Loose in Palouse

You’d think, after four posts and dozens of pictures in a series called “Loose in the Palouse”, that we’ve actually been to Palouse. But we haven’t.

How can that be? Have I been lying to you this whole time?

Loose in the Palouse: Panorama

Sometimes, in a photography workshop, you need to get an early start. Like, really early. Early enough to travel to and arrive at a pre-scouted viewpoint well before dawn, so you can catch the sunrise and morning light that comes with it.

In my case, this ended up meaning, “guess I’m not going to sleep at all tonight.”

Loose in the Palouse: Steptoe To Falls

One thing was made quite clear by our photography workshop leader when he gave us an introductory briefing on the Palouse.

Loose in the Palouse: Early Impressions

The gorgeous shots you typically see from the Palouse are shot at a place called Steptoe Butte. But that’s not the only place you can find beauty.

Loose in the Palouse: Born in a Barn

The cow looked at me, quizzically. I looked back, impressed with how well it was put together. We both probably wondered if the other was missing a few screws…

Silver Falls

“I bet nobody can get a good picture here!”, said our photography instructor.  On the face of it, you’d think he was crazy – we were along a stream bed in a lovely valley.  But he had his reasons, apart from giving us all a challenge.

Home Town Tourist

Standing on the fringes of a millionaire’s mansion, we looked out over the city.  Mount Hood stood across from us on the horizon, acting as a counterpoint for the rising September moon.

Gorge Group

I admit it.  I live in one of the more picturesque parts of the country.

So when a chance to do a photography workshop in the neighborhood popped up, it seemed like a no lose scenario.  In addition to enjoying some of my favorite spots once again, it gave me a chance to share them with folks who by definition are big fans of beautiful landscapes. We gave ’em a taste of the region on the first day with a trip to Mount Hood, stopping at Timberline Lodge, and Trillium Lake.

Where did we go for day two of the workshop?

Reflecting on Trillium

And as the day’s light softened and prepared for another evening’s slumber, we sat along the edge of a lake, waiting to see how that light would reflect upon the mountain.

Timberline

What do you do when on a “vacation” dedicated explicitly to photography?