24 photos that show how different a destination can look when it's photographed by a professional versus an amateur

The Wave in Arizona looks majestic against a starry evening sky.

The sand's colors pop a lot less without the starry sky as a backdrop.

 

The Norwegian village of Geiranger just begs to be photographed. The umbrella adds a whimsical quality to this shot.

 

The town still looks cool here, but not as alluring.

 

This shot of Positano on Italy's Amalfi Coast is particularly vibrant.

 

The buildings don't look nearly as charming in this shot, though.

 

This solo traveler manages to look very trendy in front of this stunning, impressive view of Machu Picchu in Peru.

 

This view — while still impressive — looks a little more realistic and touristy.

 

The waters of Iceland's blue lagoon look inviting and serene in this photo.

 

Not quite as serene in this photo.

 

This photographer was lucky enough to get camels in her shot of Petra in Jordan.

 

This tourist was not as lucky.

 

This is a beautiful and unique angle of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.

 

This angle is a little less exciting.

This photographer was able to catch the Chamarel Waterfall in Mauritius with a rainbow and lush greenery.

 

The waterfall looks a little more dull in this photo.

 

India's Taj Mahal is richly colored and perfectly centered in this post.

 

Not so much in this one.

 

The Rakotzbrücke in Glabenz, Germany, looks straight out of a fairytale with hazy sunlight and a couple holding hands.

 

Not as fairytale-like without the lighting and romance.

 

This depiction of Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, features the exciting splash of waves and bright blue waters.

 

The waves don't look as exciting or as bright in this depiction.

 

This photo shows Spain's Plaza de España in Seville bathed in warm light complete with a romantic boat ride.

 

The plaza looks a little more deserted here.