I've shared most of these along the way, and I've moved out of the area, but I thought I'd impose enough to put together a collection. Like many others have commented, I didn't get out as much as I would have liked in 2013, so here's hoping that '14 will be better in that regard. Having moved from central Utah (just when I was starting to feel like I was starting to learn the area and its weather patterns!) to the Seattle area, I still have a lot to learn about the Pacific Northwest. These are about half-and-half from UT and WA, as I moved in late June.
Took me about two years of looking to find it and other three visits to get the light I was looking for. The GPS didn't even work down there, so I literally can't tell you where this is. I know the collection of turns to get there, though, so if you want to fly me out there, I can guide you to it...
Another personal favorite in the last couple years. I don't have a 4wd that can handle it, so I usually hike out there pre-dawn. Always fun. Still haven't gotten the best combination of light and clouds, but this will have to do for the forseeable future.
The same day as [3], above, during the Spring Fling. Josh took me out to this site the same evening that other people went out to the False Kiva. Totally different shot, and I'm happy I got it; I'd wanted one with the fins in the foreground and the La Sals in the background for a long time.
After heading up the Narrows any number of times, I think this past summer I finally got them in the light I was looking for. Zion is a perennial favorite of mine; it keeps drawing me back (at least when I lived within a 1-day drive!).
I stumbled across these dunes on my last trip out in central Utah before moving, and had the stellar luck to get some good clouds that same evening. I'd actually been headed over to Goblin Valley State Park and didn't think I was going to make it when I drove past these dunes and immediately scrapped my plans to go trudge around in the sand.
Here we go off-topic and get into the PNW. It's a pretty brutal hike to get up here, but I got some great reflected light in the lake. I wish I'd remembered to bring a ND filter on this trip, so that I could have used a longer shutter speed to blur out the water a bit more...
[9] Sunset from Cascade Saddle (night #2), North Cascades NP, WA.
Sunset light on a great group of clouds. For once I had the presence of mind to run around and look for a foreground element rather than simply plopping down the tripod and starting to shoot panoramics. I gotta get better at that...
[10] Waterfall in the Enchantments, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA.
I had the good luck to actually be able to pick up a walk-in permit to the Enchantments in August, so I went for it. The skies were amazingly clear, so I had to resort to some creative framing at times.
Most of what I found while chasing fall color was stuff like this, where the evergreens dominated. It has its own attraction after a while, but (1) I certainly miss the maples of Utah and (2) I need to find better locations near here next year!
Lastly, a shot from the Columbia River Gorge, at least partially because Ken has been asking for it. I've only gotten down there once so far, and it's a world unto itself in terms of greenery and waterfalls. I'll be trying to hit it and the coast in the spring, and just to get out more often in '14!
Thanks for looking, and best wishes to everyone in the coming year.
Critiques and comments welcome.
Posted by Karl Buiter on January 17, 2014 at 3:02 AM
Keep on sending us those NW shots! Not this year, but soon I got to make a visit to the area.
Thanks, all. I'm getting tired of being cooped up by the rain and just being tired from the workweek, so we'll see what trouble I can get into.
Doug, keep me up to date on the light and weather of the Colorado Plateau -- I miss it. It's great to see your shots from there.
Posted by Ken Henke on January 18, 2014 at 11:05 AM
No doubt a great set, Mark. Thanks for including a shot from the Gorge. As you can tell, I am mesmerized by the Gorge and its waterfalls. Many of the places take on a dream-like quality for me. Seems to me there are a lot of hidden waterfalls one must pack to. So far, I haven't discovered a good source on those. I suspect many photographers don't want to share the hidden gems in fear of site being trampled by hundreds.
Hope you like "green", because that certainly will be the dominant theme in the NW!
Mark, you had a great year, impressive collection you got. My favorites are #4, 5 & 13. Good luck in your new home and we can't wait to see lots of waterfalls from the Gorge.
Discussion
23 repliesI've shared most of these along the way, and I've moved out of the area, but I thought I'd impose enough to put together a collection. Like many others have commented, I didn't get out as much as I would have liked in 2013, so here's hoping that '14 will be better in that regard. Having moved from central Utah (just when I was starting to feel like I was starting to learn the area and its weather patterns!) to the Seattle area, I still have a lot to learn about the Pacific Northwest. These are about half-and-half from UT and WA, as I moved in late June.
(And hey, Morris, you're not the last one!)
Took me about two years of looking to find it and other three visits to get the light I was looking for. The GPS didn't even work down there, so I literally can't tell you where this is. I know the collection of turns to get there, though, so if you want to fly me out there, I can guide you to it...
Another personal favorite in the last couple years. I don't have a 4wd that can handle it, so I usually hike out there pre-dawn. Always fun. Still haven't gotten the best combination of light and clouds, but this will have to do for the forseeable future.
The same day as [3], above, during the Spring Fling. Josh took me out to this site the same evening that other people went out to the False Kiva. Totally different shot, and I'm happy I got it; I'd wanted one with the fins in the foreground and the La Sals in the background for a long time.
After heading up the Narrows any number of times, I think this past summer I finally got them in the light I was looking for. Zion is a perennial favorite of mine; it keeps drawing me back (at least when I lived within a 1-day drive!).
I stumbled across these dunes on my last trip out in central Utah before moving, and had the stellar luck to get some good clouds that same evening. I'd actually been headed over to Goblin Valley State Park and didn't think I was going to make it when I drove past these dunes and immediately scrapped my plans to go trudge around in the sand.
Here we go off-topic and get into the PNW. It's a pretty brutal hike to get up here, but I got some great reflected light in the lake. I wish I'd remembered to bring a ND filter on this trip, so that I could have used a longer shutter speed to blur out the water a bit more...
Late-twilight light in the high mountains of Northern Washington.
Sunset light on a great group of clouds. For once I had the presence of mind to run around and look for a foreground element rather than simply plopping down the tripod and starting to shoot panoramics. I gotta get better at that...
I had the good luck to actually be able to pick up a walk-in permit to the Enchantments in August, so I went for it. The skies were amazingly clear, so I had to resort to some creative framing at times.
I didn't do very well chasing fall color around the state, but I did manage to find this section of vibrant ground cover.
Most of what I found while chasing fall color was stuff like this, where the evergreens dominated. It has its own attraction after a while, but (1) I certainly miss the maples of Utah and (2) I need to find better locations near here next year!
Lastly, a shot from the Columbia River Gorge, at least partially because Ken has been asking for it. I've only gotten down there once so far, and it's a world unto itself in terms of greenery and waterfalls. I'll be trying to hit it and the coast in the spring, and just to get out more often in '14!
Thanks for looking, and best wishes to everyone in the coming year.
Critiques and comments welcome.
Keep on sending us those NW shots! Not this year, but soon I got to make a visit to the area.
Doug, keep me up to date on the light and weather of the Colorado Plateau -- I miss it. It's great to see your shots from there.
Hope you like "green", because that certainly will be the dominant theme in the NW!
A very nice set indeed. A good variety of subjects, light, and comps. I love that #8 with the view from above and the clouds below.