Archive 2013 · Oregon star photography locations question ...

camboman
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Oregon star photography locations question ...

This saturday we'll have a new moon and the darkest sky of the month, so I'm planning on heading east from Portland to find an area as far away from light pollution as I can. However, it would be nice to have an interesting foreground to add to the sky. Right now I'm thinking about going to the windfarm near Wasco. I think those 240 ft. high wind turbines would make a nice foreground element for light painting and I've got a powerful flashlight I want to try out.

What do you think, any other dark locations around 2 hours from Portland?

Jun 06, 2013 at 09:08 AM

Mr CA Clark
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Oregon star photography locations question ...

There are some interesting abandoned structures on Tigh Ridge Rd just south of The Dalles, near Dufur.

Jun 06, 2013 at 12:06 PM

Scrumhalf
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Oregon star photography locations question ...

I go regularly with my sons to the OMSI camp at Hancock Field Station near Fossil, OR. The skies are phenomenal there. A bit more than 2 hours away though, I think.

Jun 06, 2013 at 01:11 PM

Dustin Gent
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Oregon star photography locations question ...

alvord desert

the darkest spot in the US - but it is kinda far

Jun 06, 2013 at 01:43 PM

roman.johnston
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Oregon star photography locations question ...

This ought to help:
http://www.jshine.net/astronomy/dark_sky/

Happy hunting!

Roman

Jun 06, 2013 at 01:52 PM

camboman
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Oregon star photography locations question ...

Thanks guys!

The Alvord is for sure the place to be, it's just too far for an out and back in one night.

Jun 06, 2013 at 10:12 PM

Scrumhalf
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Oregon star photography locations question ...

Believe me, Fossil area is fantastic!

Jun 06, 2013 at 11:16 PM

camboman
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Oregon star photography locations question ...

I believe you, the area around the John Day Fossil Beds has many natural landmarks that I think would work well as a foreground, it's just a bit farther than I wanted to drive for this excursion, since I'll be driving back the same night.

This trip will be the first time I get to try out my new Zeiss 21mm at photographing the night sky. I hope to at least get a good handle on exposures for the sky if nothing else. Having a foreground that lends itself well to light painting would be the icing on the cake. I'm sure I'll make other trips later where I can drive further and camp out on location.

Thanks again!

Jun 07, 2013 at 09:54 AM

briancphoto
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Oregon star photography locations question ...

I don't know if it will be a problem but I believe most of the wind towers have lights on them which may be too bright on a real dark night if you are trying to get a ton of stars. I have no experience with this but just something I thought of. Good luck and post your results. Brian

Jun 07, 2013 at 09:58 AM

mike.way
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Oregon star photography locations question ...

Smith Rock might be good, but it is a state park.

Mike

Jun 07, 2013 at 12:12 PM

dasams
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Oregon star photography locations question ...

roman.johnston wrote:
This ought to help:
http://www.jshine.net/astronomy/dark_sky/

Also available as an iPhone app which is very handy.

Jun 08, 2013 at 04:12 PM


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