The Andy Porter Photography 2024 Washington State Scenic Calendar is here!
12 gorgeous images of Washington State, with Northern Lights, Bioluminesence and the Milky Way Galaxy!
Each Calendar is printed on a 100lb bond glossy sheet, each sheet is 8″ x 12″. No cropping and no borders! Calendars are ring bound and shrink wrapped!
Click Here to Order Your Copy Today!
The Pacific Crest Trail is 2,650 miles long and ends at the Northern Terminus monument about two feet south of Boundary Monument 78 on the US/Canada border.
The northernmost section of the PCT passes through the Pasayten Wilderness, in Washington State. Its one of most magnificent sections of the trail.
One place to access the trail is at Slate Peak. This is the highest place, elevation-wise, that you drive a passenger car in State of Washington topping out at about 7,600 ft. Check the road conditions first, its a white-knuckler for sure.
Starting a hike at its highest point is always a bit strange, but it sure make the first days hiking easy, all down hill! On the first day we hiked from Slate peak and the parking area down to Holman Pass and then started back up.
Here the trail passes through a glorious section on its way up to Rock Pass. The area is called the Parade Grounds, is a huge area, wide open meadows covered with flowers, interspersed with trees. There is a spring nearby and dispersed camping, and a short way off small Goat Lake.
The crest of Rock Pass is truly stunning. The view below is looking north from Rock Pass. That’s Lakeview Ridge on the left. The PCT makes its way through Woody Pass (snow filled gap, left) crosses to the west side of Lakeview Ridge and continues north.
The PCT in past days traversed along the very top of the ridge here, from Rock Pass over to Woody Pass. But now the trail steeply switch backs down from Rock Pass, makes a creek crossing and then climbs laboriously back up to Woody Pass.
From Woody Pass the PCT swings along the west side of the Cascade Crest as it makes its way north.
The ridge the trail follows is called Lakeview Ridge, and it offers some of the best views anywhere.
At the northern end of the ridge the trail descends the Devils Staircase to Hopkins Lake and then its only a few short, flat miles to Castle Pass and the Three Fools trail junction. The Canada Border lies just beyond.
Interested in learning about photography this summer?
Classes are held through Burlington Parks and Rec. The class location is the Maiben House at 219 S. Skagit Street, Burlington.
Here is the link to register for the classes. And here is the phone number for Burlington Parks and Rec: 360-755-9649
These classes are for anyone with a DSLR Camera who would like to learn how to use it to take awesome images.
There are TWO classes offered, the first class is the Basic DSLR Class, and then there is an Intermediate Class.
In the Basic DSLR class we’ll cover aperture, shutter speed and ISO and show you how to change them on your camera. Next we’ll discuss how to use these manual settings to create the images you want. We’ll practice the use bracketing your exposure to ensure you get the right shot, and more! We will also cover the use of polarizers and capturing images in the RAW format.
I will teach the Basic DSLR class TWO times.
In the Intermediate Class we will discuss different lenses, focal lengths and what they do; we’ll delve deeper into depth of field and how to master control over how much of what’s in front of you is in focus. Then we’ll cover the use of different shutter speeds to create stunning, unique images.
Next will be 2 advanced techniques to obtain a sharp focus throughout your entire image: Focus & Recompose and Hyperfocal Distance Focusing.
We will cover in detail how to capture Night Sky images of the stars and Milky Way. We will go over all the equipment needed, exact camera settings, locations for night sky imaging and more!
I will teach the Intermediate Class :
The North Cascades are located in the northwestern part of Washington State, along the border with Canada.
Sahale Camp is the highest (7,600 ft.) official camp site in the North Cascades National Park.
The route follows the Cascade River and ascends to Cascade Pass, then swings onto Sahale Arm, a giant curving slope carpeted in grasses and wildflowers. The overall elevation gain is 4,000 feet.
The camp sits atop 3 mounds of glacial rubble, at the base of Sahale Peak.
To spend the night there is sublime. Over 12 years I was lucky enough to spend 15 nights there at the camp.
Here are some pictures from the trail.
Wildflowers. Sahale Arm is truly upholstered in bright, crazy colorful wildflowers.
In the fall the Arm comes alive again with color.
There are many magical moments to be had, there at the camp.
May is when the Methow Valley comes alive with flowers.
I captured these images in the Valley near Pipestone Canyon.
Plus 2 cool night sky pics with the Aurora and lightning!
I had the good fortune to visit Bora Bora over the last few weeks and was able to capture a few images.
Here they are.
Now I’m back home fidgeting about what it all means!
More adventures soon.
The images for the 2023 Calendar have been chosen and printing is happening. Calendars will ship soon!
A limited number of calendars printed this year, so orders your today!
Printed on a 100lb bond glossy sheet, each sheet is 8″ x 12″. No cropping and no borders! Calendars are ring bound and shrink wrapped!
Order your copy today!
Here is the link to buy your own copy!
These are the 12 images for the 2023 Washington State Scenic Calendar
I had an opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon for the first time recently, I stayed in a cabin near the Lodge, at the North Rim. I didn’t hike anywhere, really. Just drove about to the various viewpoints.
Wow. The vast space, the light, the colors all left me speechless.
Photography Classes with Andy Porter are back!
Starting on September 15th I will be teaching two different Photography Classes through Burlington Parks and Recreation, they will be held at Maiben House, at 219 S. Skagit Street, in Burlington.
Basic DSLR Class
Taking pictures with your new DSLR is easy, just set it on auto and shoot away. Capturing GOOD pictures with your new DSLR…that’s harder. Quality photography starts with understanding how to set your exposure manually. This is NOT difficult to do. In this 2 hour workshop we’ll cover aperture, shutter speed and ISO and show you how to change them on your camera. Next we’ll discuss how to use these manual settings to create the images you want. We’ll practice the use bracketing your exposure to ensure you get the right shot, and more! We will also cover the use of polarizers and capturing images in the RAW format.
This class will be held on:
Thursday, September 15th, 6pm to 8pm
Tuesday, October 4th, 6 to 8pm
Thursday, November 10th, 6pm to 8pm
Tuesday, December 6th, 6pm to 8pm
How to Capture Awesome Images with your DSLR – Intermediate Level
In this class we will discuss different lenses, focal lengths and what they do; we’ll delve deeper into depth of field and how to master control over how much of what’s in front of you is in focus. Then we’ll cover the use of different shutter speeds to create stunning, unique images.
Next will be 2 advanced techniques to obtain a sharp focus throughout your entire image: Focus & Recompose and Hyperfocal Distance Focusing.
We will cover in detail how to capture Night Sky images of the stars and Milky Way. We will go over all the equipment needed, exact camera settings, locations for night sky imaging and more!
Finally I will cover my tips and tricks for capturing landscape images. We will spend time discussing (with LOTS of examples) Layering; Leading lines; the Rule of Thirds; Framing and more.
Prerequisites: You must have taken the How to Capture Awesome Images with your DSLR – Beginners Level 1 (aka Nature Photography – Beginners class) OR be VERY comfortable shooting in the Manual Mode with your current camera.
This class will be held on:
Tuesday, October 18th, 6pm to 8pm
Saturday, December 3rd, 10am to 12pm
Each class is $45. The classes are 2 to 2.5 hours long.
To register for class, contact Burlington Parks and rec, through their website here.
or by phone: 360-755-9649
Best wishes and hope to see you soon!
Andy Porter
Lighthouses are wonderful photographic subjects. Beacons of light, friends to all at sea, symbols of hope lighthouses are grand for many reasons. Here are a few images I’ve captured of lighthouses.
North Western Images - photos by Andy Porter 