Vista House vistor center at Crown Point, above the Columbia River, Summer, 2006.  The Vista House, approximately 25 miles east of Portland, is a well known gathering spot for a spectacular view of the Columbia River and the mountains of Oregon and Washington state.  This image was taken as the sun was dipping down to the horizon, on the opposite side of the building.  Bright sunlight was streaming through the stained glass windows of Vista House.  Reflections of evergreen trees can also be seen in the windows.

    Vista House is an oddly shaped, five-sided building, a fact which easily escapes attention until it is photographed close up with a wide angle lens.  Since all the walls actually slant inwards, the lens renders the building into an impossible shape in which no side or edge is horizontal or verticle, or parallel with another.  Fortunately, digital correction of the shape is easily achieved. Canon 5D; Canon EF 17-28 mm f/2.8 L lens (1/30 sec, f/14, 17 mm, ISO 400, exposure compensation -2.0)

Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle Art Museum.  Situated right on the waterfront, almost two dozen outdoor sculptures have been set out for public view. The metal tree, crafted by Roxy Paine in 2003, is called "Split", and  was made from stainless steel pipes. It weights over 5,000 pounds.  To avoid visual clutter from the surrounding scene and for optimal photographic portrayal, only half of the tree is shown in this capture.  Canon 5D; EF24 - 105mm L IS lens (1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 320, 50 mm); polarizing filter.

Alexander Calder's massive metal sculpture "Eagle" was completed in 1971.  It always draws a large crowd at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park.  This image was caught on a typical sunny day in late summer, 2007.  The camera position (aimed up at a steep angle) was intended to avoid onlookers and minimize visual clutter of surrounding buildings.  Saturated color was achieved with a polarizing filter.  Canon 5D; Canon EF24-105 mm  f/4L lS lens (1/250 sec, f/6.3, 55 mm, ISO 320).

Lace leaf maple, Portland's Japanese Garden, October, 2010

While pursuing photographic opportunities in a California orchard in full bloom, a thunderstorm blew in from the northwest.   The  clouds  were massive in size and varied from brilliant white to very dark gray.  The latter conditions made photographic capture a challenge.  A telephoto lens was chosen to select the most interesting portion of the sky.   Ultimately, the image was converted to black and white and tinted a light blue to emphasize the drama of the sky. Canon 5D; Canon EF 70-200 mm f/2.8 L lens, Manfrotto tripod. (1/500 sec, f/9, -1/3 underexposure, ISO200, 200 mm). February, 2007.

Portland, Oregon, Japanese Garden, at the peak of autumn color. October, 2006. Canon 5D; EF24-105mm, f/4L IS lens (1/6 sec, f/10, ISO 400, 65 mm).

Japanese Garden, Portland, Oregon, Autumn, 2006.  A leaning tree on a gentle slope, showing its best fall colors.    Canon 5D; EF24-105 mm L f/4 IS lens (1/5 sec, f/7.1, ISO 200, 32 mm).

Japanese Garden, Portland, Oregon. Picture captured in October, 2006 at the height of the fall colors.  Canon 5D body, EF 24-105 f/4 L IS Canon lens (1/4 sec, f/9, ISO 400, 32 mm).

A beautiful boulder sits upright in the Japanese Garden, adjacent to a small ceremonial tea house, surrounded by smooth river rocks and moss. October, 2006.  Canon 5D; Canon EF 25-105 mm f/4L IS (1/5 sec, f/9, ISO 200, 47 mm, exposure compensation -1.0).

In Study 1, Haystack Rock, on the Oregon Coast, was captured in a dark, overcast atmosphere. Later in the day, the right hand side was briefly lit  as the sun poked out for a moment, providing a warmer scene. The gulls appeared to enjoy the added warmth, as well.  The rough, weathered texture was striking when illuminated by the bright, afternoon sunlight. Canon 5D; Canon EF 24-105 mm f/4L IS (1/800 sec, f/4.5, ISO 250, 105 mm), handheld.

South Fork, Snoqualmie River, Washington State. July, 2006.  While hiking along the trail, I felt I was being watched. Turning to the right, I saw a large boulder in the river with a naturally carved lion face.  On the same rock, one can also make out a gorilla face (right side) and a baboon face (left side).  Other viewers see a ram's head.   Canon 5D; EF24-105 mm L f/4 IS lens (1/80 sec, f/4, ISO 400, 82 mm).