It’s hard to believe I’m on my way home already. I feel like I just posted that I was heading out to Mt. Rainier to record a landscape photography class. Anyway, I’m happy to report that the class went really well, the weather cooperated, the photos were great, and Adam, Mark (from the film crew) and myself made it out with all limbs intact (and no sprained ankles).
Here’s a shot from one of the morning sunrises at Myrtle Falls in a place called Paradise (yes, it’s literally called Paradise and it holds up to it’s name).
(click to see it larger)
The photo was processed in Lightroom only because I’m too damn tired to do anything else to it 😉
It was a crazy-long week. We were up most mornings at 3:45am for the 1-hour drive in to the park. And because of the late sunrises, we usually didn’t get to bed before 11pm. But it was all worth because I think we came away with a killer class.
Now we’re in Seattle getting ready to put the finishing touches on the “Photographing Cityscapes” class I mentioned last week. Then we head home tomorrow morning – away from the nice cool weather and back to the sweltering heat (of which I actually like so I’m excited). It’s kinda funny though. I guess the temps here in Seattle and up at Mt. Rainier have been hotter than normal and that’s all anyone can talk about. It’s been hard for us not to tell them that the temps they’re experience are pretty much the usual winter temps for us 🙂
I’ll keep you posted about the class. Our video team is crazy busy these days but hopefully it’ll get up within 8-10 weeks or so. And I’ll be sure to post some more photos along the way. Have a great weekend!
I love teaching and photography... In that order. I feel that enjoying photography, and photo editing can get WAY too complicated. So my personal mission (and favorite thing to do), is to create education that simplifies the process of taking great photos, and how to edit them to get the results you’ve always wanted.
I love this photo Matt. I hope one day to take one half this good. Great work. The texture on the rocks and the falls is just great. Was this much of a hike in? I may want to try this place out when I make it out that way!
Not at all Eddie. Less than a mile on the path. It’s uphill, but easy to get to. Thanks 🙂
re: Dr. Jose Rizal Bridge: I’m a native Seattleite who grew up on Beacon Hill, which is where the bridge leads to, if you’re traveling south toward the hospital. The reason people are rightfully telling you this is a dicey place is because the area is a notorious hangout for drug users, who of course can be rather desperate to feed their habit. Almost no one shoots from the hillside anymore because of that. It’s not being on the bridge that’s iffy, it’s where you have to park and walk to/from (eg., the Rizal park).
I wasn’t aware that you were in my neck of the woods – Mt. Rainier and missed the opportunity to ask a question. I know the wonders of sweet light – either AM or PM- but what do you do during the rest of the day. How do you avoid harsh light when you want to capture the grandeur of a scenery but you can’t wait for the golden light?
Welcome to my neighborhood. I hope you had a blast. I always do when I head to Mt. Rainier. I really should head up there more because unlike living in Florida, I’m only 2 1/2 hours away. (in other words: no excuses).
I agree! I’m 30 minutes away from a beach. And only 1 hour away from a beach. And in 2.5 hours I can be at… a beach 🙂
Hey Matt, was good meeting you up at Kerry park and I’ll be looking forward to seeing your shot from that night! You know, I almost went to Rizal bridge the next night, but I chickened out coz I was told it’s not really a good place to be alone at night… looks like I would have run into you guys again 🙂
Eva, I’ve found that more times than not, you’re not going to be alone. Every time I’ve gone there, there was at least one other photographer roughly 3/4 of the time. I think those are pretty good odds for a part of Seattle you really shouldn’t hang out in at night.
I agree. It wasn’t bad that night because the weather was great and lots of photographers. But I’d definitely pack up quickly when the sun went down if I was alone 🙂
Hey Eva – GREAT to meet you too! Small world huh? 🙂
As for the Rizal bridge. We parked at the Rizal park. There were people there taking photos (though I can’t think they were good ones because the view is so cluttered with trees). But there were also some “interesting” people there as well. I definitely wouldn’t feel safe there at night alone. That said, the road along side was fairly highly trafficked so you could easily stay away from the park. And the bridge was very busy. Bikers, walkers, and lots of people. And about 5 other photographers too.
Now, when the weather isn’t great and it gets dark early, that may be another story.
So… if you were told it wasn’t a great area, they were kinda right. It’s not. But on this night there were plenty of people around so if you’re still in town you should try to head there.
Again, great to meet you! Enjoy your travels!