Less Is More

Sometimes less is more...

All around me were these gorgeous trees but I couldn't seem to come up with a composition to save my life. I left the camera on the tripod and sat down in the middle of the forest. What was it that I really loved about this scene? What was it in this grove of trees that really caught my eye? It only took a moment...the tree trunks. It was all about the tree trunks.

Long Meadow Grove, Giant Sequoia National Monument, California

Birch Bay State Park

Stormy Afternoon at Birch Bay State Park, Washington.

I wandered up the shoreline last Sunday to Birch Bay. It was my first time in the area and it won't be my last...I was pretty impressed with the photo opportunities. The sky was dull and featureless for most of the day but late in the afternoon the haze dissipated and the clouds began to show definition. I was already in love with the scene but when a little hole in the clouds allowed a pop of brightness to seep through, well that was the icing on the cake.

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.