Posts Tagged ‘Oregon’
Monday, May 6th, 2013
The View By David Cobb
There is a place I go to photograph off a non-descript pullout on Highway 14. It’s found along the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, it’s easy to get to, and I keep returning for the view. Mt Hood stands over the town of Hood River, Oregon and windsurfers and kite boarders ride the winds to skip across the summer swells of the Columbia River. Osprey, bald eagles, and vultures fly overhead and an occasional wild turkey gobbles from the nearby woods. It sounds idyllic, but it’s not. Cars speed by to someplace unknown, semi-trucks roar through with a blast of wind at their backs, and litter is scattered about the land. I come here to watch fireworks in July and I arrive for the view, but mostly I keep returning to photograph.
I love the view from here looking west down the Columbia River Gorge. I usually frame my image of the scene with 20% land and 80% sky, capturing the receding buttresses of the Gorge dwarfed by the skies above. In this transition zone from wet to dry, the heavens paint a different canvas each and every day—and so I return. Some days I arrive for sunrise, sometimes sunset, and other times to catch the drama of spring showers and rainbows, but everyday it’s about the view that is forever changing.
Do you have a place you keep returning to? Let me know in your reply.
Spring Showers
Columbia Gorge Sunrise
Columbia Gorge Sunset
Columbia Gorge Showers
Columbia Gorge Morning
Columbia Gorge Barge
Tags: Cascadia, Columbia Gorge, Columbia River, Columbia River Gorge, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, David Cobb, David M. Cobb Photography, digital photography, Hood River, landscape photography, Oregon, Photography Techniques, river, sky, sunrise, sunset, transportation, WA, Washington, water
Posted in Locations, Philosophy, Photo Travel | 12 Comments »
Monday, March 25th, 2013
Photographing the Klamath Basin
By David Cobb
One of the West’s great photographic treats is visiting the Klamath Basin on the Oregon and California border during the fall or spring bird migration. I’m not a birder, but the site of so much wildlife surrounded by a beautiful stark landscape always makes me excited to take photographs. My recent spring trip with Sean Bagshaw was brief, but the birds were ample, the light fantastic, and we were able to break in his new camper on its maiden voyage.
Sean Bagshaw at an information booth.
I’ve photographed here during the fall and spring migrations, and I find the success rate as a photographer better in the spring than the fall due to fall hunting. When the hunters are out the birds are more wary and skittish, and who can blame them? I also find the water reflections more abundant and interesting during the spring migration, which helps with landscape photo opportunities. Fall light offers nice rust tones in the trees and fields for colorful background, but I still prefer photographing here during spring.
During my fall visit a few years ago, I paid for a permit to the wildlife refuge which allowed me to reserve time in different photo blinds. There is a raptor blind, a cramped songbird blind, a water fowl blind, and a wading-bird blind. Some are better at sunset or sunrise, and some are better in spring than fall, so choose your blind accordingly. (For example, the wading-bird blind is better in the spring, since the area can dry out by fall and then wading birds are elsewhere.) If you schedule a blind for the morning expect to be there before sunrise to escape the watchful eyes of your subjects. You may also apply for an afternoon session, but there are limits on how long you can stay in any one blind.
Prairie Falcon
For this spring season visit, Sean and I drove the back roads of the refuge looking for flocks. We traded information with other photographers and locals, and then relocated as necessary to find the next flock. Usually a drive along Stateline Road is a good starting strategy. Local etiquette asks that you keep your distance from the birds, so bring a lens with enough power that you’re not chasing the birds away. And remember to be respectful of the other people who are there to observe.
Flock of Snow Geese
Snow Geese Reflection
During sunset we found some ponds which offered opportunity for reflected light, and for morning we chose to photograph a flooded field with Mount Shasta standing sentinel in the distance. At the southern end of Tule Lake, you’ll find Captain Jack’s Stronghold where the Modocs defended themselves for a year against soldiers and settlers until surrendering in 1873.
Mount Shasta stands sentinel over the Klamath Basin.
Sunset over the Klamath Basin
I haven’t been here for the winter raptor photo opportunities, but I’ve heard it’s a regular smorgasbord of birds. If you’re interested in photographing raptors feasting on waterfowl, the best time to arrive is February. The “Winter Wings” festival is usually held mid-February, so around this time you’ll be there near peak.
If you’re planning a trip here, there are neighboring camping opportunities and the nearby town of Klamath Falls, Oregon offers ample lodging. Also note that many of the parking areas require permits, which can be picked up from most of the surrounding markets.
Tags: avian, bird, bird migration, bird migrations, Bird Photography, birds, California, David Cobb, digital photography, fall, flock, flocks, forest photography techniques, geese, Klamath Basin, Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, landscape photography, lower Klamath, migration, Mount Shasta, Oregon, Peter Lik, Photo Cascadia, Photography Techniques, Sean Bagshaw, snow geese, spring, sunrise, sunset, wading birds, water, waterfowl, wildlife, wildlife photography, winter
Posted in Fall Color, Locations, Photo Travel, Uncategorized | 5 Comments »
Saturday, December 8th, 2012
By Adrian Klein
It’s not just photographers searching for glowing sunrise and sunsets. As I had Pandora going the other day an electronic music artist I like came across the screen “In Search of Sunrise…” with a rich and warm glowing sky. Although the context is different it reminded me of this topic. Well when you are done clamoring over sizzling reds, spicy oranges and golden yellows then read on (and I am not talking about the peppers on your piping hot plate of Mexican food but rather the golden hour light). As I have mentioned before in all seriousness I do get excited when I am at a scene in the right golden hour light yet it’s not my sole goal anymore.
Before I dive in here is the link to the prior post for those that might have missed it. Now for a few more reasons (as if you needed more) why you can skip the golden hours and come home with amazing imagery.
5. Creativity Spark: I have found when I am free to wander an area during the day and think I won’t have anything to photograph I end up finding possibilities that I might not have thought about otherwise. Just a few of these included…
- Long Exposures: During the day with solid neutral density filters I have captured some work that I was rather pleased with going this route.
- Various Filters: Although I do more in the digital darkroom I still have a couple for the field from colored to graduated neutral density.
- Lens/Filter Limits: Forcing yourself to carry one lens and working with it for the outing. I do this when I go on a hike and feel like carrying a lighter load.
A two minute exposure during midday along the Oregon coast using a 10 stop neutral density filter and polarizer. Simple yet effective. I decided to play around with this scene while sunning my face in the dappled sunlight.
6. Natural Look: If you are a photographer that prefers the more realistic and documentary look then the daylight hours are likely going to be more your style. This relates some to what Kevin talked about in a recent post about how much Photoshop is too much. This is completely a personal preference. No matter what time of day the image is captured I enjoy viewing work from extreme HDR to complete plain Jane natural.
There is a very high use of filters from Smartphone apps to third party plug-ins for Photoshop that the majority of images these days have filters applied whether in the field or done in post. In the future I feel a number of us will start to move back to less. I relate this to a Bizarro cartoon in the paper a couple years back poking fun at tattoo-less people becoming the oddballs. The point being less can be more or unique.
“Sierra Wave” clouds forming midday over Green Lakes in Three Sister Wilderness during a backpack trip in 2011.
7. Snap Shots: I like looking back at my very early days of digital photography when I knew next to nothing and I believed the camera was supposed to do it all. Most of these images will never been seen by others yet for me they snap shots of moments that I truly cherish.
I spent a number of years shortly after getting sucked into the DSLR portal taking almost zero snap shots. I have come to regret this. Now it’s usually my iPhone that acts as a tool for snap shots and composing a scenes potential to decide if the DSLR needs to come out.
Most of these snapshots (at least for me) are taken during the daytime.
Mt Hood in the Mount Hood Wildness in midday light. I did end up pulling out the DSLR for this one and it’s snap shot I am glad I took.
8. Stormy Skies: This may be the last point to make in this series of posts yet it is certainly not the least significant. In fact it probably should have been first! Many trips at the start or end of storms have proven to be not only memorable experiences yet fine photographic opportunities.
Think about the unique storm photos you have seen whether in a physical gallery, the local news channel or online. They certainly grab your attention and likely were captured during daylight hours.
Bunch grass blowing hard in the clouds and wind coming through on this midday storm system rolling through. Additionally I used a longer shutter to allow the grass to move as much as possible.
Painted Hill National Monument – John Day Fossil Beds, Oregon
During a drive from The Tetons to Missoula, Montana I came across this amazing light from a storm system about to take me over. Slowing down from 75 mph to final shot was all less than two minutes. Who says this can’t be an action sport!
Now go ahead and throw caution to the wind skipping sunrise and sunset. I am sure you will surprise yourself with what you come home with.
Tags: creativity spark, dawn, daylight, dusk, golden hour, Montana, mount hood, natural look, Oregon, Oregon Coast, painted hills, snap shots, stormy skies, three sisters wilderness
Posted in Image Processing, Locations, Philosophy, Photography Techniques | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, October 10th, 2012
Tips for Photographing Fall Aspen
By David Cobb
It’s that time again in the Pacific Northwest when I’m on the search for fall aspen. The season usually runs from mid-September to late October, depending on the elevation and whether the aspen stand is in the eastern or western sections of the Pacific Northwest. Even though I seem to photograph aspen every year, I never tire of the challenge–and challenging it is. What follows are a few ways I’ve found to improve your chances of taking an aspen image you’ll like.
First, USE A POLARIZER! This not only cuts down on the leaf reflection, but also adds to the pop and warmth of the leaves. When shooting fall aspen, also pay attention to your histogram’s red channel, because your RGB average may indeed seem inside the histogram but that doesn’t mean you’re losing information on the red channel and detail on your leaves.
You’ll need to find an interesting stand when photographing aspen, because color alone doesn’t cut it. Look for interesting trunks and avoid deadfall. Ask yourself if the trunks have an interesting form? Are there corridors within the forest that will lead the eye into the scene? Another way to add interest to an aspen scene is to photograph the smaller trees among the larger. This adds color and interest to the lower sections of the stand, and breaks up the monotony.
With most forest photography of fir and pine, I often climb a hill and shoot towards the middle section of the forest. Not so with aspen. With aspen I find myself shooting more level or sometimes uphill. I also climb a hill and shoot down, but only if I want to include the color of leaves for a golden background behind nicely formed trunks.
Another tip is to shoot aspen from far above. From here, the color itself can create interesting patterns and become form. Fallen aspen leaves shot with a macro lens can have a similar effect and pattern, especially when dotted with water droplets.
I find a zoom or medium-wide angle lenses works best when photographing aspen. This doesn’t cause too much distortion in the trunks, and easily frames the interest of the shot. I also use these lenses when creating an aspen panorama in order to avoid image distortion while stitching. Of course, image blur may be what you’re after with a forest pan. Aspens are great for that when the light is at higher contrast. I often use this technique with a shutter speed between ¼ and 1 second, and simply pan vertically while shooting. The results are a crapshoot, but you’ll find yourself getting more successes with practice.
The best aspen stands to be found in the Pacific Northwest are scattered about the region, and here are a few of my favorites:
1) The Steens Mountains in eastern Oregon are known for fall aspen, so arrive for some early season practice.
2) The road between East Glacier and Saint Mary, Montana has wonderful craggy aspens, and these often change the third week of September.
3) There are some great stands near Stanley, Idaho, but you’ll need to search them out and recent fires have hurt some areas.
4) Check out Washington’s Columbia River Plateau near Mount Adams for some great fall aspen amongst ranchland.
5) Also the road between Leavenworth and Lake Wenatchee in Washington supplies a variety of aspen color including deep red.
6) In southern Oregon near the Klamath Basin, you’ll find a few stately groves which look best in the snow.
There are still a few weeks left to take part in the fall aspen shoot, and hopefully these tips will prove handy.
Tags: Aspen, Cascadia, David Cobb, digital photography, Fall Color, forest photography ideas, forest photography techniques, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, travel, Washington
Posted in Fall Color, Locations, Photography Techniques | 2 Comments »
Thursday, June 14th, 2012
Photographing in the Wallowa Range
By David Cobb
They’re called the Alps of Oregon and lie in the northeast corner of the state, bordered by deep canyons, glacial moraines, and a few scattered picturesque barns. Near the town of Joseph you can photograph the mountains with a red barn in the foreground and maybe a few stray mares or you can use the crescent-shaped Wallowa Lake as a foreground leading into your mountain setting. I prefer to backpack into these mountains for the harder to get to wilderness view.
I’ve entered the 358,461 acre Eagle Cap Wilderness from different starting points and the easiest is just outside of the town of Joseph. I’ve hiked in from the west for a longer approach up the flower-filled broad valleys for a more gradual climb, but my favorite is from the more rugged south, catching a few views of the south’s craggy peaks and the handful of waterfalls that dot the area. After topping a pass or two you descend into the heavily visited lakes basin area for the stunning views of the namesake peak Eagle Cap. Pick one of the lakes for a base camp and photograph the Eagle Cap reflections from different points around the wilderness. Spend a few days at the higher elevation Glacier Lake for high-country views of Glacier Peak and Eagle Cap. An easy climb to the Eagle Cap mountaintop allows a stunning 360 vista of the wilderness and the outlying valleys and canyons.
Eagle Cap and Glacier Peak from Glacier Lake
I’ve brought a whole array of lenses into the Wallowas. I’m always packing my wide and medium-wide angle, but also a macro for flower photography, and I’ve packed my 70-200mm zoom in for more intimate scenes around the lake country. You can read more about backpacking with camera gear in my previous blog “Tips for Backpacking with Camera Gear (ultralight).”
Mirror Lake & Eagle Cap
Late July and early August are my favorite months to photograph here because snow still lingers in the mountains, but September is also nice for the bug-free air. If you decide on the earlier season, bring an ample amount of bug spray for the mosquito hoards. And if you’d rather not carry your gear on your back, stock or llama packing can be rented in the town of Joseph. If you forgot something at home, last-minute supplies can usually be found in Joseph or the larger town of Enterprise a few miles away.
So if you’re looking for a great backcountry experience with fantastic photographic opportunities this summer, the Alps of Oregon is the place to go.
Tags: Alpine, Alps of Oregon, backcountry, backpacking, backpacking and photography, backpacking with photo gear, Cascadia, David Cobb, digital photography, Eagle Cap, Eagle Cap Wilderness, Glacier, Glacier Lake, Glacier Peak, hiking, Joseph, landscape photography, Mirror Lake, mountains, OR, Oregon, Photo Cascadia, Photography Techniques, Wallowa, Wallowa Range, Wallowas, water
Posted in Locations | 5 Comments »
Monday, May 21st, 2012
By Adrian Klein
As the greens in the Columbia River Gorge start really showing their spring green glow I thought I would take a few minutes and share a few of my favorites along with some technical details to help provide some insight on how they were created. I might add a part II down the road with more favorites yet I thought narrowing it down to the top three was a good start. Hopefully this helps you out whether you are planning to photograph the Columbia River Gorge or any other lush rain forest. Happy reading and viewing.
Geometric Nature - Columbia River Gorge, OR
Name: Geometric Nature
Location: Off trail deep in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
Why this image? Finding the right composition in many cases is like putting together pieces of a unique puzzle, all of them different from the last. In this case the blocks or geometric shapes of the mossy rocks are what inspired me for this particular composition. There is green everywhere you turn in the Gorge yet not every image shows the endless sea of green as good as it can. I think this is one image that achieved this very well.
Camera Equipment: Canon 5D, Canon 17-40L lens, Hoya Polarizer and Induro Tripod
Camera Settings: ISO 100, Manual Focus, 19mm, f/13 and 8 seconds
Processing Software: Adobe ACR and Photoshop
Processing Details: Final image has spots of the water blended from a 5 second exposure where 8 seconds washed it out. These were blended with layer mask techniques in Photoshop. Localized adjustments for color and contrast using Levels.
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Forest Rain - Columbia River Gorge, OR
Name: Forest Rain
Location: Creek along the trail to Gorton Creek Falls in Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
Why this image? Standing in the cold wet rain with not a soul around is what inspired to keep me here until I captured something I was truly happy with. The heavy rains rolling through the area with water rolling off my hat, nose and camera gave the mood I was looking for. My feet completely numb after exiting the creek and my face filled with a smile knowing that I caught a keeper. I am sure this will remain near the top of my personal Columbia River Gorge favorites for years to come and remind me that although the rain can be cold and miserable, the outcome can certainly be worth it.
Camera Equipment: Canon 5D, Canon 17-40L lens, Hoya Polarizer and Gitzo Tripod
Camera Settings: ISO 200, Manual Focus, 23mm, f/16 and 3.2 seconds
Processing Software: Adobe ACR and Photoshop
Processing Details: Final image was created by blending the same RAW file several times over. The heavy overcast day allowed me to get away with only one file. These were blended with layer mask techniques in Photoshop. Localized adjustments for color and contrast using Levels. Very slight glow effect added using Gaussian Blur.
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Enchanting - Columbia River Gorge, OR
Name: Enchanting
Location: Metlako Falls in Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
Why this image? This waterfall has a perpetual fog cloud hanging over it for what seems like 365 days a year. That alone is beautiful yet when you have been here as many times as I have you are looking for more to take out the camera. When I saw the sun was trying to poke through I knew this was the “more” I was looking for. It did not last long however it was the inspiration I needed to make a more unique image from this popular location. Many say winter streams and falls images are not nearly as nice as spring. This image proves all season have potential. This was taken on a quiet winter morning when I was the only one around.
Camera Equipment: Canon 5D, Canon 70-200L lens, Hoya Polarizer and Gitzo Tripod
Camera Settings: ISO 100, Manual Focus, 73mm, f/18 and ¼ of a second
Processing Software: Adobe ACR and Photoshop
Processing Details: With this scene I had about 4 stop range of exposure from the dark areas to the sunlit fog. This required parts of three images to be merged together. These were hand blended with layer mask techniques in Photoshop. Localized adjustments for color and contrast using Levels.
You can find more of my work from the Columbia River Gorge and beyond at Adrian Klein Photography
Tags: Columbia River Gorge, green, hiking, nature, Oregon, photography, rain, rain forest, streams, Washington, waterfalls
Posted in Image Processing, Locations, Photo Travel | 4 Comments »
Friday, March 16th, 2012
Tips for Photographing in the Rain
By David Cobb
So what if it rains? This is the Pacific Northwest after all and rain is part of life here. I guess that’s why I have a plan B and C during my workshops, to take care of such eventualities. Last weekend was “Dave’s Worst-Weather-Ever Workshop” along the northern Oregon and southern Washington coastlines. The rain and wind storms were pretty bad. A lot of people thought the sun came with me for all my workshops, and I was getting pretty cocky after continually seeing the clouds part at the beginning of a session and close up when it ended. In lieu of staying indoors a bit more and concentrating on processing (which we did), here are a few photo tips for when it rains along the Oregon and Washington coastlines. (Canon and Nikon seal their cameras pretty well, other makers seal them tightly to not-so-much, so know how well your camera does before taking it out in the rain.)
1) Carry a good camera bag and rainfly: I have to admit I love the back access on the f-Stop camera bags during a rainstorm. I just set the bag down on the wet sandy beach, rainfly side down, and access all my equipment. When I put the pack back on my back, the muddy side is on the outside and the clean side is against my back. That way my rain jacket keeps me dry a lot longer. A good rainfly for your camera bag can be picked up at any outdoor store.
2) Use a rain cover for your camera: I often opt for the cheap grocery store plastic bag version with a hole cut in it, but there are a whole host of good camera rain covers out there. Simply Google “camera rain cover” and you’ll have a variety to choose from. They vary from the cheap homemade versions like mine to the bomb-proof Think-Tank Hydrophobia.
3) Find a sea cave: Sounds simple doesn’t it? The other day during a rain storm on the Oregon coast, I just wandered into a really cool cave and let my eyes adjust. Watch for the tides, but otherwise you can work for hours coming up with some interesting compositions while staying dry.
4) Bring an umbrella: An obvious point, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t bring an umbrella along while photographing.
5) Stay in your car and photograph abstracts through the soaked windshield: A couple of people did this during the last workshop at a harbor and they got some fantastic results. The last time I used this technique was from a taxi cab in Albania, and I wish I had remembered to do it for the harbor shots this time around.
6) Go to a bunker: There are World War II bunkers all over the coastline, and they really have quite a bit of character with their rusty doors, stark hallways, old ladders, and walls filled with moss and lichen. Best of all, they make a great wind break and are not only bomb-resistant, but rain-resistant too.
7) Point your lens downward: I use my lens hood not only for sun protection, but rain protection. During those dreary winter days, I’m less likely to look for the grand landscape and more likely to look for the small scene. I often start to think and see in black and white too. By keeping my lens pointing down, I keep it free from those pesky rain drops.
8) Go to the forest: The coastal forest is a great place to shoot on a rainy day. The trees block the wind, keep me drier, and the forest light can be amazing or moody.
9) Dry off your gear: I carry a facecloth in my bag and I’m constantly giving my camera a pat down and dry off. I make sure I do this at the end of the shoot when I put my camera away, and I do it again when I go back inside. I also extend my tripod legs when I return inside and give them a wipe-down too.
There you have it. The next time it rains, quit your whining and head for the coast – I’ll be there with a smile on my face and staying dry.
Tags: Camera Backpack, Cascadia, creative vision, David Cobb, digital photography, f-stop, forest photography ideas, forest photography techniques, landscape photography, Oregon, Oregon Coast, rain, staying dry, tips, Washington, water, waterfall, waterfalls
Posted in Locations, Photo Travel, Photography Techniques | 2 Comments »
Thursday, October 27th, 2011
By Adrian Klein
Over eight years ago Molly and I took my son Logan on one of his first backpacking trips. I had just bought my first DSLR that summer but knew nothing about photography. The trip was certainly more about checking out a new location and getting out for a weekend in the woods than anything else. I remember the trip well, a fantastically beautiful place relatively close to home that I had not heard of before. We still have a photo up in the house of three of us sitting on a large boulder in the creek near camp playing the card game Uno.
This year I looked at the images I captured back in 2003 and realize I have come a long way with my photography skills. Almost all of them would not make the cut today. Having a large gap of many years since visiting allows for a worthwhile retrospective to see how my work has changed. It was indeed fascinating.
Fast forward and it’s 2011. For years I have said I would go back and I put it off to go elsewhere. This year I had the perfect excuse to go. Abnormally high snow fall last winter in the Northwest kept the snow packs solid and deep on the mountains well into summer. Although there are a several “summits” in the 4,500 to 5,500 feet range the falls and creeks are located around 2,000 feet which makes them accessible most of the year.
Fortunately I was able to coax my now teenage son to go back to Opal Creek with me for a 3 day trip. We got the packs stuffed and headed out to reminisce and create new experiences. Below are some of the images I captured and details about the area.
Forest Gems
Getting There:
There are several ways to get in but only one that is realistic for most. The others are longer multi-day trips. From Portland, Oregon it’s less than a couple hour drive to the main trailhead. Directions: http://www.opalcreek.org/experience/directions.aspx
Dazed N Confused
The Hike:
The majority of the hike in I would classify as easy. The first few miles are only a few hundred feet elevation gain on dirt and gravel road. This means expect summer weekends to be busy. I have seen even jogging strollers with families making their way. That all comes to an end at Jaw Bone Flats, the old mining town converted to nature education center and a handful of cabins for visitors and residents. After that it’s a regular narrow hiking trail with a 2nd log bridge that needs to be replaced (you can still cross at your own risk which we did). After the bridge the numbers dwindle. We camped 4+ miles in from the trailhead and saw few over the 3 days. If you are camping there are numerous spots near Jaw Bone Flats, much less after that but they are there if you look. More details about getting here and the hike: http://www.oregon.com/Hike_Opal_Creek
Hues of Green
When To Go:
Considering the majority of locations around 2,000 feet elevation and below in the Northwest are accessible most of the year there are not many limitations when to go. I have seen images taken in the area with fresh snow on the ground. I would prefer early summer with the rich fresh greens if I had to pick one. As for time of day, you are down in a canyon which means you have ample shade. Expect to be in full shade for the remainder of the day by 3 or 4pm, even in summer, which obviously has benefits allowing photographs whether it’s overcast or sunny.
Opal Creek Wilderness
Photography:
This post would not be complete on this blog covering a location without discussing the photography aspect. As you can already see by the images in this post there are many opportunities and they will differ based on when you are there.
Color Depth: The images show how much color can change based on water depth, camera angle and light. It can vary from too deep to stand in to no more than ankle deep. With all of them giving various shades of opal color.
Man & Nature: If photographing man made items in nature tickles your fancy then you have a number of possibilities. The image I included of the old US Navy fire truck is one of my favorites in Jaw Bone Flats. There are other old cars, woodstoves, mining tools and more.
Reflecting Light: The light reflecting from the foliage covered walls and forest can be rather intriguing, as seen with the abstract image in this post. It may look like a bad acid trip from a Grateful Dead show. I can assure you it’s not. Many opportunities like this exist in the area when the sun is coming into the area or leaving.
Challenges: Whenever you have rushing water in a canyon the foliage is rarely completely still. Even when the wind was calm in the area I often found brush moving somewhere in the image near the water. Despite bumping up to say ISO800 I had still had movement issues most of the time.
The Shallows
S Falls
Final Words:
If forests and streams are your interest when it comes to hiking and photography, this place is a must. It’s certainly a gem in more ways than one and is hard to believe this area almost met it’s demise to logging less than a couple decades ago. I know we need wood in this world but we can certainly learn to conserve to help protect spectacular places that would be completely altered for generations to come if logging came to town.
Dinner and a warm fire at camp w/ my son Logan
Tags: ancient, backpacking, campfire, cedar, forest, hiking, jawbone flats, old growth, opal creek, Oregon, photography, travel, wilderness
Posted in Locations, Photo Travel | 4 Comments »
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011
Let There Be Night
By David Cobb
Night photography is nothing new; the technique has been around for as long as there’s been a camera to produce it. With advancements in digital photography however, night photography has taken on new possibilities for nature photographers. On still evenings, I’ve pulled some interesting and vibrant colors out of shooting digital. Water tends to get bluer and warm tones tend to become richer and warmer. I took the following photo just below Whitehorse Falls in southern Oregon, and you aren’t likely to be able to tell that it was almost pitch black outside. The added side effect to taking this image at night is the cobalt blue color of the Whitehorse River that my daytime images never had. This plays well with the surrounding warmer fall color. If it had been taken in the daytime this image would look much different, and I prefer the nighttime effects it has here.
A few tips about nighttime nature photography:
- I usually use an aperture around f11 to f5.6 to cut down on the shutter speed
- I turn on my noise control in-camera to cut down on the noise, so a freshly charged battery is a good idea
- I don’t use a polarizer at night, since I find it helps little towards the photograph’s finished product
- A sturdy tripod and cable release is required
The image of Fall Creek Falls below was recently taken while visiting Mt. Rainier National Park. I didn’t get to this falls until well after dark, but there was still some light bouncing off the atmosphere above. I kept the shutter open for 30 seconds at f11, and to my surprise this nighttime shot took on the look of daytime. As usual, the water went a bit blue, and I warmed up the surrounding landscape to play off the blue hue. I also like the highlighted tips of evergreen when I photograph in a forest at night; they almost glow in comparison with the rest of the tree. I would normally use a polarizer on a waterfall to cut down on distracting reflections, but again, at night I don’t find that necessary.
Of course there is always light painting for the nature photographer. The image below is made up of two shots. One taken at 1600 ISO and 30 seconds to capture the starlight without movement, and with the other I light painted the Utah Rocks for 30 seconds while shooting at 100 ISO. The two images were later blended for the effect. The “painting” wasn’t applied directly to the rock, but flashlight bursts were shot around the rock and into the night sky. A similar technique was used for the Bandon, Oregon sea stacks, but in this case I only needed one image since the lights of town lit the stacks for a nice effect.
City landscapes are always fun to photograph at night. They’re certainly not “nature photography,” but hey “when in Rome…” Actually, the image taken below was in Dubrovnik, and when I noticed they polished their streets every morning I couldn’t wait until night to capture the hustle-and-bustle of city life. This image was taken at f5.6 for .6 seconds, to capture the movement that lends to the lively atmosphere.
Night possibilities for the nature photographer are endless, from star trails to moonbows. And once you get used to keeping the camera out in the dark, by sunrise you might be thinking “now what am I going to do?”
Tags: Bandon, cascades, Croatia, David Cobb, Devil's Kitchen State Park, Dubrovnik, forest photography ideas, forest photography techniques, light painting, Mt. Rainier National Park, night photography, nocturnal, Oregon, Photography Techniques, star photography, utah, Washington, water, waterfall, waterfalls, Whitehorse Falls
Posted in Locations, Photo Travel, Photography Techniques | 13 Comments »
Monday, July 25th, 2011
by Adrian Klein
This year I told myself I would try to make it more about seeing less visited locations or places I have not backpacked since getting into photography, with less concern about always chasing locations strictly based on photographic appeal. Not that I am looking to come home empty handed, that is anything but the case. I am just changing to make that my secondary purpose on selected trips.
Today it seems there is a large number of human folk with cameras ready to run, jump and leap to places where the landscape has a better chance of guaranteeing some level of success in the great photo chase the digital era has created. Not that I am immune from getting caught up or wanting to go to more trafficked areas. I have that urge and will follow travel to more popular areas as well (excluding the retail outlet mall on a Sunday afternoon where I turn into old grumpy Klein as my wife would say). Yet after getting into photography as a part-time professional about four years ago, I believe I lost sight of why I became very passionate about photography in the first place. Getting back to the basics will surely allow me to capture work in the end while getting back to more of what satisfies my soul both in photography and being outdoors.
With this in mind one of the trips I made this year was to Lake Abert in Southeastern Oregon. It has been on my list for a few years now yet I kept putting it off in favor of other places. I have seen a few inviting photos of the area yet it’s definitely not a photographic destination for most that travel through the area.
This trip was decided on a whim at 8:00 PM the night before leaving. I have a teenage son that wanted to be home with his friends during summer (been there) and my wife with our girls out on their own trip. That left me heading for a quiet and peaceful place by myself. Driving from the densely forested northwestern part Oregon down to the southeastern part is always fascinating watching the trees shrink in size and the views open up for many many miles.
Salt On The Rocks II
Salt On The Rocks I
This was a very memorable sunset. The weather could not have been better to be outdoors wandering around. I sat on these rocks with only a slight gentle breeze rolling through and temps in the mid 70′s, my ideal temperature before I start to overheat. I would not do well living in the desert, being a visitor suits me best. Sitting here it was rather peaceful. The highway was up above me yet only a car or two coming by every 5 to 10 minutes. A far cry from rush hour in the city where being stuck in traffic gets me wound up like a cat rolling around with catnip.
Hillside Glow
Just above the lake is the steep slope that leads up to Abert Rim. The rocky edge of the rim you see off in the distance of this image is actually the area where you head to the top via find your own way, there are no trails. Not all spots can you just hike on up either. On Summit Post site you can find out more info on taking the route up. I was still working on rehabbing my knee and hiked half way up the steep 2,000 foot hike. Next time I plan to do it all and possibly camp up top. As you can also see here that with the nice warm evening light the hills are filled with colorful rocks and vegetation.
More Than Silence
Here we are at sunrise. As is obvious the color palette and feel of the area is vastly different from the warm lit up hills of sunset. Yet has its own charm and beauty. With the tall and steep albert rim you have can have up to a couple hours after sunrise to work intimate photos of the area before the bright desert sun is in your eyes. And with an area that only averages little precipitation a year there is much sun and dry weather to be had.
Paint Splatter
It’s usually easier to combine multiple images like this to make a diptych or triptych yet a little tougher to get one to stand on its own. I have taken quite a few of these over the years but this one seems to have a good balance of multiple colors. If you have not tried to search for these before it actually takes more time than you might think. There were many rocks with lichen, some with only small amounts and others with plenty. After spending a fair bit of time wandering around after sunrise this rock showed particular promise to me.
Lodging: There is nothing in the way of lodging here, including no organized campsites. You either find a nice place to pull your vehicle off the road for a quick overnight or head 40 miles south to Lakeview for true brick and mortar lodging.
Amenities: Similar to lodging there is none. No place to pickup a latte or anything even close to it. Besides highway 395 that goes through the area and a few signs with information about the birds and geology you will just find the wild outback. Thankfully it’s not developed and let’s hope it stays this way. Bring plenty of water and food!
Climate: As with most high desert areas the temperature can change dramatically at different times of the day any time of year. Summer days are very hot with 90+ Fahrenheit being common and winters cold with evenings often in the teens and single digits. And as mentioned earlier it does rain and snow here yet at 14” a year your odds of dry weather are pretty good.
Curious to know more about the history of the area? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Abert
Side Note: Wildlife Details
There was more wildlife than I expected. I anticipated snakes yet saw much more.
- Came across two snakes. One a rattlesnake which was dead and another one that I almost stepped on that hissed very loud at me which of course caught me off guard and I fell back on some rocks. It was not a gartner snake but have not been able to identify it yet with my Google searches.
- My deer crossing included some alive and one dead on the desert floor with only a furry leg and hoof left to identify. As for live deer I had to hit the brakes as one jumped out of the bushes last minute. Despite having done this many times over the years it still startles me.
- Other wildlife included: Chipmunks, squirrels, a coyote, many birds and even a fox. Not a bad list for a short trip.
Well that is my write up and images of my jaunt to part of Oregon’s Outback as it’s called. Where cattle easily out number people and your next door neighbor might be a long ways away. Looking for a place less traveled this would be it. I plan to be back soon.
by Adrian Klein
Tags: abert, adventure, desert, hiking, lake, Oregon, outback, photography, solitude, wandering
Posted in Locations, Philosophy, Photo Travel | 3 Comments »
