Flickr Explore

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Flickr Explore

If you’ve taken a photograph at any point since 2004, chances are you have heard of Flickr. Whether shot by professional or amateur, advanced or novice, more than 6 billion photos have taken up residence on Flickr, the Web’s most popular image hosting community. Each day the best images are selected for Flickr Explore.

Explore is Flickr’s way of showcasing the most interesting photos within a given point in time — usually over a 24 hour period.

Flickr receives about 6,000 uploads every minute — That’s about 8.6 million photos a day! From this huge group of images, the Flickr Interestingness algorithm chooses only 500 images to showcase for each 24-hour period. That’s only one image in every 17,000!

My Flickr name is i8Seattle. Here is a link to my Flickr page!

So far I’ve had 34 of my images showcased on Flickr Explore.I must admit that its a pretty big win for me when one of my images is chosen for Explore!

Explore Images

Here are a few of MY favorites.

The Road to Artist Point – Washington States Best Drive

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Here is a link to a description of Artist Point, Washington’s Best Drive.

Along the way you’ll pass Picture Lake and this smashing view of Mount Shuksan, the most photographed mountain in North America.

Mount Shuksan

Mount Shuksan and Picture Lake

 

Mount Shuksan, North Cascades

Mount Shuksan, North Cascades

North Cascades Photo Tours will take you to photograph these places! Here are the details.

Summer Backpacking Plan 2016

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Schools out for summer! This year the song has new meaning, and actually has more excitement for me as a teacher than it did as a student.

The plan for back country excursions and North Cascades Classes this year is:

Note: To see details for all my classes in the North Cascades National Park  are here.

AND details of classes at the North Cascades Institute this summer/fall, follow this link.

IF YOU are interested in coming along on any of these longer backpacking excursions, contact me! andyporterphotography@gmail.com

July 11 – North Cascades National Park Landscape Photography Class (free) 7-9pm

Cathedral Peak trip – 6 days, Mid July 12-18. This is a 60-mile RT hike, through the Pasayten Wilderness. Starting at the Iron Gate Trail head the route follows the Boundary Trail to Cathedral Lake. Here in the basin you are sandwiched between Amphitheater Mountain and Cathedral Peak. One of the coolest spots ever! I great early summer trip.

Spider Gap – Upper Lyman Lake July 20-24. This is a short and relatively easy trip, with unparalleled views. I cannot wait to do this trip!

July 30 Winchester Lookout. I was there 2 x last year, a short hike and unbelievable views. Great for Night Sky imaging.

July 31 Artist Point North Cascades Institute Night Sky Class

Aug. 1 North Cascades National Park Night Sky Class (free)

Aug. 2 Hidden Peak Lookout. I have never stayed overnight at the Hidden Lake Lookout, but reckin it would be beyond compare for night sky pics.

Aug. 3 Park Butte Lookout

Park Creek Pass Loop  – 6 days Early Aug. 5 -10. This is my most ambitious trip for the summer, 7 days and three steep passes, (Easy, Park Creek, Cascade) through the most remote parts of the North Cascades.

Aug. 21 – North Cascades National Park Slide Show at Colonial Creek (free)

All dates are estimates, based on weather and trail conditions!

North Cascades Goats

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Here is a link to today’s post on my new blog page, an article about North Cascades Goats.

Enchantments and Mountain Goats

Enchantments and Mountain Goats

It includes LOTS of images from North Cascades National Park and the Enchantments.

Please have a look and while you’re there you can sign up for our Newsletter and subscribe to the new Blog via Email.

Samish Overlook

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The Samish Overlook is a wonderful location for capturing images of the Skagit Valley. From the drive-to viewpoint you look out over Chuckanut Drive, Bow, and Samish Island to the south and a myriad of islands and water to the west.

Getting there is easy, take the Alger Exit off of I-5, head west at the end of the ramp and turn onto Barrell Spring Road. In about a quarter mile hang a right and head up hill on a dirt road (there is a sign for the Blanchard Mountain Trail system, and follow all the way to the Lookout. There you will find a paved parking area, rest rooms, benches and a great view.

You will need a Discover Washington Pass to park!

Spring is my favorite time, when the flowers start blooming, but any sunrise or sunset is spectacular.

This is one of my favorite places to take people for the North Cascades Photo Tour, find out more here!   

And if you’d like to purchase prints of any of these images, here is the link!

Milky Way Over Washington’s Peaks

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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.

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

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NIGHT SKY

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

NORTH CASCADES

SKAGIT VALLEY TULIPS

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

 

Padilla Bay

SKAGIT VALLEY

Night Sky Photo Tours for 2016 are filling up fast!

Click here for dates and info for registration.

Skagit Valley Tulip and Daffodil Photo Tours

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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.

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.

Photography Classes in Burlington

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Andy Porter Photography Classes in BurlingtonSunrise on the Ferry 2

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

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.

Longest Night of the Year

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Palouse_Falls_Milky_Way

Palouse Falls

Longest Night of the Year

Tonight is the longest night of the year (assuming you live on the northern hemisphere)

The creeping darkness has reached its apex.

Mt Baker Stars Nov

Mount Baker from Park Butte Lookout

Tomorrow the days begin to lengthen.

For now, night rules.

But who ever said that darkness was a bad thing?

It provides the opportunity to observe the starry heavens and witness, with awe, the strip of the Milky Way.

Gazing in towards the center of our galaxy one can imagine its black hole, there at the core, consuming light .

And then you remember (in case you ever forgot) that it’s awesome to be alive.

Like the images? Here is the gallery to purchase canvas wraps and prints.

Would you like to learn how to capture images like these? Sign up for a Night Sky Photo Tour!

Happy Solstice!