Photography Locations In The Seattle Area?

[Brian Ellis]

I'll be in Seattle for about 4 days on a non-photography trip but of course I'll bring my photography gear and will have some time here and there for photography, at least one full day and parts of others. I know nothing about Seattle. I've heard of the San Juan islands and that's about it. Could anyone suggest a few locations in and around the city, including things accessible by ferry boat? I'm mainly interested in architecture and landscape but anything of interest would be fine. Thanks.

[Scott Knowles]

Do a search here and on Photo.net for "Seattle" or similar terms and you'll find a ton of photo locations and ops, from downtown and beyond within +/- 4 hours drive. It only depends where you want to spend your time. A little more could provide better suggestions, such as how far you want to travel, which direction - mountains, cities, water, etc. For suggestions around Seattle, check on Photo.net where some folks asked this same question.

And by the way, any reason your domain name is for sale and is owned by someone in Bulgaria? A search show it was bought May 20, 2009 and show links to porn and other sites, and definitely not a photographer's Website.

[Walter Calahan]

Pretty much everywhere you look there are opportunities. The new Music Museum is a great place to start: http://www.empsfm.org/

[Rob Vinnedge]

Hey Brian,

Give me a call when you come to town. I'll PM my phone number and we can talk. Maybe I could steer you in the right direction. I live in beautiful downtown Ballard, a famous Seattle neighborhood.

[Heroique]

Quick tips on Seattle’s trees …

The diversity of trees will surprise and delight any LF photographer willing to park the car, pick-up a tripod, and explore the streets, parks, and cemeteries in many of the city’s neighborhoods.

Just one neighborhood to mention is Capitol Hill. It’s remarkable how many colossal trees have decided to thrive here – on the curb! If you take a stroll along these streets, you’ll fly through your film.

A more formal plan would be to visit nearby Volunteer Park, or the Washington Park Arboretum – two nearby parks that feature all kinds of trees in beautiful settings. Plus the Arboretum is a pleasant place for lunch in the shade, next to Lake Washington.

Next to Volunteer Park is Lakeview Cemetery (where my favorite tree in Seattle grows, a Northern Catalpa). These trees happen also to enjoy distant mountain views – Cascades to the East, Olympics to the West. Near-far shots, anyone? :p

For rain-forest-like habitat, try Interlachen Park – it’s one of the best-kept secrets among locals. The city’s tallest tree, a Sierra Redwood, grows here amid luscious ferns.

And all this in just one neighborhood. There’s plenty more, thanks to the city’s moderate climate, considerable moisture, plus all the different topographies and soils – dry bluffs, swampy marshes, steep ravines, forested woodlands w/ varying mixtures of peat, sand, clay. Enough to make a photographer of trees smile for a lifetime… :)

[Brian Ellis]

Do a search here and on Photo.net for "Seattle" or similar terms and you'll find a ton of photo locations and ops, from downtown and beyond within +/- 4 hours drive. It only depends where you want to spend your time. A little more could provide better suggestions, such as how far you want to travel, which direction - mountains, cities, water, etc. For suggestions around Seattle, check on Photo.net where some folks asked this same question.

And by the way, any reason your domain name is for sale and is owned by someone in Bulgaria? A search show it was bought May 20, 2009 and show links to porn and other sites, and definitely not a photographer's Website.

Thanks, I planned to search for "Seattle" but thought I'd ask as well since things change over time. I have no idea what the deal is with my domain name. I assume it's the name of an old web site that I discontinued a year or so ago.

[Scott Knowles]

Thanks, I planned to search for "Seattle" but thought I'd ask as well since things change over time. I have no idea what the deal is with my domain name. I assume it's the name of an old web site that I discontinued a year or so ago.

I hope so. We wouldn't want to think of you with that Website. Or would we? Maybe you should update your information?

Anyway, as noted, just about anywhere in Seattle is good for photography. You can see the whole range of views and architecture downtown. It's also a good mix of old and new in adjacent blocks. The only problem is the interesting buildings (eg. new library, EMP - if you like it) and places (eg. Olympic Sculpture Park) are surrounded by other buildings and things (eg. the really ugly Alaska Viaduct). There are numerous parks around downtown and Seattle, and it's easy with the hills to find excellent viewpoints of the city (Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, etc.).

If you want to leave Seattle, any direction will find some rural highways with great landscape and nature scenes. Two good places to visit for information and resources are the REI store north of downtown and Wide World of Maps (http://www.wideworldtravelstore.com/shop/index.php) in Wallingford - ok, hype for a small store trying to survive. You can also take loop ferry trips, see routes and schedule (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/) or loop highway trips (highways 101, 16, 2, etc.), including one for Mt. Rainier NP (http://www.wsrphoto.com/mtphroad.html), although check first to see if the Stevens Canyon highway is open.

And our area south (yes, there is more to Puget Sound than Seattle) has Tacoma with the downtown places (glass, art and history museums). There's more than you can imagine.

[Frank Petronio]

I'd just pick one spot and tell a story. An island is nice because you have finite options, and oftentimes the architecture and landscape tend to combine. Even Vashon Island would work.

[mandoman7]

I spent a couple of summers on Whidbey Island and there were some interesting shots when the tide went out and you could wander out in the bay surprisingly far. Could be good for a lost waif shot.:)

[Bosaiya]

It's a pretty diverse area. I spend a good amount of time in the alleyways of Pioneer Square and the international district. Photographing... um, yeah, stuff.

There's no lack of either architecture or landscapes, just depends on what kinds you're looking for. Give some details and people will be able to point you in the right direction.

[Jim Ewins]

Yes the alleys are good. Kubota Garden, south Beacon Hill area, at Renton Ave So & 55th Ave South (entry on 55th) is a Japanese Garden, free, open all day every day (favorite for weddings) and NO problem with tripods. The Japanese Garden in the Arboretum is more traditional but has a fee and tripods are normally not allowed (except several photographer days @ $40 or $50.) the new Sculpture Park is interesting for its bigger than life features and free - located next to pier 70 off Alaskan Way.

[Brian Sims]

My brother has some interesting shots from the new Seattle library...one of the more interesting buildings in Seattle (maybe it is a stand-out because most Seattle buildings of the last 4 decades are mundane). If you go to Pike Place Market (you should...even if you don't shoot anything) go down to lower Post Alley and check out the chewing gum wall.

[Rakesh Malik]

Hey Brian,

Give me a call when you come to town. I'll PM my phone number and we can talk. Maybe I could steer you in the right direction. I live in beautiful downtown Ballard, a famous Seattle neighborhood.

Hey, we ought to do coffee -- I'm right across the canal from you in upper Queen Anne (overlooking the canal).

:D

[Robert Opheim]

I took some building shots in downtown Seattle with my 4x5 a couple of weeks ago. It was a bit awkward - It was a Sunday afternoon and I picked areas that were fairly safe but there were still a few street people that were asking the usual questions etc. It always seems to me to have a second person with me while I am shooting would help. I never had any problems with a hand camera downtown. But I wasn't set up and as vulnerable.

There are some interesting buildings in Seattle - its not as old as Portland Oregon, but has an interesting mix of buildings: Art Deco-Northern Life Tower, Smith Tower, Alaska Building, and newer ones like the EMP and Seattle Library. Also the U of W has some interesting new buildings as well as older ones - its just north of downtown.

For nature there are Seattle Parks as already mentioned: Gasworks Park has the old gas-powered generator equipment exposed - often seen in photographs, I like Discovery Park in Magnolia - where you can walk down to the beach and Puget Sound, Kerry Park on Queen Anne is a great place for a southerly Seattle scenic view, Carkeek to the north - I have been meaning to re-explore.

You mentioned places accessible by ferry boat there are two places accessible from downtown Seattles ferry terminal: Bremerton - I havent been there recently enough to say what is there now - but it would be an interesting downtown to explore it is being re-vitalized, and Winslow on Bainbridge Inland - which is a small town located just above the ferry landing - It is a interesting walk.

The San Juans Islands are a drive from Seattle. You will need to drive to Anacortes
1 1/2 hour dirve from downtown and take the ferry from there. There are three main islands accessible by State ferrys.
San Juan Island - the most developed has an interesting town at the landing called Friday Harbor (if interested look it up there are more places to go including an old blockhouse from the Pig War), Orcus Island - From Mount Constitution lookout you can see all of the islands, Moran State Park is wonderful, Eastsound is a small fun town. Lopez Island - I dont know, and Shaw Island - I dont know

[Aahx]

I have not been to Seattle since 93' but back when I lived there in the late 80's some of the places I would go were that I have not yet seen mentioned are:

Closer spots: Freemont and the Fremont Troll (under Aurora bridge). Golden Garden's park on Shilshole bay (was a nice upper trail heading north that had some great views back then). In fact many of the parks are not bad options for photography. Carkeek just north of Golden Gardens is another that had some possiblities. For Seattle park info one can check this site: http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/parkspaces/index.htm and do a search by "feature".

Now for going further afield I enjoyed going out to the Olympic peninsula to visit Port Townsend, or over on the west side to the Hoh rain forest. There is a realy cool park just north of Hoh allong the coast by an indian reservation as well with tall rock stacks jutting up from the sand on the beach. Other options are visiting the farm country east of Seattle up in Snohomish county (used to be some great old delapdated barns by Lake Stevens). Lots of interesting spots allong the Cascades as well. Sometimes it is just fun to explore and see what you find allong the way.

[rainpanda]

For rain-forest-like habitat, try Interlachen Park – it’s one of the best-kept secrets among locals.

Heroique, some years back, when a passenger in someone else's car, the driver took me on neighborhood streets traveling northeast diagonally from Volunteer Park ending up ultimately at the north side of Montlake Bridge, just across I believe 10th from the Montlake end of the entrance to Arboretum. But the unexpected treat along the way was a very densely forested rainforest-like area with winding roads and trails in amongst the hanging mossy environment that looked very much like the Hoh, but in comparison miniature in acreage and surrounded by neighborhoods on three or four sides. I didn't have my cameras with me that day (and there were hundreds of beautiful nature photo ops, including filtered sunlight through the densely packed tree canopy, huge spider webs in and between the trees, moderately hilly trails with gnarly roots to be avoided as tripping hazards, yards of hanging moss from higher branches of random trees, thick velvet moss blanketing the lower trunks of most of the trees, even the winding and sometimes hairpin turn roads themselves, and especially the odd appearane of entering and emerging immediatly adjacent to residential neighborhoods).

But recently I gathered up the family of a neighbor who has several children from 4 through 15, and this time armed with my cameras, and I hugely disappointed myself, my neighbor and her children by not finding this "microcosm" rainforest-like small forest surrounded by neighborhoods. I know on tht short drive years ago we had started near Volunteer Park and emerged at the north end of Montlake Bridge, but I was shocked I couldn't find my way in to this gem.

Your description sounds like what we encountered, but driving much of Interlaken Blvd also didn't get me to where I remembed. If you're still on is site, could you give me rough driving instructions as well as any photo tips that you're willing to share that you utilized for this relatively low light delightful "park", which I put in quotes because when I called the Seattle Parks info line the day I took my neighbors down in that area, the person there fell silent and said it didn't sound like anything she had ever seen unless it was a special section of Interlochen Park.

I enjoy trees and forests enough that I sometimes wonder if I have some druid DNA, but then I also love waterways, beaches, cityscapes, people watching, mountain terrain, farmscapes...and what better place to do it all than in Seattle and in Washington State?

This is my third attempt to post and I keep getting told that I'm either not logged in or I'm not registered so my post didn't take, but I registered and confirmed my registration before I ever started to try to post. What I think I'm ending up with in this post, if I ever get it to take, is a combination of the three posts, and although I saw on at least one of the previous attempts an option for reviewing before finalizing, I don't see it for this post, so I will apologize in advance for any typos, nonsensical phraseology or repetition ensuing from the three attempts.

Have a great summer in Seattle and Washington State, and as well and beautiful BC.

[Brian C. Miller]

Welcome to the site, rainpanda! Try this Google map view (https://www.google.com/maps/@47.6350193,-122.3079759,310m/data=!3m1!1e3). One thing to remember is that sometimes the weather and light conspires to really bring out the magic in a place.

[rainpanda]

Thank you very much Brian. This is a much better map than we pulled up trying to use Google Maps the first time I tried it after we came back not finding the section of Interlachen that was like a temperate rainforest.

What's kind of funny is that the park rangers at the Parks Department for Seattle said to please get back to them if I find the section that looks like a temperate rainforest as I described to them, because they didn't know of any parks within Seattle that had this appearance, unless it was a special section of Interlachen that they'd never seen, and they wanted to be able to tell other people about it. I guess it is a little-known gem if the Seattle park rangers didn't know about it! But it's good to know having looked at here at Heroique's post that I didn't dream it up and had actually been there before. Maybe I'll send the park rangers one of my pics after I can gather up my neighbor's family to try going again.

How neighborly of you to give me this map link! Grazi! Natalie, aka rainpanda

[Heroique]

Heroique ... could you give me rough driving instructions as well as any photo tips that you're willing to share that you utilized for this relatively low light delightful park...

It sounds like you were very, very close!

Look for the intersection of 24th Ave. and Boyer Ave. – this intersection is a little south of Montlake Bridge.

Option 1: From there, head south on 24th Ave. – your first right is E. Interlaken Blvd. This street takes you into Interlaken Park, but there are no signs. Go for a block or two, and you'll see the main trail going in. Just pull over on the quiet road and hike away.

Option 2: From the same intersection (24th/Boyer), you can also head west on Boyer, and take a left on 19th Ave. (a few streets down). Go up a short steep hill, and once again, you're traveling through the park, so just pull over and hike in!

There are additional ways into the park, but these are the most simple.

Be ready for broken-contrasty light, just as you'd expect from a thickly canopied forest with mature trees. During summer, the light is magical in late afternoon/early evening. Think of near-horizontal, broken beams of light coming through gigantic trees with ferns hanging off their branches – it's like you've stepped into a story by the Brothers Grimm.

Have fun!

[cabbiinc]

For in Seattle try the Space Needle, the EMP (as already suggested),the Chihuly Garden and Glass (handheld photography only so not large format friendly), if you're into butterflies there's a butterfly exhibit at the Pacific Science Center, which begs the actual Pacific Science Center. All of these are within the Seattle Center. If you don't like the insides, you should like the outsides, depending on the weather. Depending on when you're here the weather can be a real challenge. Actually, even if you're here in summer the weather can be a challenge.

[cabbiinc]

For in Seattle try the Space Needle, the EMP (as already suggested),the Chihuly Garden and Glass (handheld photography only so not large format friendly), if you're into butterflies there's a butterfly exhibit at the Pacific Science Center, which begs the actual Pacific Science Center. All of these are within the Seattle Center so if only one is of interest it's only one location. If you don't like the insides, you should like the outsides, depending on the weather. Depending on when you're here the weather can be a real challenge. Actually, even if you're here in summer the weather can be a challenge.

http://www.chihulygardenandglass.com/plan-your-visit
http://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/
http://www.spaceneedle.com/home/
http://www.empmuseum.org/

[rainpanda]

Heroique, We were close...I was frustrated!

Bless you!

Natalie

[cabbiinc]

Sorry about the double post.

[John Olsen]

I spent a couple of summers on Whidbey Island and there were some interesting shots when the tide went out and you could wander out in the bay surprisingly far. Could be good for a lost waif shot.:)

If you do decide to come up to Whidbey Island, I can give some local advice and show some favorite photo venues. This goes for any members of the LF community, of course.

John O

[rainpanda]

John O, I hope you can answer a question about a beatiful location on Whidbey I happened upon witha friend, but can't find on any maps (end of post).

Whidbey has so many photographic treasures, starting with views of Deception Pass Bridge from the beaches of the state park areas below on all sides (especially if the bridge is partially shrouded in early morning fog); a colorful sailboat passingnunderntebridgentaken from on the bridge driving from Camano and pulling over before driving ontonthe bridge, after midday when the bridge is casting a shadow just adjacent to the boat; the myriad trails in Deception pass Park.

We stayedvat a beachfront B&B south of Deception Pass Park and just north of Naval Air Station land. From their deck jacuzzi, from their beach fire pit and from their nearly-panoramic views from the dining room while consuming an awesome breakfast, incredible views of sea kayakers, pods of orcas and other whales, orcas swimming all around the kayakers (what an awesome thrill for them!), plus the streaking jets taking off from NAS are all available.

Another favorite the water's edge bridge approaching Penn Cove, endless opportunities along the cove edges, ncluding the mussel farm.

Coupeville is quaint but expensive to shop or dine.

Here's the question: Somewhere north of Fort Casey and south of NAS, we took a side rad off the main hwy through the length of the island, found ourselves driving up in elevation in what looked like park, ending at a very short uphill grassy walk to the edge of a bluff higher than 250-300 feet overlooking the Strait and an unbelievable log-littered beach below, with a partial dirt/wood edged step trail that turned to mostly dirt halfway down. Where the heck were we? It seems looking at maps of Joseph Whidbey State Park that it is all at low elevation, and Fort Casey was quite a bit farther. Some of the dirt/gravel roads in that small park might have gone down in elevation, but we couldn't explore more at that point. Any of ideas? Thanks!

[jloen]

Sounds like Ft Ebey State Park. Lots of trails, deep woods, and a nice stretch of beach.

"Where the heck were we?"

[Professional]

I know this thread is about 5 years old, but i wanted to see the photos you'd taken from there, i am planning to visit Washington and Oregon this coming September, so i hope to photograph something good, but a sad news is that i will not carry a large format with me, the only film i will carry is MF rangefinder.

[rainpanda]

...I wanted to see the photos you'd taken from there, i am planning to visit Washington and Oregon this coming September...

Professional: Not sure who your post was directed to, but if to me, my 2 LF and 3 other cameras, myriad lenses and accessories AND NEGATIVES AND PRINTS *wimper*, including a 1959 Graflex Crown Graphic 4x5 and a 1952 Leica IIIf 35mm rangefinder (made a deal with a close neighbor Leica shop owner for those two cameras and an additional lens and accessory kit for the Leica in exchange for 4 years of babysitting when I was 14, then was given them after just under 3 years into deal when they moved 60 miles away into what could only be called a Tudor castle) were in my car trunk along with many other valuable and/or irreplaceable sentimental belongings when car was stolen while moving. All my incredibly precious-to-me Sierra Club 3-day Ansel Adams field workshop work with his photographic assistant doing the 90% of instruction, but small amount of prized mentoring with AA will always be with me (12 worshipping learners in the workshop weekend)! All including car never recovered. I have a USB flash drive with scans of all of my LF photos from 2000 to a few weeks before I lost everything, but no PC with which to post them as it died recently and will await replacement a while longer. Using an Android tablet (with microUSB drive) with frustration online now and have to save $ to get newvPC before I can post any of my 132 scanned jpg's of LF prints I did end up with. Someone else might post some of their LF work mentioned in this thread, but in the meantime I would suggest you search cited places on Internet to see "ordinary" photos. Suggested searches: If a hiker, www.weekend hike.com and there particularly, under Seattle/Northwest Hiking links on right partway down first screen: Fort Ebey Bluff Loop, Ebey's Landing, Deception Pass Little North Beach (but search separately for pics of Deception Pass Bridge...awesome), Denny Creek Melakwa Lake, and above the word links, if spending a lot of time in greater Seattle, the picture link of Top Seattle Local Hikes (and don't dare miss a very special Sunday brunch EXPERIENCE at Ivar's Salmon House Lake Union...not only incredible food, but view entertainment (seaplanes, sea birds, kayakers and boaters tying up at the restaurant, maybe a Duck boat passing by, maybe an opportune drawing of Montlake Bridge, all from your table, plus educational Northwest tribal info/history on multiple walls, with vintage Native American canoes hanging from extraordinarily high rafters).

Not hiking? Scads of searches: thousands of beautiful pics in Seattle and every part of WA. Seattlearea: Ballard Locks, Volunteer Park, Arboretum Park (swimmers, kayakers, canoers in good weather in Portage Bay) and in between those parks, Interlaken Park with a small portion of it looking like a hilly microcosm of a temperate rainforest, another part with large redwoods; Montlake Cut with waterskiers, rowing teams. The 520 floating bridge crossing to the eastside of 22 mile long Lake Washington (but look backward if you're a passenger to see Husky stadium right at the edge of their own Husky bay, and if you time it during a "U Dub" football game, you'll see the incredible HuskyBay parking lot, with game goers or just partyers tied up in rows and rows of boats "sailgating." Check out Black Diamond Natural Area, colorful hot air balloons in Snohimish and Woodinville, maybe check out Snoqualmie Falls (better order would be Snohomish or Woodinville first after crossing east on 520 bridge, then Black Diamond, then Snoqualmie Falls, then return on the I-90 floating bridge (second longest in the world). Granite Falls in early to mid spring (best time for all falls). Camano Island: Canopy Tours zip line, Camano Island State Park, Out on a Limb Orchids and Lavender Farm. Take a ferry to the Olympic Peninsula and see Port Townsend, Dungeness Spit, Discovery Bay (catch a delicious dive diner burger at Fat Smitty's), Hurricane Ridge Road if open when here, PortAngeles, Lake Crescent webcam, Hoh Rainforest, Neah Bay. San Juan Islands: Ever been on a whale search boat surrounded by an orca pod? Or kayak in the Puget Sound (or in Strait of Juan de Fuca if with a pro guide). If sneaking over the border to BC, on way north, take the Cascade Mountains scenic loop byways east if snow has been cleared to loop back from Winthrop to I-5 eventully without retracing same road, stop at Semiahmoo Resort and walk out on the spit before crossing border at Blaine. Vancouver BC is crammed with unbelievable pics and culture, just as Seattle is. My fave place on Vancouver Island: A small fishing/beach town of Tofino...so much more, but I'm tired. I've only touched on a few places in northwest WA; don't even get me started on rest of WA and gorgeous Oregon, or I'll never sleep. Wen you do come, enjoy!

Natalie

[rainpanda]

Sounds like Ft Ebey State Park. Lots of trails, deep woods, and a nice stretch of beach.

Thank you, jloen. :-)

[Doug Herta]

I know this thread is about 5 years old, but i wanted to see the photos you'd taken from there, i am planning to visit Washington and Oregon this coming September, so i hope to photograph something good, but a sad news is that i will not carry a large format with me, the only film i will carry is MF rangefinder.

Hello Professional,

You mentioned coming out to the Pacific Northwest a while ago. I assume you didn't make it out last year and are making new plans. I hope you get a chance to make it.