PNW guide

[Professional]

Hi all,

I have a plan to visit Pacific Northwest this summer or let's say in September and still not sure what i should prepare, i just listed my digital equipment only, but film i wasn't sure if it will be a good idea for me.

So, let's make it straight forward, i asked many websites about those kind of photography group, and have no luck, only workshops that i don't want to pay, or all advising me to just hire/rent a car and do it by myself, so i don't think i will have time for shooting with film.

If i decide to shoot with film and carry something then i have to decide between medium format or large format, but as long i don't know how to access to locations by myself even i listed all locations name so i may be in rush to use large format, and all that will cost me a lot to do it by myself, so where i can buy film rather than i carry some with me? also where i can develop/process film over there so i can bring back the processed done sheets/rolls than i carry exposed not developed films?

How difficult to move/walk around carrying large format cameras? how crowded it will be in national parks or scenic mountains over there?

[John Kasaian]

We toured the Olympic Peninsula awhile back in the middle of summer and there were no crowds---nothing at all like Yosemite, Grand Canyon or Yellowstone. A car will get you to many photogenic locations while others will require hiking in.

"How difficult to move/walk around carrying large format cameras?"
Size and bulk of 4x5 is similar to a medium format SLR system, but shooting an 8x10 or larger takes Herculean strength agility and guile!

DO- peruse the NPS websites for the National Parks in the PNW--check out the various State Tourism websites for Washington, Oregon and Idaho as well. Decide which areas tickle your photographic muse and make a list. Go from there (the NPS websites offer a "plan your trip/visit" link with info on transportation, lodging, and camping.)
DON'T-book a tour, at least not for your entire trip. Being part of a tour group won't give you enough time for your photography but it can be a great way to cover a lot of ground in a short time in order to get a handle on the lay of the land.

Good luck and I hope you like great seafood!

[Greg Y]

Glazers in Seattle is the go-to place for medium & large format film
glazerscamera.com

[jbenedict]

Glazers in Seattle is the go-to place for medium & large format film
glazerscamera.com

Kind of. They were my 'go to' place for LF/MF film and supplies for forty years. They still have one of everything but their supply of 5x7 and 8x10 is limited and the price is on the high side.

I would suggest you bring everything you need with you and, if you find you need more, go to Glazer's and they might have it. They are a pretty comprehensive digital outfit now and set up well for professionals. They do have a well stocked rental department.

[Heroique]

Where i can develop/process film over there so i can bring back processed sheets…?

If it's E6 processing for LF, Citizens Photo in Portland, Oregon is a good source.

(The state of Washington doesn't offer that service anymore.)

Plenty of beautiful beaches in the PNW accessible by car and never annoyingly crowded. Just one example: try Ruby Beach on the Olympic Peninsula (Olympic Nat'l Park). BTW, several dramatic beaches require only a mile or two of hiking, and you often get them to yourself!

So many more...

[Professional]

We toured the Olympic Peninsula awhile back in the middle of summer and there were no crowds---nothing at all like Yosemite, Grand Canyon or Yellowstone. A car will get you to many photogenic locations while others will require hiking in.

"How difficult to move/walk around carrying large format cameras?"
Size and bulk of 4x5 is similar to a medium format SLR system, but shooting an 8x10 or larger takes Herculean strength agility and guile!

DO- peruse the NPS websites for the National Parks in the PNW--check out the various State Tourism websites for Washington, Oregon and Idaho as well. Decide which areas tickle your photographic muse and make a list. Go from there (the NPS websites offer a "plan your trip/visit" link with info on transportation, lodging, and camping.)
DON'T-book a tour, at least not for your entire trip. Being part of a tour group won't give you enough time for your photography but it can be a great way to cover a lot of ground in a short time in order to get a handle on the lay of the land.

Good luck and I hope you like great seafood!

Well, for now my plan is to PNW, if i will visit USA in the future again after this time then definitely i will put California and Utah/Arizona on top list.

I think i should rent a car even i don't know how to drive overseas, i feel afraid and worry about accident and roads directions and rules over there, but i should give it a try, i didn't find someone who can pick me a ride sometimes, i can pay for fuel, but sounds no one care to help for that and also i need my own time for photography, not many are ready to go into my photographic time,so i have to put budget for car rent/fuel/insurance as well.

Yes, true, i should ask about carrying LF around, sure the size/weight of my camera+lens can determine how hard it can be for long walk or hike, but i think i will be fine walking into cold air, i get used to walk for long distances, i hope i don't need to walk about 10kms only one way, which means about 20kms both ways, but i think i have to get ready to walk long around national parks where it is difficult to access with car further.

I know exactly or most which spots or locations i want to photograph there, i listed them, and i tried to be only in Washington and Oregon so i can have more focus on 2 states than going to 3-4 states, also i did put 3 weeks for my travel period, so i hope i can have most what i want to see/photograph in 3 weeks, 11 days in Washington and 11 days in Oregon.

I agree with you, i don't want to book for a tour, i did that once in New Zealand and i wasn't happy even i saw around a lot, i am a photographer not a tourist travel mostly, i know photography workshops are better for that, but honestly they are very expensive for very short time and to do what i want, i am already skilled and advanced in photography so i don't need to pay to learn, and paying too much so i can go around will not help me in my entire trip, one workshop for full week or 5 days is costing me about the budget of my entire 3 weeks alone by myself, unless someone willing to take me around and i can pay him with reasonable budget without him giving me guides in photography or lectures, i only need to access to right places or locations i listed on certain right time and that's it, so i will avoid those tours programs to save my budget for my need.

[Professional]

Glazers in Seattle is the go-to place for medium & large format film
glazerscamera.com

Good, as my trip will start in Seattle because my international flight is landing in Seattle, so i will look for that store, thanks!

Kind of. They were my 'go to' place for LF/MF film and supplies for forty years. They still have one of everything but their supply of 5x7 and 8x10 is limited and the price is on the high side.

I would suggest you bring everything you need with you and, if you find you need more, go to Glazer's and they might have it. They are a pretty comprehensive digital outfit now and set up well for professionals. They do have a well stocked rental department.

I don't think i prefer to bring all or most films with me, also i am tired of those check up systems in airports and then not sure if film is fine or not or i have to test or i have to label my film bag and such, i will not shoot film too much, so i can buy some rolls or sheets from there, that if i will carry any film gear with me, i may take few rolls as this is not a big loss.

[Professional]

If it's E6 processing for LF, Citizens Photo in Portland, Oregon is a good source.

(The state of Washington doesn't offer that service anymore.)

Plenty of beautiful beaches in the PNW accessible by car and never annoyingly crowded. Just one example: try Ruby Beach on the Olympic Peninsula (Olympic Nat'l Park). BTW, several dramatic beaches require only a mile or two of hiking, and you often get them to yourself!

So many more...

Good to know, thanks!

I am not sure which film, but i think definitely that part screams Velvia, so definitely E6, but i have to decide first if i will take film with me, i didn't find anyone to meet there as a friend and guide and helping so i will not carry everything, digital is all what i need and more than enough, but i have some small MF film cameras such as Fuji 6x9 and Mamiya 7II and Holga, also i have a lightweight field LF camera, but i didn't use it and i don't think i want to waste time on using LF if i can't see much there on time.

I divided my trip plan to photograph into 2 categories:

1. Landscapes

2. Cityscapes

Under landscapes i divided also into 3:

1. Mountains with surrounds [valleys, lakes]
2. Waterfalls
3. Beaches

I don't think i will do portraits much there.

[Bob Sawin]

Here is a link to Glazer's film for sale. It probably worth a look to ensure you can purchase your preferred emulsions:

http://www.glazerscamera.com/store/f...rkroom?cat=102

[Professional]

Here is a link to Glazer's film for sale. It probably worth a look to ensure you can purchase your preferred emulsions:

http://www.glazerscamera.com/store/f...rkroom?cat=102

Cool, they have what i need except Velvia 50 in 4x5 which is discontinued, i have that but i don't want to risk carrying it, if i may take my LF then i will go with Provia or Velvia 100F instead, and for MF film rolls, they have all what i need, the prices are not bad.

Just one questions, are those prices without tax? or if i buy from the store they will apply some kind of taxes?

Thank you very much!