Color in Crevices: Panasonic GF-1, Panasonic 45-200 f/4.5-5.6
A few friends, Cindy, and I made a whirlwind tour of Painted Hills, OR and Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park, ID over this three day weekend. Boy, what fun we had! We left Seattle 9:30 Friday morning and arrived in Mitchell, OR 6 1/2 hrs later. We set up our tents near Painted Hills and headed out to explore and photograph the area.
Painted Hills Unit is one of three components of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. These colorful hills are located about nine miles northwest of Mitchell, OR. The varying hues and tones of the hills are best seen in the late afternoon, but early light can offer dramatic backlit compositions for the creative photographer. The yellow wildflowers were in full bloom, and lined several cervices, as seen in the opening image of this blog. Below are three more images of this beautiful, ancient wonder.
Wild and Beautiful: Panasonic GF-1, Panasonic 7-14 f/4
Painted Hills in the Distance: Panasonic GF-1, Panasonic 14-45 f/3.5-5.6
Painted Hills, Painted Sky: Panasonic GF-1, Panasonic 45-200 f/4.5-5.6
The next morning, we shot the sunrise at the same location and headed out to Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park, ID, another 6 hrs away. We arrived in the late afternoon, set up camp and headed out to climb the largest single Sand Dune in North America, rising 470 ft above small surrounding lakes. It was a short but tough hike. Below are two of my best images from there.
Bruneau Dunes Reflected: Panasonic GF-1, Panasonic 7-14 f/4
Late Light on Bruneau Dunes: Panasonic GF-1, Panasonic 45-200 f/4.5-5.6
The next morning (Sunday), we slept in and drove back to Seattle, 9 1/2 hrs away. By 8 pm, I was post-processing and uploading images.
May 17, 2010
Third image is one of the most unique Painted Hills photos I’ve seen. Very Nice!
May 17, 2010
Jeremiah, thanks! The 3rd image was taken from the top of the Carroll Rim Trail. It’s a less popular but equally beautiful hike, IMO.
May 17, 2010
I love seeing what my little GF-1 is capable of! Keep it up Mahesh!
May 17, 2010
Victor, thanks for the comment! The GF-1 is a little wonder. The more I use it, the more I love it. The quality Panny lenses deepen my love evermore!
May 17, 2010
Great Photos and an area I wasn’t familiar with. Is the GF- 1 an slr?
May 17, 2010
Chris, thanks! The GF-1 isn’t quite an SLR and it’s not quite a point and shoot. Some have dubbed it an EVIL (Electronic Viewfinder, Interchangeable Lens) camera. It’s small, lightweight, and thoroughly enjoyable.
May 17, 2010
That’s quite a trip heading all the way over to my neck of the woods for Bruneau Dunes. I really like the reflection shot of the dunes…all the painted hill shots are very cool too.
May 17, 2010
Aaron, thanks bud! I didn’t know you lived out there. Next time, I’ll shoot you an e-mail before heading out.
May 17, 2010
Nothing less that spectacular Mahesh! These images are stunning! The painted hills are my picks. Woo hoo!
May 18, 2010
Conrad, thanks bud! When you come up here, and if we have enough time, we’ll visit the Painted Hills. You won’t believe your eyes!
May 18, 2010
Wow what a kewl shot Mahesh!! Great landscapes and I may have to put this on my List of “Things to photograph” for a future trip!!
See ya in a few weeks my friend
Ant
May 18, 2010
Ant, thanks for the comment, bud! See ya in a few weeks. The Palouse and the Olympic coast wait for us…
May 18, 2010
Thanks mahesh. I’ve had SLRs in the past film era.
But have only had small Canon’s in the digital era.
Maybe the GF-1 is the way to go?
Enjoy your photos very much. You get to some very cool places. Chris Budech
May 18, 2010
Chris, no worries! I think you would enjoy the GF-1 very much. It’s my preferred camera for travel and landscape photography where I have hike/backpack.
May 26, 2010
Unbelievable!!! Your photographs make me want to visit ths area immediately, if not sooner. Keep up the great work.
June 1, 2010
Meg, thanks! Always nice read your kind comments.