How many of you are planning a Gorge Attack this year?
Gorge ramblings: (maybe I should get that blog going again )
It's weird but I have a long history in the Gorge, yet only a handful of shots I am really proud of. The simple problem is that I TOOK IT FOR GRANTED (I saw it too much and became too familiar with it)! I have lived anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes away (and do again) and even as a child I was hiking there regularly. Before I took up photography more seriously (about 8-9 years ago) I was a developing guitarist who would go to the Gorge almost weekly (spring and summer) to go climb up on some vista and practice with the inspiration of a grand view. One time I stepped into a bees nest (hole) on a cliff (I had climbed off trail to a pinnacle) and almost died scrambling/climbing and falling down to get away from them (then got anaphylactic shock from the 30+ stings and turned as red as a tomato). As a child and teen my mom lived on the river just east of the airport. She would water ski the columbia daily in good weather. My grandfather owned a large portion of beachfront land extending toward the Gorge.
A handful of years ago, for me, it took Mr Adamus coming into "my terrain" for me to wake up to its beauty. As well as a few shots from some other NW photographers whose work I highly respect. But just as I was gearing up for my renewed Gorge attack, I ended up forming a business plan and moved to Vegas (for 4-1/2 god forsaken years) before I got the chance. Now when I see the Gorge, it is almost like I have never seen it before in my life! It strikes me with AWE! I don't plan on taking it for granted again!
I want to be clear, I know the Gorge is not mine but I feel like since it has been my stomping grounds for so many years, in a way, part of me, wants to own it (based on some emails from NW photographers I know some others feel the same) or at least do it some level justice in representing it. The truth is, all I think we can really do is yield to it!
I have to head out for a 1 week SW tour on Monday and hope to beat this flue (with two ear infections) while on the road, but as I do these things in the desert I will be secretly thinking about every river, stream and green painted canyon in that awesome place. I can't wait to get back and I hope to meet up with some of you out there as we try to pioneer and trail blaze. I also wish you great success with the amazing and inspiring talents you all have.
Lets raise our heads high with gratitude and pride that we have such a natural wonder at our fingertips, to roam around in, be touched by and have the great privilege to share with others!
Sincerely,
Mark Metternich
Posted by Ned Fenimore on March 31, 2012 at 6:39 PM
I hit it pretty hard every year.. can't wait for this year's "attack"
Ned, your Gorge work has always inspired me! I looked through your entire 500px collection and WOW!!! What a collection! I love how you process conservatively and nail your greens!!! Also, it seems you have been everywhere in there. I look forward to running into you out there. Have a great spring season this year.
Posted by John Williams on April 1, 2012 at 11:37 AM
Since moving here ten years ago, no location has captured me more than the Gorge. With all the beauty we have here in the PNW, that's saying a lot.
Amen Brother!
Posted by Ned Fenimore on April 1, 2012 at 1:37 PM
That is very nice of you to say, Mark. I must say that if I could capture an image anywhere close to your square cropped Punchbowl Falls I would be beside myself with happiness. I hope to see you out there too....
The Gorge has been the biggest and most important motivator in my photography. Without my first exposure to it, I doubt that I would have gotten where I am now. I owe it all to my father who moved to Oregon in the early '30's and all my life he told me how much he loved the beauty of the Gorge. I'll also give a great amount of credit to my mother's love of flowers that motivate my flower photography as well. I only wish they were both her still with me to enjoy my work.
Ned, go to Punchbowl in spring with the 70-200 a polarizer and 9 stop ND filter. In the morning IN THE POURING DOWN RAIN with an umbrella of course, cross the creek to that other side and walk away (downstream) from Punchbowl as far as you can (but still being able to frame the scene). Zoom up on the scene (to produce more compression in the elements) and then shoot a 7-10 minute exposure to the right of your histogram (ISO 100). Then during the last 1/3 of your long exposure breath on your lens. The combination of the pouring down torrential rain (on purpose) and the 1/3 fogging produced the effect. I know it is not a standard approach but I am always looking to do something different. That shot opened my mind to the idea of going into the Gorge when everyone is getting out (because of down pour).
Its great to hear others share their love of the Gorge and their history too. I look forward to bumping into both of you.
Great post and thread. Thanks for starting it, Mark.
Hey, why wait to bump into each other in the Gorge? Post a meet-up time and place under the Outings heading and have some good company!
I'm working on a plan to change the "Events" heading to Outings and will post a sticky thread about it. Hope to get down there myself, and would appreciate joining a group that is familiar with all the good sites.
Hi Mark
Moved up here last summer from Los Angeles ( Lived there since 1968, Originally From Belgium), been comming up here for the last 4 years since my daughters moved up here. First time I hiked in the Gorge 4 years ago I fell in love with the place. Told my family if I pass away to throw my ashes somewhere in the Gorge. I just love that place, Eagle Creek is one of my favorite hikes in the middle of the week when no one is around. By the way Vegas is a great place to visit, not to live, lived there 6 months in 69, had to move.
Hi folks, a lurker here from RMNP. Planning my first "Gorge Attack" this year, probably rolling into the area around Sunday afternoon of Memorial Day weekend. Currently my plan is to spend 2 1/2 fairly easy days or 2 jam packed days shooting there before moving up the coast to the Olympic Peninsula for a few more days then coming home through the Palouse. Pretty ambitious planning but we'll see. Anyway, rest assured I'll be monitoring the board relentlessly till then. Any thoughts or suggestions based on current and ongoing conditions would be most helpful. See you in June!
Welcome Danny! Good to have you here.
Bill, sounds like a great trip. On behalf of PNWNP, we wish you great light and safe journeys. And don't let any rain stop you; put on the rain gear for self and camera, and head out. Some of the best photos of our area happen in bad weather.
Be sure to post under Outings a spot and time to meet you, if you would like some people to shoot with and show you around.
Thanks Catherine. I spent my college years in the PNW so I'm well aware of the rainy spring conditions. Probably still have the webbing between my toes and a little moss on my back. Looking forward to meeting up with some folks up there so I'll definitely put something under Outings when I get plans a little more firmed up.
Hiked the Gorge today (Eagle Creek and a couple other locations) to get ready (in shape) for my up coming photography workshop season. WOW it was beautiful and the water is roaring out there!!! Cant wait for May and the peak of greens!
Discussion
16 repliesGorge ramblings: (maybe I should get that blog going again
It's weird but I have a long history in the Gorge, yet only a handful of shots I am really proud of. The simple problem is that I TOOK IT FOR GRANTED (I saw it too much and became too familiar with it)! I have lived anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes away (and do again) and even as a child I was hiking there regularly. Before I took up photography more seriously (about 8-9 years ago) I was a developing guitarist who would go to the Gorge almost weekly (spring and summer) to go climb up on some vista and practice with the inspiration of a grand view. One time I stepped into a bees nest (hole) on a cliff (I had climbed off trail to a pinnacle) and almost died scrambling/climbing and falling down to get away from them (then got anaphylactic shock from the 30+ stings and turned as red as a tomato). As a child and teen my mom lived on the river just east of the airport. She would water ski the columbia daily in good weather. My grandfather owned a large portion of beachfront land extending toward the Gorge.
A handful of years ago, for me, it took Mr Adamus coming into "my terrain" for me to wake up to its beauty. As well as a few shots from some other NW photographers whose work I highly respect. But just as I was gearing up for my renewed Gorge attack, I ended up forming a business plan and moved to Vegas (for 4-1/2 god forsaken years) before I got the chance. Now when I see the Gorge, it is almost like I have never seen it before in my life! It strikes me with AWE! I don't plan on taking it for granted again!
I want to be clear, I know the Gorge is not mine
I have to head out for a 1 week SW tour on Monday and hope to beat this flue (with two ear infections) while on the road, but as I do these things in the desert I will be secretly thinking about every river, stream and green painted canyon in that awesome place. I can't wait to get back and I hope to meet up with some of you out there as we try to pioneer and trail blaze. I also wish you great success with the amazing and inspiring talents you all have.
Lets raise our heads high with gratitude and pride that we have such a natural wonder at our fingertips, to roam around in, be touched by and have the great privilege to share with others!
Sincerely,
Mark Metternich
http://nfenimore.500px.com/
Amen Brother!
The Gorge has been the biggest and most important motivator in my photography. Without my first exposure to it, I doubt that I would have gotten where I am now. I owe it all to my father who moved to Oregon in the early '30's and all my life he told me how much he loved the beauty of the Gorge. I'll also give a great amount of credit to my mother's love of flowers that motivate my flower photography as well. I only wish they were both her still with me to enjoy my work.
Its great to hear others share their love of the Gorge and their history too. I look forward to bumping into both of you.
Hey, why wait to bump into each other in the Gorge? Post a meet-up time and place under the Outings heading and have some good company!
I'm working on a plan to change the "Events" heading to Outings and will post a sticky thread about it. Hope to get down there myself, and would appreciate joining a group that is familiar with all the good sites.
I agree Catherine.. Eagle Creek Trail would be great - or something like that..
Moved up here last summer from Los Angeles ( Lived there since 1968, Originally From Belgium), been comming up here for the last 4 years since my daughters moved up here. First time I hiked in the Gorge 4 years ago I fell in love with the place. Told my family if I pass away to throw my ashes somewhere in the Gorge. I just love that place, Eagle Creek is one of my favorite hikes in the middle of the week when no one is around. By the way Vegas is a great place to visit, not to live, lived there 6 months in 69, had to move.
Bill, sounds like a great trip. On behalf of PNWNP, we wish you great light and safe journeys. And don't let any rain stop you; put on the rain gear for self and camera, and head out. Some of the best photos of our area happen in bad weather.
Be sure to post under Outings a spot and time to meet you, if you would like some people to shoot with and show you around.