The Palouse Guy

Adding a New Perspective to Your Landscapes

garyhamburgh — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:32:21 +0000

A few weeks ago I was mentioning to my mentor Scott Bourne that I would like to purchase a fisheye lens to add a new perspective in some of my images.

He asked me if I had used the Lensbaby with its fisheye attachment. I had to say that I hadn’t used the Lensbaby at all. My feeling was it just wasn’t my style. He suggested I try it with the fisheye attachment if I wanted to capture that look. I decided to try it out on my next trip to the Palouse actually believing it probably wasn’t what I needed.

The picture at the top of this post shows one of the images that I took with that setup. I was presently surprised as it definitely gives the perspective I was looking for. I am very happy with that setup for fisheye images. I might mention that it is not useful for all shots but from time to time it does provide an interesting perspective.

Filed under: Palouse Landscapes, Photography Advice Tagged: bridge, fisheye lens, landscape, Palouse, photography, Rosalia

Let Your Phototography Show Your Passion

garyhamburgh — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:35:25 +0000

I spent the last couple of days at a workshop presented by author Terry Gogna who wrote the book “How I Can Get Myself to Do What I Need to Do” . He was a very exciting speaker and gave much advice. I was especially intrigued with his thoughts on motivation and transferred his ideas to my photography.

He discussed 3 types of motivation. External motivation can come from rewards like money or praise. Internal motivation is intrinsic and comes from needs within us. Both of these types of motivation are standard topics whenever motivation is discussed.

The third classification is what really intrigued me. He called it spiritual motivation. This is what really stirs our soul and what we are very passionate about. I feel this passion as I photograph in the Palouse. Its natural beauty and the sculptures that are carved by the farmers really stir my inner soul.

As you are photographing remember this third area of motivation and develop a project that allows you to get to you inner soul. Your images will convey that passion and will be more effective.

Filed under: Palouse Landscapes, Photography Advice Tagged: farming, landscape, Palouse, photography, wheat field

Mild Winter in the Palouse

garyhamburgh — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:56:29 +0000

As I visited the Palouse today, I was surprised at the look of winter in the area. Typically at this time of year there is snow on the ground and the temperatures are very cold. As you can see from the image at the top of this post there was no snow and the temperature was very moderate.

The winter wheat is showing through the ground and as I spoke with a couple of farmers in the area they mentioned it almost seems like spring has come. Also I was able to drive to the top of Steptoe Butte in my car. I haven’t been able to do that for several years during January.

With the mild weather and some clouds in the sky, I had a great time visiting and photographing the area. Once again, it seems the Palouse is a great region to photograph at any time of the year.

Filed under: Palouse Landscapes Tagged: barn, clouds, landscape, Palouse, winter

In a Rut?

garyhamburgh — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:48:11 +0000

I was sent an article a couple of days ago by a friend and I thought I would share it with you. It is entitled “Choose Your Rut Carefully” and it was written by Lori Woodward Simons. The article deals with how an artist gains a following and becomes known for a particular style or subject.

I have been enjoying photographing in the Palouse for the last few years and that subject has been something I have been known for. As I read the article it made me think about that subject matter and how it fits into my overall work of photography.

I think as you read the article, it will make you do some thinking about your style and how you want to be known. Being in a “rut” can be good or bad depending on your interest and goals.

Posted in Palouse Landscapes, Photography Advice Tagged: agriculture, barn, farming, landscape, Palouse, photography

Photographing from a Hot Air Ballon

garyhamburgh — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:41:20 +0000

I have had the opportunity to photograph several times from a hot air balloon. It is a thrilling experience that can give a very different perspective to your images. Photographing the Palouse really allows you to take advantage of the high view as you look to the beautiful landscape below.

The first time I rode in a balloon and shot I was very apprehensive but I quickly realized it is a very calm, quiet ride that makes photographing very enjoyable. Hopefully you will get the opportunity for this exhilarating experience to give a different view to your images.

A few suggestions that I would offer as I have learned from experience. Take equipment that you can handhold because there is not much room for a tripod. When I have been in the balloon there have always been several occupants. If you are alone with the pilot there would be more room. Take at least two lenses, one being a wide angle and the other a telephoto so you can cover all possible views.

The photos in this post were taken around Walla Walla, Washington during the annual balloon stampede which takes place on the second weekend of May each year. Visit that festival and you will be entertained by the color of the balloons as well as the beauty of the Palouse region.

Posted in Palouse Landscapes, Photography Advice Tagged: balloon, hot air balloon, landscape, Palouse, photography

To be Simple

garyhamburgh — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 04:22:30 +0000

To be Simple is to be Great!

While on Christmas vacation, this sign caught my eye in a restaurant. It isn’t a great image but I liked the message. This is a meaningful message to me in life as well as in photography.

I have posted messages about simplicity before but the sign at the top of this post reminded me again of the importance of simplicity in your photos. The picture below is very simple but allows me to wonder what is the story behind this deserted homestead. I ask questions like “did anyone ever live here?’, “where did they go when they left,?”, or “do their descendants live in a newer house and farm the land in the background?”

In a simple photo, the viewer gets the message of what you feel is important in the image. If they want to they can fill in the blanks or read between the lines. When you look for simplicity many times it is just as important to know what to leave out of the composition as it is to know what elements to include.

Remember, keeping the concept of simplicity in mind as you create your compositions may provide you with stronger message in your images.

Posted in Palouse Landscapes, Photography Advice Tagged: clouds, farming, homestead, landscape, Palouse, photography

Be Excited about Your Photography

garyhamburgh — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:47:46 +0000

As we start the new year of 2010, we all tend to make resolutions. My mentor Scott Bourne wrote a short article that I think gives us food for thought as photographers. It is entitled “Are You Excited about Photography?”

I think the message is very appropriate as we shoot any subject at any time. I know I have a feeling of joy and excitement as I create images and always am hopeful that I can share my experience through the finished product.

As you are looking for resolutions as you start this new year, incorporate the ideas that are presented to help you create the best images you can to share with others. As I travel the Palouse and others venues, I am constantly aware how fortunate I am to visit these wonderful places and the opportunity I have to capture the moment and share it with others.

Have a Happy New Year!

Posted in Palouse Landscapes, Photography Advice Tagged: barn, landscape, Palouse, photography, snow, winter

Tips for Shooting in Cold Weather

garyhamburgh — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:15:28 +0000

Here is an article by Scott Bourne that talks about shooting in cold weather. I find the tips to be extremely useful as I like to shoot in winter conditions.

The image at the top of this post illustrates one of these times to use the tips. It was taken in January in the Palouse with the temperature at 15 degrees.

Follow the advice and your shooting will be a lot more productive and enjoyable.

Posted in Palouse Landscapes, Photography Advice Tagged: landscape, Palouse, winter

Views of Winter

garyhamburgh — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:51:52 +0000

As winter is upon us in the Pacific Northwest, I thought I would show a couple of my favorite images from eastern Washington. I lived in Walla Walla for about 34 years and one of my favorite places to visit was Pioneer Park. The images in this post were talen in January a couple of years ago after a pretty heavy snowfall.

One of the things I like about the Palouse region and all of eastern Washington is that there are definitely four seasons of the year. This creates a great opportunity to photograph the same area with a totally different view

As I have suggested in the past and would like to remind you again, photographing the Palouse can be beautiful at any time of the year.

Posted in Palouse Landscapes, Photography Advice Tagged: landscape, Palouse, photography, Pioneer Park, snow, winter

Visit One of the Many Wineries.

garyhamburgh — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 04:51:17 +0000

When you are visiting the Palouse, take the time to head south to Walla Walla County and visit the wine country. There are many beautiful vineyards and wineries in that region. Many of the wineries have tours and it is interesting to see the grapes in different stages of growth depending on the season.

The photos in this post are actually from a very exclusive winery near Walla Walla. I feel fortunate to know one of the owners and have had access to visit and photograph the vineyards and interior of the winery.

The photo at the top of this post was taken in January last year when it was very cold and just a hint of snow was on the ground.

The owner of the vineyard bought one of my images of Winn Road Barn (see above) and liked it so much that he decided to build his winery patterned after that barn except to three times the scale. The completed winery is in the photo below. The winery itself is try a work of art built out of imported granite with a slate roof.

Below I have included some images of the interior of the winery. The first shows the tasting area. Also I have included an image of one of the beautiful granite counters.

The final photo shows the winemaker with a friend as they taste wine from one of the imported French oak barrels in the cave area of the winery. This is an exceptional place to visit, but can only be accessed with special invitation.

In addition to this exclusive winery there are many other wineries that conduct tours on a daily basis. Take the opportunity for a visit and see a rather recent addition to the agricultural scene around the Palouse.

Posted in Photography Advice, Wineries Tagged: vineyards, winery tours, winery. wine