It was an unusually warm early February day in Central Oregon. So I decided to climb to the top of "Misery Ridge" - a 1,000-foot escarpment created by the volcanic caldera that formed what is now called Smith Rock.
My objective was to capture a sunset photo overlooking Phoenix Buttress in the foreground with the Cascades mountain range in the background. I experimented with a few locations before setting my tripod on the edge of the ridge with the river almost directly below my feet.
I decided to shoot a panorama rather than a single wide frame to have the scale I desired for the mountains in the background. An unexpected challenge was that a few farmers in the valley before me had chosen to burn their fields (a standard process to remove stubble before planting) on this warm day. As a result, considerable smoke was hanging in the valley and slowly making its way around and into the foreground of my shot.
While not what I had anticipated or imagined, I waited, hoping the fires (and resulting smoke) would diminish by sunset and that my shot would not be negatively impacted. Fortunately, that was pretty much the case, with just a hint of smoke adding some visual interest to the edge of the frame.
As the sun set, I doubled and tripled check my settings and focus and fired off three sets of 4 images each. Satisfied that I had captured what I needed, I sat back and just enjoyed the view, grateful to have a passion for a hobby that once again took me to a place I would have likely not been at a time I would have otherwise not been there, to see something I would never have seen.
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4 Comments
What is the community between Smith Rock and the Cascades? Appears to be an exceptionally busy commercial area?
That is the small town of Terrebonne. Population is about 1600.
Beautiful Capture, I use to spend a lot of time over in Central Oregon as My Dad was often sent over to work at Pelton Dam or Round Butte. So many places to explore over there.
Lake Billy Chinook is one of my favorites, and then there is the town of Bend Oregon that you ought to explore if you find yourself over that way in the Future.
Thank you. I live in Bend 🙂