Hello everyone just recently discovered this forum.
I’m based in Europe and I’m going to be touring some States for landscape photography staring early July for about 3 months.
Among the places I will visit are Washington State and Oregon and later in August and September Utah & California. I though here I will find some good advise as I build my itinerary but also would enjoy greatly possibly meeting and sharing some of the adventures with other like-minded photographers.
My only experience in Washigton state and Oregon is a short passage 3 years ago not really appropriate for photography. Now I’m coming back to these wonderful areas with the idea to discover some of the secrets of this parts of the world.
I plan to drive walk and camp along this trip and I will have questions for those of you who are experts to the PNW about light, locations and proper backpacking needs.
Hopefully I can receive valuable information
I've done this trip a number of times. My favorite route is to stay on the coast through Washington State (make sure that you include the Olympic Penninsula and Ho Rainforest, and maybe take a ferry to some of the islands), make a side trip up the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, then back to the coast through Oregon , down through Northern California and Big Sur, then head east through Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite National Parks. Continue south along the eastern side of the Sierra Mountains. Don't miss Bristlecone Pines. You can also make a side trip to Death Valley here if you like the heat. One note, if you are backpacking you should learn a little about our bears and how to handle your food supply accordingly.
Here are some of the ideas I’m forming.
In Washington State I would like to do some exploring on the North Cascades and Olympic NP and maybe Mt Rainier if it is not overcrowded in July (probably it will be).
Oregon I would like to photograph the coast and the inner lands anything from Mountains Desert and Ocean. I have much research do still on Oregon seems like a Unique State in Natural beauty.
Then I will move down to the southwest but there I know a bit more about these areas. I will hopefully have a 4x4 to explore deep in to the Grant Staircase, Fantasy Canyon and Arches (would like to camp there if it is possible) and few other places. In California I will stay away from Yosemite, it will certainly be extremely crowded. I prefer to spend a few days in Death Valley were I had the chance once to visit the Racetrack without however seeing the rest of the Valley.
The most important thing for me would be to explore places along the way that are not that well-known. I’m open to your suggestions.
I think that if you've never been to Yosemite, you should still go despite the crowds. It's usually not too bad if you get up early, and there are plenty of places off the main roads to hike to. (Don't forget your Mosquito spray). Seems like you're coming a long ways and it's already on the way for you. Just my 2 cents.....
There is a relatively new series of books by Countryman Press titled "The Photographer's Guide to ________".
For your trip, the ones I'd suggest are the guides to the Oregon Coast and the guide to Puget Sound and Northwest Washington. I co-authored the first with David Middleton and did the second on my own.
There are also other guides in the series including one to the Grand Canyon, one to the Canyon Country of the southwest, and one to the California Coast.
If you're going to Yosemite, Michael Fry's guide can't be beat.
As far as Rainier in July. Yeah, it'll be a bit crowded, but since the best wildflower time is in early August, it may not be too crowded. You can order a decent guide to Rainier on Tom Haseltine's website. Click on Products, then on Photo Guide maps.
Thank you all for your suggestions so far.
Everyday I work to form this trip, so much to prepare for. Rod I will look into the guides you recommended. I will still seek advice from everyone here as I work my schedule.
Emmanuel, I think you have a lot to choose from. One comment I'll make is that you may not want to spend the time on Fantasy Canyon. It will take you pretty far out of your way into an area that is fairly boring compared to other options, and now that the "famous" teapot formation is gone there's not much there to justify the time, in my opinion. If you're on a tight schedule there is so much more to see in the national parks, the San Rafael Swell, the Escalante area, Coyote Buttes, Paria etc.
Discussion
8 repliesI’m based in Europe and I’m going to be touring some States for landscape photography staring early July for about 3 months.
Among the places I will visit are Washington State and Oregon and later in August and September Utah & California. I though here I will find some good advise as I build my itinerary but also would enjoy greatly possibly meeting and sharing some of the adventures with other like-minded photographers.
My only experience in Washigton state and Oregon is a short passage 3 years ago not really appropriate for photography. Now I’m coming back to these wonderful areas with the idea to discover some of the secrets of this parts of the world.
I plan to drive walk and camp along this trip and I will have questions for those of you who are experts to the PNW about light, locations and proper backpacking needs.
Hopefully I can receive valuable information
Mano
In Washington State I would like to do some exploring on the North Cascades and Olympic NP and maybe Mt Rainier if it is not overcrowded in July (probably it will be).
Oregon I would like to photograph the coast and the inner lands anything from Mountains Desert and Ocean. I have much research do still on Oregon seems like a Unique State in Natural beauty.
Then I will move down to the southwest but there I know a bit more about these areas. I will hopefully have a 4x4 to explore deep in to the Grant Staircase, Fantasy Canyon and Arches (would like to camp there if it is possible) and few other places. In California I will stay away from Yosemite, it will certainly be extremely crowded. I prefer to spend a few days in Death Valley were I had the chance once to visit the Racetrack without however seeing the rest of the Valley.
The most important thing for me would be to explore places along the way that are not that well-known. I’m open to your suggestions.
Contact www.photographamerica.com. Publications on varied locations with invaluable info.
Tell Bob I sent you!
JG
There is a relatively new series of books by Countryman Press titled "The Photographer's Guide to ________".
For your trip, the ones I'd suggest are the guides to the Oregon Coast and the guide to Puget Sound and Northwest Washington. I co-authored the first with David Middleton and did the second on my own.
There are also other guides in the series including one to the Grand Canyon, one to the Canyon Country of the southwest, and one to the California Coast.
If you're going to Yosemite, Michael Fry's guide can't be beat.
As far as Rainier in July. Yeah, it'll be a bit crowded, but since the best wildflower time is in early August, it may not be too crowded. You can order a decent guide to Rainier on Tom Haseltine's website. Click on Products, then on Photo Guide maps.
Everyday I work to form this trip, so much to prepare for. Rod I will look into the guides you recommended. I will still seek advice from everyone here as I work my schedule.
Guy
I have also started another Thread were I have included more details on my Itinerary.