I love Oregon. I’ve lived here and have been exploring this state my whole life. One of my favorite places in Oregon is the Southern Oregon Coast, especially from the little coastal town of Yachats to the Oregon / California border. From the iconic Thor’s Well to the California Redwoods. That stretch of the coast is rugged with the forests meeting the crashing waves on the shoreline’s craggy cliffs, sea stacks, natural bridges and arch rocks. And just across the border into California you will find majestic old redwood forests.
I’m privileged to be partnered with my good friend, the talented, Chris Byrne of Chris Byrne Photography to conduct photography tours and workshops. The annual southern Oregon Coast workshop that we conduct each Spring is one that I look forward to each season. We guide a group of enthusiastic photographers to the best spots, at the right time, to get those iconic photos of the sea, shore and forests. Chris and I both are in our realm when we’re helping others fulfill their dreams and goals in beautiful places using photography as the catalyst.
After starting the trip with a bang at Thor’s Well we head south to Bandon which has my absolute favorite beach to photograph. Bandon Beach is littered with some incredible sea stacks. It’s easy to roam around among them. The two most famous being The Howling Dog and the Wizard’s Hat. At Bandon we like to photograph the sunset and then the sunrise the next morning.
It’s always hard to leave Bandon but more awaits as we head down the coast toward our next stop, Brookings. Brookings allows us access to the amazing Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, the home to some of the most beautiful stretches of coastline that can be found anywhere. We explore iconic locations such as Secret Beach and Natural Bridges, among other available beautiful spots. In our workshops we adapt to the conditions to maximize the chances of getting the best photos.
Brookings is beautiful no doubt, but another great thing about the city is that it’s within a short drive to the amazing California Coastal Redwood forests. The time that we spend in the redwoods is always so special. I really enjoy taking someone to the redwoods for the first time just to see their reaction when the first see them.
While we’re at Brookings we spend time exploring the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park getting close to these ancient giants. The best part of exploring the redwoods at this place is that the experience is practically effortless as we drive into the forest on a beautiful primitive road.
Photographing the redwoods can encompass several approaches from using a ultra wide angle lens to using a macro lens. A 24-70 is probably the most productive lens but there are opportunities to use your 70-200 as well.
Our last morning is again spent in the redwood trees. It’s always our hope that we are able to photograph the trees with rhododendron blooms and, if we’re really lucky, some fog in the trees. And if we’re really, really lucky we can photograph them as the sunrise cuts through the trees and the fog in their bows.
Chris and I are always pretty lucky with the sunbeams. We have scored big time over the last two years while taking a group to this epic location. The Redwoods are epic in any kind of weather, but when the sunrise in the east meets the fog from the ocean to the west, they collide to create an explosion of light that filters through the boughs of these majestic giants to create light beams that will literally surround you.
This next May I and my great friend Nicole Pino will be conducting a workshop in this amazing and breathtaking stretch of the Oregon Coast. Please contact me if you have any interest in joining us. We’d love to be your guides. Click the link below to sign up.
https://chrisbyrnephotography.com/oregon-coast-photography-workshop
