Ocean Sculptures

Wind and water, time and tide. Here is "Ocean Sculptures," a photograph I made in early March at Bandon Beach, Oregon. You'll probably recognize the iconic Wizard's Hat on the left.

Metaphor

I hope you enjoy my photograph, "Metaphor," made in Astoria, Oregon. In early March 2020, I spent a week photographing along the Oregon Coast. During this time, the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States became very clear. We were only a couple of days ahead of the closures of restaurants and beaches on the coast, and ultimately, instead of risking exposure to the virus by flying home from Portland, I asked my wife Ginny to drive to Southern Oregon to pick me up and take me home. I feel lucky that I was able to spend that week focusing on landscape photography. Every morning we'd read the latest terrifying updates about the pandemic, but then we spent the rest of the day on the beaches and clifftops, immersed in beauty, stillness, and the infinite power of nature. The meditative practice of landscape photography brings me solace and peace.

Ripple in Still Water

"Ripple in Still Water" is a photograph from my visit to the Oregon Coast in early March. Many of you will recognize this as the iconic Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach. And many of you will now be humming to yourself after having just read the title of my photo. ("Ripple," by the Grateful Dead, in case you weren't sure).

Winding and Free

Have you hiked the trails of the Columbia River Gorge in the Pacific Northwest? This photograph was made on the Oregon side of the Gorge. I wore my fishing waders and set up my tripod in the middle of Gorton Creek in order to capture the feeling of floating in the beautiful greens of the Gorge. The current was surprisingly strong, so I didn't spend too much time trying to find different compositions! Gorton Creek was a wonderful place to make a photograph, because of the lack of downed logs, sticks, or other debris cluttering up the banks of the river. This is unusual, because most creeks and rivers look chaotic when photographed, due to the detritus of the forest. The title of this photograph, “Winding and Free,” is a nod to the beautiful song “River” by Bill Staines. You can listen here: https://youtu.be/h30hARqfiFY

Fire Spirit

"Fire Spirit" is from Bandon Beach, Oregon. When will the dragon emerge from her lair?

Guardians

"Guardians" is a photograph I made in early March as dawn was breaking over Cannon Beach, Oregon. It's a simple composition that I hope rekindles nourishing memories of your own quiet, peaceful moments.

Emerald Falls Enchantment

Emerald Falls is a beautiful set of waterfalls on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge. I wore my fishing waders, climbed into the river, and set up my tripod to capture the movement of the water in this quintessential Pacific Northwest scene.

The Deep-Voiced Ocean

Pacific Northwest sea rocks are powerful beacons along the coast of Washington and Oregon.

The Sorting Hat

Here is another photograph I made at Bandon Beach, Oregon. Compare it to "Ocean Sculptures" - it's the same set of sea stacks, but from a very different angle. The iconic Wizard's Hat is on the left. Of course, it's hard not to see it as the Sorting Hat from the Harry Potter series of books; in fact, I like to view this photograph as a representation of the four founders of Hogwarts!

The Wreck of the Peter Iredale, 1906

While on the Oregon coast in early March, I photographed what remains of the 1906 wreck of the Peter Iredale. The Oregon Historical Society says that all 27 crewmen, including two stowaways, were brought safely to shore. So I couldn't decide...black and white, suiting the somber mood of a shipwreck? Or color, for the intrepid crewmen and stowaways who survived? For my website, I chose black and white, but a color version is also available if you're interested.

Architectural Abstract: Batman in Outer Space

Here is an architectural abstract photograph from my visit to Seattle early in 2020. I asked my friends to help me name this one, and I received so many great responses: Flight of the Raven, Orca Rising, Illusions, Blackbird, Land Down Under, Waveform, Little Wing, Tsunami, and more! The shapes and colors here are real, as those of you who have visited architect Frank Gehry's incredible building (currently the Museum of Popular Culture, or MoPOP) can attest.

Architectural Abstract: Origami

Here is a photograph from my visit to Seattle in early 2020. I call it "Architectural Abstract: Origami," in honor of my friend and origami master Susie Metzler. The shapes and colors are real, as those of you who have visited architect Frank Gehry's incredible building (currently the Museum of Popular Culture, or MoPOP) can attest.

Architectural Abstract: Fun with Gehry and Hendrix

This abstract architectural photograph is one in a series I made at Frank Gehry's incredible building (currently the Museum of Popular Culture, or MoPOP) in Seattle. The interior of the building pays homage to Jimi Hendrix, and the exterior was based on images of electric guitars that Gehry collected. Hence the title, "Fun with Gehry and Hendrix."