First Light Bandon Beach Oregon, 1 crop "There's something about the Pacific Northwest, the scale of it, and the fact that not so long ago people came here and died getting here, and then died the first winter they were here. There's this breathtaking beauty, just a little bit of moss on the tree, just this little thread of danger, and the sinister. And I really like that." -  Chelsea Cain

Passageway, Bandon Beach, Oregon 2

Returning from a four day photography trek on the Oregon coast, I feel like such an ingrate.

Oasis, Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, John Dellenback Dunes Trail, Oregon, 2 pano Barring disc failure or other technical problems, I'm confident that we have a solid crop of coastal images and a few real "keepers."  At the same time, I'm struck by the realization that we only scratched the surface in our whirlwind trip centered at iconic Bandon Beach (Bandon State Natural Area).  In fact, I now realize one could spend a lifetime hiking and exploring photo opportunities in this scenic stretch of the Pacific Coast.

In this five part series, we'll share our travel itinerary, some field notes and favorite images.  Our itinerary is by no means the recommended way to photograph the coast, but rather a possible place to start for some longer and better considered trip planning: 

Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, Oregon, Dusk 1

Day 1: Fly from Phoenix to Portland and drive to Bandon Beach- the two hours in dense fog. 

Days 2 and 3: Bandon Beach

Day 4:  Port Orford, Cape Blanco and Bandon Beach

Day 5:  Oregon Dunes, Devil's Punch Bowl and Cannon Beach

Day 6: Drive from Cannon Beach to Portland and return flight to Phoenix

We gracefully acknowledge The Photographer's Guide to the Oregon Coast, an invaluable book by David Middleton and Rod Barbee.   

Our next postings will share more photos and notes on the ever changing Oregon weather, the Oregon Dunes, a celebration of color and some monochromatic images.

Special thanks to my brother and fellow photographer, Brian Reinkensmeyer; my son, David,  and his friend, Ashley, for their wonderful company and support throughout the trip.  

Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer

Related postings: Oregon Coastal Photography: Part 2 - Weather to Behold,  Oregon Coastal Photography: Part 3 - Oregon Dunes,  Coastal Photography:  Point Reyes National Seashore, California; Landscape Photography Podcast; Impending Coastal Storm:  California Landscape Photography, Lighthouses and Piers: Ten Tips for Coastal Photography and Natural Coastline Shift.