Sunset in Oregon
A lovely sunset in Oregon…
Such amazing light out there in Oregon! I do love Oregon, especially the coastline around the Cannon Beach area. I have been there a few times and always come away with photos that I a proud of. This was taken on the beach down below the viewing platform at Ecola State Park. Just another example of that amazing light out in Oregon…
The last sunset in Oregon
This was one of those nights that you never forget. It was our last night in Oregon on our big summer trip, and we thought it would be awesome to watch one more sunset over the Pacific. Little did we know it would turn out like this!
This one REALLY turned out amazing!
I will always look back fondly on this past summer. What, you didn't read about it yet? Suffice it to say that it was a pretty fabulous summer for this family. We're still talking about it, and probably will be for some time (like forever!).
Since we were in Oregon for a long time, and it's just so beautiful there, I spent a fair amount of time catching shots of various sunsets. Some were so-so, some were good, and some were spectacular. This one was quite possibly the best one, and it came on our last night there. Maybe Mother Nature heard my prayers. :-)
We had decided to make a return visit to Ecola State Park and just hang out, relax, and watch the sun dip into the Pacific one last time before we packed it up and left town. There had been some clouds that day and of course I am ever hopeful that they will still be around at sunset, and that it will translate into something beautiful.
It did.
As the pictures show, it was incredibly colorful and while they weren't the most dramatic cloud formations I've shot at sunset, it certainly was pretty incredible. When you add in the rugged beauty of the Oregon coastline, it's hard to beat. You can see why I love this part of the country so much. It just speaks to me I guess.
Here's a tip for when you visit Ecola State Park:
Everyone rolls into the park, leaves the car in the big parking lot there, and follows the trail straight to the viewing platform that is in front of you. You should absolutely do that. The view from that platform is excellent and leads your eye straight down the coast to Cannon Beach and it's famous monolith, Haystack Rock.
But when you are done there, head back up to the parking lot and then turn towards the Pacific and walk into the bushes there. There are some tiny trails that will lead down to a hidden beach. This will involve some scrambling on your part and possibly sliding on your butt down onto the beach, but believe me it is well worth it.
I made this same trek and saw 4 people the whole time. Just four. I basically had it to myself! I was also there at low tide, and was able to walk around the rocks and end up on the beach below the viewing platform I mentioned above. There was no one on that beach at all. There were tidepools with starfish and crabs in it. There were empty sea caves. I was in heaven!
And yes there is another, longer way to get there. You can also take a trail towards Crescent Beach which will wind you through the woods for a ways before depositing you on the beach below the viewing platform. From there you can walk just about anywhere.
However you choose to get there, just get there. Most tourists don't know about it or are not willing to put in the effort, so show up for sunset and be prepared for some awesomeness!
The rugged beauty of Ecola State Park
Today I share 3 shots from Ecola State Park, just outside of Cannon Beach, OR. It's a rugged but beautiful stretch of coastline - and something that everyone should see.
The view..oh, this view! It's gorgeous, right?
Like all photographers (and all humans, really), I just love looking at a fabulously beautiful landscape. There's just something about nature that speaks to all of us. I personally could stare out into nature everyday (and photograph it everyday, too).
And while I do love photographing cities (since my travels take me to them, I have quite a fondness for all the interestingness found there), I have to admit that I love photographing nature just as much as the next person.
I think if you asked 100 people what kind of photos they like best, "landscapes" would be the answer given by the majority. Humans just love looking at natural beauty.
But seascapes are also incredibly satisfying to observe and photograph. Wherever there is a collision between the ocean and the land, you can bet there is something dramatic to aim the camera towards.
Of course, considering I live about 3 hours from the nearest coastline (and frankly, the Texas coastline isn't all that great), it's rare that I get an opportunity to shoot it. So when I was with the family in Oregon earlier this year, we made a point of getting out to the sea every single day - and it was incredible.
I already loved the Oregon coastline, with all its rugged beauty and those rocks dotted everywhere. But after being there for a week and shooting it constantly, I love it even more now. We frequently talk about when we can return.
This spot is at Ecola State Park, which is just outside of the town of Cannon Beach, OR along the northern coastline in Oregon. It's well worth a visit. I also have a list here on the blog of 5 great photo spots along the northern OR coast - check it out if you're interested!
Agape at Ecola
I just love the Oregon coast. What an incredibly beautiful place. I grabbed this shot from Ecola State Park. I had set up and was shooting down the coast, taking in the expansive view all the way to Haystack Rock, when I noticed that there was an incredible view just under my nose, so to speak. I tilted the tripod and fired down at this scene. I love the texture of the water on the sand and all the beautiful colors.
Do you focus on the big stuff only?
That’s one thing I am guilty of in my photographic wanderings. I am sometimes standing there agape at the big beautiful scene before me, and I neglect to catch all the little scenes that make up the big one. It’s hard to take it all in really, especially when it’s a new place. I am working to not fall into that familiar trap of shooting the big scene and moving on. Taking it slow and paying attention to the details can pay off just as well!
The Oregon coast
The world has a lot of beautiful places, and the Oregon Coast ranks right up there in my book as one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. I was visiting that area this past August with some fabulous photographers and friends, and we had a great time firing shots at nearly everything we saw. It was a lot of work, but we got it done. :-)
This is the view from Ecola State Park, looking south along the coast at a secluded cove, towards Cannon Beach. Isn't this place awesome?
Ecola to Haystack
One more photo from my recent Oregon trip. I loved everything about the trip and the spots we chose to photograph, but after 5 straight posts from Oregon, I am a little tired of the subject.
Don't get me wrong - like I said, I loved everything about it - but I tend to crave change here on the blog and I need to mix it up a little. Besides, I can only say "this place is awesome" so many times. It starts to sound a bit hollow, you know?
I do have many, many more shots from Oregon to share, but I will just sprinkle them in here and there. Change is good. Variety is the spice of life. It keeps me feeling energized. Is anyone else like that?
So about the shot - this is the view from Ecola State Park, looking down the coast towards Cannon Beach. You can even see Haystack Rock (the one in my last post) way off in the distance. Just another beautiful spot along the Oregon coast...this place is awesome. :)