With Rod Barbee
October 9-12, 2019
Salem, OR
$715
discount available if paying by check
Limit 7, minimum 4
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If you love to photograph waterfalls, then Silver Falls State Park is one of the best places to do it.
Oregon’s Silver Falls State Park near Salem, OR is a gem of a park that, acre for acre, rivals any national park I’ve visited. Everything is close and easily accessible and for waterfall lovers, hikers, and nature photographers, this combination is unbeatable. And while it's spectacular year around, Silver Falls in the autumn is not to be missed.

Silver Falls boasts ten waterfalls along the Trail of Ten Falls. Frankly, not all of them are especially photogenic, but at least five are very photogenic and four of those rank in my own personal "spectacular" category. The trail itself is eight miles long, but fortunately, we won't have to hike those eight miles because there are three access points along the trail that make getting to these falls quick and easy.

In addition to the falls, the streams, forests, and fall color offer plenty of subjects for a nature photographer.

This is a photo tour so I'll be shooting right alongside you. But that doesn't mean I won't be available to help. Your images take priority and I'll be there to help whenever you need it. I'll share landscape photography tips, show you ways of capturing flowing water, and talk about digital photography techniques to help you control the light and areas of focus in your images.

If we happen to have sunny days, then we'll also be able to photograph sunbursts, as you can see in some of the pictures on this page. The technique is easy. The execution, however, takes a bit of practice. But I'll show you how.

And since this is a photo tour, there won't be any formal classroom sessions. But that doesn't mean we can't get together and look at images on the laptop.

Hiking:

You need to know that there is hiking and walking involved with this trip. Waterfall country, by definition, has some elevation changes. We'll be hiking downhill and uphill on every trail. The hikes aren't long, the longest being about one mile each way. We'll be walking/hiking to all the falls. The lone exception being the roadside viewpoint of North Falls.
While these hikes are rated as easy to moderate in any hiking guide, if you have any difficulties with hiking any distance or hiking uphill or downhill, or if you have any problems with footing on rough terrain or slippery rocks, this may not be the trip for you. In fact, if you can remember the 60s, you might want to give this trip a second thought.

Did I mention there is hiking involved? Possibly more than one hike a day? And did I say the trails go downhill and uphill? Though not overly steep by most standards, these trails do have elevation change. And all that camera gear on your back will make it seem even steeper. But if you're in average to good shape, or you already do some hiking, these trails should pose no problem. If you don't do much hiking at all, they may be a bit daunting. So fair warning!

Some gear suggestions

For forest, stream, and waterfall photography, a polarizer is a must. One other piece of gear you'll probably find useful is a neutral density filter (not to be confused with a graduated neutral density filter). A neutral density filter blocks light without changing the color of the scene. It's mainly used to allow for longer shutter speeds.

Chances are that by just using a polarizer, a small aperture opening, and a low ISO will allow for slow enough shutter speed to get the silky water effect, but having an extra few stops of ND often helps. I carry 2-stop, 6-stop, and 8-stop neutral density filters.

Lodging:

We'll be staying at the La Quinta in Salem Oregon. Room rate is pending. Upon registering, information will be sent about making your reservations.

We'll meet at 6 p.m. on the evening of the 9th for introductions and orientation. The tour ends after the morning shoot on the 12th.

 

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Getting There:

La Quinta, Salem

Take I-5 exit 253 (Mission St.) west. Turn right on Hawthorne then right to La Quinta immediately after the Costco.

 

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Trip Insurance

I understand that sometimes folks need to make last minute cancellations due to illness, family, or business matters. Unfortunately, I am unable to make last minute refunds or provide credit to future workshops due to these last minute cancellations. I therefore highly recommend travel insurance. See this page for some resources.

Questions?

Many of your questions may already be answered on my FAQ page.