a taste of summer, and one of the ones in the ‘working’ queue from last year …

(see it bigger)

[where is this?]

another shot from last week’s shoot…

Duncan and I went out on the spur of the moment today, and ended up scouting the area around the St. John’s Bridge. The light was lovely, and it felt absolutely great just to be out with a camera in hand. I did end up with a few shots to work with over the next couple of weeks. Although I don’t feel like my slump is over, when I went through the card, I did find some interesting shots.

Here’s one quickly processed shot from the outing, by a little reflecting pool at, of all places, the Portland Pollution Control Laboratory (which was actually a very cool place, architecturally and landscape-wise).

Fill the frame; fill the frame.

As I alluded to in my previous post, for various reasons, I haven’t been able to get out much to shoot — or ride — lately, and when I get the camera in my hands, I keep finding myself coming up short. I understand it’s all part of the process, and that it will pass, but it’s frustrating. (I’m grateful for Instagram and my phone, though; it’s crazy how much that helps.)

Tonight, I had a short window of time to get out on the bike, so I headed out one of my favorite rides, to Larch Mountain. It’s 36 miles from the house to the summit, and the last 14 miles to the top are head-cleansing and fun. I hiked up to the observation point, spent a little bit of time meditating and then rode back down to Rooster Rock. I didn’t have a lot of daylight left, but I trekked down with the camera and tripod and ended up with this shot.

Being there made me calm, which is something I need right now, and looking at it on-screen, I feel as though I got what I needed.

Little victories.

Haven’t really been in the space to get out lately, either to shoot or to ride the bike. Last night, I threw everything together about an hour before sunset, and headed out for one of my quick, Zen-centric rides. There wasn’t a lot to shoot, but I keep getting drawn to these towers–which sit along the Columbia, without any wires attached.

The moon was rising through a mess of smog, and I really didn’t think it would be worth anything, but it cleared up quickly and I was able to get a quick few shots in. I’m not sure if this is the one, but it’s a start.

[geotagged]

[Insta.gram version here]

shot from beacon rock state park…

alternative composition, below…

the other side of the bridge from this shot.