Govan Schoolhouse

Posted on June 8, 2016 by Andy Porter

Capturing cool images of the Milky Way is a lot of fun. Adding stars, especially the strip of the Milky Way Galaxy to an image create such an awesome look and feel.

So I am always searching for new elements of coolness for foreground interest. The idea of old, abandoned buildings came to mind, and I began to search for a likely place.

I wanted a wooden structure, old and beaten. It needed to be off, away from any city or town, so that the sky would not be washed out by light pollution.

A google search landed me at the Govan Schoolhouse and I knew right away where the next New Moon would take me.

I called the local city hall, in Wilbur, to check and see if the building was still standing and made my way east along with several night sky photo friends.

The building is located well off the beaten path, though there two farms close by.

As the sky darkened and the Milky Way became visible I made my way inside with several lanterns and lights of various kinds, too illuminate the schoolhouse with a glow.

The next New Moon is July 4th! If you are interested in coming along on the next Night Sky Photo Adventure, here is a link with the details!

Happy Star Shooting!

: Govan Schoolhouse

: Govan School House

: Govan School House

: Govan School House

Skagit Valley Barn at Sunset

Posted on May 14, 2016 by Andy Porter

Skagit Valley Barn at Sunset

There is something about an old, weathered wooden barn that captures the imagination. I guess barns in general are cool, but to grab attention the barn needs to be made of wood AND look like its seem a bit too many winters.

That gives it a certain character, a personality. barns re great photo subjects anytime. Autumn is always a wonderful barn season, with the fall colors. But for me, spring is the time! Bright green meadows and fantastically colorful skies make a barn image complete!

There are many barns strewn through the Skagit Valley and I was lucky to catch one of my favorites on a night just right for picture taking!

BTW, if you have an interest in capturing Night Sky Images with old barns and buildings, this coming new moon, June 4th, I am leading a night sky class to Eastern Washington to capture Milky Way images and old abandoned buildings. Here is the link for more info!

Andy Porter Images Media and Awards

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Andy Porter

A few recent splashes for one of my night sky images.

First Beach Olympic Coast, near La Push Washington

The image won third place in the annual Alaska Airlines Photo comp, winning me 2 free RT tickets! You can see the Alaska web page here.

Another use of the image is from the Sierra Club, on their Daily Ray of Hope page.

The next New Moon is June 4th, here is the link if you would like to come out for a Night Sky Photo Tour!

Milky Way Over Washington’s Peaks

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Andy Porter

Getting out at night to capture images of the Milky Way is fantastic fun. The journey is definitely a big part of the excitement. But so is the destination!

The summer is almost here, and I am making plans for hikes and trips to Washington’s Mountains for Night Sky Imaging.

Here are a few images of the Milky Way over the highest peaks of Washington State.

: Glacier Peak

: Mt Baker

: Park Butte Lookout

: Mount Baker and the Park Butte Lookout

: Mount Rainier

: Mount Rainier Milky Way

: Mt Rainier

: Mount Baker and the Park Butte Lookout

: Mount Adams

: Glacier Peak

: Liberty Bell, North Cascades Highway

: Mount Shuksan and the Milky Way

Are you interested in learning how to capture images of the Milky Way? Com out on a Night Sky Photo Tour!

Mother’s Day Sale: 50% OFF all prints

Posted on April 24, 2016 by Andy Porter

NIGHT SKY

AndyPorterImages Mother’s Day Sale: 50% OFF all prints

IF YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THE RIGHT TIME TO BUY A CANVAS PRINT, TODAY IS THAT DAY!

ORDER YOUR PRINT TODAY AND YOU’LL HAVE IT BY MOTHER’S DAY!

50% OFF ALL SIZES AND FRAMES

SALE ENDS AT MIDNIGHT April 24th

NORTH CASCADES

SKAGIT VALLEY TULIPS

VISIT THE GALLERY PAGE, FIND YOUR FAVORITE(S), CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIZE AND WHEN YOU CHECK OUT ENTER THE CODE: MOTHERS DAY TO RECEIVE YOUR DISCOUNT

SKAGIT VALLEY

Night Sky Photo Tours for 2016 are filling up fast!

Click here for dates and info for registration.

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival 2016

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Andy Porter

The Spring Equinox marks the change of seasons, beginning a time of renewal and birth and hope and beginnings.

Here is Skagit Valley it also marks the start of Tulip Season!

I have lived here 11 years now and the tulips seem to start blooming earlier every year…

Yesterday and today I spent time in the tulip fields, leading clients on Tulip Photo Tours.

The tulips in Tulip Town are abloom. This year they have one small field of tulips, maybe 100 rows, 5 rows or so for each color or variety.

The larger fields, spread through the valley are just starting to bloom now.

Given some more sun, they will all be popping open in the next week or so. Here are two images from this morning at one of the tulip fields first to bloom.

If you would like to find out more about Skagit Valley Tulip Tours, call or email me.

Here is the link with details and registration.

These images are from Saturday morning at sunrise, at the Daffodil Fields.

: Daffodils

If you would rather go on a Night Sky Photo Tour here is the link to find out more.

Green Trails Maps

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Andy Porter

Green Trails Maps has created a new ad campaign using one of my images!

This image was taken last June, using a Canon 6D with a Rokinon 14mm lens.

I planned the trip location, we went on the New Moon and were lucky with very few clouds.

I asked the boys to save some I-Pad battery for night time and when it got dark got them to pose inside the tent.

The shutter speed was 30 seconds, and while the exposure was going I had them sit “still” and turn their device on (for one second) and then off so as to lighten their faces.

Skagit Valley Tulip and Daffodil Photo Tours

Posted on February 14, 2016 by Andy Porter

Skagit Valley Tulip and Daffodil Festival Photo Tours

Daffodil Photo Tours start next week, Feb 21! Here is the link with the details!

Every spring the fields of the Skagit Valley explode with colors.

First the daffodils arrive, spilling yellow and green paint buckets over the browns and grays left over from winter.

: Skagit Valley Daffodils

: Daffodil Sunset

Depending upon the weather this happens any where between late February and early March. In 2015 we had full fields of daffodils abloom in the third week of Feb. and it looks like we may see the same this year.

Skagit Valley Tulip and Daffodil Photo Tours get info on registering here.
Tulips arrive 3 to 4 weeks later, anywhere from mid to late March into April. fields upon fields of tulips of all shapes and colors spread across the valley their quilt like pattern changing each year with the annual field rotations.

The valleys main tulip grower, Roozengaarde updates their Bloom Map each day or so, showing where the fields are and when they are in bloom.

What is a Photo Tour? A Photo Tour is a guided tour specifically for anyone who would like to capture stunning images. Each sprint I spend time reconnoitering the fields, noting where are the best views and backdrops. I can offer advice for not only the best locations but also tips on exposure and composition as well as post editing so that you come away with fantastic images.

I also offer North Cascades Photo Tours and Night Sky Imaging Photo Tours as well.

: Skagit Valley Tulips

: Skagit Valley Tulips

: Skagit Valley Tulips

: Tulips Photo Tour

Photography Classes in Burlington

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Andy Porter

Andy Porter Photography Classes in Burlington

Beginning in January, 2016 I will be teaching a series of Photo Classes in Burlington, Washington.

All the details for the Burlington Photo Classes are below.

I am also teaching much the same classes in Bellingham, Marysville, Anacortes and Friday Harbor! See details for these at the bottom of the page.

Better Pictures with your DSLR Camera-Level 1 (3 hr class)
Instructor: Andy Porter
Saturday, January 23 (10am-1pm)
Thursday, February 11 (6-9pm)
Saturday, March 12 (10am-1pm)
Fee: $40
Is your DSLR always set on auto? Quality images start with understanding manual exposure. Cover bracketing, polarizers, and the benefits of capturing images in the RAW format and more. Lots of time for hand-on instructor and Q & A. Learn to use your camera to create the image you want. Come with your camera and owner’s manual.
Location: Burlington Parks and Recreation Center 900 E. Fairhaven Ave
Register one week ahead! 360-755-9649 (Visa/MC ok over phone)

Better Pictures with your DSLR Camera-Level 2 (3 hr class)
Instructor: Andy Porter
Saturday, February 20 (10-1pm)
Thursday, March 17 (6pm-9pm)
Fee: $40
This class is for anyone who has completed the DSLR Basics Class or someone that has a firm grasp of shooting images in the manual mode. Learn about different lenses, how to use them effectively, delve deep into aperture, depth of field, and shutter speed. Learn how to master these settings and create stunning, unique images. Class will also cover advanced details of focusing, use of a tripod, and tips on how to capture images at night.
Location: Burlington Parks and Recreation Center 900 E. Fairhaven Ave
Register one week ahead! 360-755-9649 (Visa/MC ok over phone)

Winchester Mountain Lookout

Composition: How to take Awesome Photos with ANY Camera (3 hr class)
Instructor: Andy Porter
Wednesday, Feb 17 (6pm-9pm)
Saturday, March 5 (10am-1pm)
Fee: $40
Having an “eye” for photography is an acquired skill. This class covers the basics of composition that can be used with ANY camera-point and shoot or DSLR.
Learn subject placement, use of the horizon, reflections, leading lines, the Rule of Thirds, framing and more!
Location: Burlington Parks and Recreation Center 900 E. Fairhaven Ave
Register one week ahead! 360-755-9649 (Visa/MC ok over phone)

Photo Editing: Learn the Basics and Software Conversations (3 hr class)
Instructor: Andy Porter
Thursday, March 10 (6pm-9pm)
Fee: $40
Ever try to capture a fantastic scene, only to be disappointed with the results? To create an image that looks just like what you saw, especially in low light situations, you are going to have to edit the image. Discussion will include different types of editing software, edit student’s images in class, learn tips and tools for you to use in your journey into this new, exciting world.
Location: Burlington Parks and Recreation Center 900 E. Fairhaven Ave
Register one week ahead! 360-755-9649 (Visa/MC ok over phone)

I am also teaching much the same classes in Bellingham, Marysville, Anacortes and Friday Harbor!

Here is a link to the calendar and schedule of classes. Find the month you’d like to attend, click on a class and you’ll see the time, cost and location details and a link to register.

Photo Tours
Would you like to get photo training out in the field? I offer Photography Tours as well. These tours are for anyone who is interested to take their imaging skills to the next level. Small groups (1 to 4 people) intimate knowledge of the area and lots of advice on setting exposure, composing images and more make these trips a wonderful experience. North Cascades Photo Tours, Tulip Festival Photo Tours, Night Sky Imaging Tours and more. Find out more about Washington Photo Tours here.