Smith Rock

[Guy Schmickle]

I recently returned from a trip out to the PNW where I spent some time at Rainier NP, Seattle (visiting family) and finally the Bend, OR area. Fought with clear, smoke filled skies the entire trip so grand scenics were few and far between. This shot at Smith Rock State Park (north of Bend) was probably my favorite of the trip. Some overnight storms left lingering morning clouds and broke up the smoke enough to allow some gorgeous soft lighting on the rocks. Unfortunately, this was the morning I was leaving to catch my flight home so I only had time for the iconic shot close to the parking lot.

 

[Bob Denton]

This is really great!

 

[Ben Egbert]

This is a place I need to put on my bucket list. And this is a really nice version of it.

 

[AlanLichty]

The smoke is actually not bad at all for this shot although it is still visible in the sky colors. Nice morning light on the rock faces too. Too bad about the smoke for the rest of your trip. Grand views are not really so grand right now up here.

 

[Douglas Sherman]

I really like this one, Guy.

 

[Michael Liskay]

A truly classic Oregon location. You did it very well! I like the shadows which add interest and put the viewer into the scene!

Mike

 

[Jameel Hyder]

The light on the rocks is nice and soft and despite the smoke, you came away with a keeper.

 

[JimFox]

This does look really good Guy. For a limited trip there you cane away with something really cool. Smith Rock is an area that I still need to shoot, maybe it would have potential for fall colors?

 

[Guy Schmickle]

This does look really good Guy. For a limited trip there you cane away with something really cool. Smith Rock is an area that I still need to shoot, maybe it would have potential for fall colors?

There might be a tad bit of color come fall, but most of the trees are conifer. I'm sure there are better places in the area to shoot fall colors. One advantage you would have is that you'd get better cross lighting on the formations. The sun is pretty much at your back most of the summer and is actually blocked by an opposing hillside which prevents first light (that would not occur any other time of year).

 

[Zeph]

I'm glad you stuck around for this shot, love the reflective colors at the river bend. The climbers have Monkeys Face to challenge them, which is the center rock, getting a close-up shot of that might be difficult, now if I was a climber and photographer,
I'm sure the parking lot was full of climbers swarming the place! This is the kind of place where getting a room in town is far better than camping, for which unfortunately there are very little in the area.

 

[Kyle Jones]

Pretty sweet conditions you got there. Congrats!

 

[Jim Dockery]

Nice work, and goodonya getting out there on your last day.