Photography is a popular hobby and can be a great profession if you are good at it. However one of the biggest struggles that photographers phase is finding places to photograph. There are some locations that are just naturally meant for photography and PIXEO can help you locate these locations.
PIXEO is an essential app for photographers designed to help them discover photo-worthy locations from around the world. This app was made by Shawn and Lisette Kent who are photographers themselves. Being made by photographers it caters to the needs of both professional and hobbyists.
So if you were looking for places to photograph but not sure where to find them PIXEO is the answer to your problems. The sheer number of photography locations PIXEO offers with easy discovery options makes it easier to find your next photography location.
We have tested the PIXEO app extensively and we are sharing our findings in this review article. Keep reading to learn if this app is any good and how it can make you a better photographer.
What is Pixeo?
Pixeo is a photography app that was a project of a couple from Canada that started it for the love of photography. Shawn and Lisette realized the importance of a platform where photographers could go to find places to photograph. They stumbled upon this idea when they were traveling and couldn’t find a way to find good places to photograph. So they decided to launch PIXEO to make it easier to find photography locations across the globe. PIXEO was founded in 2017 with the help of an app developing company to create this app. The idea was to create a free app that contained verified photography locations for both iOS and Android.
The founders of PIXEO collected and verified thousands of photography locations and they feature the work of photographers as a means to promote them. PIXEO is headquartered in Canada however their global collection of photo worthy locations keeps growing by the day.
What are Photo Maps by PIXEO?
As mentioned earlier PIXEO contains thousands of photo locations that are verified for authenticity. And you can access the specific location information for these locations using Photo Maps by PIXEO.
This feature contains accurate maps of specific regions of the world to allow easy navigation for photographers who want to reach them. So instead of loading up the photo map for the whole world which would take longer, they added regional maps for easier navigation and faster loading times.
Here are some of the major regions that you can access through PIXEO region-specific maps.
USA Photo Map
The most prominent photo map on PIXEO is the USA Photo Map. It contains thousands of photo locations across all the states of USA. So if you are looking for a photography spot in the USA in any of the 50 states then this is the map you should explore.
Canada Photo Map
Canada has its own photo map in PIXEO and it has most of the photography locations from the most beautiful Canadian photography destinations including the Maritimes, Ontario, Quebec, and the West Coast.
If you are planning your photography adventure in Canada then this is the map you should be looking at.
Europe Photo Map
Europe is a big region and finding photo-worthy locations in such a vast area can be tricky. Luckily PIXEO has a photo map dedicated to Europe that gives you access to all types of photo locations.
Whether you are looking for natural landscapes, or historic places to capture the Europe Photo Map will have every type of location you may want to photograph.
Iceland Photo Map
Iceland is famous for its unique geology, especially its beaches. However, if you aren’t from the region it may be difficult to navigate and find these photographic locations in the vastness of the region.
The Iceland Photo Map gives you access to these amazing photography locations across Iceland so you can make the most of your next trip to Iceland.
United Kingdom Photo Map
The United Kingdom offers more than just architecture there are breathtaking lakes, and parks waiting to be photographed. All you have to do is download the PIXEO app to find those locations in the UK.
Australia Photo Map
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most photographed places in Australia but if you are looking for something more unique to photograph in Australia then a glance at the Australian photo map reveals tons of locations across the region.
From Australia’s mountains, and lakes to breathtaking Islands you will find everything in the Australia photo map.
New Zealand Photo Map
New Zealand is a photographer’s dream with everything from wild mountains, to beaches and bustling cities. However, getting to these photography wonders is no easy task.
The New Zealand Photo Map organizes all the photo locations across New Zealand in an easy to view layout for all the enthusiasts out there.
South America Photo Map
South America is known for the nature photography opportunities it has to offer. With rainforests and beaches teaming with wildlife South America is a heaven for nature and wildlife photographers.
South America Photo Map in Pixeo is your ticket to finding hidden gems across South America.
Photography Guides
Pixeo is made by photographers and for photographers and their photography guides are a testament to the creator’s love for the hobby. Pixel is filled with guides that cover various aspects of photography including tips to take great photos and location ideas.
Carefully crafted guides are not only easy to follow but offer proven photography knowledge from experts explained in an easy-to-understand way. So whether you are just starting out in photography or have been taking photographs for a long time Pixeo photography guides have something to offer for everyone.
Some must-read photography guides from Pixeo app include:
Top 10 Christmas Destinations for Photographers: If you want to capture the true Christmas magic through the lens of your camera this guide by PIXEO gives you 10 places where you can do just that.
Capturing the Grand Canyon: If you want to capture the phenomenon that is the Grand Canyon you need to be prepared. The Capturing the Grand Canyon guide by PIXEO gives you all the tips you need to take breathtaking shots of the iconic canyon.
Garden of the Gods: Garden of the Gods is a public park located in Colorado Springs that justifies its name completely. The Garden of the Gods guide explains how you can capture the scenery of the park in all its glory.
Sunset Photography Tips: Every photographer has tried to capture the sunset at least once. And if you want to truly capture the essence of the sunset the sunset photography guide by PIXEO is the one for you.
Understanding F-stops in Photography: Knowing F-stops can greatly enhance the end result of your photos. This guide covers the F-stops settings and lets you figure out how you can make the most of your camera.
Fireworks Photography: Fireworks can be tricky to capture even with the right equipment. If you want to capture the perfect fireworks shot in the night sky then the fireworks photography guide is the one for you.
St Dunstan in the East: St Dunstan in the East used to be a Church of England parish church. It is located between London Bridge and the Tower of London and it is one of the most photo-friendly spots in London. This guide shows you how to capture the St Dunstan in the East and other iconic locations in London.
Oradour-sur-Glane in France: If you love photographing historic and culturally significant places then Oradour-sur-Glane in France should be on your list.
This guide gives you all the knowledge you need to photograph the Oradour-sur-Glane in France.
Los Angeles Views: Log Angeles has everything a photographer looks for. Lights, beaches, and the famous cityscapes. The Los Angeles Views guide covers the top spots for taking the most scenic photos on your next trip to LA.
Yosemite Falls: There is something about waterfalls that attracts photographers. Yosemite Falls are one of the most popular falls in the world and this guide has all the tips you need to capture these falls in all their glory.
Search Tool on the PIXEO Website
Don’t have time to browse through thousands of destinations and guides on PIXEO? You can use the search tool by entering keywords such as the name of the country, or the type of spots you want to photograph e.g. beaches and forests.
You can use the search tool to find your required results among 50,000 photo locations on PIXEO within seconds.
PIXEO Photo Challenge
PIXEO holds a photography competition for photographers which is a great platform for you to showcase your best photographs. You can not only get recognized by winning the PIXEO Photo Challenge but there are also prizes to be won.
If you want to get exposure for your photographs then this challenge is a great way to get your work out there quickly. Here is how this competition works.
What It Is:
You can submit your best photos to the competition every month. These photos can get your work recognized while inspiring others who may want to recreate them.
The prizes for winning entries are given as Amazon gift cards and the prize for winners of the monthly challenge is a $100 Amazon gift card. If you win a monthly challenge you can then enter the annual challenge and get a chance to win an even bigger prize.
Rules to Enter:
Rules to enter the PIXEO Photo Challenge are simple all participants must be at least 18 years old. You can upload the photos through both the Pixeo app and website and the best photo is picked via voting each month.
The voting takes place at the start of each month for a 7-day period and users can vote for their favorite photo without making an account on PIXEO.
Your Photos Are Safe
Pixeo has a strong policy against reselling or using your photos against your will. So you can rest assured that the photos you submit remain yours and Pixeo only uses them for the intended purpose.
Not to mention you get credit for your work which is an added bonus if you want to gain exposure. You can submit any number of photos you want to the competition and increase your chances of winning.
What is PIXEO APP?
By now you probably understand that Pixeo is an app for photographers that is free to use for iOS and Android. However, it also has a pro version that comes with several paid features:
Free Version:
Cost: Absolutely free!
Features: You get access to thousands of photo locations and region-specific maps.
Ads: It displays some ads, but they are made to be not too intrusive.
Pro User Account:
Cost: There are two subscription options:
Monthly: $1.99
Annual: $9.99
Features: Pro users don’t see any ads on Pixeo app and they have access to additional features including the ability to save photo spots, locate photo-worthy locations, and get a pro badge for your profile that is visible to other users.
While the free version may be enough for most hobbyists if you are a professional photographer you may want to choose the pro version. The additional features may come in handy if you use Pixeo daily as a part of your job.
How does the PIXEO App work?
Since Pixeo is primarily a mobile app you have to download it on your phone via Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Once you have downloaded the app here is how you can use it:
1. Discover Great Spots
You get to explore thousands of photo spots and easily find great locations around you or at the destination you plan on traveling to.
2. Upload Your Photo Locations
If you know a great photo location that you think other photographers might also like you can upload it to photo locations. You can upload the location of the photo and you will get credit for the photos you add.
3. Quality Assured
Pixeo doesn’t just approve any photo location that gets uploaded to the platform. The photo locations are verified to make sure they are actually safe and accessible.
4. Explore for Free
You get to explore the app for free which is a major advantage of Pixeo. You get access to knowledge and locations that you wouldn’t have come across anywhere else.
Then again if you feel like you want access to pro features you can always upgrade to a pro plan anytime.
How is customer support?
Pixeo has fairly decent customer support with a 48 hours turnaround time for user queries and complaints. However, since the app itself is pretty simple and user friendly there is very little need to reach out to the Pixeo support team for help.
Pixeo also has a FAQ section where you can get assistance for commonly asked questions.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Free to download with a massive collection of over 50,000 photo locations worldwide.
- User-contributed content enhances the variety and scope of photo spots.
- Offers both Free and Pro versions to suit different needs.
- Quality assurance of each photo location ensures reliability and relevance.
- Monthly and annual photo challenges provide opportunities for recognition and prizes.
- Photography guides offer valuable tips and inspiration for various locations and techniques.
Cons:
- Customer support replies might feel slow with a 48-hour response time.
- The Free version includes ads, which might be a minor inconvenience for some users.
Conclusion
If you love taking photos even with your mobile phone then you need to download the Pixeo app. It has something for every photography enthusiast. Whether you want to find new destinations to photograph or learn more about capturing the perfect photo this app has it all.
With Pixeo you never have to worry about finding your next photo-worthy location again. Simply load up Pixeo find a photo spot near you and capture the best possible shots.
And who knows maybe your photo entries may even be chosen as the challenge winners and you may recieve exciting rewards.
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