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?

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 in Wallingford - ok, hype for a small store trying to survive. You can also take loop ferry trips, see routes and schedule or loop highway trips (highways 101, 16, 2, etc.), including one for Mt. Rainier NP, 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.