Broken Top Sunrise Print, now showing at the High Desert Museum!
I am proud to announce that one of my fine art prints, “Broken Top Sunrise” is now on display at Central Oregon’s High Desert Museum. The High Desert Museum is a phenomenal resource for Bend and the whole High Desert region. The High Desert Museum elegantly utilizes history, wildlife and natural resources to foster a greater appreciation of conservation and preservation in both Central Oregon and the Intermountain west. Below is an image of my fine art print, “Broken Top Sunrise” which is currently on display at the High Desert Museum.
Art at the High Desert Museum
The exhibit that my print is part of is about invasive species in the High Desert. Predictably, the exhibit is extremely well organized and laid out. It is a great combination of material that is visually stimulating, entertaining, and educational. Coincidentally, my print is a documentation of native species of
High Desert Museum
wildflowers thriving in the Bend, Oregon area. It is not intended to represent invasive species, but rather the beauty of native species.
Bend, Oregon Winter Snow Photographs.
My hometown of Bend, Oregon is truly a four season outdoor wonderland. Unfortunately, the winter of 2012 had been especially mild until yesterday. Bend and the Central Oregon region are heavily dependent on winter snow fall for their supply of exceptional drink water, as well as irrigation water for agricultural purposes. Winter snow melt from high on the flanks of Broken Top Mountain flows toward Bend via multiple alpine streams and eventually end up in the City of Bend’s water supply. Without enough winter snow fall, there are grave concerns regarding water supply. Additionally, the economies of Bend and the city of Sisters,or are heavily dependent upon winter snow fall to fuel winter sports. The Bend area offers world class Cross Country skiing, downhill skiing at Mt. Bachelor, and snowshoeing, throughout the Deschutes National Forest. Without adequate winter snow fall in Central Oregon, these winter driven snow sports suffer and tourism dollars plummet. One of my favorite winter locations for winter snow sports in the Bend area is Tumalo Mountain and its stunning view of the Central Oregon Cascades.
Fresh Snow on the Central Oregon Cascades, near Bend, Oregon
Tumalo Mountain is located 20 miles from the city of Bend, near the Mt. Bachelor ski resort. Tumalo Mountain is not lift served so snow sports enthusiasts have to earn their turns at this iconic backcountry location. The East facing slope of Tumalo is a steep bowl while the remainder of the mountain offers a more gradual grade for relaxed tree skiing. The photograph seen above of the Central Oregon Cascades after a heavy winter snowfall was taken from near the summit of Tumalo Mountain.
The next two photos in this winter collection are both of my favorite Oregon River, the Deschutes River. The image seen below features the distinct and beautiful Red Osier Dogwood which is common in riparian areas throughout Central Oregon. This particular Bend Oregon photo was captured in Tumalo State Park. Because Tumalo State Park is lower in elevation than the City of Bend, it is often accessible during the winter season. Red Osier Dogwoods along the Deschutes River near Bend, Oregon.
Red Osier Dogwood and the Deschutes River
The recreational area along the Deschutes River trail south of the city of Bend is higher in elevation than the city of Bend and therefore is sporadically accessible during times of heavy snowfall in Central Oregon. One of my favorite hiking destinations along the Deschutes River trail is Benham Falls, seen below. While winter can be harsh at Benham Falls, summer is always spectacular at this beautiful waterfall.
Bend Oregon's Benham Falls in winter
The detail in the fine art print of this scene at Benham Falls in the Deschutes River is beautiful. The snow and ice details make this one of my favorite Bend Oregon winter scenes. Leaving the Bend area and traveling west to the city of Sisters, you can visit this wonderful grove of Ponderosa pine trees.
Oregon Ponderosa Pine Tree Grove in Winter
This particular Ponderosa Pine Tree Grove has stunning color in both the summer and winter. These trees all lean slightly towards where I was shooting this photo from and their bark is slightly shielded from the elements. This gives their bark the wonderful cinnamon color that is a favorite of hikers and naturalists in the Sisters, Oregon area.
One last image that I think embodies the snow/winter season in the Bend, Oregon area is the following Photo of Mt. Bachelor after a heavy winter snowfall.
Photo/pic/image of Bachelor in winter, Bend, Oregon
This winter snow photo of Mt. Bachelor was hard earned, requiring a 60 minute snowshoe climb in 29 inches of overnight powder snow. Fine art prints of this and all of the images in this collection of winter photographs are available for sale. Please visit the galleries page of my website by visiting my photo gallery page. Oregon Photos for sale.
Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful snowy winter!
Mike Putnam
First Friday Art Walk in Downtown Bend, Oregon (12/2/2011)
I’m pleased to announce that I will return to my frequent art haunt of Patagonia of Bend for tomorrow night’s First Friday Art Walk. Patagonia Of Bend is located at 920 NW Wall St, where I will introduce a new Print of Central Oregon’s beautiful Proxy Falls. I just viewed this print for the first time today and I think it looks fantastic!
Oregon Waterfall
Proxy Falls may be my favorite waterfall anywhere and I am very excited to share this new framed print! In addition to this new Oregon Waterfall Print, I’ll also have the following favorites on display during the First Friday Art Walk festivities.
Sparks Lake near Bend,Oregon.
Bend Oregon’s very own Sparks Lake during a beautiful sunrise. Below is another stunning waterfall image from the Bend,Oregon area, Bend’s own Tumalo Falls, captured this past summer!
Bend Oregon Waterfall
I will also be showing one of my favorite Oregon snow images, taken from the top of Bend’s Tumalo Mountain.
Bend Oregon Snow
Please stop by Patagonia of Bend tomorrow night to see my new Proxy Falls Print as well as these older favorites!
I hope to see you there,
Mike Putnam
New Proxy Falls Fine Art Photograph!
Proxy Falls is the kind of waterfall one never forgets. It is frequently included on lists of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls. I’ve traveled to Proxy falls countless times in the last 15 years, including five times this past summer, purely for the sake of capturing the photograph you see below. Multiple times I was virtually washed away by monsoon like spray caused by heavy spring snow melt. Other times I simply missed my mark. On the day I captured what will be my next fine art print, I actually wore fly fishing waders because I knew I would be spending extended periods of time wading knee deep in frigid mountain water while focusing and adjusting my 4×5 large format film camera.
Proxy Falls, Three Sisters Wilderness Area, Oregon
Proxy Falls is located on Oregon highway 242, west of Mckenzie Pass. The parking area is clearly marked as is the trail head. The short 2 mile loop winds through moss covered lava fields and stunning old growth forests. Spring brings wonderful displays of rhododendron and beargrass blooms while fall is celebrated with the oranges and reds of vine maples in their autumnal finery. The smaller and less heralded Upper Proxy Falls is also a worthy side hike on the Proxy Falls loop.
I worked extremely hard to get what I think will be one of my more popular fine art prints. Aside from the satisfaction that comes from completing an arduous task, I’m excited about the aesthetics of this Landscape photograph. The Hint of color on the submerged rock at the bottom of the image as well as the verdant moss covered rocks make for an excellent foreground. The downed log in the mid ground adds an attractive diagonal line as well as some textural diversity to this landscape print. Finally, this photo has as good of a background as I’ve ever found for a waterfall photograph. Stunning lines and textures of water cascading 226 feet over volcanic basalt columns. I love the combination of visual scenery that this beautiful Oregon waterfall provides and I can’t wait to have my first large prints of this amazing waterfall framed.
Thanks for visiting,
Mike
Bend Oregon Fall photography review.
Central Oregon is a place that is special for many reasons. My wife may disagree but one of the things that make living in the Bend, Oregon area special is that we have four distinct seasons. While other areas of the country are frequently touted as excellent autumn destinations, I would place Central Orgon on my list of best areas of the U.S. for fall road trips. The weather is frequently excellent. Cool nights and bright sunny days contribute to beautiful riparian colors along local waterways, bursts of fall color in alpine areas with huckleberries, and blueberries, as well as vine maples and aspen groves igniting riots of color in and around the Bend area. Below is my photographic resume touting Bend and the Central Oregon area as a stunning fall vacation destination.
Shevlin Park in Bend, Oregon
The first image seen above was taken in Bend Oregon’s own Shevlin Park. Shevlin is a 650 acre city park located a few miles west of the city of Bend. Shevlin is graced with old growth ponderosa trees along with engleman spruce, larch trees, and junipers. The chilly trout filled waters of Tumalo Creek which courses through the park offer a colorful riparian buffer during the beautiful fall season in the Bend area.
Oregon Aspen Grove
Because of Central Oregon’s relatively high eleveation( about 3,600 ft) and it’s dry climate, Bend is blessed with an aspen friendly environment. Aspen trees are beautiful all year round but in they put on amazing displays in autumn. Excellent Aspen groves can be found throughout the city of Bend as well as along the Deschutes River Trail south of Bend and in the Tumalo Falls/Skyliners area west of Bend.
The beauty of the Santiam Pass and McKenzie Pass areas west of Bend are no secret to locals but their fall beauty goes largely unrecognized outside of Oregon. The following fall color image featuring gorgeous vine maples and towering evergreen trees was captured in the McKenzie Pass area.
Vine Maples on McKenzie Pass
A beautiful loop drive or ride can be made from the city of Sisters by driving west on highway 242 to McKenzie Pass and then taking highway 126 along the Mckezie River to Highway 20 and going west over Santiam Pass back to the city of Sisters. The drive is breath taking at any time of year and it is at its best in the fall. Vine maples illuminate the road with brilliant reds, yellows and oranges. The following image of the upper North Santiam River was taken in the Santiam Pass area.
Santiam River
The above image of vine maples draped over the North Santiam River, is one of my favorite fall images and looks great printed at up to 40×50 inches!
One of my most iconic autumn images from the Bend, Oregon area is of Tumalo falls, seen below. My daughter Emma was with me when I shot this image in a pouring rain at the apex of fall color along Tumalo Creek, 10 miles west of the city of Bend.
Tumalo Falls
As this image is one of my more popular prints, I have printed it at every size possible and I also have it available as a greeting card.
The following scene has been witnessed by countless hikers and bikers. This image was taken along the the Deschutes River Trail, just south of Bend. It includes the phenomenal Deschutes River and is in one of the recreational areas that make Bend a world class outdoor destination.
Deschutes River Trail
Finally, I include this last image as a tribute of the natural beauty that can be found within the city limits of the city of Bend. This image is a rough draft but hopefully it will be added to my collection of fine art prints in the near future. I captured this scene on a walk home after dropping my daughter off at school this fall. I think this image does an excellent job of capturing the shoulder season between fall and winter in the Bend area.
Maple Leaves
This simple little scene has a certain elegance that I am lucky to witness, much less capture on film. for more fall color images from the Bend area, please visit the portfolio page of my website Bend Oregon Photos.
Thanks For Visiting,
Mike
Photographs of Smith Rock State Park, Terrebonne, Oregon.
The first time I went hiking at Central Oregon’s Smith Rock State Park, I was shocked that it had not somehow become a national park. I realize that the acreage is on the small size for a National Park, but the scenery is absolutely stunning. Smith Rock’s vertical spires trump virtually any rock formations outside of Southern Utah. With impeccable views of the Oregon Cascade Mountains, and the Crooked River meandering below, the setting is sublime. To top things off, Smith Rock State Park typically offers impeccable people watching opportunities as the park is a favorite rock climbing destination for rock climbers from around the world.
Smith Rock State Park, near Terrebonne, Oregon
The above Photograph of Smith Rock was taken this past summer from near the viewpoint where the trail from the parking lot descends into the Crooked River Canyon far below. This image has the summer desert feel I was looking for in a new Smith Rock Print.
Smith Rock Hiking
This image taken at the northern end of Smith Rock State Park is a long time favorite of mine. The wonderful contrast between the delicate sulfur flowers and an aging sagebrush in the foreground and the stunning pinnacles of the Christian Brothers rock formations in the background manage to beautifully captured the variety and textures of Smith Rock.
Smith Rock Juniper Snag
This image of a lichen covered juniper snag embodies the rugged nature of the smith rock area. Because Smith Rock receives very little rainfall and summers can be scorching hot(by Bend area standards), life is hard for plants and animals in smith Rock State Park.
Christian Brothers/ The Monument, Smith Rock State Park
The above image is taken from the shores of the Crooked river, with “The Monument” in the background. The fall color in the mid-ground is very fleeting in Oregon’s high desert, but it adds an attractive element to an already impressive photographic composition.
Smith Rock River Bend
This last image of Smith Rock includes yet another stunning rock formation rising nearly 600 feet above the Crooked River. This was also captured in autumn and even includes a dusting of fresh snow in the mid-ground. While Smith Rock State Park is always an amazing destination, there is currently still some fall color to be seen along the shores of the Crooked River as it meanders through the park, so get out while Smith Rock is at its best! If you’d like to view these images and others that I’ve captured with my 4×5 film camera, please visit my portfolio page here…Oregon Landscape Photos. If you’d like to see my latest photographic work, please also visit my Facebook Page.
Happy Hiking,
First Friday Art Hop in Bend, Oregon!
Hello Photography friends! After a two month sabbatical, from First Friday festivities, I will be back with with new Fine art prints at my familiar haunt, of Patagonia of Bend. Patagonia of Bend is located at 920 NW Bond Street, in Downtown Bend, Oregon.Fall Art Hop and my show will take place this Friday, 10/7/2011. I’ll be in the store from 5:00 PM until about 9:00PM. Rumor has it that the affable owner of Patagonia of Bend, Rod Bien, will be providing his signature frosted animal cookies and some only slightly toxic white wines, for free! I’ll be showing some new prints including the image of Tumalo Falls with summer wildflowers seen below. This Tumalo falls photograph is printed, framed and ready to show. It is definitely my favorite summer image of Tumalo Falls, and I think my collerctors will love it!
Bend Oregon's Tumalo Falls with summer wildflowers
The diversity of color and texture make this a visually stunning print. Because of the heavy snow fall in the Central Oregon Cascades last winter, Tumalo Falls’ flow was the highest I’ve seen it last summer, so it will be all but impossible to duplicate this wildflower and waterfall Photograph.
The following image of Paulina Peak, Paulina Lake and the Central Oregon Cascades as seen from the Newberry Crater National Volcanic Monument will also be premiered during Bend’s First Friday Art Hop.
Newberry Crater and Paulina Lake
This Newberry Crater/Paulina Lake is one I’ve been trying to capture for two years. Until now I’d been foiled by snow,clouds, wind, you name it, I’ve been beaten by it, until now! A wonderfully colorful sunrise against the pinnacles of Paulina Peak, heavy snow cover on Mt. Bachelor and the distant Three Sisters, and the misty shores of Paulina Lake far below make this landscape photograph worthy of all my efforts. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do!
One of my favorite Prints and one that I have shown very lightly is from Canyon Creek Meadow, at the base of Central Oregon’s Three Fingered Jack. The Canyon Creek Meadow hike is one of my favorites in the Bend area and this is one of the most flower filled landscape photographs I’ve seen. There are always lots of lupines in Canyon Creek Meadow but the year of this photo was exceptional. It was simply the best and most dense stand of Lupines I’ve ever seen.
Canyon Creek Meadow hike
Another lightly shown image in my collection of Landscape photographs is from Bend’s beautiful Deschutes River Trail. The Deschutes River runs through the middle of my beautiful hometown of Bend, and the Deschutes River Trail parallels much of the Deschutes River. The section of the river trail seen in this stunning autumnal image is located south of the city of Bend. This photograph was captured last fall, perhaps the best year for fall color along the Deschutes River that I’ve ever witnessed.
Deschutes River near Bend, Oregon
The fact that such beautiful scenery can be found just minutes from the city of Bend makes me feel lucky to live here!
I haven’t yet decided which additional prints I will display during the First Friday Art Hop, but the following image of the Oregon cascades is a leading candidate as it captures what I think is the best composition of Oregon’s beautiful Cascade mountains.
Oregon Cascade Mountains
Please, if you are out this Friday(10/7/2011), stop by Patagonia@Bend and say hello! I look forward to seeing some of my photography friends and to meeting some new ones.
See you Friday Night,
Mike Putnam
Newberry Crater National Volcanic Monument from Paulina Peak
I’ve been to the summit of Paulina Peak in the Newberry Crater National Volcanic Monument countless times over the last ten years and I have finally captured what I think will make a beautiful fine art photograph. Newberry was created in 1990 and comprised over 50,000 acres of land. The high point of the Newberry National Monument is Paulina Peak at 7,985 feet. In my opinion, the view from the summit of Paulina Peak is one of the most dramatic in Oregon and that is why I wanted to take my time and capture a spectacular image from this amazing location. I will offer this image in two forms, the horizontal version seen below and a vertical image which is further down in this blog post. The horizontal image from Newberry crater does an excellent job of capturing the scale and textures of this amazing location. The Pinnacles of Paulina Peak, Mt. Bachelor and the Three Sisters in the distance, and Paulina Lake far below all captured together during a beautiful summer sunrise promise to make this photograph a welcomed member to my fine art landscape photographs collection.
Newberry Crater, near Bend, Oregon
While I love the above image from Paulina Peak, I also felt it was worthwhile to offer a version of this image which emphasizes the cascade mountain range in the background and the rugged pinnacles of Paulina Peak. While these two images were captured during the same sunrise, they have a very different feel.
Paulina Peak and the Oregon Cascades
I’m even considering adding one of these images to my collection of Central Oregon Greeting Cards.Selections are welcome as to which of these two images would make the best greeting card. Hopefully this image will be available at the next First Friday in Downtown Bend, so please check back regarding specific for the photography show.
Thanks,
Mike
Tumalo Falls in Summer!
I’ve had few of photography successes this summer which means I’ll be coming out with with some new prints in the near future. One of the images that I most definitely will be printing is the following photo of my favorite waterfall in the Bend, Oregon area, Central Oregon’s own, Tumalo Falls!
Tumalo Falls, near Bend, Oregon
Frankly, I’m thrilled with this image. It has texture, color and one of my favorite waterfalls in the world. Tumalo Falls is one of those locations that are beautiful but they don’t always photograph well. I’ve been to Tumalo Falls hundreds of times as it is close to my home town of Bend, Oregon, but I’ve never captured an image from Tumalo Falls in summer that does justice to its beauty. This was a tricky, technical photograph to capture and my transparencies of this stunning waterfall are tack sharp, which is sometimes an elusive thing! As a side note, there was a big otter rustling around in the undergrowth just 10 feet away right before I captured this image of Tumalo Falls. He almost crept right into my scene but at the last moment he was spooked by my shutter release. Another special memory from this beautiful Central Oregon waterfall! This image will soon be available as a fine art print. Please visit my online portfolios to see other images that are available.
Thanks,
Mike Putnam
Photography at Double Mountain Brewery in Hood River, Oregon!
Hood River, Oregon has long been one of my favorite cities in the world. We have some wonderful friends who live in Hood River, so we have become familiar with the Hood River Valley over the last decade and a half. As a landscape photographer, the Hood River Valley may be as beautiful as anywhere in the state of Oregon. Like my hometown of Bend, Oregon, Hood River is not only attractive, but it has great beer. A relative newcomer on the Hood River beer scene, Double Mountain Brewery was established approximately 4 years ago and they are already my favorite Hood River Brewery. With Beers such as Hop Lava, IRA, Vaporizer, and my personal favorite, Fa,La,La,La, Double Mountain Brewery has been tremendously successful in their first four years. The environment at Double mountain is an excellent hybrid of cozy and funky, just the way I like brewpubs to be! As you might have suspected, My Oregon landscape Photography is currently hanging at Double Mountain and will be there until the end of July. I think my photos look great there and I hope that they are being well received by the Double Mountain patrons. Below is one of the six landscape photos I currently have displayed at Hood River’s favorite brewpub.
Mount Jefferson
I debated which of my oregon photographs to hang at Double mountain for quite some time. The primary issue was should I share photos from the Hood River/ Columbia River Gorge area or should I hang images from my home area near Bend, Oregon. In the end I decided that the good folks of Hood River had probably seen enough Hood River Valley Photos and that photographs from Central Oregon might be a nice change of pace.
Balsamroot and Basalt Columns
It is also my understanding that a fair number of Hood River residents enjoy periodic visits to Bend and perhaps they would enjoy a reminder of the Central Oregon vacation. While I think my landscape photography looks great at Double Mountain, I’m very open to feedback regarding the appropriateness of displaying Central Oregon Photographs in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. Does anyone think I should switch out my photo at mid month and include more from the Hood River/ Columbia River Gorge area? If you do think I should make a change, please leave me a note in the comment section at the end of this blog entry. If I do decide to change up the images at Double Mountain, the first update will most likely come from my Facebook Page, so please check there for updates.
Bend Oregon's Sparks Lake
I’d like to extend a special thanks to the kind staff at Double Mountain. They were very accommodating while I was hanging my art in there awesome brewpub. Thanks Double Mountain! If any of you readers happen to live in the Hood River area, pleas stop by Double Mountain sometime this month and tell them that their landscape photography looks great!
Cheers,
Mike Putnam
Deschutes National Forest Cycling Jersey!
I used to be an avid runner despite having some knee problems. While my knee problems were escalating, my wife, Debbie had just set a Personal Record in her second marathon, the Portland Marathon, where she qualified for the Boston Marathon. Debbie spent her childhood in the Boston area, so qualifying for the Boston Marathon had been a lifelong goal for her. Shortly after Debbie’s qualifying time, I decided to jump back into the running fray. She wanted some company in a short 6 mile run. I complied. It did not go well. I quickly came to realize that my wonderful wife was now a wonderfully fast wife. I could barely keep up. During the last 100 yards of our torture session, I stepped in a pothole, subluxating my knee. An onlooker would have assumed I had been shot by a sniper! I limped to the finish with my ego and knee mortally wounded.
Deschutes National Forest Jersey
This was the launching of my biking career! With my knee no longer tolerant of running, I began Mountain Biking for fun and fitness rather than running, largely because my knee would tolerate it. Thus far this past winter and early spring, I have Mountain biked more than in the rest of my life combined, and I’m having a blast, and my wife isn’t embarrassing me! I don’t mean to claim that I’m an impressive Mountain Biker. I’m not, but re-discovering all of the wonderful Mountain Biking trails in the Bend, Oregon area, has been very uplifting for me.
So you are probably wondering why there is a Deschutes National Forest biking jersey pictured above…. Well, I was recently approached about the usage of one of my images on this jersey, and I thought, “How cool would it be to have one of my photographs on a Biking Jersey?” The instantaneous answer was, “Very Cool!” When I learned that the biking jersey would feature my beloved Deschutes National Forest, and that it would benefit the National Forest Foundation(a great group of people who I’ve done some work with before), I was all in! I think the design of the jersey is phenomenal! These jerseys are currently only available online at this link Deschutes National Forest Biking Jersey. I can’t wait to get my hands on one of these jerseys! The image on the jersey is of one of the Deschutes National Forest’s true treasures, the Metolius River. As is the case with all of my fine art prints, I captured this image with my 4×5 film camera. To view more of my fine art prints, please visit my gallery page here, Oregon Fine Art Photographs.
By the way, my Wife did end up running this years Boston Marathon where she kicked butt and set another personal best! Thankfully I’ve got Mountain Biking!
Thanks for Reading,
Mike Putnam
The Art of Photography partners with the Art of Brewing! First Friday Art Walk at the Bend Brewing Company!
I’ve had lots of different Landscape photography exhibits at the Bend Brewing Company, but this one is a little different! First of all, this will be part of downtown Bend’s First Friday Art Walk. Art will will take place between 5-9PM Friady May 6th 2011. For those poor hopless(sorry!) souls, that have never been to the Bend Brewing Company, it is located at 1019 Northwest Brooks Street in Downtown Bend. Finally you can have some great beer with your art filled Friday night stroll. I’ll unveil following four brand new prints at the Bend Brewing Company Friday night.
Columbia River Gorge
Patriarch Juniper Tree
Deschutes River Trail
Mariposa Lilies
All these new fine art Landscape Photographs and that isn’t even the exciting part of the evening. One of my images, will grace the label of a new Bottled beer, Outback X made by the BBC. Pretty Awesome for a beer drinking photographer like myself! Both Me and Superstar brewmaster, Tonya Cornet will be on hand to sign beer bottles, and perhaps drink beer! Stop by and enjoy the fun!
Cheers,
Mike Putnam
The Art of Beer! First Friday May 2011.
I’ve mentioned the Bend Brewing Company many times before in this blog, which , frankly is odd, because this blog is supposed to be about photography! Well, I’m so excited, I have to mention the BBC (Bend Brewing Company) again. I always have my Oregon Landscape Photography displayed in the main room of the BBC, and occasionally my landscape photos are displayed in the hallway,which is reserved for a rotation of artists. I’m happy to say that my art will be displayed in the BBC “Art Hallway” during the month of May, 2011, and that I will be at the BBC for the first Friday Art walk(May 6, 2011) in downtown Bend, Oregon. Even more exciting, My Photograph, “Ponderosa Glow” will be featured on the label of the BBC’s newest bottled beer! The label of the beer is seen below.
Outback X Beer label from the Bend Brewing Company!
The BBC’s exceptionally talented brewmaster, Tonya Cornett(2008 World Beer Cup Brewmaster of the year!), will be there to sign bottles of this amazing beer. Outback X is , in fact, one of the most awarded beers in the world over the last 4 years! Below are some of its recent awards:
2010 Great American Brewing Festival-Bronze medal
2010 NABAA -Bronze medal
2010 World Beer Cup- Gold Medal
2009 Great American Beer Festival- Silver Medal
2008 World Beer Cup- Gold Medal
Wow! As you can imagine, I am honored to have my photograph grace the label of this exceptional beer. This honor is especially cherished because the management and staff at the BBC have been so kind to me and my family over the years. Thank You to them! Below is an image off the Ponderosa tree that is seen on the Outback X label.
Ponderosa Pine Tree
It is perhaps my favorite tree in the world and the second largest ponderosa tree I’ve ever seen. I’ll also have a large print of “Ponderosa Glow” on display for the First Friday Art walk, May 6th, at the Bend Brewing Company, so save that night on your calendar for a fun combination of beer and art!
Cheers,
Mike Putnam
Landscape Photography show at Bellatazza in Sunriver, Oregon!
Shockingly, I’ve never displayed my Central Oregon Landscape photography in the beautiful Sunriver area, until now! I recently set up a Photography show which is currently hanging at the Bellatazza in Sunriver, Oregon. It is a phenomenal location where lots of people meet to enjoy delicious coffee and espresso based beverages. I plan on regularly rotating the fine art prints I have on display at the Sunriver Bellatazza, so if you are a Sunriver resident or even if you are just visiting the area, please stop in to Bellatazza, buy an excellent latte, espresso, macchiato, or americano, and let me know what you think of my fine art landscape prints that are hanging on the Bellatazza walls!
Smith Rock Fine Art Print Photograph hanging at the Bellatazza in Sunriver,Oregon
The Sunriver Bellatazza is located at 57057 Beaver Drive, in the Sunriver Village mall. In addition to excellent coffee, Bellatazza offers salads, sandwiches, and Free Wi-Fi! I’d Like to extend a special thanks to Stewart, Leah, and the personable staff at the Sunriver, Oregon Bellatazza for allowing my fine art photos to adorn their walls. Their cooperation is much appreciated.
Bellatazza Coffee Shop in Sunriver, Oregon
I currently have five different fine art Landscape photos hanging in Sunriver, including one of my newest Oregon images of sunrise from the summit of Tumalo Mountain which is seen below.
Tumalo http://www.bellatazza.com/holding-page.html Sunrise Photo
I installed art lights on some of the landscape photos I hung at the Sunriver Bellatazza, which I think will allow customers to more thoroughly enjoy their experience while in Bellatazza. I’ll update my website when I change or add images at the Sunriver Bellatazza, so stop by often, or better yet, visit the Sunriver Bellatazza frequently to see if my Oregon Photography prints have changed.
Thanks For Reading,
Mike Putnam
Bend Oregon First Friday Art Walk! 3/4/2011
I’ve had some fairly exciting developments in my landscape photography world over the last few weeks. I spent a small fortune on new Bend and Central Oregon Greeting Cards which I hope to share with everyone tomorrow night during the First Friday Art Walk in Downtown. I’ll be selling them for $20 for a variety pack(normally $24). I’ll be at my usual haunt, Patagonia of Bend, which is located at 920 NW Wall Street. I also recently tried to zero-out my bank account by purchasing some high end display lights to illuminate my fine art prints. I’d love some feed back on how my landscape prints look when illuminated better, so stop by my show between 5-9PM. I’ll be displaying the following image of the Central Oregon Cascades after a fresh winter snowfall for the first time. I’m really excited about how this fine art print looks and I think any bend area outdoor enthusiast will enjoy this print.
Oregon Cascades on a Snowy Winter Morning!
Other than this image of the Oregon Cascades, I’ll also have several of my other classic Central Oregon Landscape Photos. Tomorrow night’s First Friday Art Walk promises to be a busy one, so get there early, if you can. The following image of Smith Rock State Park will be another well lit fine art print on display for First Friday in Bend.
Smith Rock State Park
I’ll have several other Bend area Landscape photographs as well, so if you are in the downtown area, please stop in and say “Hello”! Thanks and I hope to see some of you tomorrow night.
Mike Putnam
New Central Oregon Greeting/Note Cards!
As with most aspects of my life as a Landscape photographer in the Bend Oregon area, things have evolved. I try to continually improve the quality of my Photography, my Greeting cards, my fine art prints and the service that I offer to collectors. I have recently found a printer for my greeting cards which is far superior in term of image quality and do to the higher volume of cards that I’ll be purchasing, the costs will be no more than my previous line of cards. The selection of available cards is different as I want my collection to share the beauty and diversity that the Bend, Oregon area has to offer. Below each of the following images, will be a few special thoughts about why a given image was selected to be part of my new and improved Central Oregon Greeting Card collection. Please visit my Central Oregon Greeting Cards page to purchase cards now! So here are the new cards!
Mount Jefferson Wilderness Area Greeting/Note Card
Central Oregon’s Mount Jefferson Wilderness Area is one of my favorite places in the world and this is my favorite image from that beautiful location. This was part of my previous greeting card collection, but I couldn’t resist including it in my new improved card collection. This scene captures the most beautiful wildflower meadow I’ve ever experienced and one of the most beautiful mountains in the world! Needless to say, I was thrilled when I first viewed the 4×5 transparencies that I captured that day with my large format landscape camera. I was honored to have this image grace the cover of the Visit Bend over two years ago. Visit Bend is an innovative and exceptionally effective group staffed by talented and personable people. I consider their guide to be the best regional guide in Central Oregon and quite possibly the the entire Pacific Northwest area. This image has proven to be very popular amongst Fine Art Photography collectors and and Bend visitors alike!
Central Oregon Bitterroot Blossoms Greeting/Note Card
This image of Bitterroot Blossoms along the Alder Springs Trail, near Sisters, Oregon is new to my collection of Central Oregon Greeting cards. I wanted a beautiful representation of the Central Oregon high desert and this image of luminous desert wildflowers fit the bill. Also, it is a favorite of my beautiful wife, so I really had no choice!
Smith Rock Basalt Columns Greeting/Note Card
The above image taken high above the Crooked River, in Smith Rock State Park is another image which captures the rugged beauty of Central Oregon’s high desert. Delicate sulfur flowers surrounding an aged sagebrush, are backed by a Smith Rock feature know as “The Monument”. Smith Rock is a phenomenal destination for visitors to the Bend area and I hope this new greeting/note card will help share the beauty of the Central Oregon area.
Oregon Cascades Greeting/Note Cards
This beautiful Image of the Oregon Cascades bathed in the alpenglow of morning’s first light is my best attempt at sharing the stunning alpine scenery that is found in the Three Sisters Wilderness area, near Bend, Oregon. I worked really hard to get this shot and No, it was not taken from an airplane! I’ve been asked that question dozens of times! I actually climbed Central Oregon’s South Sister three times with a 40+ pound pack in order to capture this idyllic alpine image. The first time, clouds rolled in, the second, hurricane force winds prevented me from even setting up my tripod and on the third attempt, the conditions were blissfully calm and the alpenglow was resplendent! I captured lots of great images with my beloved wooden 4×5 camera that morning, but this is my favorite. I don’t think a more dramatic and alpine scene can be found in Oregon. Mountains that are visible in the large fine art version of this image (from nearest to farthest) include Middle Sister, North Sister, Black Crater, Black Butte, Three FIngered Jack, Mount Jefferson(see Mount Jefferson Wilderness above), Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Rainier! Awesome!
Incidently, an image I captured the same morning as this(slightly different composition) is still used in advertising campaigns by Bend’s Bank of the Cascades and fine art prints of this beautiful scene can be found in private and corporate collections across the United States.
Bend, Oregon's Tumalo Falls Greeting/Note Card
Bend Oregon’s Tumalo falls is an iconic Central Oregon location and a popular departure point for summer adventures such as hiking and Mountain Biking trips. I’ve been to Tumalo Falls dozens of times and this was by far the most colorful I’ve ever seen this area. I happen to be exploring with my now 8 year old daughter, Emma, during a heavy autumn rain. Emma was a trooper and I captured what is one of my favorite Oregon landscape photographs. While Bend is considered to be in the high desert, it is surrounded by water! Tumalo Creek, the Deschutes River, the Cascade Lakes, and numerous small streams course through the Bend area and I wanted to represent this characteristic of the Central Oregon area with one of my new note cards.
Sparks Lake Sunrise Greeting/Note Card
Sparks Lake is an easily accessible Boating and hiking destination near Bend, Oregon. The composition and serene beauty of Sparks Lake draws photographer from around the world. I’ve been to Sparks Lake dozens of times and this is by far the best image I’ve captured from it’s beautiful shores. The night before I captured this stunning photo, there was an alpine snowfall and the clearing storm left a gorgeous array of clouds as the sun rose. In addition to being a popular fine art print, this image was also recently selected by the good folks of Visit Bend as the cover shot for their newest tourism guide of the Bend, Oregon area. Follow this link to learn more about Visit Bend!
Central Oregon's Mount Washington Greeting/Note Card
The above image of Central Oregon’s Mount Washington was captured along the shores of a backcountry lake in the Mt. Washington Wilderness Area. I have to thank my friend, beer buddy, and partner in our stock photography business, Pacific Crest Stock for first finding this hidden location while bushwacking far from any trails. To visit our stock photography site, follow this link, Oregon stock photos. This view of Mt. Washington is the best I’ve found and the fresh alpine snow combined with fall color along the lake shore make for a stunning greeting card.
Bend, Oregon Aspen Leaves Greeting/Note Card
The above image of Aspen leaves is one of my most popular fine art prints and will make a colorful addition to my collection of Central Oregon Greeting Cards. These leaves were along the Deschutes River Trail south of Bend. Bend’s high elevation and arid climate allow for aspen trees to thrive. There are stands of aspen trees scattered throughout the Central Oregon area. In autumn during select years, these trees can explode with color, making beautiful and delicate scenes like the one above.
Either a variety pack including one each of my 8 different cards or boxes of 8 cards of the same individual image are available. Envelopes are included with the cards . To order cards, please visit my greeting cards purchase page. Central Oregon Greeting Cards. For retailers that are interested in larger purchases, please contact me for retail rates.
(541) 610-4815
info@mikeputnamphoto.com
Thanks For Reading!
Mike Putnam
Smith Rock State Park
I recently sold an image to some very personable new collectors of my work and I was so happy with how their Smith Rock State Park image turned out, I printed one for myself! I just completed my Smith Rock print and promptly hung it at the Bend Brewing Company in Downtown Bend. If you would like to see the Smith Rock image pictured below, but 40 inches tall, then stroll on down to the Bend, Brewery!
smith-rock-state-park
This Smith Rock State Park photo has a wonderful “summery” feel that is nice to come by during January in Central Oregon. If you happen to stop by the Bend Brewery, tell them I said “Hello” and you should also grad a pint of Elk Lake IPA as the current batch tastes excellent!
Thanks for Reading,
Mike Putnam
Bend Brewing Company’s Downtown Art Gallery!
I cut my landscape photography teeth shortly after I had discovered the friendly and hoppy confines of the Bend Brewing Company located on Brooks Street in downtown Bend, Oregon.
Bend Brewing Company
Because I’ve lived in the downtown Bend area for over 10 years, I’m distinctly familiar with what is going on in the downtown area and I love it! The downtown area has a certain vitality about it that few cities can match. Festivals, parades, movies, concerts, art walks, great food, world class beer are just part of the allure of downtown Bend. The Bend Brewery is one of the closest downtown establishments to my home and it is one of my favorites. The “BBC” as locals call it makes numerous award winning beers, such as Outback-X, Elk Lake IPA, and my personal favorite, Hop Head IPA. Beer was only part of the initial attraction that the Bend Brewing Company held for me. Our lovely daughter, Emma, was born nearly 9 years ago and frankly, she liked to get out of the house. Because of my wife’s work schedule, it was not unusual for me to be in charge of our daughter. As a toddler and now, she loves interaction with other people, so we’d go to the pub! The Bend Brewing Company happens to have booths which was a godsend when I was a solo parent in charge of a squirmy toddler. From the beginning of my pub parenting experiment, the BBC staff treated Emma and I like family. Consistently talking and interacting with her as if she was an adult in whom they were genuinely interested. She was hooked, and so was I. Eventually the whole staff would greet her when we walked into the pub, making her feel like a very small “Norm” from cheers!
Because Emma and I had become such regulars, and my landscape photography business began to flourish, I propositioned the owner, Wendi Day about displaying my work in their hallway where there is a rotating display of work by local artists.
Bend Brewing Company's Wendi Day.
She approved and my display was a success, I even sold a couple of prints that were displayed during that exhibit. Eventually I agreed to display work on the main walls at the Bend Brewing Company on a fairly permanent basis. To this day, my large Oregon landscape prints are displayed at the BBC’s main dining area as well as their “River Room”, Below is a picture of some of my landscape photography displayed in the hallway at the Bend Brewing Company.
Artist Hallway at the Bend Brewing Company
As you might have guessed, my Oregon landscape photography is currently(Thru January of 2011)on display in the hallway at the Bend Brewing Company, as well as my permanent locations in the Brewery’s dining/drinking areas, such as the bar area seen below.
Bend Brewing Company bar area
I’d like to extend a sincere thanks to my friends such as, Wendi, Eric, Tom, Steve, Emily, Jenny, Mindy, Dallas, Heather, Tonya, and the many others who have made, my family feel at home. Also, I’d like to thank Wendi Day for her ongoing support of my Oregon Landscape Photography.
Cheers,
Mike Putnam
Photos of Cyclocross Nationals, 2010!
Yeah, I know I’m not a sports or action photographer so this is clearly a departure from my normal photography entry. As you know, I am a Bend, Oregon resident and I am also a huge advocate of the events and activities that define the city of Bend. The good folks at Visit Bend have done an excellent job of bringing formative and positive events to Central Oregon, and the 2010 Cyclocross National Championships is one of the best events to come to Bend in years. The Cyclocross Nationals were also held in Bend in 2009, so I had an idea of what to expect from this event. Because My daughter, Emma and I had enjoyed the event last year, we decided to catch a couple races at the 2010 cyclocross nationals. We had time on Saturday so we put on our mud boots, bundled up and headed down to the Old Mill district where the Cyclocross Nationals were being held. As I was walking out our front door, I thought it might be fun to bring my camera and capture a little of the action. I quickly grabbed my 5D and a lens and we dove into the Saturday Cyclocross Nationals. I was completely entranced. It was awesome. The crowds, the chaos, the hysteria, sweat, mud, and water, made for a mesmerizing event.
oregon cyclocross 2010
The above image of cyclocross nationals was the sort of scene to which I was attracted. Chaos, exertion, great sky and a random masked man in colorful briefs! There were dozens of photographers racing about, mostly with long telephoto lenses attached to their expensive cameras. While they were catching close-ups, I couldn’t stop shooting the bigger scene. I realized that I was doing what I always do. I was shooting the landscape! To see some of my landscape photos, visit this Oregon landscape photographer. I was driven to capture the drama and chaos of the whole race rather than capture the grimace of an individual cyclocross racer. Eventually, I buckled and shot a couple of close-up individual suffering images. Below is one of those photos of eventual 2010 cyclocross under 23 national champion, Danny Summerhill.
Cyclocross racer, Danny Summerhill
While the above image of cyclocross racer, Danny Summerhill, is pretty cool, good expression, color, form, composition, etc… It still doesn’t excite me as much as the following sports landscape photo below.
cyclocross Nationals 2010
This cyclocross image is one of my favorites. Landscape format, excellent form, a vertical accent with the stairs on the left, and a sense of depth from the flowing course lines. Perhaps better than the landscape characteristics of this cyclocross photo, is the human angle. For me, this image really captures the feel of the 2010 cyclocross nationals. Off conditions, exertion, mud, great crowds and a Mardi Gras like atmosphere. Multiple Santa’s helpers, masked men in their underwear, and a Gumby who seemed to be posing just for me. Pure excellence! While I don’t claim to be a sports photographer, I did have a blast shooting Cyclocross Nationals 2010. If you’d like to see lots more images from this outstanding event, please visit my stock photography website, Cyclocross Nationals 2010.
Thanks for Visiting,
Mike Putnam
New Deschutes River Trail Fine Art Prints!
As winter has taken its seasonal grasp over Central, Oregon, I begin an annual review of my Autumn images from 2010. Fall is perhaps my favorite season and it is often spectacular in the Bend, Oregon area. It always surprises me when visitors ask if there is any fall color in Central Oregon. Our incredible diversity of fall color surpasses most areas of the country. Between vine maples along Santiam Pass, Huckleberries and blueberries in alpine meadows, sugar maples and larch trees in Bend’s Drake Park, and flourishes of riparian color along streams and rivers in the Bend area, the opportunities for fall color peeping are countless. Both of the following Deschutes River Photos will compliment my Oregon Rivers, Lakes and Streams Gallery My best fall color photos from this recently passed season were from the riparian areas along our Deschutes River. The Deschutes River Trail south of the city of Bend is a recreational wonderland.
Deschutes River Trail Near Bend, Oregon.
The area from the Old Mill District to Benham Falls offers phenomenal Mountain Biking, hiking, and fishing options all close to our fair city. Every year, the Deschutes River Trail is on my list of autumn photography exploratory locations and this was perhaps the most colorful year along the Deschutes River Trail(DRT) since my arrival in Bend 12 years ago. I photographed in several locations along the DRT this fall and the image above is one of my favorites. I’m still awaiting the transparencies from my 4×5 camera, but I’m optimistic that there will be images worthy of a new large format fine art print. The small thumbnail seen above doesn’t really do justice to the color and the wonderful array of textures that were present in the scene. Regardless, I’m optimistic about the potential results from my large format camera.
The next Photograph is also of Central Oregon’s beloved Deschutes River but it was taken from closer to the city of Redmond, Oregon. The thing that drew me to this off-trail photography location was the lichen covered rocks more so than the autumn hued Deschutes River seen far below.
Deschutes River near Redmond, Oregon
These two images are another example of the amazing geographical diversity found in the Central Oregon area. The first Photograph from the Deschutes River Trail shows a river lined with fir, spruce and ponderosa pine trees while the second photo, taken about 20 miles away shares an arid desert river canyon with a narrow fringe of riparian color and a sparse smattering of juniper trees. The rugged desert rocks are really the star of this second Deschutes River photo and I hope that my large format camera is able to capture the stunning detail in this craggy scene. I’ll have more Central Oregon autumn images up soon at our Pacific Crest Stock Photography site in the new future. Oregon Stock Photos
Thanks for visiting!
Mike Putnam
Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge and Crown Point.
I recently got some transparencies back from processing and I think my next Fine Art Landscape print is amongst those bright beautiful chromes! Below is one of the images I took on the way back from a late summer trip I took to Mt. Rainier National Park. To see some of the photos I shot at Mt. Rainier, visit the following link to our Oregon Stock Photography site, Pacific Crest Stock. Mt. Rainier Stock Photos. The Photo seen below was actually a wonderful bonus from that trip.
Oregon's beautiful Columbia River Gorge with Crown Point and the famed Vista House.
I was returning from Mt. Rainier and nearing Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge and I saw some great clouds forming over the east end of the gorge. I high-tailed it up to the women’s forum and it’s stunning view of the amazing Columbia River Gorge below. The light played off of the clouds beautifully while warm sunset light bathed the cliffs below crown point and the vista house. I was fortunate enough to capture this dramatic scene with my large format camera which means it will allow me to make some stunning large format prints from this wonderful evening.
I’ve driven through the Columbia River Gorge dozens of times and I’ve always been floored by its beauty, but I’ve never gotten any great shots that include the Columbia River in them. One of the things that motivates me as a photographer is a desire to adequately represent a given location. I truly love the landscapes I get to experience as a landscape photographer, particularly those in my home state of Oregon. If I capture a stunning location( like the Columbia River Gorge) with my 4×5 camera and I’m able to share our Oregon landscapes as seen in wonderful natural light, then that is a great day at the office!
Part of the difficultyI’ve had with photos of the Columbia River Gorge is that there are few locations that accentuate the depth and textures of this national treasure. This view from the women’s forum is the best I’ve encountered. With the vertical volcanic wall below Crown Point, Oregon’s landmark Vista House,the sandy shores of the Columbia River, the layered points along the Washington side of the Columbia River, the distant Beacon Rock, Oregon’s ubiquitous evergreens, and finally and stunning light show presented against a phenomenal arrangement of sunset clouds, this photograph is exactly how I wanted to capture Oregon’s Iconic Columbia River Gorge.(Sorry about the run-on sentence, my past english professors are cringing!) If you’d like to view a framed print from this glorious evening, please contact me and I’ll let you know where one can be viewed.
Thanks for visiting,
Mike Putnam
Bend Oregon Fall Art Hop
It’s that time again art fans, Fall Art Hop! As is often the case, I’ll be sharing my fine art landscape photography at Patagonia of Bend, located at 920 NW Bond Street, in Downtown Bend. The good folks at Patagonia will be sharing their now famous iced animal cookies. It is a touch of class that you can’t just find anywhere, so come on in and enjoy the ambrosial flavors of tiny animals dipped in frosting. Confectionary Greatness! This greatness will be balanced by the astringent notes of Patagonia of Bend’s signature brand of slightly rancid wine, that I generously think of as good vinegar! What more could you ask for?
Tumalo Falls, near Bend, Oregon
The above picture of Bend’s own Tumalo Falls will be on display at this particular art hop. It is a picture that has special meaning to me because I captured this images with my beautiful daughter, Emma. While Emma may not be at the show, this Central Oregon Landscape picture will.
Dwarf Monkeyflowers blooming near Bend, Oregon
This vibrant macro picture of dwarf monkeyflowers blooming in the high desert outside of my hometown of Bend, will be displayed for the first time tomorrow night. It captures one of the splashes of color that make high desert hikes so worth while. Another new pictured that will be displayed for the first time at art hop will be the following picture of Broken Top Mountain.
Broken Top Mountain near Bend, Oregon
I’ve enjoyed dozens of hikes along the Broken top Trail including several overnighters but I’ve never found a better wildflower foreground with “No Name Lake” and Broken Top in the background. This was a morning picture and more importantly is was a low wind morning which allowed me to get good detail of the wildflowers in this beautiful scene. The following landscape picture of Bend’s famed Sparks Lake was taken last year. This picture will also be available at Patagonia of Bend for fall art hop.
Sparks Lake near Bend, Oregon
Probably my favorite Sparks Lake Picture to date, this image captures a gorgeous sunrise with placid waters from one of Oregon’s most iconic locations. Fresh snow on South Sister and Broken Top, certainly add to this serene Central Oregon Picture.
Oregon's Mount Jefferson
The above picture of Oregon’s beautiful Mt. Jefferson will also be on display at Art Hop on the night of October 1st. If you are in the Bend area, please stop by , check out my work and say hello.
I hope to see you all at art Hop!
Thanks,
Mike Putnam
Bend Oregon Nature Photography. A new Fine Art Print from the Broken Top Trail!
Many of you who enjoy hiking in the Bend, Oregon area may recognize this location. That’s because I captured this image near the Broken Top Trail off of Bend’s own Century Drive. This stunning trail quickly puts hikers in a breath-taking alpine landscape. While the road is rough, the scenery is splendid. Some of my favorite backcountry memories have originated along this trail.
Broken Top Trail near Bend, Oregon
I’ve had countless pre-sunrise mornings along this trail as well as a few family overnighters, with Emma and Debbie. For me, this fine art print captures much of what the scenic Broken Top Trail embodies. The stunning alpine summit of Broken Top, vibrant wildflowers, and the gorgeous alpine tarn, “No-Name Lake”. On the morning I captured this beautiful nature scene, Debbie, Emma and I were camping at a different area of Broken Top. I had scouted this shot the evening before. I had optimistic dreams of clears skies and a windless, photo friendly sunrise. My dreams came true! I awoke early(as usual) and hiked to this location and with a lot of waiting and some wonderful intervention from Mother Nature, the winds stopped just as the sun was rising on Broken Top Mountain. The combination of water, a phenomenal mountain backdrop and a colorful array of alpine wildflowers makes this one of my favorite new fine art prints. This image will be on display for the first time on the night of art hop at Patagonia of Bend on the first Friday in October. If you’d like more information about the Broken Top Trail, check out the following link Broken Top Hike. If you’d like to view this fine art print in person, call me or show up for my showing in October. Please check back for more details and Thanks for visiting!
Mike Putnam
Mariposa Lilies in the Central Oregon Desert
Thanks to some friends, I was recently alerted that there were a lot of Mariposa Lilies blooming on their property. Because these lilies are relatively rare and they are truly elegant looking, I was excited about the prospects. I visited several times and took several images with my Big Rig. The below image was captured with my digital camera. I hope the images with my large format camera turn out well so I can make large format prints from them.
Image of Mariposa Lilies blooming in the Oregon high desert
In some years it is rare to find any mariposa lilies blooming. Because of our wet spring in the Oregon High Desert, there were quite a few blooming this year but having two healthy mariposa blooms in the same composition was still rare. Having two vibrant blooms, with a few as of yet unopened blooms, adds an optimistic feel to this image. I’m crossing my fingers and hoping that the film from my large format camera turn out well. If anyone finds any good groupings of Mariposa lilies, please let me know!
Thanks for Reading,
Mike Putnam
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All content © 2012 by Mike Putnam Landscape Photography