The Palouse Guy

Clouds – important compositional element

Posted on April 2, 2009 | Leave a comment

Road to the Clouds by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

When shooting in the Palouse there are many opportunities to use the leading lines and curves of the terrain for your composition. A dramatic or colorful sky can help to balance the composition. I always enjoy days with blue sky and white “puffy” clouds.

I would like to suggest using the clouds as a major compositional element in the background. The image at the top of this page shows an example of using the clouds as a main element of the composition. Let me explain my thought process as I created this image.

I was driving along HIghway 195 from Pullman to Colfax whenI noticed the dirt road in the field and thought the lines and colors were interesting. At that time there was just a clear blue sky above the landscape. I kept driving for a ways when I noticed some clouds moving to that area from the southwest. I turned around and decided to see if the clouds would move into the setting I had seen before.

As I parked by the side of the road, it was evident that the clouds were definitely moving rapidly toward my position. I set up my tripod and camera and just waited as the cloud formation continued to approach. At times I try to name an image before I actually shoot. This helps me to visualize and create the image in my mind. The funnel shaped cloud formed just before it reached my position and I thought if it would line up with the dirt road I would be able to capture the image I had imagined. I took a couple of shots just to check my exposure and as the funnel reached the top of the road I pressed the shutter and the image was mine.

This image was effective for me because I utilized the clouds as a main compositional element. Using the clouds allowed the road to lead to something of interest. Think creatively about the clouds in your photos and see the added impact they can provide.

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Posted in Palouse Landscapes

Tagged clouds, landscape, Palouse

Getting Images Tack Sharp

Posted on April 1, 2009 | Leave a comment

Barn in Morning Light by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

When shooting a landscape most of the time it is essential to get everything in the image from foreground to background in sharp focus. This can be difficult to accomplish. Many lenses have their sweet spot at apertures f8 or f11. However to achieve a greater depth of field a smaller aperture like f22 would be useful.

An article entitled Tack-Sharp Images by Joe Johnson, the owner of Really Right Stuff, caught my attention. He discusses the issues and procedures for achieving sharp focus throughout the image. I enjoyed his discussion and suggestions and hopefully you will find the article informative and useful as well.

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Posted in Palouse Landscapes

Tagged barn, landscape, Palouse

Utilize Local Resources

Posted on April 1, 2009 | Leave a comment

Afternoon Sun Lights Barn by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

When visiting either a new or even a familiar region to photograph, I have found it very useful to connect with local residents. The locals will have a knowledge and understanding of the area that has been developed through their experiences of living and working there. This is especially true in the Palouse as many of the residents living in the small towns have roots to the area for three or four generations.

This past week, I spent time in the Palouse region mainly around the towns of Colfax and Pullman. I made several connections with local people that will prove to be of value to me as I increase my portfolio of images in that region.

One day I went to a small cafe around lunch time and just interacted with several of the locals that were enjoying their dinner. By the time I left I had made several new acquaintances and also had the directions to a couple of barns that I had not seen before. In addition they suggested another individual who proved to be very useful in my search for old barns to photograph around that area. We ended up spending almost 2 hours together as he drove me around in his pickup to back country areas to look at barns. I ended up with his phone number and he said contact him anytime and he would be happy to help me explore once again.

Remember, getting to know the people as well as the area can be a very rewarding experience. Spending time interacting and asking a few questions about their town, work environment and the people living in the region will give you a new perspective of the area.

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Posted in Palouse Landscapes

Tagged barn, landscape, Palouse

Prepare for the Unexpected

Posted on March 23, 2009 | Leave a comment

Mule Deer Trio by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

Preparation is a key when going on a photo shoot. Gear should be checked to make sure the cameras, lenses, tripod, extra batteries, flashes, cards and any other miscellaneous equipment is packed and ready for use. Upon arrival at the location the appropritate combination of equipment is set up to prepare to make the image we have been planning and visualizing.

It is also important to be prepared for the image you may have the opportunity to capture as you travel to the location. While traveling by car, I always have a camera body with a lens attached to it sitting on the seat next to me. I have found that many times an unexpected opportunity to capture a unique shot presents itself and I want to be prepared. The image seen above was just such an opportunity.

While traveling along a gravel road in the Palouse region of eastern Washington I came around a blind corner and this threesome was standing there to greet me. I picked up the camera and carefully rolled down my window and was able to take a series of images without scaring the deer trio into flight. Many times an animal or bird will stay to be photographed if you remain in your car.

As I prepare for this kind of opportunity I have the following equipment ready. My Canon 1D Mark III equipped with a Canon 100-400mm IS zoom set to ISO500, f5.6 at 400mm is ready for immediate use. Generally I have it set for 10 fps in AI focus mode. Through some trial and error I have found that this combination of equipment and settings prepares me for just about any wildlife situation that I may want to photograph from the car. The equipment is light enough to hand hold and the settings allow for a fast enough shutter speed to stop motion.

There are undoubtably many methods and combinations of equipment that can be effective for these unexpected opportunities. My experience tells me be prepared and you may be rewarded.

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Posted in Wildlife in the Palouse

Tagged animal, deer, fawn, mammal, mule deer, Palouse

Changing Your View Gives New Perspective

Posted on March 19, 2009 | 1 comment

As photographers sometimes we get stuck in the same mode of shooting images. The standard position we normally shoot is either from a tripod or hand held at eye level. This practice can produce shots that may look very ordinary and tell the usual story.

Typically in the Palouse region miles of wheat fields are viewed either from our car or as we walk along. This view is from above and we see the landscape as a vast sea of grain stretching to the horizon. I don’t mean to imply that this view can’t provide a beautiful vista but there are other views that can create interest as well.

Reaching for the Sky by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

To add a different perspective to your work, try exploring new vantage points for creating an image. In the image above, I was putting myself in the position of a small rabbit that I had observed just moments earlier. The wheat through his eyes must appear to be a tall forest of grain “reaching for the sky”. That forest of grain gives the small creatures shelter and protection as it fills up their landscape. To me this tells a completely different story as the wheat provides a purpose that we don’t normally consider.

Remembering to change your view may add a totally new perspective to your shooting. Shoot high, shoot low, shoot from all around and give your images a new and refreshing look.

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Posted in Palouse Landscapes

Tagged Palouse, wheat

Between Seasons

Posted on March 3, 2009 | Leave a comment

I enjoy photographing the Palouse at any time of the year, but the time between seasons can give some interesting views. My favorite transition occurs between winter and spring. The beauty of the winter lingers as the anticipation of the spring and a newness is evident.

In the image below one can see the patterns in the snow that were left by a rain the day before. This was taken on a very cold morning in late February just after sunrise when the temperature was 18 degrees.

Snow Patterns surround a Barn by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

This is one of my favorite barns in the Palouse. It is located about five miles from Colfax, Washington. Just remember when you are planning a trip to the Palouse, look at a time that is not considered to be the prime season and you may be treated to a different perspective of this region.

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Posted in Palouse Landscapes

Tagged barn, Palouse

Observe wildlife while exploring the beautiful vistas.

Posted on March 2, 2009 | Leave a comment

It is necessary to keep a watchful eye as you travel the Palouse country. Many times you are so involved in taking in the beautiful scenery that you miss some of the birds and other wildlife that is abundant.

On a recent trip to the Steptoe Butte area just north of Colfax, I was intent on getting to a high vantage point to observe the final light of the sun as it was preparing to bathe the landscape of rolling hills and valleys in the lowlands below. As I came around a corner on the road up to the state park I spotted the red-tailed hawk that is pictured below.

Red-tailed Hawk (buteo jamaicensis) by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

He was very intent in watching the fields below him as he perched on a ridge in the wheat field searching for any movement that might signal some prey for his supper. He did not give me much attention as I captured his image from my car window.

As I parked my car in one of my favorites spots to capture the last rays of the sun, I heard the loud trill of a bird just over the edge of the hill on some rocks. I was treated to the view of a rock wren that was enjoying bathing in the last light of the day. In the image below, it is obvious how well this species blends in with its environment.

Rock Wren (salpinctes obsoletus) by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

As the sun set on the landscape and I descended the butte in the twilight, I was once again reminded of the beauty that is both in the landscape as well the wildlife that inhabits this region.

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Posted in Palouse Landscapes, Wildlife in the Palouse

Tagged bird, red-tailed hawk, rock wren, Steptoe Butte

Using What’s Left

Posted on February 25, 2009 | Leave a comment

One of the things that is intriguing about photographing the Palouse is sometimes you make a photograph of something unexpected. Generally as images are captured in this region, we see rolling hills, lush wheat fields or abundant harvests. I like to look for what I call unusual remnants that may be left after the harvest is over.

River of Wheat by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

The image above gives just that kind of perspective. The harvest is finished and the field is plowed and planted. You can see where the winter wheat is starting to show through. The focus of this image is the leftover wheat that was not harvested because it was in a shallow gully that the combine could not reach. As I came around a corner looking for a fertile landscape, this patch of wheat reminded me of a river that was running to the grain storage shed in the distance. The starkness of the plowed field helped to emphasize the wheat river.

As you travel the Palouse be attentive looking for something that is not always expected. Look beyond the ordinary and make an image that is different and interesting.

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Posted in Palouse Landscapes

Tagged Palouse, river, wheat

Converting Images to B&W

Posted on February 7, 2009 | Leave a comment

Converting an image to black and white can create a different mood and sometimes add more drama to a scene. Many of the images you capture in the Palouse can be very effective utilizing this conversion process. I really enjoy converting images that have barns and a strong contrast between the sky and the rest of the scene.

Morning Glow on Barn by Gary Hamburgh - All Rights Reserved

The barn pictured above was the color image that I used to create the black and white conversion. The color version had been adjusted in Aperture to depict what the scene looked like as I captured it.

A great product that can be used for black and white conversions is Silver Efex Pro by Nik software. For my workflow it is the simplest and most effective conversion tool that I have found. The procedure that was used to create the black and white conversion follows.

In Aperture, I selected the Nik software plugin for Silver Efex Pro. When the image opened I selected the high structure preset and added a red filter. Slight adjustments were made with the sliders until the conversion was to my liking. The entire conversion process took about fifteen seconds. The original conversion is shown below.

Afterwards the image ws cropped to bring the barn into the foreground and let the sky become more prominent. Each version tells a little different story. The full version with the leading lines of the furrows shows the impact of farming in the photo. The cropped version emphasizes the drama of the sky.

The Palouse with its landscapes allows you to experience very dramatic and inspiring vistas. Hopefully this idea of converting images to black and white will help you to share a different perspective with others as you explore this area of eastern Washington.

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Posted in Palouse Landscapes

Tagged b&w conversion, barn, Palouse

Wildlife in the Palouse

Posted on January 31, 2009 | Leave a comment

While visiting and shooting in the Palouse, you will have many opportunities for photographing wildlife. While I was visiting Palouse Falls State Park yesterday, I was treated to views of several species of birds and animals. Most were visible from my car window as I was traveling to the falls.

In the state park there are several marmots that reside year round on the cliffs that overlook the canyon. The one in the photo above was very inquisitive and seemed to enjoy the sunshine on a cold winter day.

As I left the park I spotted this red-tailed hawk sitting on a fence post and was able to photograph it from my car window. Throughout the day as I headed to Colfax, I saw mule deer, white-tailed deer and a coyote from the highway.

As you can see, a trip to the Palouse not only provides scenic landscapes but the wildlife is plentiful and accessible for capturing images.

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Posted in Wildlife in the Palouse

Tagged marmot, red-tailed hawk

The Palouse Guy

Clouds – important compositional element

Getting Images Tack Sharp

Utilize Local Resources

Prepare for the Unexpected

Changing Your View Gives New Perspective

Between Seasons

Observe wildlife while exploring the beautiful vistas.

Using What’s Left

Converting Images to B&W

Wildlife in the Palouse

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