Washington's Palouse Country


		Palouse Photography Tour Details
		Dates	SPRING: Jun 13–19, 2009 HARVEST: Aug 1–7, 2009
		Leaders	SPRING: Darrell Gulin and Joe Van Os HARVEST: John Shaw and Terry Eggers
		Fee	$2,495 from Spokane, Washington
		Deposit	$300
		Limit	16
			Terms and Conditions

Nothing else represents the quintessential American landscape more than the family farm, and few places still offer more photogenic pastoral panoramas than the Palouse country that straddles the border of southeastern Washington and northwestern Idaho. Our Palouse Photo Safari is a photographic celebration of this lingering and nostalgic slice of Americana.

There is a very compelling reason for you to visit this extraordinarily photogenic corner of America—now! Within a short time, the majority of its treasured landmarks—those architecturally beautiful,

hand-hewn wooden barns, silos and outbuildings of a bygone era will be gone. Scores of these weathered, abandoned and beautifully-deteriorating agricultural structures will collapse and be bulldozed onto the scrap heap of history.

This motif of graphically stunning old barns and ramshackle farm equipment, nestled within the undulating deep loess hillsides of the Palouse, form an iconic farmland of indescribable beauty. Unusual patterns created by plowing and crop rotations offer hours of thought-provoking and enjoyable study of realistic and abstract photo compositions.

During June, the vibrant yellows of blooming canola (rape seed) fields are contrasted by the rolling chartreuse hills of wheat and lentils, saturating the fields with explosive color. Wildflowers are abundant at this time of year. August is harvest time—rich in color and texture. Undulating hills of golden wheat contrasted

against cobalt skies, billowing clouds and striking red barns create eye-popping imagery. The addition of working farm machinery in the landscape enhances our shooting even more!

From a splendid vantage point on top of Steptoe Butte, we have a commanding view of miles of beautifully-cultivated landscape. Our group creates images similar to those that can be taken from an aircraft—although we have the advantage of two feet on the ground, stable tripods, long lenses and the ability to capture the landscape at its best, in the long low light of sunrise and sunset.

In taking a break from other photographic endeavors, several of our leaders often get together for a photographic "busman’s holiday" in the Palouse. We have been here so often we have virtually every picturesque barn and farmstead in the region mapped out and the logistics choreographed to be there at the best light—yet every time we return to the Palouse, another barn or two is gone! You should make plans now to join us in June and August and discover the photographic pleasures of the Palouse for yourself!

Day 1 (Jun 13 or Aug 1)
Participants arrive in Spokane, Washington, in time to meet for dinner. (D)

Days 2–6
We drive to our centralized hub for these next five full days. Like the Palouse farmers we are up early. Our shooting locations will vary, depending upon the time of day, light and weather, as we drive numerous farm roads looking for great photographic situations. The Palouse offers a wide range of unique agricultural landscapes. Unlike the flat fields associated with so much of agricultural America, the 4,000-square-mile Palouse is covered with sensational rolling hills and textured fields adorned with fantastic barns and other farm buildings. We return to Spokane on the evening of Day Six. (BLD)

Day 7 (Jun 19 or Aug 7)
Participants may depart at any time today.



	Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. P.O. Box 655, Vashon Island, Washington USA 98070 Phone: (206) 463-5383 Fax: (206) 463-5484 Email: info@photosafaris.com Copyright © 2008, Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc.

Washington's Palouse Country

Palouse Photography Tour Details