didn't stop me from being overwhelmed by the incredible artistry of the works on display. The museum's Gallery of Maps is just unbelievable.
The crowds, sad. The galleries incredible.