Kasia and I had only one morning in this agricultural region of south-eastern Washington as we were heading home from colourful Colorado. It was the last stop on the trip and we were glad we made it. After photographing the fall season in Colorado, the Mesa Verde ruins and the majestic Grand Teton National Park, the Palouse, with its dusty hills, appeared to be the least attractive of them all (at least at this time of the year). We couldn’t have been more mistaken.
The last time we visited the Palouse region lush greens dominated the scenery. This time was different. Greens and yellows blended into browns and sand dune-like hills spread across the horizon as if a painter had replaced all the colours with just one. Despite this change, the placid beauty of the land captivated us once again.
The rising sun revealed an abundance of shapes and patterns, creating dream-like visuals. The lack of colours simplified the visuals and emphasized the beauty of the lines. The Palouse in the fall was very different from the loud and colourful Palouse of the spring but somehow equally beautiful, equally captivating.
Our initial plan was to welcome the rising sun at Steptoe Butte – the usual place for sunrise photography. But we got up late and instead captured the beauty of the place from random dirt roads. We were glad we did.
While well-known parks such as Yosemite or Grand Teton National Park have their own mega-popular spots, the Palouse offers you the unknown. Every dirt road hides a visual gem and it is up to you to discover it, which is what makes this place so special.
This is why Kasia and I believe that the Palouse is the best place in North America to learn composition. Sure, you can go to Steptoe Butte and the morning light will provide you with beautiful vistas without much effort on your part. No question, you will end up with one more photograph of the same. However, if you would like to see and feel YOUR WAY, take any dirt road around Palouse, think creatively, put in some effort and you will be rewarded with a creation like no other. That’s the beauty of the Palouse. That’s why the Palouse is a photographer’s Elysian Fields. Indeed, it’s a place like no other.
All images were taken with the Fuji X-T1 & XF 50-140mm F2.8 lens, processed in LR6. Some grain was added for visual effect.
2015 © Kasia & Olaf Sztaba Photography. All rights reserved.
I want to hang every single of these on my wall! Thank you so much for this blog, Kasia and Olaf. I’ve read a lot of the posts and have never been as inspired to go out and take pictures as I am now. Keep up the excellent work! All the best, Elin Hvam, Norway
lovely pics. the tonality is so damn gorgeous.
Thanks Walker.
Olaf
Great story verbally & visually!
We appreciate your kind comment.
Olaf
I love such minimalist landscapes. Thank you!
Indeed, minimalist landscapes are our favourites but they are so difficult to capture.
Thanks for visiting.
Olaf
A beautiful set of images. I made a motorcycle trip through this area a few years ago. Your images depict exactly what I remember seeing. Thanks!
Monte,
Thank you for your kind comment. A motorcycle trip!? This must be the best way to travel around the area. I hope one day.
Regards,
Olaf
Landscape photos with not a hint of clouds and yet compelling. That’s a tribute to the unique nature of the Palouse and to the artistry of the photographers.
Bob,
You are always so kind and articulate. Thank you for commenting.
Olaf
These are your best.
Thank you!
Olaf
“Every dirt road hides a visual gem….” Exactly.
I first “discovered” The Palouse 40 years ago and the dirt roads still surprise me.
Charles,
Thank you for stopping by.
Olaf