Michael13
Well-Known Member
This year my favorites are a mix of landscapes close to home, and a few desert scenes from spring and fall roadtrips. I lucked out with clouds on a few occasions, as it often will happen that a roadtrip will coincide with periods of totally blank, lifeless blue skies.
1. Tiny Flowers along the Trail
This lovely example of Herb Robert (Geranium Robertianum) was found on the Bridal Veil Falls Trail in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon. It is a tiny thing, with the flower being just around half an inch across. The supporting stem is so out of the plane of focus that it appears to be floating in place. Made with a Laowa 85mm macro.
2. Bridal Veil Falls, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
A short hike from the parking lot brings you to an elevated viewing platform where you can observe the creek plunging, then making a 90 degree right turn, followed by another plunge and another 90 degree turn, this time to the left.
3. Proxy Falls, Central Oregon
Some say this is the most beautiful falls in all of Oregon. I won't disagree with that statement, but there are others you could also say that about. The spray at the base of the falls makes for a very slippery time on the mossy rocks. I went on a weekday morning before sunrise and had the whole place to myself.
4. Stout Grove, Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park, California
One of the best views is looking straight up through these tall trees. Apart from making photos, just being among these giant trees gives a warm, peaceful feeling that everyone should experience at least once.
5. Pistol River, North Beach, Southern Oregon Coast
While the entire Oregon Coast is worth visiting, I have a warm spot in my heart for the southern region, from Brookings north to Bandon. So many beauty spots along highway 101, it is hard to make time driving along this road, as you want to stop at every pullover for its photographic potential! This sunrise photo is from late September.
6. Latourell Falls, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
This photo makes me sad. I was selling my Nikon D600 850nm IR camera that afternoon, and took it on a final sunrise photo walk in the Gorge in late May. I really like the way the 850 renders foliage bright white and can give really black, contrasty skies. It is the purest example of Infrared photography. I can still make B+W conversions from my new 590nm camera, but they just don't have the same punch as the ol' 850.
7. Roadside Tufa, Northern Nevada
Nevada HWY 447 takes you past some awesome tufa deposits as it heads south from Gerlach. It always seems to be windy here, and when the clouds cooperate, you can make some fun long exposures.
8. Talastima, Hopi Nation, Northern Arizona
I had been wanting to see this place for a long time, having seen online images of it for years. Finally went in September - wow - the long, featureless dirt road suddenly drops into this canyon where the colors seem unreal. On maps this area is called Blue Canyon, but the native Hopi people call it Talastima, so I will too. The Hopi also have a name for the rock formations - Koyemsim. Cool names for an awesome place! Definitely go there if are in the area - you must hire a Hopi guide but ours was awesome and answered all our questions about the area and about Hopi life.
9. Talastima, Hopi Nation, Northern Arizona
Even though we only had a four hour tour ( including a 1.5 hour roundtrip drive), we made the most of it, hiking around the formations and giving the camera a rapid workout. I need to go back and see more of the area and stay longer next time.
10. Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim
From one of the many pullouts along the south rim. This image is with my new 590nm Infrared converted Nikon Z5. This conversion allows enough visible color along with the IR to make for some fun precessing possibilities. I miss my 850, but am warming up to the 590 and I think it's gonna be OK.
Happy New Year ! May all your travels be safe and full of awesome images !
1. Tiny Flowers along the Trail
This lovely example of Herb Robert (Geranium Robertianum) was found on the Bridal Veil Falls Trail in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon. It is a tiny thing, with the flower being just around half an inch across. The supporting stem is so out of the plane of focus that it appears to be floating in place. Made with a Laowa 85mm macro.
2. Bridal Veil Falls, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
A short hike from the parking lot brings you to an elevated viewing platform where you can observe the creek plunging, then making a 90 degree right turn, followed by another plunge and another 90 degree turn, this time to the left.
3. Proxy Falls, Central Oregon
Some say this is the most beautiful falls in all of Oregon. I won't disagree with that statement, but there are others you could also say that about. The spray at the base of the falls makes for a very slippery time on the mossy rocks. I went on a weekday morning before sunrise and had the whole place to myself.
4. Stout Grove, Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park, California
One of the best views is looking straight up through these tall trees. Apart from making photos, just being among these giant trees gives a warm, peaceful feeling that everyone should experience at least once.
5. Pistol River, North Beach, Southern Oregon Coast
While the entire Oregon Coast is worth visiting, I have a warm spot in my heart for the southern region, from Brookings north to Bandon. So many beauty spots along highway 101, it is hard to make time driving along this road, as you want to stop at every pullover for its photographic potential! This sunrise photo is from late September.
6. Latourell Falls, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
This photo makes me sad. I was selling my Nikon D600 850nm IR camera that afternoon, and took it on a final sunrise photo walk in the Gorge in late May. I really like the way the 850 renders foliage bright white and can give really black, contrasty skies. It is the purest example of Infrared photography. I can still make B+W conversions from my new 590nm camera, but they just don't have the same punch as the ol' 850.
7. Roadside Tufa, Northern Nevada
Nevada HWY 447 takes you past some awesome tufa deposits as it heads south from Gerlach. It always seems to be windy here, and when the clouds cooperate, you can make some fun long exposures.
8. Talastima, Hopi Nation, Northern Arizona
I had been wanting to see this place for a long time, having seen online images of it for years. Finally went in September - wow - the long, featureless dirt road suddenly drops into this canyon where the colors seem unreal. On maps this area is called Blue Canyon, but the native Hopi people call it Talastima, so I will too. The Hopi also have a name for the rock formations - Koyemsim. Cool names for an awesome place! Definitely go there if are in the area - you must hire a Hopi guide but ours was awesome and answered all our questions about the area and about Hopi life.
9. Talastima, Hopi Nation, Northern Arizona
Even though we only had a four hour tour ( including a 1.5 hour roundtrip drive), we made the most of it, hiking around the formations and giving the camera a rapid workout. I need to go back and see more of the area and stay longer next time.
10. Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim
From one of the many pullouts along the south rim. This image is with my new 590nm Infrared converted Nikon Z5. This conversion allows enough visible color along with the IR to make for some fun precessing possibilities. I miss my 850, but am warming up to the 590 and I think it's gonna be OK.
Happy New Year ! May all your travels be safe and full of awesome images !
