Spring Break Part 2: Tom McCall Preserve

Hello readers; it's been a while! I've been away from this blog due to another multiday photography trip, along with other events. But I'm looking forward to getting back on track, starting where I left off during the late April camping trip to the Columbia Gorge area.

On the second day of that trip, I visited the Tom McCall Preserve in Oregon, hiking to McCall Point from the Rowena Crest Viewpoint. Skies were crystal clear, and the sunlight created challenges with lighting and contrast, particularly as I approached the summit and the sun was high. On the other hand, views of the surrounding topography, including Mount Hood and Mount Adams, were excellent. Because of these factors and breezes tossing the flowers about, I concentrated on landscapes and forwent flower closeups. Balsamroot (genus Balsamorhiza) was in full bloom throughout much of the hike; moreover, there was a plethora of other flowers, including paintbrush, larkspur, and others.

First, my favorite from the day, probably because the lighting is the most interesting (this was the earliest of my photos; I took it before 9am). I had to contend with the uneven sky polarization that can happen with polarizing filters and wide angle lenses, but I don't think that's all bad: a tasteful amount of it can accentuate the early-morning feel of an image. The editing here is a work in progress, but it's coming along. F/18.

Next, three floral landscapes set against mountains in the background - Mount Hood in the first and third of this set, Mount Adams in the second. The first has a harmonious composition and a good sense of open space, and the flowers don't dwarf the mountain. It'd be good at a large size. The second has the most striking sense of depth. The third has the most interesting color variety, but I had some issues with image quality and distortion. F/18, F/18, and F/20, respectively.

Finally, a hillside view from close to midday. Due to the angle of the sun, the lighting isn't very interesting, but I liked the layered appearance of the landscape. I had passed this vantage point earlier in the day, with better lighting, but couldn't avoid casting my own shadow into the composition at that time. F/18.

That's all for today. Part 3 will include further wildflower adventures - including closeups! Stay tuned!