It was a long trip from Nuremberg across the big ocean to Portland earlier this week. A total of 27 hours travel time. Followed by two days of intense work. But I treated myself to weekend trip to the Oregon Coast, leaving the office in time to arrive for sunset at the Heceta Head Lighthouse near Yachats.
The Hecata Head Light was built in 1894. The 56-foot (17 m) tall lighthouse shines a beam visible for 21 nautical miles (39 km; 24 mi), making it the strongest light on the Oregon Coast. Named after a Spanish explorer of the 18th century, Heceta Head is part of the traditional land of the Siuslaw tribe that populated the area.
I deliberately had selected Heceta Head as the spot to do some blue hour coastal photography, knowing its beauty from previous visits. And I really got lucky, as you never know how the weather conditions will be. But I was blessed to experience a magic pacific sunset.
I experimented a bit with the settings.I found that shutter speeds between 1/6 sec and 1/10 sec gave the the best chance to capture the light beam. In the second photograph I used 1.6 seconds, which smoothens out the water a bit but with the tradeoff of losing visibility of the beam.
All photo taken with the Olympus OM-D E-M1X and the mZuiko 12-100mm F/4 Pro Zoom. For the first image (the lighthouse from the viewpoint) I used a Platypod Ultra flat travel tripod. The other images I took all handheld (even the one at 1.6 seconds). As I was standing on a wet beach there was no way to place the flat mini tripod. Photography is all about trade-offs.
Post processing in Adobe Lightroom CC Classic
If you want to go out shooting on the weekend and are still looking for tips and inspirations around photography, check out my free Learning Center.
Have a good Saturday!
Marcus
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Spectacular photographs!
I was there mid-day Marcus; not quite the same LOL. Magnificent work.
Thanks, so much appreciated! Glad you know the beauty of the place! Marcus
The Oregon coast is beautiful. It *almost* makes me cringe less at your gawdAwful travel time. Almost. But the images are really nice.
Thanks for your kind words, they mean so much! Marcus
Phew, the reward after the long flight and intense work. Worth waiting for. Stunning!
Thanks, it was rewarding indeed! Marcus
These are stunning, Marcus!! That Oregon Coast is gorgeous.
It is indeed! I can only say: GO!!! 🙂
Nice set of images. I spent the last 5 years of my working life travelling to Portland two weeks every two months. Love the city and the PNW in general. Columbia River Gorge next time?
Thanks, David, for me it is a bit the same, having been here frequently for the past two and a half years. So I’ve seen a lot, also the gorge 😉
You not only treated yourself with the Oregon coast, but us as well. Thank you! Awesome sunset captured so skillfully.
Thanks, it means so much! Happy Sunday! Marcus
Nice timing!
Thanks 🙂
Marcus, these are breathtaking photographs! It’s my biggest dream to see Oregon coast, meanwhile I enjoyed tremendously just looking at these magnificent photographs.
Many compliments for this art work!
Wish you a nice and relaxing weekend!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Kaya, they mean so much to me! I wish you to see Oregon soon! Happy Sunday! Marcus
Gorgeous photos Marcus. I know the colors are true only because I live in the PNW. Terrific capture!
Thanks, Sandy, glad you know these colors aren’t photoshopped 😉 Totally amazing, this is a gorgeous region!
There’s a Vancouver Island artist – Roy Vickers – who captures the colors and landscapes around here. Your photos & silhouettes remind me of some of his work.
Thanks, Sandy, will check out his work!
These are exciting, Marcus – they’re beautiful photos, and to think that all except one were done handheld, that makes me happy. 😉 I don’t think water in waterfalls or in shots like these has to be smooth – it depends on the whole image. Here, having that beam of light was more important than smooth water (in my opinion). For me, the third and first photos convey that wonderful Oregon coastal atmosphere the best – they’re beautiful. (What a long travel day! Congrats for getting to the coast after all that traveling and work!).
Thanks, Lynn, love your detailed feedback, it means a lot! Wish you a splendid Sunday! Marcus
The lighthouse looks beautiful Marcus, wonderful photos!! 😎
Thanks, John!
Marcus, they are just beautiful. Truly atmospheric.
Thanks, Anne, so much appreciated! Marcus
Impressive, Marcus!
Thanks, Sue, much appreciated! Marcus
😊😊
Nice shot, Marcus. Glad the reason you weren’t posting was just from too much work. I was starting to wonder about that. I look forward to seeing your images.
Thanks, Allan, so much appreciate your kind words! Have a great Sunday! Marcus
Awe…thank you so much for sharing these images and reminding me that the earth offers us so much beauty.
Thanks for your wonderful words, Brenda! Wish you a great Sunday! Marcus
Great photographs and great subject.
Did it really take 27 hours to get to Oregon? Must have been quite a layover somewhere. I can usually do Austin to Malaysia in a tight 34 hours depending on how long I sit around in Hong Kong.
Thanks, Jason, much appreciated! Layovers in Zurich and San Francisco (where I needed all of the 3h to clear immigration and security – crazy).
Wow! that’s a long line in immigration. I think the longest I ever waited in an immigration line was in Heathrow and I was only transiting. It’s probably different depending on whether or not you are foreign to the country you are entering. Or maybe how big the airport is.
okay…wow…those photos are very stunning! of course I am a lake-water-swim- person.
Thanks, Donna, appreciate your kind words! Enjoy the weekend! Marcus