Olympic Entrance sign
This roadside landmark marks the entrance to what was the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, and the large decorative sign featuring vintage athletic pictograms makes for a striking and nostalgic shot. Position yourself low and slightly off-center to give the sign some visual weight against the sky, or shoot straight on for a clean, symmetrical composition. The sign works well as a foreground anchor with the surrounding Sierra Nevada peaks filling the background, so a wide angle lens in the 16-35mm range lets you capture both. Golden hour light in the morning or late afternoon adds warmth and dimension to the lettering and metalwork, while overcast days give you even tones without harsh shadows. Parking nearby is straightforward and the sign sits close to the road, so you can set up quickly without much walking. (Olympic Valley, California, United States)
