Milky way photography near Portland, OR?

[PDeXplore]

I think one of my biggest challenges starting out in photography is knowing the best places to go. Are there any great resources that you all know of, other than this forum? I know a lot of it is experience and knowing the right people, but being new to the hobby and the area, it's very frustrating and disheartening seeing so many amazing photos and not knowing where they are or how to get there.

Anyway, for this particular topic I'm hoping to find somewhere to practice shooting the milky way in the Portland area. Ideally something that's relatively easily accessible by car or a short walk. Hopefully something with one of the big mountains. I do have a location on the coast planned, but trying to think of backup locations if the weather on the coast is bad.

[grilla]

Trillium Lake near Mt Hood is a good place to shoot the milky way.

[tsinsf]

I'm not really answering your question, but giving some unsolicited advice. Yes, iconic grand landscapes with beautiful clouds and light are beautiful, and it's easy to think you have to go somewhere far away to get a photo like that. In reality, getting those photos is actually pretty easy if you have basic photography skills, and a lot of time and money to travel and keep returning to places until you get beautiful light. It's much more difficult to make a beautiful photo when you are not at an iconic place. What you need is to develop an eye for light, and a practice of figuring out how to find that light and when it occurs. Beautiful light happens everywhere, you just have to cultivate finding it. So, if you want to become a good photographer, it is better you learn how to recognize and find beautiful light than it is to dream of going to iconic beautiful places. Of course, if you can, do both, but developing an eye for light is more important.

[PDeXplore]

Trillium Lake near Mt Hood is a good place to shoot the milky way.

For the tail end i guess? Isn't the core always to the South?

I'm not really answering your question, but giving some unsolicited advice. Yes, iconic grand landscapes with beautiful clouds and light are beautiful, and it's easy to think you have to go somewhere far away to get a photo like that. In reality, getting those photos is actually pretty easy if you have basic photography skills, and a lot of time and money to travel and keep returning to places until you get beautiful light. It's much more difficult to make a beautiful photo when you are not at an iconic place. What you need is to develop an eye for light, and a practice of figuring out how to find that light and when it occurs. Beautiful light happens everywhere, you just have to cultivate finding it. So, if you want to become a good photographer, it is better you learn how to recognize and find beautiful light than it is to dream of going to iconic beautiful places. Of course, if you can, do both, but developing an eye for light is more important.

I agree this is good advice, but also what I've already been focusing on. I still love grand landscapes more than anything, but it's nice to be able to work on my skills and create great images without always needing to be at these grand landscapes. But in this case though, milky way photography kind of requires them lol

[Two23]

The trick to star photography is light pollution. I would think there would be a lot of that around a big city.  I run into problems with it even in rural parts of eastern South Dakota.


Kent in SD

[muralin]

I saw an amazing picture of the Milky Way shot in front of Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach. Yes, there is light pollution from hotels/motels but the final image looked super impressive.

[spbimages]

Another tool to use is called Photopills. This works on any phone. Check it out and I think it will become as important as your camera.

[Dances_with_Light]

Hello, I've been involved with photography since the 1960's, first learning black and white printing in my Father's darkroom.

I think member tsinf is 100% on the money concerning basic skills and understanding light as the foundation for good photography.

While equipment reviews seem to dominate so many online sites, the best photography equipment you carry is not what is in your camera bag but what you have between your ears. Read, learn and practice whatever you can about the fundamentals of light and composition. You can study light and how it interacts with a subject right at home on a tabletop.

I suggest your best overall investment will be first finding a group of local photographers and go out and shoot with them regularly. Develop friendships. Look through their viewfinders and ask lots questions about what they are seeing. Look at their finished images. Share your images with them and seek feedback and advice, but be sure to first check your ego at the door. That is how you will learn and get better.

The Day Use area at Lost Lake Campground on the north side of Mt. Hood is an excellent place for shooting the Milky Way with a foreground view of the mountain. However, it will require a drive and booking a stay for the night in order to do this, as well as a new moon, good weather and etc.

You set a steep learning curve if this is where you wish to begin your photographic journey. Consider learning night sky photography on its own and worry about adding a foreground later. Contact Rose City Astronomy Club for suggested dark site locations around Portland and also be sure to attend one of their Star Parties. They would enjoy sharing their passion of the night sky with you.

Regarding beginner astrophotography, I suggest you may consider starting by visiting Sky & Telescope Magazine Contributing Editor Jerry Lodriguss website at astropix.com.

Regarding good locations for landscape photography in the USA, I suggest you may consider checking out Photograph America Newsletter by Bob Hitchman as one useful resource.

Best wishes to all Luminous Landscape members.

[sbay]

Anyway, for this particular topic I'm hoping to find somewhere to practice shooting the milky way in the Portland area. Ideally something that's relatively easily accessible by car or a short walk. Hopefully something with one of the big mountains. I do have a location on the coast planned, but trying to think of backup locations if the weather on the coast is bad.

Go to Facebook groups for photographers: either local to Portland or MW focused (like nightscapers or MW chasers) and do a search for your area. You'll get tons of hits that might give you some inspiration.

[NikoJorj]

The trick to star photography is light pollution.

See https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=6.96&lat=45.0783&lon=-122.5209&layers=B0FFFFFFTFFFFFFFFFF eg.

Depending on the weather, going up in altitude can mitigate it a bit.
Consider also the direction you're shooting : the milky way is to the south, so you'd better be south of the city than north of it.
If you're shielded from it by a mountain, it's still better.