Grizzly Giant – Carleton Watkins

Grizzly Giant - Carleton Watkins

Grizzly Giant – Carleton Watkins – I want to tell a story while It’s on my mind. Something that is becoming more relevant in my life as time goes on. A story of a well intentioned photographer and a giant Sequoia called Grizzly Giant – Carleton Watkins. I’ve always been a huge fan of the late … Read more

Tedeschi Trucks Band Portland Oregon

Tedeschi Trucks Band

Tedeschi Trucks Band Portland Oregon November 3, 2017. Low light, no flash, hand held photography is something that needs to be understood by any photographer of any genre or style. There are many times where one will need to get a shot but a flash or a tripod are not an option. A great way … Read more

Taking Care of Our Forests

Eagle Creek Fire, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon - Charlie Riter Photo

Here on Mount Hood we are literally surrounded by forestlands. Our homes touch the edge of the Mount Hood National Forest and with increased recreational usage, and in light of the recent Eagle Creek Fire in the Columbia River Gorge, concerns about wildfires and overuse are increasing. Many people aren’t aware that our local village … Read more

Motivation, Purpose, and Reason – 2017 Solar Eclipse

The Dead Ox Solar Eclipse Crew

2017 Solar Eclipse Motivation, purpose, and reason. Why do we do what we do, especially when it’s doing something that we love? To me photography is more than taking photos. It took me a while to understand this as it applies to my own work and how it affects my life but the realization was … Read more

Ruined It For The Rest Of Us

Keep Out

I remember central Oregon back in the innocent days. My family has lived in central Oregon for five generations. I once drove a delivery truck route that included Wasco, Jefferson, Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler and Crook counties. I got to know a lot of ranchers and farmers during that time. Those were the days of trust … Read more

Fort Rock Night Photography

The Milky Way at Fort Rock Oregon

Fort Rock Night Photography – After a drive from my home here on the south side of Mount Hood to Central Oregon for some Fort Rock Night Photography. I and my friend Rob arrived at the Fort Rock Museum, what’s left of the history of this little town, and the geologic feature it’s named for. … Read more

What Lens Should I Use?

Mt Hood at 20mm lens

What Lens Should I Use? – The most asked question of me is typically advice in what camera that one should get. I have addressed this in a previous blog post. The second most asked question may be what lens to choose. In SLR (single lens reflex) photography there are basically two types of lenses … Read more

Amazing White River Falls & Celestial Falls Oregon

White River Falls Oregon

White River Falls and Celestial Falls Oregon White River Falls in the background and Celestial Falls in the foreground on the White River near the town of Tygh Valley Oregon. White River has its source on the southeast side of Mount Hood and its terminus at its confluence with the Deschutes River just north of … Read more

Photographing Lightning

Lightning at Simnasho Oregon

Photographing Lightning – With Spring and early Summer comes transitional weather that will cause some amazing photography opportunities. Everything from blue skies with majestic thunderheads, rainbows and lightning. It is photographing lightning that I’m asked about how to capture the most.  A lightning bolt typically lasts about 10 to 50 microseconds (0.000050 sec). That’s a lot … Read more