Landscape Photo Opportunities in Oregon

Hi All.

I am considering traveling to Oregon for a Landscape Photo trip from about May 1 to May 24. Any suggestions as to where to travel and take photos. For part of the time, I do plan to go to Crater Lake. Also, if my friend Charlie Campbell is available, I do plan to take photos along the Oregon Coast. Charlie lives in the Eugene area.

I plan on taking my Toho Shimo FC-45X with a battery of lenses including my Congo f6.3 90mm WA, Rodenstock f5.6 150mm Sironar S, Rodenstock f9 240mm Apo Ronar MC, Rodenstock f9 300mm Apo Ronar MC, and Fujinon C f12.5 450mm lenses. I also plan on taking my Mamiya 7II and perhaps 3 of my Mamiya 7 lenses as well as my Rollei 35S. I am also considering bringing my Horseman 6 X 12 back which will need to milled to work on the Toho.

I plan to shoot everything on transparencies- Fujichrome QL Velvia 50 (stocking up on some of the last available), Fujichorme QL Velvia 100, and possibly Fujichrome QL Provia 100 for 4 X 5.

Hiking and short backpacking trips for the trip will be OK, but no Mountain Climbing.

Any comments and suggestions and info about potential weather issues will be most appreciated.

Rich

Well, there is the Steens mountain of the South east and the Painted Hills area of the Central Oregon. The Rogue River can be interesting. The Gorge.
Lots of farms will be green during that point of time. If it isn't raining.
Come by Portland and say Hi!

Columbian River Gorge (south side of the river) -- east of Portland.

Increadible waterfalls and creeks -- will be a bit on the cold side. Great hiking.

Vaughn

I made a trip through southern Oregon last June.
If you will get off the freeways you will have a hard time driving 5 miles without stopping to photograph. You do not need to depend on tourist sites for some beautiful imaging opportunities.

If you make it to the coast be sure to check out Shore Acres State Park. Worderful rocks and huge blasting wave action.

There is no doubt in my mind that the coast is Oregon's jewel, photographically at least, and after spending nearly a month on this in the last few years I think its one of the best coastlines in the world, with cliffs and long beaches, rocks and lighthouses, deserted stretches and funky little harbours and towns. You will be missing a lot if you don't spend at least half your time on the coast. There's a book- Oregon Coastal Access Guide by Kenn Oberrecht and published by Oregon State University that is essential for getting around efficiently and getting to the best parts.

Inland, well I'm not quite such a fan. In May the road round Crater Lake won't all be open and there may be significamt restrictions on where you can access the lake views outside the main carpark/hotel area. I'm not really a fan of the Cascade Lakes, though Sparks Lake just after dawn is productive. I like Bend, but not particularly the Lava landscape around it. There's a couple of spots from which Mount Hood looks very fine early and late, and of course there's the Columbia river Valley. I did rather like the Smith River (State Park or NRA??) near Redmond. Its drivable from a base in Bend. I haven't been across to the east of the state.

Back on the coast there's a few things that Oregon does really well- gritty harbour towns like Astoria, Newport and Eureka if you get into N California. Beautiful Victorians at Astoria and Eureka amongst them. I would suggest slipping into California early in your stay for the Redwoods at Jedediah Smith for which ideally you need an overcast day.

I lived out there for years and have thousands of shots from WA and OR. Jim Noel is right - you'll find good photos just about everywhere you go. The Columbia River Gorge will just about be a necessity, with a stop in Portland to visit the ever-so-nice Robert B. and have some good beer. Then the coast and southern portion, which I would follow with a jaunt over to Medford and Klamath Falls. At K-Falls turn north and hit Crater Lake and follow the Cascades north to Bend and Redmond. I have to differ with David H. in that I love the lava fields around Bend. There are also plenty of lava caves southeast of there which make for some interesting shooting and exploring. David is right on the money about Smith Rocks, though. If you've ever seen the movies "The Postman" or "Swordfish" you'll recognize Smith Rocks right away. From there go east to the painted hills and south to the Steens Mountains. Bring a truckload of film and have fun! I'm a bit jealous - wish I could get away for nearly a month at a time like that!

Bruce