Last weekend seemed like the peak date for blossoms in the Hood River area. I worked my mandatory overtime on Saturday, so that left Sunday to explore. Arno lives there and knows the area, so he was able to take us criss-crossing the valley, from the Columbia River all the way south to Parkdale and back.
I was relieved that it had stopped raining for the day, but disappointed in the hazy, moisture-laden skies. They washed out the typically spectacular vistas in that area. In particular, the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood faded into the white sky, and robbed me of one of my favourite aspects of photography around here: the startling contrast of a white peak rising above the green, on a blue background.
Taking a cue from blogger LB, who consistently changes her readers’ perspective when she displays black & white photos instead of colour, I tried to change my own perspective. It had a great effect, I think. The vivid colours of the fruit trees and green grass made the volcanoes fade away into obscurity. Greyscale moderates the bright colours and gives the mountain a chance to make an impact in the photo. It would still be better without the hazy skies, but I’m excited about playing with black & white for a change.
The last photo gives a better sense of what it looks like to see heaters in the orchards. It also gives you a preview of my next post: Hood River blossoms in full colour! When all my images from the day are bursting with brilliant spring greens, and pink flowers, and white snow, and red rust, and copper barns, and black highways…it was hard for me to be brave and post these grey photos today. But I’ll make up for it in the next post.
Conscious Engagement 
The first photo almost made me mistaken it for mountain Fuji with cherry blossoms XD
Oh thank you for making that observation. I think of Mt. Fuji often when I see Mt. Hood. The shape of the mountain is more like symmetrical Mt. Fuji when viewed from Portland, Oregon (east of Hood River). In fact, we have a splendid Japanese garden in Portland, with an overlook toward Mt. Hood, which can be so like Fujiyama.
Very nice, Crystal. The experiments worked out nicely.
Thanks for your support, Bruce. Like I said, I had to be brave to post them.
Wow Crystal, these are awesome!!
I agree that the red rust is irresistible. I do love to photograph rush and I’m so glad you showed the color.
And the contrast between the dark trunks of the trees and the light of the flowers / leaves is striking!
Love this post!! (and thanks for the shout out!)
🙂
Thanks for the compliment, Laurie! Your photography is always inspiring to me, so I am prompted to shout out.