A Morning On The River

Sometimes it’s a feeling. Sometimes it’s a guess, and sometimes my phone says so. That was definitely the case this early Sunday morning. According to the TPE this mornings sunrise was suppose to be on fire. Having decided this trip at 4:45AM I didn’t have much time for any distant travel. What a perfect opportunity to just truck down the road to Cline Falls. Quick 5 minute drive, and an even quicker walk from the road to the falls. After all. Its been at least a year since I had visited this location. Perfect location for a last minute decision shoot.

Time to Rally the gear. Clocks ticking! Screw it! I slap on the 14-24 grab the tripod and hit it! Upon a very brief drive to the falls I already started to see the magic unfold. Filling with excitement, cuz this is the kind of shit that turns me on I realized I was in for a colorful sunrise treat, if I could just get my ass to the falls, find a location to set up and be ready for the light show.

Parked. Tripod in hand, “damn this tripod is a heavy bastard!” Camera in hand, “damnit I forgot my neck strap!” Camera in other hand. This is one way to start a photo trip. None the less, I was going to capture this light one way or the other. Lucky for me with no hands free i’m going to shimmy down the Little Rock canyon to the falls because sitting up top where it’s reasonable to shoot is not for this jackass.

Well i’m here with time to spare. Down I go! lucky for me the water was low on the first crossing and getting over was a breeze. After some skillful and calculated rock climbing minus my two hands. I would have taken a picture of myself for further media entertainment for this blog, but my hands were already full. Im sure you understand. I made it to the location. Some extra early morning moss covered wet rock hopping over the heavy rapids was definitely a game I was up for using the off balanced weight from tripod in one hand and expensive camera in the other.

Success is the first word that comes to mind as I rest in final shooting location just before sunrise. Oh! did I mention I was still dry? Yep! I was on my A game this morning. No matter, shits about to get real as I setup for the 10 minutes of glorious photography wonder. This moments excitement is the biggest part of why I get up and do what I do. Enjoy your day my fine people.

Misery Ridge For Sunrise

According to the TPE we should have a killer sunrise tomorrow udders the words of Andy, a good photographer friend of mine. I had just got done checking that out. Sounds promising, and worth of an early rise. Headlamp is charged, unlike the last time. This won’t be one of those times to have a dead headlamp.

Its Saturday morning and the heated seats are crankin warming things up. Headed to Mcdonald’s to meet my fellow comrade Andrew Sambuceto for the traditional weekend pre photo trip breakfast of champions, Sausage muffins and a large coffee. February 22nd brings a chilly morning and many thoughts on what Misery Ridge at Smith Rock will bring. Low light to start the accent, narrow loose footed trails and stairs as far as one could see line the rock cliffs. Careful footing is a must with this trip as any kind of careless steps could lead to certain disaster in this area.

Breath seen all too easily as we part from the truck. Backpacks tied on tight, headlamps firing hot. Visibility no further than the headlamps allow. We start the hike into the canyon. This is what excites us. The journey for the next world class sunrise photo. Thats what we tell ourselves anyhow. 75 yards into the climb the cold is replaced with sweat and exhaustion as we take it one stair step at a time. “what the hell was I thinking!” were just some of thoughts that came to mind at 5:30am on the side of a ridge. Sharing some laughs and comments regarding age and how fat and out of shape we were filled the morning air next to the continuous heavy breathing between the two of us. After at least 8000 switchbacks 6747 stairs 800 slips and 2 quads that were literally smoking and on fire we reached the top.

Taking in the morning view as the sun showed first signs of life on the horizon. We immediately set path to our shooting spot, or scouting for a new spot that is. After many spots along the backside of the state park we landed back toward the peak that overlooks some of gods greatest creations one could view. There wasn’t the sunrise color that we hoped for but the experiences we gathered from another great morning holding a camera, taking in the peaceful silence and views while the sun smacked the rocks deflecting heavily shadowed pockets along the rock cliffs made it all worth while. Conversations with Andrew sharing the same love and excitement for even the smallest event that will create an interesting image are the main topic as this trip comes to a close. Back down the mountain we travel. Another great weekend morning.

Morning Alpine Glow In Central Oregon

Alarms rings!! its 4:45am on a Saturday morning. “What the hell am I doing up????” Oh yeah, I am Landscape Photographer. Thats what I do. I chase the chance of a sunrise catching fire over a picturesque scene Reflecting off water under a snow peaked mountain range. leading lines pulling me into the scene. A feeling like being in a trance when all of this takes place. The perfect image. An image one is excited to get back and edit to share with other fellow photographers and fans alike.

My buddy Andrew Sambuceto and myself peeled ourselves out of bed on this Saturday morning to head up to Dutchman Flatts by Mt. Bachelor. We snowshoed onto the Cascade Lakes Highway in hopes of another magical sunrise morning which we experienced two months prior at Sparks Lake. Its that very hope that carries us out of bed before first light. Hike into the wilderness, losing feeling in your face, to catch that scene surreal image of a lifetime.

This trip wasn’t one of those once in a lifetime photo trips, but a trip worth remembering. Morning color captivated us for that brief moment to gather the color over these snow capped peaks leaving us with a feeling of accomplishments for this trip. Something to converse on the drive back down the mountain, Which in turn lead to further conversation about the next big plans for another unforgettable trip to amazing PNW spots less traveled. Dejavu……. The same conversation we have after every photo trip. The same experiences that keep us returning everytime.