Suggestions for Photographing in Eugene, Oregon

[Brian Ellis]

I'm going to be in Eugene, Oregon next week. I've driven through it many times but have never stayed there. I'll be able to spend at least two full days photographing and I'm thinking primarily of areas in or near Eugene that might have some interesting older buildings, a historic district if there is one, older residential or commercial areas, maybe old industrial areas, things like that. Not so much falling-down wreck stuff as just interesting architecture. Of course I plan to check out the university campus but that's about the only area I know of for what I'm thinking about. And I'm not averse to others things such as parks, landscapes, etc. in or near Eugene. Thanks for any suggestions

[Jim Michael]

There is an art zone downtown with some nice sculptures.

[Frank Petronio]

Spencer Butte! And Lincoln Street North of the Market District, Skinner Butte.

[Brian Ellis]

Thanks, I appreciate the suggestions.

[Scott Knowles]

If you have the time to drive, try highway 58 to Oakridge and the surrounding area (NF Willamette R, Salmon Cr, etc.) or highway 128 to McKenzie Bridge and surrounding area (Clear Lake, hwy 242). It's a day trip for each but great drives and great country, although with snow somewhere on the way and beyond (some highways closed?).

[Brian Ellis]

Thanks Scott. Based on the number of responses it doesn't look like Eugene is a real popular area for photography. : - )

[Kuzano]

With a short break from 67 to 70. Worked on the UofO campus from 70 to 84. I call those "My Years Sans Photography Anywhere Close to Home".

I'm not street or portrait. Landmarks ??? other than those mentioned before. I mostly drove away from Eugene for photo junkets. Historically, the town outgrew most of it's historical architecture. There were a lot of historical grants for neighborhoods West of the downtown in the 70's, but that's all residential.

Sun vacates Eugene (and most of the South Willamette Valley) during the months from October to June. The air is moist during that period, measured often in inches per day.

A NOTE HERE FOR FRANK P....

Frank, I saw one of your posts on your Blog about your time in Eugene. I wanted to post back and tell you that one of my close friends was a Hell's Angel who stunt rode the Harley Davidson up the stairway in "Animal House". That was about 4 blocks from where I worked for 14 years. Sounds like you may have been in Eugene during that era.

[Frank Petronio]

That house is pretty famous - is it still standing? That damn movie inspired me to join a frat, that was big mistake, the poor frat never recovered ;-)

Yep, moved there in May of 82 and promptly fell off the columns at Skinner's Butte and lived at the St. Mary's Hospital for the Summer, then went to U of Zero and graduated to a local 25% unemployment rate in 1984!

Went to school there the Summer of 81 as well. I was just another dirty wannabee hippie jock brat.

Seriously Brian, the two Buttes are major local landmarks on the horizon and show you what the settler's saw when they found their land of milk and honey. The river too has a lot of history (flowing North as it does is rare) and I think you could tell a nice little story about coming out of the mountains and into God's country in only a few miles. After passing through all that desert, a hundred inches of rain must have felt wonderful.

There are a few old farms and settlements, I would search those out if I were visiting to shoot I think.

[Kuzano]

Are you driving over to Eugene and driving back, and then doing two days in Eugene.

If that is the case, go over the South Santiam and take the Clear Lake Cutoff. Shortly after you turn onto the cutoff, you will drive past Sahalie Falls on the Mckenzie River. If you pull into the Sahalie turnoff, it's just a short walk to a viewpoint of the the falls. It's not a monumental subject, but it's a lush green medium falls with good pounding water flow. From there down through the Blue River (McKenzie) area there are a number of covered bridges across the river.

Then the two days in Eugene can be spent looking for some of the sights mentioned by others.

If you then come back over Highway 58, there is the Dexter Reservoir ???, further up Oakridge and some riverside viewing. Take your chains, but you know that, right?

[Brian Ellis]

Are you driving over to Eugene and driving back, and then doing two days in Eugene.

If that is the case, go over the South Santiam and take the Clear Lake Cutoff. Shortly after you turn onto the cutoff, you will drive past Sahalie Falls on the Mckenzie River. If you pull into the Sahalie turnoff, it's just a short walk to a viewpoint of the the falls. It's not a monumental subject, but it's a lush green medium falls with good pounding water flow. From there down through the Blue River (McKenzie) area there are a number of covered bridges across the river.

Then the two days in Eugene can be spent looking for some of the sights mentioned by others.

If you then come back over Highway 58, there is the Dexter Reservoir ???, further up Oakridge and some riverside viewing. Take your chains, but you know that, right?

I think I'm photographed out on Sahalie but you're right, it's a very nice waterfall. I like getting down off the bridge and photographing from ground level and snow usually makes that difficult this time of year. But I'll check it out on my way if I can get down to it, thanks for reminding me of it.

I've just had a real urge to do some architectural photography lately. Bend is great for a lot of things but most of the older commercial and public buildings have gone the way of "progress." So I thought of Eugene mostly because I thought the university might have some interesting buildings, plus it's accessible and not everything is this time of year. But I'm beginning to get the idea that Eugene may suffer from the same syndrome Bend does only twice as much.