Finding the Great Northwest

We're Moving!

2010-06-02T10:43:00.000-07:00

It's true. We're entering the world of schlepping all of our stuff out of the studio and into a new studio. Boy, it sure is hard work but we've got this! Excited to be a part of Southeast, our new address starting June 7, 2010 will be:

Bruce Forster Photography &
Viewfinders Stock Photography
3245 SE Ankeny Street
Portland, Oregon 97214
Same Fax, Phone, and Email:phone 503.222.5222
fax 503.274.7995
studio@viewfindersnw.com
www.bruceforsterphotography.com
www.viewfindersnw.com

We've really enjoyed our time in the Gadsby and we're sad to say goodbye. But the new studio has free parking! And is right by Laurelhurst Market so that makes us happy. Look for some great new photos in the following weeks and a series of blogs about our contributors! Moving is inspiring. Photos of the new space to come but for now we'll pay homage to this beautiful spot.

Bye bye old studio. Thank you!

Above Portland

2010-05-20T16:41:00.000-07:00

It's pretty obvious that we love Portland. Bruce Forster, owner and lead photographer at Viewfinders Stock Photography, photographs the city at all angles. Underground, eye level, and then, of course, from the air. And you'd think, after shooting for over thirty years in town, he would have photographed everything! Nope, just the other day, he did something he has never done before. He photographed Portland at night from a helicopter. If you're a photographer, you know night and motion don't mix very well. Out of 60 shots, Bruce got 6 in focus. Hey, not bad!

Aerial photography is like an old hat for Bruce. Commissioned by multiple clients to get shots of various buildings and spaces makes flight costs lower for everybody. One client who wants to be a part of each flight is Cameron Publishing in San Francisco. They've hired Bruce to produce the photography for a new book about Portland. Entitled "Above Portland", this coffee table book will be the first since the death of Robert Cameron, 98, owner of and photographer for Cameron + Company. His grandson-in-law, Chris Gruener, chose Portland because of it's popularity in the bay area. This will also be the first book with a new branding design. Owner of an extensive collection of aerial photography from over the years, Bruce was the best candidate. So, in company with Chet Orloff, a well known local historian and writer, Bruce is combining his library along with new shots to create a perfect aerial view of Portland.

Chris Gruener called just in time too. It's spring in Portland and it just so happens to be Forster's favorite time to get in the helicopter and capture the new growth and greenest greens around this beautiful place. On a routine late afternoon flight after knocking out a few locations, Tyler, Bruce's trusty pilot, informs him of how hungry he has become. Agreeing to grab a bite (not a beer, of course) at Old Town Pizza, they touch down at the helipad nearby. After some incredible pizza, up again they go with the sun below the horizon. It's dusk. Turning the helicopter power off (so they're floating or dropping) reduces the vibrations and therefore reduces camera shake enabling Bruce to capture Portland's nightlife. And how alive it looks!

Bruce plans to head up again. Preparing will be key. He might take his rigged mono pod for some fisheye shots or maybe a gyroscope to reduce the motion. Aerial photography is Bruce Forster's specialty. It will never become a commodity. Flying in low, sometimes below rooftops makes most people uncomfortable (me included). Please let us know if Portland aerials are something you need. "Above Portland" will be out at Christmas.

Big Kid Fun

2010-04-27T15:16:00.000-07:00

What are you doing this Thursday? Art Not Crime is hosting a photography show with prints by Bruce Forster, lead photographer here at Viewfinders. As you may recall, Bruce first showcased his images from Pirate Town in September at AIA Gallery. This time the scene will be a little different.

Pirate Town, aka Triangle Park, aka Superfun Site had been home to taggers since the mid 90's when environmentalists declared the site too toxic for commercial use. Because the old factory resided on private property, artists were usually immune to hassle from authorities. This made the site one of their favorites. After the purchase of the property by University of Portland (they plan to build a sports center) the building was set to become ruble in the summer of 2009. When Bruce got wind of the ever changing canvas's fate of demolition, he made several trips down there to, once again, record a piece of history soon to be no more. Forster has taken the layers and layers of graffiti art and created his own interpretation. Not only documenting a culture but also forming a collaboration between him and other artists.

When Art Not Crime founder, D'Angelo Raines discovered Forster's shots of Pirate Town, he invited him to show at a new space, Provenance Gallery, in Northeast Portland. The show is a tribute to a once idolized hideout inhabited by D'Angelo and his friends. As he states in his blog, "lost but never forgotten!!!". The prints (sized at 17"x22") will only be up for one night (Thursday, April 29 from 5pm-12am) and selling for $75.00. If that doesn't entice you to make the trek, graffiti artists will be painting live, hip-hop dj Weatherman will be spinning, and Elevated Entities will be performing. Join us at Provence Gallery, 4943 NE MLK on the corner of NE Alberta this Thursday.

Talk About GLEE!

2010-04-20T16:29:00.000-07:00

When contributor shooter, Paul Gordon sent me these pictures, I couldn't quite believe or comprehend what I was looking at. Who knew Seattle was so loose yet so organized!? Sadly, I know next to nothing about the show Glee (I know, kick me), but after seeing the excitement and passion behind One Degree Events Flash Mob for the new spring season of the hit show, I think I'm more inclined to watch.

Founded by Egan Orion (a.k.a."Mobfather"), these flash mobs pop up in the middle of cities (yeah, it's not just Seattle), perform, and then disappear into the crowd. The times of mobbing are kept a secret. This one had a mix of four songs: Don't Stop Believin', Proud Mary, Gold Digger, and Somebody to Love. Instructional videos with the choreography were provided on the blog and people just met and danced! Like, thousands of people. Paul put it best in his email to me stating he went down there to shoot and a tourist from India asked him if there was an event scheduled. Paul told him, "no, this is just what we do in Seattle." I love that.

Want to see more? There are videos on the Seattle Times site!

Pioneer Courthouse Square before it was Pioneer Courthouse Square

2010-04-08T13:48:00.001-07:00

I can't believe I haven't shared these images with you yet. Of all of Bruce Forster's photos, these really stick in my head. Go figure. They're from 1980. I feel like something like this would never happen these days.

You may recognize the lot. It's where Pioneer Courthouse Square lives today. That rainbow represents the steps! Surprisingly, this city block has been through a lot to get to where it is today. In the 1840's, a shoemaker by the name of Elijah Hill came to Portland in hopes of starting a new life in a frontier town. He purchased the empty lot of land for $24 and a nice part of shoes. (Not kidding!). Soon after, James Fields acquired the spot and, after striking it rich, sold it to the Portland School District in 1849 for $1,000. Portland's first schoolhouse was built and opened on May 17, 1856 and named Central School with 280 pupils registered. Later, it was sold to Henry Villard's Northern Pacific Terminal Company in 1883 for $75,000 (go Portland School District!).

Central School - image from Portland Public Schools

The plot of land took a turn for the worse when Henry Villard went broke soon after he lay the foundation for a hotel. The "ruins" sat for five years as an eyesore in the center of downtown Portland. It even became a dumping ground for murders from the neighboring seedy saloons. The community became fed up and 6 local businessmen put up $250,000 to open a first class hotel. Along with the contribution of 322 Portland citizens, the Portland Hotel Company was built. It opened on April 7, 1890. This hotel boomed as a social mecca for Portland and had seven presidents, among other notable people, stay in it's luxurious rooms.

Portland Hotel 1890 - image from Oregon Historical Society

With the arrival of other hotels in the area, the Portland Hotel declined in the 30's and by 1944, Julius Meier and Aaron Frank (Meier & Frank) had purchased the building. After announcing in 1951 that the building would be demolished, the duo built a two-story parking structure to take the hotel's place. Because of peoples' addictions to cars in the 50's and 60's, places to park downtown became impossible to find. Meier & Frank proposed an eight to ten story parking garage. After protests and proposals for a city park instead, Meier &wqs Frank's idea was denied by City Planning Commission.

A national design competition was conducted by the Portland Development Commission (PDC) in 1980 and over 160 submissions were received to make this city park. The winner was a design team lead by Willard Martin. To celebrate the win, Martin lay the life size design on the vacant lot in bright colors. With paint donated by Rodda Paint and help from a handful of volunteer painters, the design was revealed to the city of Portland in a way that was outlandish and wonderful at the same time. It gave the city an idea of what was to come. And, after such a fight with Meier & Frank to posses this lot, it was a civic victory and a celebration of something unique.

Volunteers painting the plan for Pioneer Courthouse Square - photos by Bruce Forster

Now we can sit in what Willard Martin named "Portland's living room" and know it took so much for it to exist.

Want to see more?

New Exhibit at the Airport "Sky's the Limit"

2010-03-02T16:43:00.000-08:00

Isn't it funny walking through the airport and seeing art in the display cases? I always thought so. It's actually a great place for shows because lots of people have lots of extra time to peruse. Being the best airport in the world (I think), PDX has outdone themselves on the "Sky's the Limit" show about aviation. Brought to you by Port of Portland and RACC (Regional Arts & Culture Council), this show resides in Concourse A at Portland International Airport.

Bruce Forster, our leader of the pack, has 8 prints in the show. He submitted images shot from the air (as opposed to pictures OF aviation). Ranging from organic nature shots of tulip fields to more urban shots of housing developments, Bruce has displayed views most of us will never see.

Monrovia Nursery Dayton, Oregon

Settling Ponds from a Paper Mill Oregon City, Oregon

Port of Portland Car Transporting Lot Portland, Oregon

Along with Bruce, there are 6 other photographers. The show will be up through the end of July 2010. Because the show is located through security, you'll have to wait until you go on a trip before you get to view this exclusive show. But I think it's a great reason to come up with an excuse for a vacation!

A man hurrying by Bruce's images in the display case

A Part of History

2010-02-10T13:54:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but I've noticed there are quite a few water towers atop some of the old buildings in Portland. Because we don't use them anymore they have become little historical landmarks. One of the buildings that sticks out amongst all the modern marvels of the Pearl District is the Centennial Mills Building.

Centennial Mills (originally named Crown Mills) was a large grain and flour milling and processing plant. It opened in 1910 with a closing date of 2000. Playing an important role in Portland's economic growth, Centennial Mills contributed to our status as a major grain processing and shipping hub. With such a success, Centennial Mills was able to add onto the original building resulting in a 4.75 acre site with 11 different buildings.

Soon after the mill shut down for good, in 2001, Bruce Forster gained access to the site. These great black and white film shots give us a taste of what it might have been like.

Parts of the mill are still exactly as they were when business was booming. The basement shows how the foundation was made from actual tree trunks.

The plan now is a makeover. The PDC (Portland Development Commission) has plans to convert the mill into business spaces with a focus on providing open space, capturing history, defining a community focal point, strengthening connections, and embracing sustainability. Construction begins in 2011 with a finish date of 2012. So great that we can take a piece of history and convert it into something new that will create a whole other piece of history. Portland is good at that!

Happy Birthday Bruce!

2010-01-28T14:49:00.000-08:00

Today is Bruce Forster's birthday! We didn't do anything to celebrate it and I am the only one in the studio. Troy went to learn how to cook Indian food in Mosier (go figure) and Bruce is out helping Ginny with a laser paper cutter. So that leaves me, Amaren. Don't get me wrong, we got him presents so we didn't ignore it completely. But, I did give Bruce a huge lecture on social media and how I am going to master it in the next few months. Probably not the most fun thing on one's birthday, right?

This is Bruce Forster

Let me ask you a question. When you are piddling around on peoples' sites that interest you, what are you most curious about? I mean, is it their content (like, what the site is there for) or is it their About page? I mean, seriously, when I find a photographer I like, say this Portland wedding photographer, You Look Nice Today Photography, I am most curious about what that photographer looks like! What is that? I mean, I love their photography but since I don't know their name, I am even more investigative when I peruse their site. Am I the only one here?

We are busy busy here in the studio (well not at this exact moment, per se, but...) shooting portraits and constantly throwing content on the Viewfinders Photoshelter site! Just in the last couple of days, we have uploaded all our contributor's photography. They are not live yet but soon to be! Really looking forward to receiving some new stuff too.

Make sure to take a look and get some stunning Pacific Northwest shots. This is honestly the most beautiful part of the country...beach, mountains, and desert all within a 2 hour drive radius of Portland. What? That's amazing!!

Boarding. Not Boring.

2010-01-14T11:31:00.000-08:00

Bruce Forster, the head honcho here at Viewfinders, is not the type of guy you'd expect to see at a skate park (unless you were in trouble and he was your angry dad coming to pick you up). No, we usually find him out in the high desert of Oregon and Washington in a helicopter photographing wind farms, or knee deep in soot getting a compelling shot of a coal mine. Bruce never ceases to surprise me when I arrive at the studio and he sits me down to show me all the graffiti photos he snapped over the weekend or the Erotic Ball he attended at the Crystal Ballroom.

Now, let's get this straight, Bruce is no skateboarding photographer...well, at least he doesn't call himself one. But, for someone who doesn't know anything about skateboarding or the culture surrounding it, he sure does know how to make it look good. And, if you think about it, skateboarding and riding in a helicopter both fall into one similar category, they're exciting, extreme activities.

An old, hip friend of Bruce's, Larry King (not the one on TV), was the first to turn him onto these "other" cultures including skateboarding and graffiti art. These ways of life are different from Bruce's everyday world and, as a compulsive shooter, feed his need to capture.

Photographing skateboarders is not an easy task. Knowing the exact moment to shoot a trick can be, well, tricky. Sometimes it's all about whether or not a skater lands it right. For a first time, Bruce did these skaters justice. Look for more from Pier Park Skate Park and Tigard Skate Park in the next week on our new (and very much progressed) website.

A Few Wise Guys

2009-12-02T13:43:00.000-08:00

Woo, it's been a while. What with Thanksgiving and the change in season, it seems like there's never enough time! But I tell you, I wouldn't change anything. The view of Mount St. Helens out my hall window this morning took my breath away. I love it when Portland comes through with a crystal clear day after the dreary gray days everyone (who doesn't live here) thinks we have. Best kept secret!

New things just keep happening in this studio! First, we got ourselves a photoshelter account which we are adding to more and more. Then, Bruce Forster has started a new company with Mel Ulven and Gary White called WiseGuys3. For over 35 years these three have collaborated on project after project. Bruce on photography, Mel on graphic design, and Gary on copy writing. Together, they encompass all that any company would want and need for their advertising and promotional campaigns. Since the 70's Bruce, Gary, and Mel have worked with companies such as Lumilite, Skamania Lodge, Heathman Hotel, the Japanese Gardens, and Renaissance Homes to name a few. Mel and Bruce have traveled twice (!) around the world for work for ESI and Techtronix.

WiseGuys3

from left to right: Gary White, Bruce Forster, and Mel Ulven

The three well experienced creators have formed a virtual agency with everything to offer. Now, a company can hire all or just one of these men or one of their associates, Troy Klebey (digital guru and the guy that makes ideas happen) and Mick Geary (videographer) to get a good job done.

WiseGuys3 Pretending to Find Their Way (Think three wise men)!

With their combined experience, respect for each other, and fun they have together, this mini pool of freelancers are perfect for any type of project!

It's Windy Out There.

2009-11-10T14:16:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but I am totally fascinated by the landscape once I drive past The Dalles in Eastern Oregon. It's like entering another world. Not only does the sun finally appear but there is hardly anything green. Hello desert! The rolling hills sandwiching the Columbia River Gorge make for some of the best wind harvesting in the country. Now that there are over a thousand wind turbines blanketing the vast terrain, it's really starting to look like a new planet.

Klondike Biglow Canyon Oregon

Nighttime at Windy Point Wind Farm, Washington

These wind farms, measuring in at around 300-400 ft. tall (taller than any South Waterfront Condominium) and weighing over 200 tons, are the future of our electricity. The most powerful turbine in the gorge is Siemens Power Generation's 2.3 megawatt which can power almost 600 homes continuously. Despite their cost at over $1.5 million a pop, the motivation behind these technologically advanced windmills is saving money. If you can believe it. Within 7 months these modern day "farms" (a group of 50 turbines) can be up and running. Wind harvesting, as opposed to grain or vegetable harvesting, happens year round. The term "harvest time" has a whole new meaning.

Windy Point Wind Farm, Washington

Since our new venture with a photoshelter site, we have been uploading hundreds and hundreds of images. Making sure they are all optimized for search engines takes time but one gallery that is completely done is our Wind Turbine gallery. Packed with some recent shots of Klondike Biglow Canyon and Windy Point, these beautiful images by Bruce Forster will fill all your stock needs! Check out the new site and throw us your opinions. We want to make it as easy to use as possible. And next time you have a free day, take a drive to Eastern Oregon to gawk at these non-traditional farms!

Windy Flats, Washington

The times, they are a changin'.

2009-11-06T14:18:00.000-08:00

There's a lot going on here in the studio today. Bruce and Troy are about to head out the door to do an aerial shoot and Amaren is building our new Photoshelter account. Much of what we have been learning about here is how to optimize out site in order for it to be seen. Our current Viewfinders Stock Photography site is almost ten years old! We thought it was time for change. Photoshelter is a great site to let us control our SEO and keep an archive of our photos. At the same time, we will have a streamlined look with up to date keywords and new clients (we hope!). Local Portland photographer friend, Craig Mitchelldyer was kind enough to pop into our studio on Monday and give us a big long tutorial. He was very convincing...we signed up that afternoon. Now we just need to upload all our photos.

Our new site will allow people to search and view all our different galleries and easily purchase rights managed images. We will also allow download of lo-res mock up images. Need us to create a gallery of a certain type of images so you don't have to do the searching? No problem. There is a client area designed for clients to view, rate, and purchase images in their own specially designed gallery.

We are really looking forward to this new change at Viewfinders! We hope you will check us out when the times comes for the site launch! In the meantime, keep visiting Viewfinders Stock Photography for the most beautiful views of the Pacific Northwest.

Eye in the Sky

2009-10-28T16:13:00.000-07:00

I hate to brag but one of the coolest things about ViewfindersNW is the amount of aerial shots we have! Owner of ViewfindersNW and lead photographer, Bruce Forster, does routine helicopter trips capturing the most beautiful views of the pacific northwest. Most people think of aerial shots in terms of maps (think satellite view on Google maps) limited only to a view from directly above. Using a helicopter (instead of a fixed wing airplane) allows Bruce to fly in as low as rooftops (sometimes!) and get an oblique perspective.

Many architectural beauties in this city are amazingly constructed to be seen not only at ground level but also from the sky. Take for example Portland's Walk of the Heroins designed by Mayer Reed which is nestled at the far west corner of Portland State University's campus. The walk honors all the women that have illuminated our lives. From above you can see the beautiful design of the walk encorporating the naming wall and the natural landscape.

The Twelve West Building on SW 13th Ave has the first inner city wind turbines on its rooftop. This sustainable building bridges the division between downtown and the Pearl District while also being one of the most future oriented LEED projects of Portland. The rooftop is not only home to these modern windmills (which, when harvested, provides about 1% of the building's energy) but also to tenant shared barbecues and a rainwater-recycling system. The aerial view shows all the benefits Twelve West has to offer (at least on the roof). I just think it's cool to see wind turbines when I am driving down Burnside on my way to work!

If your vertigo hasn't kicked in yet, tap into this ongoing project Bruce has been diligently powering through. As we all know, Portland's South Waterfront is steadily becoming more and more developed offering green living and waterfront views. Before builders broke ground, Bruce was down there shooting away. Now, whenever on a flight, he makes sure to swoop down and grab some shots of their progress. It's proof of Portland's ongoing changes to both the environment and people's way of life.

August 16, 2004

October 11, 2009

This year, Bruce has been airborne twice and if there is any foreseeable, dependable break in the weather combined with enough interest, be sure to look for him up there again! In need of some aerials? Get on the flight list! studio@viewfindersnw.com 503.222.5222.

Berlin: Non-Stop Action!

2009-10-19T14:27:00.000-07:00

Despite all that's gone on in Berlin, the people of the city still manage to live up their nights to the fullest! One of our newest contributing photographers, Leah Nash took three weeks to immerse herself in one of the most progressive cultures in Europe. Sent to do a story that marks the 20th anniversary of the falling of the wall, she rented an apartment with a performer friend of hers, borrowed a pink bike, and partied at three clubs a night! (Not a bad gig, eh?)

The reason for Berlin's insane nights? Tons of artists are flocking there because of the amazingly cheap rent. The queer scene is popular because of the tolerant sexual culture. And, the city never sleeps: clubs stay open all night until noon the next day with no last calls. Pretty much you can do whatever you want in Berlin!

We always love submissions from Leah! See more of her Berlin photos on her website. We're looking forward to her next project!

Fall Fun!

2009-10-16T16:31:00.000-07:00

Fall is my favorite time of year. In fact, today has got to be the most perfect weather, 60 degrees, no wind, gray, no rain. Ahhhh. For some reason, it also seems to be the busiest time of year. We are still revamping Viewfinders with our addition of new photographers Leah Nash and Zeb Andrews as well as making our keywords absolutely outstanding!

photo by Zeb Andrews

This weekend (October 16-18, 2009) is the Hood River Valley Harvest Fest! Yum. I had a local apple yesterday that tasted like drinking apple cider. So sweet. Also out in the Gorge up the hill from Hood River in Odell is the Gorge Fruit and Craft Fair (October 17 & 18) which hasn't been around as long but still has some great treats to check out. I can't think of a better way to spend a fall weekend than hitting up a farm to grab a pumpkin for Halloween and some fresh, perfectly ripe fruit.

photo by Greg Vaughn

Another nice thing about this time of year is being able to stay inside with a warm cup of joe and enjoy a fire. Luckily Barista is downstairs in the Gadsby building so we have constant access to Stumptown coffee. Also, shown in Leah Nash's photo, the Ace Hotel is always a great place to relax with those big comfy couches and beautiful light. Taking photographs there is a dream!

photo by Leah Nash

We have joined Twitter! Our name is ViewfindersNW so follow us. We will be updating with new photos and information! Enjoy the weather before we get snow storms like last year. Yikes!

Meier & Frank Warehouse

2009-10-06T10:04:00.000-07:00

In the fall of 2007, Portland-based developer Gerding Edlen announced its acquisition of the former Meier & Frank warehouse in the booming Pearl District, and related plans to convert the building into LEED-certified office space.

Two years later, the building, located just a few blocks from the Viewfinders studio at 14th and Everett, is still standing empty, a symbol of the depressed economy. According to an article in the Daily Journal of Commerce, Gerding Edlen has had trouble securing the financing needed to proceed with the project, thus construction has been delayed.

Viewfinders photographer Troy Klebey obtained access to the warehouse this week and captured this beautiful series of images of the building in its current condition, patiently awaiting its next iteration.

More images from his shoot can be viewed on his website's gallery.

Gone to the Dogs

2009-10-05T15:21:00.000-07:00

We're all pretty dog crazy here at Viewfinders, and we are lucky to work in a loft building that allows its tenants to bring their dogs to work!

Lucy (pictured here) is a pit bull/Jack Russell mix; she was a rescue dog adopted by our business development manager five years ago. She commutes in to the studio a few times a month, and enjoys the attention that is lavished upon her during visits.

Lead photographer Bruce Forster captured these (strikingly lovely!) shots of Lucy last week while she laid in her favorite spot in the studio: the sunny area rug by the window, taking in a lovely view of Portland's West Hills.

Grape Stomp

2009-09-22T09:13:00.000-07:00

Home to more than 200 wineries, Oregon's Willamette Valley has earned a strong reputation for its production of Pinot Noir, one of my personal favorites. (Other varietals produced in the region include Pinot gris, Pinot blanc, Chardonnay, Melon, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, sparkling wine, Sauvignon Blanc, and some Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah.)

This past Sunday, I headed south to Willamette Valley Vineyards to attend their annual Grape Stomp Championship & Harvest Celebration. We arrived at noon and already, the party was in full swing: a local cover band was playing on the lawn in front of the winery; families, couples and other groups were enjoying wine and picnics on blankets and in portable chairs; and a new heat of the Stomp had begun.

Eight barrels of grapes were lined up on wood pallets; a PVC pipe connected each barrel to a plastic one-gallon jug. Liquid from foot-crushed grapes drains through the pipe to the jug. Teams of two people were assigned to a barrel of grapes; one team member was barefoot in the barrel, the other stayed outside the barrel to provide physical support to the stomper and to ensure the jug stayed properly attached to the pipe. The team who had the most grape juice in their container at the end of the five-minute heat was declared the winner.

Some of the teams were dressed in costumes: togas, to channel Dionysus; suspenders and peasant dresses for more of a provincial look; a bright red satin evening gown that was awfully similar to a dress I wore to a formal high school dance in (ahem) the early 90s.

After cheering on a few heats of the stomp, we enjoyed views of the Willamette valley from our picnic blanket, and of course, some delicious pinot noir.

Viewfinders photographer Greg Vaughn has shot dozens of the region's vineyards; his images are posted here. The first two images are of Willamette Valley Vineyards' vines and a previous year's Grape Stomp.

The third and fourth images were shot at Champoeg Vineyard, which is planted on the south facing slope of a small hill known as La Butte, overlooking the beautiful French Prairie.

Below is an image of the Archery Summit underground aging caves, which are modeled on the subterranean cellars of the Côte d’Or. Naturally insulated with volcanic rock, the temperature in the caves remains between 55-59 degrees throughout the year, with humidity below 75 percent.

All of the images are available from Viewfinders for licensing or as gallery prints.

Farmers' Markets

2009-09-14T14:37:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to do in summer and early fall as a child was accompanying my mother to the local farm stand to buy fresh peaches, apples, cherries, tomatoes, corn and other local produce. I think it felt like such a treat because the Midwestern climate only allows for a few months of local harvesting. The rest of the year, much of the fresh produce we consumed was shipped in from other regions and countries. And no matter how well it's been packaged or transported, week-old apples simply do not taste as good as the ones picked from the tree just yesterday.

So, as an adult, I've developed a strong affinity for farmers markets, and it's heavenly to live in Portland where various markets run almost year-round. Some of these markets have evolved to be not just about the farmers and their produce: There are often prepared food stands and art vendors, tables hosted by community organizations and nonprofits, and live cooking demonstrations and music.

Instead of a stop-off for weekly grocery shopping, farmers' markets are now more like a weekly festival, and yet so intrinsic to the local culture here in Oregon that I don't think most people view them for what they are: a real treat.

[The images I selected for this post were taken by Viewfinders photographers Bruce Forster and Troy Klebey, and are available on www.viewfindersnw.com for licensing or as prints for purchase.]

'Graffiti Funhouse' gallery show opens

2009-09-08T16:23:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday marked the opening night of Viewfinders photographer Bruce Forster's exhibition at the AIA Gallery in Portland's Pearl District. The multimedia installation entitled "Graffiti Funhouse: A Tribute to the Artists of Pirate Town" featured Bruce's colorful photographs and portions of Pirate Town walls that were scavenged during its demolition earlier this summer.

Kudos to Infinity Images, who produced the gorgeous large-format reproductions of Bruce's photos; and to longtime friend and colleague Mel Ulven, whose design expertise led to the creative arrangement of the installation.

The exhibit will remain in the AIA Gallery throughout the month of September. To see even more images that Bruce shot at the Pirate Town site, check out the "Graffiti Funhouse" gallery on his website.

Additional thanks to photographer Troy Klebey who captured last Thursday's event; his images are displayed here.

Lost Lake

2009-09-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

Because Mt. Hood is so clearly and closely reflected in the waters of Lost Lake, the area allows for some of the most scenic views of the mountain and is a popular postcard shot. On the Viewfinders site alone, there are more than 60 photos taken of the lake and in the nearby woods, which are part of Mt. Hood National Forest.

Viewfinders photographer Troy Klebey paid a late evening and early morning visit (almost exactly 12 hours apart) to the lake last weekend, to capture the quickly fading summer light. He came away with hundreds of shots; these were two of his favorites.

When I look at the images, I can hear the voice of Jon Stewart, closing each broadcast of "The Daily Show," saying, "And now, for your moment of zen..."

Oyster Farm

2009-08-27T10:50:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite tasks in my role at Viewfinders Stock Photography is reviewing new image submissions, especially those from photographers who have recently joined the agency. Although we preview photographers' work before inviting them to join the Viewfinders, the first formal submission lends the most in-depth view to their perspectives as artists.

This week, photographer N. Scott Trimble sent in his first batch of images, and I found his photos taken at Oregon Oyster Farms in Newport, OR to be particularly intriguing. Perhaps because I've never visited any sort of marine farm, but mostly because of the way Scott successfully captured light and vibrant color in the series. His images are featured here; they will be live on the Viewfinders site very soon.

Alpenrose Velodrome

2009-08-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

There are only about 20 operating velodromes in the United Sates, and I find it highly appropriate that one of them is located in Portland, which has the reputation of being an incredibly bike-friendly city.

Alpenrose Velodrome is a high-banked, Olympic-style bicycle racing track, located in northwest Portland. The track features a 43-degree bank, which qualifies it as one of the steepest velodromes in the country. (A typical track features bank degrees ranging from 25 to 33.) Oregon Bicycle Racing Association recommends that even experienced racers complete one or two training sessions on the track before participating in a race at Alpenrose.

Viewfinders lead photographer Bruce Forster spent a few hours at the velodrome on a weekend earlier this month, capturing a great series of action images. Bruce was in awe of the close proximity of the cyclists during the races, and of the fierce competitiveness that emerged during tight sprints, as captured in the below shot. Hello, elbows...

Seattle Light Rail

2009-08-13T09:40:00.000-07:00

I'm an unabashed fan of writer/director Cameron Crowe, and my favorite of all his films is "Singles," an ensemble romantic comedy set in early 90s, Grunge-era Seattle. One of the main characters, Steve, is working on a proposal to build a public transit, high-speed train line in an effort to ease the city's renowned gridlock. His efforts are ultimately shot down because, as another Seattleite character explains, "I just love my car."

Fast forward 17 years (wow... where did that time go?) and the attitude toward public transit in Seattle, and elswhere, has changed vastly. Seattle's light rail transit system commenced service in mid-July , and Viewfinders photographer Paul Gordon quickly jumped on board to capture photos of the inaugural month. His images are featured here.

One thing that caught my eye in the images was the embracement of art and design in the commuter stations and on the train platforms. Kudos to the Sound Transit art program (STart) on their efforts!

Pirate Town/Graffiti - Part Deux

2009-08-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I posted images of the now-demolished "Pirate Town," a punk/skater/graffiti haven in north Portland, as seen through the eyes of Viewfinders photographer Troy Klebey. Lead photographer Bruce Forster also paid several visits to the site (as always, with camera in tow), and captured a beautiful series of images that honor the color and artistry of the graffiti writers--an interesting contrast to Troy's shots, which exuded a spookier vibe.

A selection of Bruce’s photos taken on location at Pirate Town will be showcased in the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Center for Architecture in the Pearl District in September. As a quasi=preview, a few of my favorites of Bruce's are featured on this page.

Mt. Hood

2009-07-27T17:21:00.000-07:00

The first time I flew in to Portland during the summer was in August of 2004, and I was stunned and delighted with the clear view of Mt. Hood that I was able to take in during the airplane's final descent. Window seats rule!

Now working for a photography agency based out of Portland, I have seen more than my fair share of gorgeous photos of the mountain, but two new ones submitted by longtime Viewfinders contributor Rich Iwasaki caught my attention... perhaps because the focus is sharp enough to make out tree lines? Maybe because the evening light is just right?

Rich was coming home to Portland on a flight from Boise a few weeks ago when he took these photos. He says he shot only a few frames, watching Mt. Jefferson line up in the background. Some post-processing magic helped boost the quality of the image (scratches on the airplane window had lent some distortion to the originals).

Hooray for late summer sunsets and clear skies!

Mannequin Beach Party

2009-07-20T12:33:00.000-07:00

I first noticed The Lippman Co. party supply store in downtown Portland in February, shortly after I had moved here. My son and I were driving over to Airplay Cafe for a mid-morning playdate, and the exit ramp from I-5 dropped us just in front of the store.

Located in an otherwise industrial neighborhood, the Lippman store stands out not just because it is the only storefront within a few blocks, but because the window displays are brightly colored, amusing and impossible to miss. The display in February was Mardi Gras themed, and on that gray Portland morning in February, it was like seeing Las Vegas light up the dark desert sky.

Viewfinders lead photographer Bruce Forster drove by last week and got such a kick out of the current "Beach Party" display that he parked and took this series of shots. I realize they are inanimate objects, but doesn't it seem like they are having a blast? Happy Summer, Portland!

Pirate Town

2009-07-06T09:47:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, a friend of Viewfinders' founder and lead photographer Bruce Forster's told him about an abandoned industrial building in north Portland that had become a haven for graffiti artists and skaters. The friend thought Bruce would really appreciate the artistic value of the graffiti, and encouraged him to pay a visit to the site, and soon: University of Portland had recently finalized its purchase of the land on which the building was located, and was planning to tear down the structure.

Known in various fringe circles as Pirate Town, the building is part of the (formally-named) Triangle Park, a 35-acre former industrial site on the banks of the Willamette River. University of Portland has acknowledged the presence of multiple contaminants on the site, and has reportedly begun cleanup, as first step toward preparing the area for a new greenway and trail, as well as expansion of University facilities.

Both Bruce and Troy Klebey, Viewfinders photographer and studio manager, paid several visits to the site during the last few months, to capture the art and wonder of this unique space. Troy's photos are featured here.

One of my favorite shots from the Pirate Town series is of Tucker, Troy's faithful companion and unbelievably well-mannered, photogenic dog. For more shots of Tucker's adventures throughout the years, check out Troy's blog.

Portland's "Sisters"

2009-06-30T09:50:00.000-07:00

The annual Portland Gay Pride Parade took place on Sunday, June 14th. Viewfinders' owner/lead photographer Bruce Forster was able to capture some fabulous, incredibly colorful shots of some of the parade participants. Photos posted here feature members of the Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a "charitable organization... dedicated to the support, education, and development of the GLBT community."

One week after Pride, the Sisters hosted Pornapalooza Porn Exchange, a free event that invited enthusiasts to bring in videos, DVDs and magazines and swap them for new material with other attendees. To me, the event embodies the Portland spirit: reduce/re-use/recycle, be frugal, but enjoy life. Oh, and get a free Voodoo doughnut with drink purchase.

Cheers, Sisters.

My first aerial shoot

2009-06-02T16:40:00.000-07:00

In late April, Bruce Forster, the founding photographer of Viewfinders (and my new boss), mentioned that with the weather in Portland warming up, it was time to start planning for the season's first aerial shoot. Bruce has been doing these for years, and says he can't recall when exactly he got hooked.

Bruce asked if I'd be interested in going along. I said absolutely. He then proceeded to tell me about a shoot several years ago that ended with the pilot finessing a crash landing in the Columbia River. "We ran out of fuel," Bruce explained, nonchalantly. "But I saved the film!"

The river 'landing' story did suppress my enthusiasm a bit (I may or may not have checked that my will is up to date). A few weeks later, however, Bruce booked a helicopter and I agreed to go. On a sunny May afternoon, Bruce, Troy Klebey, Viewfinders' studio manager and a talented photographer in his own right, and I drove to the Portland Heliport in Old Town, and hitched a ride with Precision Helicopter.

Bruce had previously described the skills of the pilot he prefers to fly with: agile. "Most pilots keep the helicopter flying as level as possible, especially when there are passengers who haven't flown before. Not my guy. He can pull some sharp, acrobatic maneuvers so that I can get the shots I want," he said.

I thought about those comments as Troy and I strapped ourselves into the back seats of the helicopter, pulling my shoulder belt tight enough to constrict my breathing. Our pilot, Tyler, confirmed that all of our gear was anchored down, as we would be flying without any doors.

Let me repeat that: with. out. doors.

Bruce had encouraged me to bring a camera and take some of my own shots; in his experience, keeping busy during the flight helps prevent air sickness. I wondered if it would distract me from the obvious fear of falling out of the helicopter. All of the shots on this page were taken by me; to check out how it looks when a real pro does it, go to www.viewfindersnw.com/category/aerial.

It took the engine and rotors a few minutes to get up to speed, and then, in a motion so subtle that I barely felt it, we were off, flying through downtown. We circled the Pearl District a few times; I was able to get a couple of decent shots of the loft building that houses our studio, and some pretty shots of the horizon.

And that's when we started climbing to a peak height of 2,500 feet, quite a bit higher than helicopters typically fly, usually around 1,000 feet. During this ascent, (shortly after I took the shot below of downtown, the near east side and Mt. Hood), at about 2,000 feet, I released the camera, thankfully still attached by the neck strap, and just hung on.

Many people flying in to Portland on a commercial airplane have been gifted with this beautiful view, or one similar to it, so at first glance, the below photo may not seem like anything remarkable. But imagine looking slightly further down: enough to see the left cuff of your jeans flapping in the wind...

When Bruce was satisfied with that series of photos, we descended to a more comfortable working altitude of 500 feet, and headed south to capture other buildings and landmarks as dictated by client assignments. Bruce and Troy worked earnestly, directing the pilot how to angle the helicopter so they could capture the best light, find the most creative angle, get the sharpest shot.

I was incredibly impressed with their stamina and intensity, and yet, their willingness to call out neighborhoods, schools and landmarks to me, the regional newcomer. It was at that moment, tightly belted into a helicopter that was circling a paper mill on the Willamette River, that I realized I could not ask for better guides to my new home region than my photographer colleagues.

After a few hours of shooting, we flew north to PDX to re-fuel the helicopter, giving me a chance to get a closer look at its 500 horsepower engine:

With a full tank of fuel, we headed to the northeast side to get some shots of large-scale solar installations, and then down to the South Waterfront to capture aerial shots of ecoroofs on new high-rise residential buildings. Portland has become renowned for its focus on developing and using alternative energy and green technology; Viewfinders strives to stay on top of these new implementations, and our stock collection features a lot of imagery that highlights these areas.

We landed back at the helipad at about 6 pm, as the evening light was beginning to dim. Bruce asked how I'd liked the outing. I think the below, obnoxious self-portrait says everything: