Stunning Landscapes from the Palouse
Photo by Mark Wieman
One of my favorite places to take landscape photos with a telephoto lens is from Steptoe Butte, a 3,612-foot hill with a park at the top. This region of eastern Washington is called the “Palouse,” and its most distinctive features are gentle rolling hills and abundant wheat fields.
Photo by Mark Wieman
Photo by Mark Wieman
Photo by Mark Wieman
The infinite combinations of forms, textures, and colors are mesmerizing. Rich greens, yellows, purples and golds are present, depending on the time of year. Getting to a high vantage point and picking out compositions with a 400mm or 500mm lens is a great way to spend a morning or late afternoon.
Photo by Mark Wieman
Photo by Mark Wieman
The many backroads that criss-cross this region also yield plenty of photographic gifts. The most intriguing of these are the lone cottonwood trees that stand in some of the fields. These trees can look both surreal and serene.
Photo by Mark Wieman
Photo by Mark Wieman
If you decide to visit this area, please be respectful of the people who live and work there. Always get permission before entering a field and never block roads or driveways. It is a gift to be able to experience and photograph this incredible place. I hope to be able to do so for years to come.