4 Minutes At Larrabee

4 minute exposure at Larrabee State Park, Washington

Sunday was a big day for me...my 50th birthday. I'd like to say I made the transition into my next decade gracefully but, truth be told, I was a moody SOB for most of December. As the month rolled on, I accomplished less and less. I gave up shooting new images, I gave up processing images, and finally gave up posting images as well. What I did do really well was to drive my wife and son crazy with my unpredictable outbursts.

The dreaded day finally arrived and I suddenly didn't feel so crappy anymore. I wouldn't say I felt great, but more....sort of relieved...and surprisingly focused. I'm really looking forward to the next ten years. Several great ideas have been swirling around in my head and I'm planning on devoting this stretch of my life to getting those projects done...and sharing them with everyone when they get under way. Hopefully some ideas will work and probably some will fail but I'm not leaving my 50s without trying each and every one of them.

I captured this image on Sunday while the Hawks were playing. No hating on me please...I listened to the 2nd half on the radio.

Cascading Waters

Cascades on Boulder Creek in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington.

My son and I took off for an "Adventure Day" up into the Cascades on Sunday. We saw the washout on the Index-Galena Road, scored a couple of trains rolling through Skykomish and tossed some snowballs at Jack Pass on Beckler Road. On the way back, we stopped to check out this little cascade alongside the road. All-in-all, a pretty awesome day.

Foss River

Foss River flowing through the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington

The Foss River Road is pretty heavily driven by hikers heading to the trailheads but there is plenty to see alongside the road before you get there.

All prints and canvases on my website are 20% off through December 8th. Just use coupon code JLPSALE at checkout.


Stop by at www.jimlundgrenphotography.com

Mist In The Foothills

A pair of images from a misty morning in Skagit County, Washington. I was heading to the mountains when I saw this scene from the side of the road...I definitely had to turn the car around !!

Washington Pass

If you've never been over Washington Pass on the North Cascades Highway, you've been missing something. Just park your car alongside the road at the pass and look up

All prints and canvases on my website are 20% off through December 8th. Just use coupon code JLPSALE at checkout.

Stop by at www.jimlundgrenphotography.com

Coming Back To Picnic Point Again And Again

Picnic Point.....

If you've been following my photography for more than a month, you probably realize that Picnic Point on the Puget Sound is my favorite location due to its amazing shoreline and, to be perfectly honest, the fact that it's less than a ten minute drive from my house.

I sometimes worry that I will tire of shooting there, but I never fail to come back with something new. So the question has to be asked...is it better to wander the world and come away with a few choice images from each area or should a photographer concentrate on a few locations and explore them deeply?

Luckily, I don't have the luxury to ponder that question, I have to get dinner on the table for my family every evening and that means you haven't seen the last of Picnic Point

If you want to see more of my favorite photo spot, I've included 30 images in a themed gallery on my website. I really enjoyed seeing them all together and I hope you do to.

http://www.jimlundgrenphotography.com/#/gallery/featured-theme-returning-to-picnic-point-on-the-puget-sound

The 5 Day Black And White Challenge: Day 3

Day 3 of the Black and White Challenge and I'm sharing an image of a waterfall on Denny Creek in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. I've posted a couple of images from this location before (including some monochrome) but this is a new composition

The goal of the Black and White Challenge is to post a new black and white image for 5 consecutive days (either new or old), tag the person who nominated you and find a new person to challenge every day. Thanks to +Michael Riffle for dragging me into this :)

For my next victim, I am going to nominate +Greg Mitchell, who I know is more than up for the task :)

The 5 Day Black And White Challenge: Day 2

For Day 2 of the Black and White Challenge, I'm sharing an image that I always thought might work in monochrome. I captured this a couple of years ago along the banks of the North Fork of the Skykomish River in Washington.

The goal of the Black and White Challenge is to post a new black and white image for 5 consecutive days (either new or old), tag the person who nominated you and find a new person to challenge every day.

For my next victim, I am going to nominate Marc De La Torre over on G+.

The 5 Day Black And White Challenge: Day 1

There has been a little challenge for photographers that's been floating around the internet for a couple of weeks called "The 5 Day Black And White Challenge." The goal is to post a new black and white image for 5 consecutive days (either new or old), tag the person who nominated you and find a new person to challenge every day. Well, I thought I was going to escape under the radar but Michael Riffle must have noticed that I hadn't been picked on yet.

For day 1 I am sharing this image I captured a couple of weeks ago while walking around in Everett. I tend to think black and white images are somewhat arty by nature so I will do my best to come up with a suitable title. I shall call it.... "Building Next To The Jail"

For my first victim, I am going to nominate Michael Mixon. Have fun!!

Mossy Forest

Is there anything better than a mossy old-growth forest on a cool damp day?  I think not :)

In the valley of the North Fork Skokomish River, Olympic National Park, Washington.

The Trip

"A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us"
-John Steinbeck

Bridge over the North Fork Skokomish River, Olympic National Park, Washington

Evening in Edmonds

The sunny summer days were nice but this is weather that makes you feel ALIVE!!

The evening was looking pretty interesting last night so I rushed through homework with my son, cooked up a quick and elegant early dinner (OK...it was hot dogs and beans but don't judge) and flew out the door with dishes in the sink (OK...strewn all over the counter top but luckily my wife is away for the week.)

We were fortunate to be sandwiched between storm cells to the east and this one to the west. The storm slowly moved out over the Puget Sound and finally got close as it started to get dark. As the light faded, I put the camera down and snuggled with my son on a bench watching the mini wall cloud as it rolled over the beach. We braced ourselves against the gust front and only left when the rain drops started to pelt us. On the drive home, we were treated to a lightning show...a pretty rare occurrence up here in the Pacific Northwest.

All in all, my son seemed to think it was a pretty awesome way to spend an evening. Beats watching the Lego Movie for the millionth time.

Icicle Creek

Evening at Icicle Creek, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Washington. I could sit by this creek for an entire day and be perfectly happy :)

The Sitting Log

Sometimes just sitting on a log and watching the sunset is all you need ......

Camano Island State Park, Washington

Afternoon At Picnic Point

I found a couple more files that I wanted to work up from a shoot at Picnic Point a couple of weeks ago. One of the best things about digital photography is the ability to convert to black and white after the fact....it's like opening up a candy box.

Picnic Point on the Puget Sound, Washington

Down By The Waterline

Sunset at the Mukilteo ferry terminal.

Goodbye To Summer

The days still feel like summer up here in the Pacific Northwest but when the sun starts to sink, you can feel that autumn is not far away. The sunset is earlier, the evening temperatures are colder and the water is starting to get a little chilly for wading.

I picked my son up from school the other day and went out hunting for a sunset. We didn't find any amazing color but we did bag a couple of ferries up at Mukilteo.

Quiet Evening At Mayo Cove

I spent last weekend on a quick overnight camping trip with my son at Penrose Point State Park. We wandered the beaches, made smores, and stayed up late to look at the stars....oh, and I got a little photography done too.

Quiet evening at Mayo Cove, Penrose Point State Park, Washington.

20 second exposure for those who are curious.

Another Image From Picnic Point

One more from Picnic Point on the Puget Sound...I promise this will be the last one for a while

Picnic Point Revisited

Another image from last week at Picnic Point along the Puget Sound. I am sooooooo fortunate to live just a hop, skip, and a jump from here...well not literally, but you know what I mean.

Evening on the Puget Sound

Stuff In The Water.....I've never been very good at naming images

Picnic Point, Washington

The Local Beach

 

Had a great time shooting sunset down at my neighborhood beach last night with local photogs Mirwais Azami and Darin Speed.

Sunset over the Puget Sound at Picnic Point, Washington

North Fork Skokomish River

I spent the first part of last week camping at Staircase in Olympic National Park with my son. Never heard of it? Well, you wouldn't be alone. Yes....it lacks the grand vistas of Hurricane Ridge. There aren't any world-class waterfalls like the Sol Duc Valley. It doesn't have the incredible rugged beaches of the coastline near Rialto and Kalaloch. Nor does it have the endless mossy cathedrals of the Hoh Rain Forest. It also lacks one other important thing....the crowds crawling all over the park in the middle of summer. What does this little corner of the park offer? ...just quiet trails through emerald green old-growth and alongside tumbling ice-cold rivers. It is the perfect place to unwind for a couple of days.

North Fork Skokomish River, Olympic National Park, Washington

San Simon Valley

I've been pretty lazy about shooting lately so I'm turning on the wayback machine for today's post. Sunset over the San Simon Valley in Arizona circa 1995.

Zen

Space Needle

Looking forward to getting those sunny blue skies back again...I was almost becoming used to them

Space Needle and EMP, Seattle, Washington

Found Treasures

I was rummaging through my hard drive when I found a whole folder of files from just before my son was born that I'd never got around to processing. Here's to finding lost treasures!

Sunset, Camano Island State Park, Washington

Twilight

Stormy skies over the Hood Canal at Scenic Beach State Park, Washington

Stormy Day At Baker Lake

A typical moody stormy scene from the Pacific Northwest. May it be sunny wherever you are.

Baker Lake, Washington

A Walk Though The Forest

Shadow of the Sentinels Interpretive Trail, Baker Lake, Washington

Something Different

A little over a year ago I started an ongoing project to create dynamic and interesting images from everyday objects and scenes. It has been a fun and rewarding experience.....plus I get a chance to see the strange looks on people's faces as they try to figure out what I'm doing.

Railroad crossing on the waterfront in Seattle, Washington

More Tulips

Continuing to add to the deluge of springtime tulip photos crossing your screen

Tulips in the Skagit River Valley, Washington

For information about purchasing prints or arranging licensing, visit www.jimlundgrenphotography.com

Tulip Time

I was lying on my back in the dust yesterday and looking up at the tulips when a man walked by and barked, "Well.....you are certainly getting dirty!" "But I'm having fun !!" was all I could answer. Remind me never to roll my eyes at my son again when he comes home covered in dirt

Skagit River Valley, Washington

For information about purchasing prints or arranging licensing, visit www.jimlundgrenphotography.com

More Bloomin' Fields

A bloomin' field of daffodils last week in the Skagit River Valley, Washington

For information about purchasing prints or arranging licensing, visit www.jimlundgrenphotography.com

Thanks to RoozenGaarde for such amazing fields you can check out their website for info on blooms at www.tulips.com.

Art For Oso

Starting at 7:00 this evening, you have a chance to give a little to help our neighbors who have lost everything in the town of Oso.....and end up with something cool hanging on your wall. "Art for Oso" has been put together by local photographers on Facebook to raise money for those affected by the recent landslide. 100% of the proceeds from these prints will go to the Cascade Valley Hospital Relief Fund and spent directly on needs for those affected by this tragedy The first round raised over $8000 and with everyone's help, the second round should raise even more.

Just join the "Art for Oso" group On Facebook and starting tonight at 7:00, leave bids in the comment sections of the images in the photo gallery. The auction ends at 9:00 PM Pacific Time on Monday April 7th.

Even if you can't give, please help out by sharing this post with your friends and family.

Help today at https://www.facebook.com/groups/artforoso/

Thanks everyone !!

Right At My Feet

While wandering around the town of La Conner on Monday, I was struck by the strong lines and curves of this rope wrapped around a cleat on the dock. Sometimes it pays to look down at your feet to see what's right in front of you.

La Conner, Washington

For information on purchasing prints or licensing for my images, visit www.jimlundgrenphotography.com

Daffodils in Springtime

We are having a spat of sunshine this week after receiving a record-breaking amount of rainfall for March. Just what the daffodils wanted !!

Skagit River Valley, Washington

Thanks to RoozenGaarde for such amazing fields. You can check out their website for info on blooms at www.tulips.com.

Blue Lake

Blue Lake in the Hoover Wilderness, Toiyabe National Forest, California by Jim Lundgren

Foggy Morning

A foggy morning at the waterfront in Edmonds, Washington

Mount Tamalpais

My Babies Are Home

I recently ended a partnership with a stock agency that I had been with since the 90s. They did a great job through the years marketing my work but times change and...yada yada. As sad as it was to end this business relationship, it felt better seeing all the film transparencies return home..some after decades of being away.

So over the next year, I'm going to be posting some of these from time to time. Why? Because old is good.....at least I keep trying to tell myself that.

Fog on the slopes of Mount Tamalpais, Marin County, California

Bob Heirman Wildlife Preserve

Heading home on the trail at Bob Heirman Wildlife Preserve in Snohomish County, Washington

A Walk Through The Forest

A Walk Through The Forest 

Lynnwood, Washington

Downtown Seattle...Film Noir Style

Black Mountains

Dappled light on the Black Mountains in Death Valley National Park, California.

Late Evening Light

A little late evening light at West Beach in Washington Park, Anacortes, Washington

Stormy Skies

Clouds and water......Yep, it's the Pacific Northwest 

Joseph Whidbey State Park, Whidbey Island, Washington

This Isn't A Photo Of Snow

It snowed in Seattle this week. I know...I know...everyone in the rest of the country is thinking "so what?" but for us, snow has been an infrequent visitor the last few years. For a minute I thought about heading out with my camera but quickly decided to grab a sled and my son instead. So today there is no photo of a snow-covered Puget Sound....just a waterfall from last summer and some memories for my son.

The Space Needle

I've been busy processing images from last summer for the last week. It's funny how I spent 8 years in this area and never took a single shot of the Space Needle.  Then during the middle of the year, I suddenly felt compelled to take hundreds of images of the thing. I guess I'm a binge photographer....