Customer Reviews

The Photographer's Guide to the Oregon Coast: Where to Find Perfect Shots and How to Take Them

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book was amazingly specific in directions of how to best view an incredible scenery. It was great more for its direction of where to go, park, or stand than the photography tips. The author gave great detail such as tips for how to find the best parking lots, how to avoid the tourist packed spots, and how to find unmarked trails to find fantastic angles in isolation. We used it as our primary guide for three days down the coast and really loved it. Note that the order of the book is generally north to south.

Having this along with my on my recent trip up the Oregon Coast was absolutely invaluable. It helped me choose which turnouts to take and which to bypass. I loved the included suggestions of what to do according to the weather, since several of my days were overcast and drizzle, rendering some of the views drab or nonexistant. I wish there were more books like this available for everywhere I want to go!

But it was a great help. The authors have provided excellent tips about certain locations, especially around the most popular sites. There is a bit of discussion about light and textures, but not quite enough. I spent a week there, which is not long enough to make firm opinions, but long enough to realize that there is a lot more to prepare in terms of photographic strategy than the book provides. For example, the real problem of sunrise and sunset. The horizon is almost always packed with thick clouds, so most sunsets are not what one would have imagined. I would have loved to know beforehand if there is any place where you can get a good sunset shot.

The book lacks in some other areas. For example, there is very little discussion about tides, which is extremely important matter for photographing ocean coast. Another major omission is the subject of ephemeris and how to use them.

I loved this book! The author shares many great secrets for finding out-of-the-way places to photograph. If you are looking for a book on technical how-to photograph, get another one. This book is all about location.

Covers alot of ground and offers more photo op suggestions than one could ever hope to take in one visit. Used it extensively to plan a photography vacation on Highway 101.

Planning our first trip to the Oregon Coast for photography. This book is making the planning much easier. The author's knowledge of the Coast and his enjoyable writing style are great. We've just about got our trip planned according to the author's suggestions. He mentions not only sites we've found in other guides, but a few new ones. I've found his suggestions on where to go when, and where not to spend time to be extrememly helpful.

We had high hopes for this book, and it does talk about some great areas and if you already know the area well you will find them. The author is a touch narcissistic and not overly forthcoming with actual helpful information. It's fine for a basic book if you know the area.

I used this book for the Astoria to Lincoln City section. It did direct me to a couple of places I simply would not have found. I'd buy it again, though it's not perfect. Surprisingly few photos. And a star rating, or a better indication of "can't miss" vs. "just nice" would offer the time-constrained traveler more guidance.

I am what most people consider an advanced amateur photographer. Last week I went down to Portalnd on Business and used David's book as my guide on a little detour I took on the coast.

I had only one day to drive through the coast. The book was extremely valuable in helping prioritize where to go, and save time by driving right to the good spots. Thanks to this book I was able to take amazing pictures in Cannon Beach and other places.

Absolutely recommended for anyone visiting Oregon, even if you are not a photographer, this book is much better than any tourism guide I have seen.

I have no idea how this book has managed to gather so many positive reviews. It is superficial, focuses nearly 100% on drive-by opportunities and does NOT include images of the vast majority of locations discussed. If you only plan on driving along the coast and want the same images as everybody else and their mother I suppose this is useful. However, do not expect ANY advice on places even slightly off the beaten path, even if they are right near the ones described in the book. For example, when discussing Cape Kiwanda the authors tell you to get out of the parking lot (duh!) and get on the beach and front part of the cape. Sure, this gives you a taste of what Cape Kiwanda is about, however if you bother to hike up the dune and around the cape you get a whole different viewpoint that is far more beautiful. It only takes 15 minutes and I am astounded that the authors do not mention it. Which probably also means that their advice on the Southern Coast, which I do not know well (and which is why I bought the book), can probably be safely ignored by all but novices.
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Update 7/5: I have now spent 6-7 days in Southern Oregon and must say that my earlier impressions of this book have been solidified. Sweet Creek Falls as the #1 location on the coast? The place cannot hold a candlelight to any no name creek in the Cascades, there must be tens if not hundreds of locations there that are indistinguishable. I can see no reason for ranking this ahead of Bandon, Samuel Bowman State Park, Cape Perpetua, or Cape Arago.