Mike Putnam Landscape Photography

New Three Sisters Image for Bend Oregon’s Spring Art Hop!

Mike Putnam — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 19:28:14 +0000

Today, 4/6/2012 is one of the biggest art days of the year, and I will be unveiling a new print at the Patagonia of Bend store in downtown Bend. Their location is 920 Nw Bond St, suite 101. The following photograph of Central Oregon’s Three Sisters and Broken Top Mountain will be unveiled and I think everyone will love it1

Central Oregon'sThree Sisters and Broken Top Mountains

This print turned out beautifully. I’ve literally made dozens of trips to this viewpoint and finally I got a wonderful image which I believe captures the essence of the Central Oregon’s Three Sisters and the high desert which surrounds the Bend area.

Below are some other beautiful prints that will be on display tonight. Bend Oregon’s Tumalo Falls in Summer.

Bend Oregon

Bend Oregon’s beautiful Three Sisters Mountains as seen from the summit of South Sister.

Three Sisters Wilderness

Bend,Oregon’s Shevlin Park and Tumalo Creek in Autumn.

Bend, Oregon's Shevlin Park

Central Oregon’s Newberry Crater National Volcanic Monument.

Central Oregon's Newberry Crater

Bend Oregon’s favorite Waterfall, Tumalo Falls in autumn.

Bend Oregon Waterfall

To see these bebautiful fine art photographs from the Bend, Oregon area and a few others, please stop by tonight during the spring art hop in downtown Bend, Oregon!

Thanks,

Mike Putnam

New Maples Leaves Print on the way!

Mike Putnam — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 05:08:45 +0000

I recently got some of my 4×5 film developed and one of my images of frosted maple leaves is one I am very excited about. Late autumn can often be a frustrating time to capture beautiful photographs yet it is a very distinctive time of year. Fall in Bend, Oregon is often characterized by warm days and clear cold nights. Frosty nights are the norm, especially in late autumn.

maple leaves

My fine art print of maple leaves from this morning won’t look exactly like this, actually, it will look better. my large format transparency has a better range of color and amazing detail along the frosty edges of the maple leaves. This image really captures the beauty of a transitional time of year in my home town of Bend, Oregon. I hope everyone loves the print when it comes out!

Best,

Mike Putnam

Oregon’s Three Sisters Mountains Fine Art Photograph!

Mike Putnam — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:38:58 +0000

I’ve been waiting on this image for a long time! Everyone who has visited Bend or the Central Oregon area is familiar with the beautiful Three Sisters Mountains which anchor the skyline to the west. The Three sisters are stunning yet they have been an immense photographic challenge for me. To accommodate the shape of the Three Sisters, the images requires either a panoramic format or an exceptional foreground and a sky with rich details. After countless times photographing the Three Sisters, I have an image of which I am very proud.

Three Sisters Mountains, Central Oregon

Everyone who has driven between the cities of Bend and Sisters, Oregon, has probably noticed the stunning view of the Three Sisters, Broken Top Mountain, and the high desert terrain that leads up to the Deschutes National Forest and eventually the Three Sisters Wilderness Area.

I take great pride in capturing ”The Essence” of the Beautiful Oregon landscapes that I capture with my 4×5 film camera, and I believe that this image of the Three Sisters and Broken Top does a great job of sharing the essence of this beautiful part of Oregon. The warm sunrise light on the sage and rabbitbrush, combined with stunning lenticular cloud caps over the Central Oregon Cascades make for a wonderful combination. I hope you enjoy this beautiful fine art print of Oregon’s Three sisters Mountains as much me!

Thanks For Visiting,

Mike

Portland, Oregon Photography Exhibit!

Mike Putnam — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 19:00:34 +0000

I’ve been trying to organize an exhibit of my fine art Landscape Photography in Portland, Oregon for over year now and finally, the stars have aligned for my little photography business. I’m proud to announce that I currently have my photography prints displayed at Baristadors, an amazing coffee shop located at 11136 Capitol Highway Portland, Oregon. Technically, this is the SW part of Portland.

Baristadors Coffee, Portland,Or.

Several considerations went into selecting Baristadors as my first Portland exhibit location. First, I have a personal connection there. My mother lives near to Baristadors and it is my favorite coffee location in Soputhwest Portland, Oreogn. The potential photo exhibit needs to have a good reputation and offer quality products. Baristadors more than adheres to this requirement. They serve Stumptown Coffee( my favorite anywhere), they have delicious Bagels and they even serve their own beer. I’ve had some amazing macchiattos and americanos there! My final requirement is an attractive interior with some well lit wall space. Baristadors has all of the above. Below are some simple images of the interior of Baristadors with my landscape prints on display.

Photography Exhibit, Portland,Oregon

I should also note that all of the frames on my prints that are currently displayed at Baristadors, were hand made by me in my wood shop. For some more information about my framing, please visit the following link Fine Art Framing.

Baristadors Coffee, Portland, Oregon.

I’d like to extend a thanks to Gerrik and Nick, the owners of Baristadors for allowing me to share their wall space for awhile. More importantly, I’d like to thank my mother who installed my work at Baristadors. She deserves countless thanks for all the wonderful things she has done for me, this is simply the most recent one. Thanks Momma! To view my online portfolios, please visit the following link. Oregon Landscape Photography

For all of you readers, please stop by Baristadors. They make wonderful drinks and my work looks pretty nice there.

Thanks,

Mike Putnam

Bend, Oregon Photos at the Bend Brewing Company!

Mike Putnam — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:32:36 +0000

As many of you know, I have what I think of a permanent exhibit hanging at the Bend Brewing Company in Downtown Bend, Oregon. Please visit their website here. Bend Brewing Company. For Several Years now, I’ve had my work hanging at the Bend Brewing Company, and about twice a year I hang some of my new work in the small hallway that connects between the front door and the main dining and pub area. Well, I currently have some of my work in the Bend Brewery Hallway! My home is in the downtown area of Bend, Oregon and The Bend Brewing Company is the first restaurant/brewery I come to when I go on my frequent walks in the downtown area. that’s only part of why I enjoy having my fine art photographs exhibited at the Bend Brrewery. The below image of Tumalo Falls in summer, is only a few miles from the heart of downtown Bend, Oregon!

Bend Oregon

The above Tumalo Falls image is currently on display at the BBC, as are the following images from the Bend, Oregon area.

Because of the proximity of the Bend Brewing Company to my home in downtown Bend, It became one of my favorite resting grounds while talking my daughter for walks as a newborn. As she grew, the staff at the BBC became very engaging with Emma, making it her and my favorite father/daughter walking destination. As a matter of fact, when She was in kindergarten, she had to do a diorama of her favorite family activity and she chose”going to the Pub”! Luckily, her kindergarten teacher was also a fan of the Bend Brewery!

Another new photo on display is the following image from Newberry Crater which is also located near Bend, Oregon.

Newberry Crater, near Bend, Oregon

This photo of Newberry Crater, and Paulina Peak is new from the last shooting year and it is one that I am still very excited about. The warm sunrise light, the snow covered Central Oregon Cascades, the rocky spires of Paulina peak, and the misty Paulina Lake make for a stunning combination.

Below is another one of my favorite photographs that is currently hanging in the Bend Brewery, is the following image of Sparks Lake Sunrise, is also located near Bend, Oregon.

Bend, Oregon

I have several other photos in my temporary exhibit at the Bend Brewing Company, so if you happen to be in downtown Bend, Oregon area, before March 1st, 2012, please stop by and enjoy some of my favorite images from the Central Oregon area!

Thanks For Visiting,

Mike Putnam

Broken Top Sunrise Print, now showing at the High Desert Museum!

Mike Putnam — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:01:00 +0000

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.

My print, “Broken Top sunrise” was captured high on the flanks of Broken Top Mountain, not far from the Broken Top Trail. it is an image that I worked very hard to get. Many separate scouting trips, both before and after sunrise were required to appropriately plan and compose this photograph. It is one of my favorite locations in the Bend, Oregon area and it is one that I am honored to share with the High Deseert Museum! For information about my Broken Top Sunrise image or any of the many other fine art prints in my portfolio, please visit the galleries page of my website by visiting the following link. Fine Art images. Incidentally, you can find my line of Bend Oregon Note Cards in the Silver Sage Trading Store located just just a few feet away from where my print is currently hanging in the museum. For more information about my note cards please visit my note cards page. Bend, Oregon Note Cards.

I hope that the good folks at the High Desert Museum are half as happy to have the print as I am to share the print.

thanks for Visiting and I’ll see you at the museum!

Mike Putnam

Bend, Oregon Winter Snow Photographs.

Mike Putnam — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:35:37 +0000

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)

Mike Putnam — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:26:00 +0000

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!

Mike Putnam — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:56:37 +0000

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.

Mike Putnam — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:50:39 +0000

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