Utah is one of the driest states in the United States. It does snow in the mountains and we do get some rain, but nothing like the rain in Oregon. Last year I had the chance to go visit Seattle and Portland. I am going back to Portland in a week! I am very excited.
These are some of my favorite photographs of Oregon from last year’s trip. When I go there I am visiting some friends who are also photographers. We try the local food and then go find locations worthy of large wall prints. Photography is more than snapshots for Facebook. Images like these should be 30×40 inch prints!
We spent a while photographing Ruckel Falls in the Columbia River Gorge. There are numerous waterfalls in the area and it is very green and very mossy. I like it. Granted I like to dry off occasionally, and that is why I return to Utah.
Ruckel Creek Falls, Oregon
We also visited a carnival. They were having hot air balloons, rides, and more. The hot air balloons do no fly at night, but they will inflate and “burn” to create a glow. Trying to get all the balloons illuminated at the same time was a challenge and sometimes you cheat with Photoshop.
People tour the hot air balloons at night
This is one of my favorite and more unique images. I spend a few minutes photographing the carnival rides. With their night lights and some photographic technique it is an out of this world look. Almost sci-fi in the finished photograph. This is why you go with a tripod!
Spinning lights of a Carnival Ride in Oregon
Another fun photograph of the hot air balloon burn. I had tried photographing this kind of event in Utah, but the wind picked up and they had to cancel it. The weather was perfect for this and it was gorgeous.
Hot Air Balloons Burn to Glow at Night
When do you shoot landscape and when do you shoot portrait? You do both! You never know when you might need it for a layout. Magazines love the option of vertical and landscape. Magazine covers are usually vertical.
Columbia River Gorge is home to dozens of waterfalls, perfect for photography
For this next trip to Oregon, it’ll be fun to see what we create in camera. Hopefully I can create a skyline photograph. We shall see. This is why a photographer’s budget should not just be equipment… you need some money for travel.
