Oregon Coast Summer, 2011

After a long, wet, cool Spring, the summer this year was also on the cooler side. Coming to the coast and seeing the sun are two giant pluses. Clouds are also quite welcome, as they create a special drama and beauty. Here is a small sampling of two Oregon evenings this summer.

This first image was taken after a somewhat gray and drizzly day for the first summer workshop mentioned in the previous post. The sky began clearing just in time, opening up to a fabulous series of light and light changes.

Sunset approaches at Arcadia Beach

It was still quite beautiful nearly an hour later, with more blues and magentas reflecting off the beach with the outgoing tide. The cirrus clouds were also putting on quite a display.

Arcadia sea stack and last light

The evening before our next workshop in August, the sky was nearly clear. The light after sunset is again the attraction, here at Hug Point.

Warm glow of the Western skies, and blue from above light the water

If you would like to see more photos of the Summer Oregon Coast, click here...

Oregon North Coast Workshop, July 17th, 2011

One thing you can count on in the Northwest is the weather changing it's mind, regardless what the computer models say. After delaying our workshop for one day, some of the participants experienced a righteous downpour in the early morning upon leaving Portland, but everyone was able to come, at least for part of the day.

The tide was well out as we made our way down to beautiful Hug Point and the myriad photographic opportunities there, including caves and a nice waterfall. It was a cool and overcast morning, so we had the potential of rich colors with lower contrast. We dodged the rain until 11a, when a light soaking was the theme. A good time for lunch and reviewing.

Shooting at Hug Point

The deep cave at Hug Point. Good to try HDR here. Thanks, Bill

After our review session, we strolled down to Haystack in the mist to be greeted by crashing waves and an incoming tide.

A few folks had to head back, but the rest of us were treated to somewhat clearing skies at the north end of Cannon Beach near Bird Rocks (sometimes known as Guano Rocks, for obvious reasons). with sea grass and a great view of Haystack.

Next we headed to Ecola State Park, another photographer's paradise. Since the weather had been rather rainy, the usual Sunday crowd was absent, and it was quite peaceful there.

Lush and well watered covering at Ecola State Park. Note those tripods.

Last stop was Indian Beach, Ecola State Park. Tide was going out as we strolled the beach, with pelicans flying and the sun finally making a modest appearance near the day's end. An added bonus was elk at Ecola Park making a somewhat unusual summer appearance!

Participants photographs can be viewed here>>

Thank you all for coming!

Spring Workshop in the Columbia Gorge 2

A gray day at Women's Forum Overlook developed quickly into a warm and most welcome sunny day in the Columbia Gorge. Spring is bursting out all over, with lots of water and wildflowers.

We spent most of our time at the main attractions. Quickly changing light: hard backlight light, diffuse light and overcast light made exposure tricky.

Joanne, John and Yours Truly on the bridge over Tanner Creek. Thanks, Preston S.

Getting in close

Preston fighting the spray. Thanks, Joanne.

Checking results in the changing light

Participants photographs can be viewed here>

Spring at Second Beach

With the moon nearly full, morning promised a low tide at La Push. Mornings are not my prime time, but determined to get on the beach with high pressure building in, there was hope of good light.

Second Beach is very shallow, so when the tide is low, it recedes a fair distance from shore. This photo was somewhat inspired by the rocks in the Portland Japanese Gardens, with the small rocks "facing" the main monolith. The sun was coming out between the receding clouds, so I waited until the rocks were in the shade and the large stack was lit up, to give depth and interest while having the sun at my back.

Morning Light and Parting Clouds

After shooting the morning light, I have been concentrating on late morning and later afternoon shooting, the goal is to use longer exposures, and processing with black and white or monotone images.

Incoming Tide

More Spring 2011 images of Second Beach and Lake Crescent can be found here>>

Spring Workshop in the Columbia Gorge

The first workshop of the year took place in the Columbia Gorge on Sunday, April 5th, after having to postpone our Saturday workshop due to heavy rain and wind. Not everyone was able to shift their schedules, but Sunday was a nearly rain free day.

We were met with rather flat, gray light at Women's Forum Overlook. It was serene and tranquil there, unlike the day before.

Calm and gray Columbia Gorge

Next we hiked in to Elowah Falls, where the water volume was anything but serene. It had been raining for weeks, and rained heavily the day before. As we approached the Falls, spray kept us back. It was a challenge to keep our gear reasonably dry so getting photos was also challenging.

Wild water at Elowah Falls

After drying out a bit with a nice lunch at Skamana Lodge, we headed to Dog Creek Falls on the Washington side. The water volume here was also not disappointing. I, in fact, have never seen this falls this big. It's a short wide falls that is lovely to shoot all times of the year. Even though it is a short walk, once you are there you are surrounded by canyon and solitude. Except for the occasional visitor, it can be quite tranquil.

One of the best places to shoot is to get right in the creek, far enough back not to have too much spray, but to get a feeling for motion and water with slow shutter speeds.

Getting in the creek for some nice water movement

Shooting the Falls and discussing water and rock placement in the frame

Last stop was back to Oregon near Wahkenna Falls to photograph some small streams. With fading light and steam, we called it a fun day, with participants voicing enthusiasm for the next outing!

Next Gorge workshop is scheduled for June 11th. More information here>