In August I had an opportunity to take moments of two days to explore parts of Oregon that I have always wanted to visit and photograph.

It’s always tricky for me to plan photo compositions and lighting situations for locations I’ve never seen with my own eyes. The countless images from other photographers, maps, and apps help with planning, but it is always completely different once I am on location. Then comes the flood of preparatory questions. How’s the lighting? What are my viewpoints? Where can I set up without being obtrusive and interfering with other people’s experience? Then finally what’s my exposure and lens? For both of these locations, I decided to focus on black-and-white images. The light was just too harsh to capture colors appropriately to portray a beautiful cohesive representation of the locations. I can use black-and-white as a technique to tone down the sun’s intensity and develop drama and movement through different tonality variations.

Day One: Multnomah Falls.

It is a beautiful tall waterfall along the Columbia River and just a short car ride from Portland.

Day Two: Cannon Beach.

The famous Haystack Rock towers over the beach, attracting people, birds, and sea life.

Thank you for taking the time to view a small collection that has inspired me to return and explore.

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An ongoing photographic study of ocean waves.

The beauty of ocean waves lies not only in their sheer power and magnitude but also in the mesmerizing patterns they create. As the ocean swells and crashes against the shore, it gives birth to an ever-changing canvas of patterns that captivate our senses. The graceful arcs and peaks of the waves paint a vivid picture of fluid motion, while the interplay of light and shadow on their surfaces creates a spectacle of color and texture. From the delicate foamy crests that form atop each wave to the rhythmic undulations that ripple across the vast expanse of the ocean, these patterns reflect the harmony and rhythm of nature. Standing near the shore, witnessing the infinite iterations of these patterns, one cannot help but marvel at the beauty and grandeur of the ever-evolving ocean waves.

I cannot get enough of the ocean and its ever-changing beauty. I somewhat feel obsessed when I am standing on the shoreline photographing the same scenes repeatedly in search of unseen patterns.

Artwork for sale on my online store.

Thank you for viewing my work.

An ongoing collection of Humpback whale images during the 2023 migration season and a short story.

A large tiger shark swimming around the calm morning ocean near Kailua Kona.

I frequent this location in search for new unique aerial images. The waters are mostly protected from high surf so I most often find animals that are resting or seeking shelter. My goal is to find animals that make a visual impact and draw interest. When I noticed the large tiger shark swimming around the shallow waters I was super excited and started to follow it around.

Like photographing the Humpback Whales, I had to work to keep up with quick movement. Makes it difficult to take still images when after every press of the shutter I needed to adjust positions. In retrospect I should have had a burst shutter selected to get multiple images while capturing subtle movements. I was in such an adrenaline state that I wasn’t thinking.

This collection is the exhausting of three drone batteries during an amazing summer morning.

Prints are available for purchase on my online store.

Check out the Honokohau Bait Ball post

This bait ball was formed just inside the entrance to Honokohau harbor.

I set out for an early morning flight to take advantage of the indirect warm sunlight. My goal was to locate dolphins that are usually close to the Honokohau bay. After a few laps of not seeing any life around the waters I started checking out the coastline. Just rounding the rocky edge and into the harbor I spotted the dark shape of a large bait ball. I was amazed at how clear the water was when I navigated closer to get some different angles. The southern swells were just starting to let up, so I was anticipating some debris from sand being kicked up with each passing wave. The fish must have been just within the break to be safe from turbulence. This worked in my favor and allowed me to slowly frame each shot.

Usually fish form this large ball when they feel threatened. They use their numbers as a defense to protect themselves. I was hoping to see a shark feeding, but instead witnessed 2 Yellowfin Tuna chasing the fish around. In one shot it appears that there is a tiger shark resting under the fish in an opening. I have not concluded what the shape actually is, but when zooming in I can make out fins and gills. There is a tiger shark that is known to stay around this marina.

Prints are available at my FineArtAmerica store front.

Check out another bait ball post here Kiholo Bait Ball