Hi all,
we realized there are a number of photographers on npn who live in Oregon or Washington.
We will be there on a photo tour from Oct. 10th 'til nov 10th starting in San Francisco, heading up the coast with our main focus on the Oregon Coast. There are a number of State Parks, which ones are the most photogenic or which are the ones you would suggest checking out for 4x5 landscape photography?
Any other good not sooo well known spots away from the coast? (waterfalls, gorges) Which are good spots to go in the Cascades?
We will make one day hiking trips but not much more intense,'cause our two little daughters will be coming along on the trip.
Thanksalot for all advice you can give!
Verena & Georg
Posted by Josh Anderson on September 13, 2006 at 9:26 AM
The Columbia River Gorge, (just outside of Portland) has the greatest concentration of waterfalls.
Ecola State Park and Cannon Beach (northern Oregon) are great places to go.
Posted by Dan Baumbach on September 13, 2006 at 12:02 PM
I don't know the Oregon coast but I live just north of San Francisco. Are you planning to shoot anything in the SF Area?
- Dan.
Posted by Richard Wong on September 13, 2006 at 4:00 PM
I've never been to Oregon but I have a desire to go to Astoria for some reason.
Posted by beth summer on September 13, 2006 at 6:31 PM
Tom Guffey does tons of images from Oregon coast. He's had a few shots lately on ESS. I'm sure he can give you all sorts of advice for Oregon and the northern coast starting from San Francisco. He also does alot of San Francisco shots and knows the city quite well. I would definitely contact him.
Posted by Harley Goldman on September 13, 2006 at 6:47 PM
Also check with Marc Adamus. He recommended Bandon, OR when I went last spring and the area was great. I had good light only one evening along OR coast, but it was in Bandon and it was a successful evening.
In San Francisco area (actually across the bay in Marin County), Golden Gate Nat'l Recreation Area and The Muir Woods are good. In northern CA there's a park in the Redwoods. Any of the parks along the OR coast are great, but Bandon is my favorite. The Columbia River Gorge east of Portland for the waterfalls can't be beat. And in southern OR coast there's the Newport area with its dunes. You'll be busy and wish you had a lot more time. Like many of us you'll want to return again and again, and I hope you will have the opportunity.
Best wishes for a safe journey and LOTS of great photos.
Posted by Marc Adamus on September 13, 2006 at 8:13 PM
It will be a great trip for sure. Too bad I won't be here during that time (photo trip of my own) because I'd like to meet you folks. There is so much to see in the NW that it would be hard to just focus on the coast. Especially given you'll have a month in the region.
So here it is, Marc's must see spots from North Cal. to the Olympics:
1: The Northern California coast is rugged and beautiful. Unlike Oregon however, there is a mix of private and public beaches so stick with the parks. Rodeo Beach is a particularly iconic and photogenic location.
2: The Redwoods are a must see. Dosen't matter what time of year, it would be hard to pass through the region without photographing some of the largest living things on Earth. The park even borders the coastal headlands in places.
3: Bandon and the South Oregon coast is beautiful and relatively unpopulated. The rocky headlands around Bandon are particularly photogenic, as are most beaches from there to Coos Bay.
4: Seal Rocks State Park and the 30-mile stretch to the South of there is exceptional also. Beautiful rocky beaches, often with 20-30 foot high breaking waves on the outer rocks are a sight to see. This area is located on the Central Oregon coast and offers lots of touristy fun familiy activities like Sea Lion Caves, Whale Watching and the Oregon Coast Aquarium.
5: Crater Lake. It's three hours drive from the Coast but worth the trip. Especially in Autumn when the park is less crowded and a little snow has fallen. Easy hikes with great views everywhere.
6: The Painted Hills National Monument: Astonishingly remote in the middle of Eastern Oregon ranch lands it's 6 hours from the coast but one of the most strikingly unique areas I've seen anywhere.
7: Ecola State Park, North Oregon Coast. This is a legendary beach. Huge towering sea stacks, big waves, dramatic views. The headlands can be a little tricky to scramble around, but worth it. My favorite beach in Oregon.
8: The Columbia River Gorge. Probably Oregon's finest photographic attraction, this region is home to world-class waterfalls and lots of short, easy hikes. I'd spend a week just here! Pretty good fall color at that time also.
9: Mount Rainier National Park: Three hours from the coast but a NW must see. This is one of the worlds larger mountains with two and a half miles of vertical relief towering over the surrounding valleys. It will be chilly in October with a little snow, but the roads are good and there should still be some hiking open. Accessability to most areas depends on weather.
10: Olympic National Park: This is home to the most spectacular beaches in the Northwest, no contest. And it's almost entirely wilderness. There are few towns and it's fairly remote, but the opportunities for coastal photography are unsurpassed. Some hikes are difficult but most are within a few miles reach. The park also showcases some of the thickest temperate rainforest in the world. I recommend the Hoh River forest trail.
As far as "not sooo known locations", it will be difficult with children. Most of the population and development is on the coast and valleys so you have to work to find the less photographed locations in the desert and mountains which can be difficult, especially with snow falling at that time of year. I know of many less visited areas, but few that don't involve significant hikes.
Hope this helps a little. Have a great visit!
Posted by Richard Wong on September 13, 2006 at 11:07 PM
I'll second the Olympic NP suggestion. 2nd Beach is the most incredible beach I've ever seen in my life. I don't know about the native american property dispute status, but its worth seeing. you've probably seen it in the books and postcards.
Dan, yes we think about Pt Reyes NS. (any other suggestion welcome)
Marc, thanks, that is of significant help!
Olympic NP is too far north, but we;ve been there a couple of times (same with the redwood, which we will visit this times also, since they are on our way)
thanks all others.
we will be gone the next 10 days or so on a photo trip (seakayaking cornati islands/croatia) but after that we have 2 weeks time to arrange our trip.
maybe we have a chance to visit some npn'ers. (you home at that time Dan?)
Marc, too bad you are not there, would have liked to catch up with you, but maybe next time...
thanks for all replies!
Verena & Georg
Posted by Dan Baumbach on September 14, 2006 at 10:44 AM
I know Point Reyes and Marin County very well. If you tell me what you're looking for, I can tell you of good places. I love your work and I'd love to meet you and maybe go out shooting with you when your in Marin.
Most of the photos on my web site were taken in Marin County. If there's a location that you like, let me know.
- Dan.
Posted by Rod Barbee on September 14, 2006 at 8:34 PM
Discussion
11 replieswe realized there are a number of photographers on npn who live in Oregon or Washington.
We will be there on a photo tour from Oct. 10th 'til nov 10th starting in San Francisco, heading up the coast with our main focus on the Oregon Coast. There are a number of State Parks, which ones are the most photogenic or which are the ones you would suggest checking out for 4x5 landscape photography?
Any other good not sooo well known spots away from the coast? (waterfalls, gorges) Which are good spots to go in the Cascades?
We will make one day hiking trips but not much more intense,'cause our two little daughters will be coming along on the trip.
Thanksalot for all advice you can give!
Verena & Georg
Ecola State Park and Cannon Beach (northern Oregon) are great places to go.
- Dan.
Best wishes for a safe journey and LOTS of great photos.
So here it is, Marc's must see spots from North Cal. to the Olympics:
1: The Northern California coast is rugged and beautiful. Unlike Oregon however, there is a mix of private and public beaches so stick with the parks. Rodeo Beach is a particularly iconic and photogenic location.
2: The Redwoods are a must see. Dosen't matter what time of year, it would be hard to pass through the region without photographing some of the largest living things on Earth. The park even borders the coastal headlands in places.
3: Bandon and the South Oregon coast is beautiful and relatively unpopulated. The rocky headlands around Bandon are particularly photogenic, as are most beaches from there to Coos Bay.
4: Seal Rocks State Park and the 30-mile stretch to the South of there is exceptional also. Beautiful rocky beaches, often with 20-30 foot high breaking waves on the outer rocks are a sight to see. This area is located on the Central Oregon coast and offers lots of touristy fun familiy activities like Sea Lion Caves, Whale Watching and the Oregon Coast Aquarium.
5: Crater Lake. It's three hours drive from the Coast but worth the trip. Especially in Autumn when the park is less crowded and a little snow has fallen. Easy hikes with great views everywhere.
6: The Painted Hills National Monument: Astonishingly remote in the middle of Eastern Oregon ranch lands it's 6 hours from the coast but one of the most strikingly unique areas I've seen anywhere.
7: Ecola State Park, North Oregon Coast. This is a legendary beach. Huge towering sea stacks, big waves, dramatic views. The headlands can be a little tricky to scramble around, but worth it. My favorite beach in Oregon.
8: The Columbia River Gorge. Probably Oregon's finest photographic attraction, this region is home to world-class waterfalls and lots of short, easy hikes. I'd spend a week just here! Pretty good fall color at that time also.
9: Mount Rainier National Park: Three hours from the coast but a NW must see. This is one of the worlds larger mountains with two and a half miles of vertical relief towering over the surrounding valleys. It will be chilly in October with a little snow, but the roads are good and there should still be some hiking open. Accessability to most areas depends on weather.
10: Olympic National Park: This is home to the most spectacular beaches in the Northwest, no contest. And it's almost entirely wilderness. There are few towns and it's fairly remote, but the opportunities for coastal photography are unsurpassed. Some hikes are difficult but most are within a few miles reach. The park also showcases some of the thickest temperate rainforest in the world. I recommend the Hoh River forest trail.
As far as "not sooo known locations", it will be difficult with children. Most of the population and development is on the coast and valleys so you have to work to find the less photographed locations in the desert and mountains which can be difficult, especially with snow falling at that time of year. I know of many less visited areas, but few that don't involve significant hikes.
Hope this helps a little. Have a great visit!
Marc, thanks, that is of significant help!
Olympic NP is too far north, but we;ve been there a couple of times (same with the redwood, which we will visit this times also, since they are on our way)
thanks all others.
we will be gone the next 10 days or so on a photo trip (seakayaking cornati islands/croatia) but after that we have 2 weeks time to arrange our trip.
maybe we have a chance to visit some npn'ers. (you home at that time Dan?)
Marc, too bad you are not there, would have liked to catch up with you, but maybe next time...
thanks for all replies!
Verena & Georg
Most of the photos on my web site were taken in Marin County. If there's a location that you like, let me know.
- Dan.