Palouse Valley & Wallowa Mtns. in May-June (Page 2): Thanks for the link, unclebe1. I will try Mr. Grey in hopes that he will be more responsive than a photographer I contacted in...

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

unclebe1 wrote:

Tim Grey, a digital photography trainer, has two photography sessions in Poluse in June. Since your schedule prevents you from attending his sessions, perhaps he would give you some advice on good locations. It's worth an email. His website is http://timgrey.com/palouse/

Good luck!

Thanks for the link, unclebe1. I will try Mr. Grey in hopes that he will be more responsive than a photographer I contacted in Wallowa County. Good photo sites are pretty much trade secrets with professionals--which is understandable since a lot of time and trekking goes into finding the best locations. That's why I was hoping some Hoggers would be able to share some details on worthwhile side roads.

boydimages Loc: California

I don't recall any road names. We were there 3-4 days so had time to explore somewhat. Many of the backroads are just dirt going across the land. Not private roads but dirt and kind of maintained. Many smaller roads took of from these to farm houses. Look for these roads that might go across county from 272 and 27 or 27 and 66. That sort of roads.

dmeyer2m wrote:

Boydimages, do you recall any specific neighborhoods or roads you concentrated on?

Doyle Thomas Loc: Vancouver Washington ~ USA

the dirt roads around Hells Canyon are pretty rugged, especially on the ID side so you will want good wheels. Vantage, (where I90 crosses the Columbia River)is a real nice spot. If you have the time consider the John Day Fossil Beds, Smith Rock, and the Painted Hills(recommended) in central OR

Doyle <Vancouver WA The Northwest is rich in the landscape, your gonna have a great time.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

boydimages wrote:

I don't recall any road names. We were there 3-4 days so had time to explore somewhat. Many of the backroads are just dirt going across the land. Not private roads but dirt and kind of maintained. Many smaller roads took of from these to farm houses. Look for these roads that might go across county from 272 and 27 or 27 and 66. That sort of roads.

Sounds like the triangle from Palouse to Pullman to Colfax is the best region to concentrate on, then? We're staying in Colfax so that would put us in the heart of things. Thanks for narrowing it down for me, bodyimages.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Doyle Thomas wrote:

the dirt roads around Hells Canyon are pretty rugged, especially on the ID side so you will want good wheels. Vantage, (where I90 crosses the Columbia River)is a real nice spot. If you have the time consider the John Day Fossil Beds, Smith Rock, and the Painted Hills(recommended) in central OR

Doyle <Vancouver WA The Northwest is rich in the landscape, your gonna have a great time.

I already love the Northwest--we've traveled out there many times! But we've always been on the western side of WA and OR. Although I've been to Smith Rock, I haven't been to the John Day Fossil Beds or Painted Hills. Unfortunately, we won't be able to venture that far off course this time around, only as far down as Joseph and the northern access to Hells Canyon. Will Hells Canyon be reachable in a standard SUV by late May?
Your Painted Hills image is beautiful--was that a moonrise at sunset?

Smith Rock with Smoke Haze at Sunset

boydimages Loc: California

I think someone mentioned Steptoe Butte. Be sure to get to here. It is about an hour north of Pullman. Plan on early or late for this. Small mountain with the road circling it on the way toward the top. View is great with the sun skimming across the rolling hills below.

dmeyer2m wrote:

Sounds like the triangle from Palouse to Pullman to Colfax is the best region to concentrate on, then? We're staying in Colfax so that would put us in the heart of things. Thanks for narrowing it down for me, bodyimages.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

boydimages wrote:

I think someone mentioned Steptoe Butte. Be sure to get to here. It is about an hour north of Pullman. Plan on early or late for this. Small mountain with the road circling it on the way toward the top. View is great with the sun skimming across the rolling hills below.

For sure! I'm a golden hour/twilight shooter whenever I get the chance. Thanks again.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

There is no more fun photo location than the Palouse. I was there mid June last year, went through the Palouse & Snake River canyon, great time but a week wasn't enough. In the Palouse region, take off on the side roads as long as they aren't real muddy, and you'll find more treasures than you can imagine. There are no bad locations. But do be sure to be on Steptoe Butte at sunset on a puffy-cloud day if possible, with a wide assortment of lenses. The possibilities are endless. Here's the resources that helped me. Be sure to download Jack Grahams' free Palouse photography guide. I kept it on my phone for reference.
http://www.pullmanchamber.com/visit-pullman/things-to-do-in-pullman/photography/
http://www.alisonmeyerphotography.com/page.cfm?p=PALOUSE%20TIPS
and ESPECIALLY:
http://jackgrahamphoto.wordpress.com/2013/05/29/a-photography-guide-to-the-palouse-region-washington/

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

minniev wrote:

There is no more fun photo location than the Palou... (show quote)

Excellent! I had the Chamber sites but not the links to Meyer and Graham. Speaking of Snake River Canyon, could you tell me about its features from a photography viewpoint and, also, travel time (whether it's significantly slower than Hwy. 195)?

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

I was in the Palouse for a week in early June this year. I found driving the dirt farm roads to be the best for getting a true feeling for the area. I spent very little time on pavement! The dirt roads can give great leading lines, and are much more attractive than blacktop. With luck, you might find a few fields planted in canola or rapeseed. There were few this last year due to depressed prices, but that can vary year to year.

You might consider looking on Robert Hitchman's site, PhotographAmerica.com. He has a short, but useful, guide to photographing the Palouse that you can purchase for less than $10 and carry it on your smart phone or tablet. I usually find a few nice gems in any of his guides.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Camera phone shot I took to send to my wife while on the road.

Rapeseed near Moscow, ID.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Photographer Jim wrote:

I was in the Palouse for a week in early June this... (show quote)

It didn't occur to me that the canola color was dependent on crop demand--interesting! Your own photo shows such beautiful color and composition. Also, you make a good point about the dirt roads being more photogenic than pavement.

Coincidentally, minniev's link for 'jackgrahamphoto' led me to the same PhotographAmerica site. That looks like a really good resource and I will be getting the Palouse download as well as any other installments relevant to future trips.

I appreciate your suggestions and the photo share, Photographer Jim. I'll be hoping for a good crop this year!