Some places are so iconic that they are actually quite hard to photograph. Ask anyone for their most famous buildings in the world and the Taj Mahal will usually feature at or near the top of their list. Here’s a few thoughts on photographing the Taj Mahal. Thousands of people visit the Taj Mahal every day so that’s the first thing to be aware of. It makes it hard to take the classic reflection photos but not impossible. Wait your turn for the inevitable queue of selfies until you can jossle your way into a prime spot.

There’s another great place for the classic reflection photo about half way towards the Taj Mahal. Again expect it be busy but wait your turn, get down low and get the shot you need.

I like to have fun with reflections so on the following image I’ve  zoomed in more and then flipped it over.

One way of beating the crowds is to buy a sunrise ticket but hundreds and hundreds of other people will have had the same idea. The Taj Mahal opens at 6am but if you get there much later than 5.30am you’ll spend ages in a long long queue to get through the security procedures which will defeat the object. Get in early and you’ll have lovely light and far fewer people.

Talking of people, the classic entrance shot which is taken by framing the Taj Mahal through the grand entrance building will nearly always be mobbed. So use this by waiting until you have interesting people in the foreground.

Or go for the silhoutte shot …

There’s a troop of Rhesus macaques which are always somewhere to be found so keep an eye out for them. Here I photographed them hanging out on the railings at the back of the Taj Mahal overlooking the river.

These images were all taken on my Taj Mahal and tigers photography trips – more info about these are here