Columbia River Gorge - Snow Storm

As I mentioned on a previous blog post, I did get out the Columbia River Gorge twice this week. The first was Christmas Eve Day. It was still quite stormy there with wind and heavy snow in open places and heavy snow and slight fog in wind sheltered areas. Not the best for photographing waterfalls which I went out for. Nonetheless I did get some great stormy road and highway photos. If you have never froze your body instantly before here is how... stand on a open exposed area in the gorge during a winter storm and shoot photos directly into the strong east wind! I did this on a overpass and literally could hardly move my fingers after only a minute. It's bone numbing cold. The overpass photo you see below is that image.

I also did make it out on Friday, the day after Christmas. Although it was no longer snowing as I wanted, the big thaw had just started and was changing the landscape by the minute. I did manage to still get a few photos but not exactly what I was looking for. The one of Multnomah Falls is by no means original yet is very tough and different for a change with all the snow and ice. You have less than a 1/4 second to get this image as the spray from the falls is constant here. Your lens will look like a windsheild on your car driving through rain without wipers in seconds! Until the next winter storm here in town, enjoy these photos...

Black Ice

This last Tuesday morning I headed down to the Columbia River hoping a nice sunrise would materialize since the snow stopped. Nothing turned out to be much as far as the sky yet I did find some interesting ice and snow formations right along the shore. Not exactly a place I would recommend folks going in this weather. It was fairly icy and I had to take my time getting down and up, plus the black ice on the rocks right along the river. The snow did help from it being a solid sheet of ice. A nice cool morning along the Columbia River...

Thank You

Molly and I want to thank all of our clients, family and friends for a great 2008! We have much to be thankful for this holiday season. Most important is always the health and basic needs. You have to look at the world around you and be reminded how truly fortunate so many of us are. And when you get a chance help out those that need a hand try to do it. For us one of the big ones was the several Oregon Food Bank donations from money to canned food that we did this year that all of you helped contribute to.

We are thankful to have all of you along on our journey of life including the ever changing and growing business of Adrian Klein Photography. Happy Holidays to all and we look forward to a stupendous 2009!

Arctic Shores

I continue to enjoy this snowy weather and I am a little sad it's starting to melt now. I have been out almost everyday photographing it's beauty. A Subaru and chains will get you just about anywhere except maybe deep snow! Monday I started the day in the dark photographing in Woodstock and then I spent most of the day downtown photograph scenes and people. From Jesse the street drummer on buckets to the cross country skier Kirsten. Ending with a beautiful shot of the city skyline amongst the ice chunks on the SE Willamette River shore.

I also did make it into the Columbia River Gorge yesterday for some very stormy photos on the old highway. I hoped to photograph waterfalls but the snow as still coming down very heavy and they were not that photogenic while it was snowing. More to come of those later. For now here are some from Portland taken on Monday. Stay safe, warm and happy holidays to all!

Winter Wonderland

More of the winter wonderland today in beautiful snow and ice filled Portland. I did manage to get out for a couple short walks and one short drive. I was getting into the thick ice build up on the plants and trees. Makes for some wonderful photography to say the least. More to come from this current winter weather as time allows...

Amazon Dragons Paddling Club

Yesterday we had a rare snow storm in Portland dumping 6"-8" across the city, a beautiful site to say the least. Yet, besides driving in the winter wonderland, Molly and I did not spend much time outside, most was spent inside Joni Kabana's spacious and posh SE studio where we had a great time photographing the Amazon Dragons Paddling Club. I was glad a little snow wouldn't stop them. Sadly enough this city seems to shut down when some snow flakes hit the ground. Not them, not enough to stop them from coming out and having a great time. And a great time it was. The eight members that were able to make it were a blast to photograph. Easy going and up for whatever. This session is part of a multi-session project we are working with them on to produce a 16 month 2010-2011 calendar. Some single shots from yesterday, enjoy!

Portland Winter Blast 2008

Anyone that knows me will know that I love snow. That is one thing I feel Portland does not get enough of each winter, if any now days. When the snow started flying this last Sunday my son Logan and I hit the streets of Portland.... driving, walking and sliding (sliding on foot, not in car). I chained up the Subaru so I could stop on a dime for the walkers and drivers that worried me. Unfortunately, I did end up needing that braking power so we were thankful. We drove to the East side of the Willamette River and then crossed over the Hawthorne Bridge by foot into the city where we wandered around. Eventually making our way to a coffee shop where we could enjoy a hot drink in the 23 degree weather and watch the snow fall from the inside for a few minutes. Here are some of the many images we took. One is my daughter Rowan as well.

Hill Family

This was the kind of session that people need to really remember and do to save the memories. We got a call from Ann looking for a generational family photo. It would include baby through great grandma. These are photos that they will be glad they took the time to get. They were all a fun bunch. We got the family images and of course some great ones with little Wila. Here are just a few of photos from the session.

Foggy Escape To Metlako

This week I needed a break from my office and hit the trails in the wonderful Columbia River Gorge. I never tire of this area. I truly feel fortunate that it's a short drive away to this lush, green and damp enchanting paradise. I did about 10 miles of hiking on a couple trials. One I went on was Eagle Creek hoping for some dense fog and warm sunlight with Punch Bowl or Metlako Falls. After running into Marc Adamus on the way up and chatting for short bit with him and his client I made my way to Metlako. They left early to the beach which worked for them with a magnificent sunset that I would later miss. Yet my short wait around at Metlako gave me the following photo which is quite nice. Really shows off the gorge in all it's splendor. On the way back home I did manage one shot of the sunset at Cape Horn. This is looking East so you can imagine what it looked towards the West! I had spent too much time in the forest and did not get to a suitable location in time for sunset shooting. Nonetheless as my wife reminded me that evening... my main goal was to soak up the air in nature and get some exercise. I succeeded at that.