Day Trip to Portland - Great place to take pics??
 

Hi,

I will be in Portland next month for about 1 1/2 days and want to take some pics! Looking for some advice...

What are some great places to see or take pictures of in the area, any recommendations??

Within about 30 miles of Portland would be optimal, but I am open! I want to find some of the best and interesting places - parks, mountains, streams, awe inspiring landscapes, city views, etc.

I want to maximize my time and see something new!

J-

MAINE OR OREGON??

Sorry, Oregon!

Portland, Oregon - I thought this would get filed and referenced under Oregon.

Sorry,

If you mean Oregon, then I recommend these good spots to get pictures of the city and the mountains: from Pittock Mansion, from Terwilliger Blvd (below OHSU, SW Portland), from the top of the new Aerial Tram dock at OHSU (from the tram is nice too but you are inside reflective glass). If you want to get to the highest point in Portland, OR, go to the top of Council Crest. The city views aren't spectacular from Council Crest (because it's soooo high up) but you can see a lot and pretty far.

If you want shots of the city of Portland, just walk along the east bank of the Willamette River, from the Marquam Bridge (at OMSI) north to about the Steel Bridge. The "Classic Portland Cityscape" is often shot from the bank of the Willamette almost directly in front of OMSI, between the Hawthorne and Marquam bridges. There's free 2-hour parking during the day along much of Water Avenue near the east bank of the Willamette, giving you plenty of time to walk along the east bank esplanade (a nice walking/biking area).

Columbia River Gorge...use the old scenic highway for lots of great places for pics/views.

Mt. Hood...but it is more than 30 miles from downtown.

Or combine the two and do the loop of the gorge to around the back side of Hood then back to Portland.

Again, further than 30 miles, but not by too much, is Silver Creek Falls which is east of Salem.

In Portland, try the Japanese Gardens. Also up at Pittock Mansion for views of the city.

Yeah, the Gorge is great (lots of waterfalls along the old Columbia River Scenic Highway). I think Silver Creek is a bit more than 30 minutes from Portland, though, once you actually get there and park (plus you must hike into it to get any sort of good pictures I think). Maybe not the best time investment if you have a limited amount of time. But it is a gorgeous park.

Yes, Andrew, that is why I said it was further than 30 miles:) But there are a couple places you can park and see the falls without having to do the long hike. The entire hike is beautiful and very easy though.

Sorry, I was reading too fast. :-) 30 miles is probably about right but those are windy roads sometimes. I recall it took me a while to get there from Portland. I've only been to Silver Falls State Park once(!) and I was lucky to get there on a perfect fall day and get some decent shots. I hiked inside to get them, though...

Andrew--Well you have to go back more! I have been countless times (grew up in Salem) and never tire of it. We are in a SW suburb of Portland, and it takes us close to an hour because of the windy roads like you mention. If you can go on a slightly rainy day, it is really beautiful. The entire loop is a nice hike.

Hi
First of all, I have to recommend that you look at Andrews photos..he is brilliant.

My favorite spots in town for photography are the Japanese Gardens and the Chinese Gardens.
( <i> they use my photos for their brochures, ads etc</i> but I am not biased lol.
Go to the Pittock Mansion, the grounds, the mansion and the views are wonderful.
Walk in Washington Park, the Arboretum, the trees, vistas and surrounding area is so beautiful.
I like Laurelhurst Pk on a rainy or foggy day, it reminds me sometimes of a tiny Central Park with the ducks on the pond and the trees surrounding, very atmospheric.
Walk through the neighborhoods, just any residential street, in the NW part of town and enjoy the architectural aspect of the area.

Sauvie Island, a tiny island, 10 minutes from the Pearl District, farms and beaches and Welsh cattle, any time of year, interesting and great for photography.
I have the best photo of a field, as far as you can see, of snapdragons :)

I must say ( in the interest of full disclosure, lol) that mms has guided me through many a trip out of the downtown area, has kept us from getting hopelessly lost and has given me great directions to places we had not even known about.

I appreciate all your great ideas - I am taking notes ;)

It would be nice if you go to Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge area. I have heard that the views from the Portland City Grill are gorgeous, we need to get up there when we're in Portland next month. :)

The Waterfront area is pretty with the Tom Mcall Waterfront Park there and the fountain. We also enjoyed taking photos in the Chinese Classical Gardens, the Rose Gardens in Washington Park and in the back of the Pittock Mansion.

You may also want to venture out to the wine country and photograph some of the gorgeous vineyards and surrounding area there. Have fun! ***kim*** ((#))

I'd agree with the Old Highway and the Columbia River gorge. Besides Multnomah, there are numerous other falls - some really great photos around Wahkeena - and several scenic viewpoints.

If you're into it, you'll find interesting street photography around Pioneer Square, the Park Blocks, Pearl District, and NW 21st and 23rd.

You're not thinking that Portland City Grill is out in the gorge, are you ***kim***?

Thanks - actually I have been to the Portland City Grill, great restaurant!

Although, I haven't been out to the Gorge area, sounds like a great idea.

You don't have to leave Portland. Definitely check out the International Rose Gardens. Great city views from there and it is right next to the Japanese Gardens, which also offers great shots. The Chinese Gardens are very special and lend themselves to photographs.
City people views - Go to the Saturday market, NW 23rd St, Powells Books (interior). Hills and homes just west of NW 23rd, in the Washington Pk area.
The downtown waterfront park on the west side of the Willamette offers many photo ops. Starting at the north end is the Saturday Market and the memorial park to the Japanese who were interned during WW II. Going south, catch the Salmon Street Spring, if it is operating. It is a fountain the kids run in and out of. Continue south to the waterfront shopping area across from the OMSI. It has a marina and the Newport Bay restaurant, where you can get photos of people feeding the seagulls and pulling up in boats to get fish and chips.
In the downtown, there is a big park across from the federal building with a waterfall fountain that may offer good photos of people relaxing. Check out the opposite side of the art deco City Hall, on the other side of the square. Don't miss Portlandia sitting on City Hall facing the street. She is an incredible bronze statue, but hard to photograph as she is so big and in such a tight place. She was supposed to face the parks on the interior, I have heard, but someone screwed up big.
Don't miss Pioneer Square for people photos. There will probably be great outdoor eating carts at lunchtime. Also, you can get a photo of people getting on MAX, the lightrail, at Pioneer Sq.
Walk around the courthouse that adjoins (just west, I think) and photograph the sculptures of animals playing in the many ponds that surround the building. Pioneer Sq indoor mall nearby has very upscale shopping, which may contrast with the homeless you may see at Pioneer Sq or hanging around the Saturday Market area.

Just don't try setting up a tripod at Pioneer Courthouse Square! You will get a visit from a security guard if you do so without a permit. But if you can get your shots quickly before the guard sees you, you'll just get a polite warning.