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 and Picture Lake
Mount Shuksan, North Cascades
North Cascades Photo Tours will take you to photograph these places! Here are the details.
Here are a few images from the Samish River from last week. The sky was abound with color. I love the green grass and the reflection of colors in the river.
This is from the little bridge that spans the Samish along the Bayview – Edison Road.
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!
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!
Daffodil Photo Tours start 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.
These daffodil images were taken on Sunday, Feb. 21 2016 at sunrise!
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.
These are tulip images from years past…
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.
NEW YEAR 50% OFF SALE! 2 DAYS ONLY!
Sale ends on Tuesday, January 19th at midnight!
Visit the Gallery Page here. Browse for your favorite images and select your format and size. When you get to Checkout, use Coupon Code: New Year and receive 50% off your order.
Photography classes are available! Find your location and sign up here.
Interested in a Washington State Guided Photo Tour? Find out more.
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.
The North Fork Bridge Creek Trail is one of the most scenic trails in the North Cascades National Park.
Goode Mountain, North Cascades National Park
Winding its way up the valley towards North Fork Meadows you will see fantastic views of Goode Mountain, the highest peak in the North Cascades National Park at 9,220 feet, rising over 6,000 feet from its footings, and almost 7,000 feet from the bottom of Bridge creek valley.
The often brushy trail is 7 miles long and gains about 1,700 feet from start to end. To get there hike 10 miles south on the Pacific Crest Trail from Highway 20 .
You’ll ford Grizzly Creek and then break out into the open with views like this one. 
To purchase prints of these images (as well as other stunning images of the North Cascades, visit our Photo Gallery.
Following the creek up towards the head of the valley into North Fork Meadows, Mount Logan looms above.
The lush green swards are filled with flowers, as well as hordes of flies in July and early August and often there are bears foraging along your way. 
No matter what the weather, you’ll get wet pushing through the brush.
Seven miles from the junction, the North Fork Trail ends at the base of a fantastic waterfall with Mount Logan as a spectacular back drop.
Camping is available at Grizzly Creek and Walker Park.
Or you can camp at the North Fork Camp, located at the trail Junction of the PCT and North Fork Trail.
If you would like information about a North Cascades Photo Tour, here is the place to start!
On Wednesday night I made my way up to the Park Butte Lookout for the 5th time this year.
Each trip is different, unique. Skies and clouds, temperature and wind, sun or rain it is always a fantastical place to spend the night.
This trip was no exception, I went with my friend, Sam and her dog River.
The cool October air is comfortable for climbing up with a big back.
Leaving late we arrived at the lookout as the sun set, had dinner and almost immediately after were out capturing images of the Milky Way, blazing above.
I clambered down below the lookout for a new perspective of the lookout and Milky Way.
The yellow lamp I brought created a perfect yellow-golden light inside.
Finally the excitement ended and we hit the sleeping pads, out on the lookout balcony.
The early morning light was wonderful. I popped up quickly and started my circumnavigations of the lookout, searching for the perfect light.
Here is the link to buy prints
and here is the link for Photo Tour details.
North Western Images - photos by Andy Porter 