North Central Oregon
Venturing out into parts unknown can be interesting and rewarding for photographers, and those who just like to venture out and learn a little history of the region they live in, who appreciate finding interesting subjects to shoot and doing some free styling can provide some great opportunities. Scroll down and let’s go!
I didn’t quite start off free styling on this trip. I was researching, Ghost Towns, in the region in which I live. To my surprise, and glee, there are quite a few. Between Oregon and Washington, there are many old structures, machines, vehicles and other things, some of which are still in excellent condition, that equate to the history of the area. If you drive on Interstate 84 in Oregon and you take the exit marked for, The Dalles, and you head South, there is a remarkable amount of things/places to photograph that exist to mark certain eras in this region. The photo to the left is a structure, among a few others, that are right off the side of the road you find yourself on, heading South from The Dalles, that make up a former farmstead in Maupin, Oregon. Mind you, it is private property, I’ve been to this location twice now and I’ve taken my share of photos. You could probably go into these structures but I would not recommend it, in fact, I discourage any of that can of business. There is a respect issue as well as a safety issue. Folks have been allowed, to a certain extent, to be on the property and photograph the various structures that currently stand. I have never had anyone question my presence at that site. But I have never thought of going any further than that and entering into any of those structures. You could get injured due to the age of the structure and not knowing how stout the structure is and, it clearly stated, No Trespassing. It could also ruin any other photographers from being able to shoot these awesome structures. Be respectful and ensure the area is left open for others to enjoy.
I post this photo to illustrate, in the middle left of the photo, how close this farmstead is to the road. This is the main structure on the farmstead and is pretty much in decent shape, as far as old structures from the early 19th century go. There is a magnificent waterfall not too far from here, but I will get into that another time in another post. After getting the shots I needed here, I traveled farther South to see what else I could find.
South of Maupin is Shaniko, Oregon. Shaniko is, and has been, classified as a ghost town. There are several structures that are excellent, intact and very photogenic.
I enjoyed photographing this old fire engine in Shaniko. This is one of several vintage cars/trucks that are within the town. All very photogenic. How you shoot them is certainly decided with the help of the current weather. I had bright, sunlight the morning I was there so there wasn’t allot of reason to shoot with anything other than a fast shutter speed. If your subject was in shade and bright light, then you had to find a happy medium and do some post-processing magic to help with the shadier parts of the scene.
This barn within Shaniko was a wonderful discovery for me. The next photo (below) is why this true. It takes a little imagination to come-up with a unique photo out of something simple.
These seats were on the left side of the barn in the photo above. With a little trickery, post-processing, I got what was a bright, overly contrasted sky in the background, to look ominous and foreboding. This is something that I am learning about, this post-processing business, and I’m finding that I’m enjoying the changes I can make within the boundaries of a photograph. The photographs that you see in just about any format, you can almost bank on the fact that it, the photo, has gone through some sort of post-processing artistry.
I free-styled my way further South and came to the town, and not much of one, of Antelope, Oregon. I will let you research, if you don’t already know, what put Antelope, Oregon, on the map. But after everything was all said and done, it left the town a former version of itself. It does not exude prosperity. There are some abandoned buildings that are worthy of shooting, but it was a little depressing, a negative vibe that I didn’t necessarily enjoy. The photo to the left is very indicative of the vibe that you might feel if you go.
Just another example of how little there is left in Antelope. Oregon. Lots of, “Former,” buildings within the town. No detectable businesses, just a few residences. Interesting to be sure, but a little sad as well.
On my way back to Interstate-84, I stopped in the town of Dufur, Oregon. It holds quite allot of historical significance for this area of Oregon around The Dalles.
So in Dufur there is a Living Museum. Folks dress-up in traditional garb for the period and they walk around this area and discuss, with visitors, how life was back in the day and how they survived and what tools were used, etc. The day I was there, no one was out within their Living Museum. But cool stuff to photograph in any event, this old schoolhouse being one such structure.
The last photo I took on my journey that day was this one. An awesome Dufur barn with Mt. Hood looming in the background. A fitting and final photographic thought, to the day’s captures.
I hope you enjoyed this little, local excursion and that it inspires you to take your own sojourns in the areas that you live in. By all means, do a little research so that you can ensure you go some place that allow you moments to capture. But free-style after that, go a little bit further and see what you come-up with. Go, do and be. Until next week, be and travel well.
