My first visit to the Palouse was over 20 years ago, but this was the first time that the wildfires were a factor in image making and, to be honest, breathing. There were about 100 wildfires in western WA state, where Colfax was situated, about in the middle of the activity. There were no direct fires in Colfax, but any good quality light was short lived. So, when not in good light (most of the time), images were “brought in” during processing, which worked by adding contrast, using white point/ black point, and/or by using the new dehaze filter in Lightroom. However, on one day, before the workshop, it was like a dust bowl storm. We could hardly see the road to get back to Colfax, and we got absolutely no keepers from Steptoe Butte or on ground level that day. No one has ever seen anything like it. We gave up and came back in dark smoke 4:30 in the afternoon.
They haven’t had a drop of rain since May, as of a couple of weeks ago.
During the workshop we were very lucky with light with the exception of one sunset trip to Steptoe Butte.
When Sue and I get to location about 5 days early, in most cases, we scout extensively, figuring out Plans A, B, C and try to imagine scenarios where we may have to vacate a desired location for a plan B location. So, our very first outing with the group on Steptoe Butte was unshootable. The weather called for overnight wind and with the fires, we had a 50/50 chance of the wind blowing the smoke out…..or the wind blowing more smoke in. The latter occurred and we hightailed it off to a workable location of hay bales, which we nick-named, “The runway.”
Anything less than optimum conditions used to freak me out, but I’ve begun to view less-than-peak conditions as a challenge and since then, have been more successful, and more importantly, our groups have been more successful and were able to get excellent images in less than excellent conditions.
Here’s a small gallery, most of which were made on our scouting trips.
My most used lens was the Tamron 150-600, but we look forward to getting the New Nikon 200-500 w/TC14 later this month.
All images were made with the Nikon D810. My lens kit are Nikkors: 14-24mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm, 105mm macro, 15mm fisheye, and the aforementioned Tamron 150-600mm.
Also, I found the Enduro GIT505XXL the most stable platform I’ve ever used and despite the added weight (but, not bad), is my landscape tripod of choice.
I’ve photographed in the Palouse over the years in spring and in the harvest. The soft pastel of spring and the austere, graphic feel of the harvest fields are both a thrill to photograph.
Our Palouse Harvest, August 7-11, 2016 is on the books.
Please contact susan@tonysweet.com for more info.
Our Palouse Spring, May 22-27 (dates approximate) is in the works. We will know soon, but we are taking names for our notification list. Please email susan@tonysweet.com.
Thanks a lot for taking the time and we’ll see ya online!
Tony
p.s. Next post….Madeline Island Magic
New blog from Tony Sweet Photography: “Palouse Harvest and Wildfires”
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