Water ranks up there as one of my favorite subjects to photograph. Whether it’s the flowing white water of a mountain stream or the stillness of a lake at dawn, I strive to capture a magical quality of water in my landscape photography. On a recent foggy morning, I set out to photograph one such magical waterway — the Willapa River in Southwest Washington state.
Beginning in the Willapa Hills, the Willapa River flows approximately 20 miles. It drains an area of low coastal hills into Willapa Bay, a large estuary north of the mouth of the Columbia River. The bay is famous for its oyster production and wildlife diversity.
Winding past the communities of Frances, Lebam, Menlo, Willapa, and Raymond, the Willapa River enters the northeast end of the bay at South Bend. Its journey passes through forests, farms, bridges, and historic buildings.
I love photographing on mornings when fog blankets the landscape. The mist creates a mysterious mood and makes elements in the foreground pop against the soft, faded backdrop. The contrast of sharper details emerging from the fog can make for some dramatic images.
My first morning stop was at Ward Creek’s confluence near the community of Willapa. You can read that story and view the photos HERE.
From there, I explored the back roads that paralleled the river, looking for the most scenic and photogenic vantage points. Because I was shooting during high tide, the water of the lower river was high and smooth, reflecting the fog and bare branches of late autumn trees. I found several spots where the river curved gracefully, creating leading lines and reflections.
The stillness and calm of the water captured the delicacy of the surrounding landscape. As the muted gray fog encroached from both sides of the river, it squeezed the eye down the waterway. The effect was peaceful, yet mysterious, as the river disappeared into the mist.
The heavy mist slowly lifted as the morning wore on, revealing more leafless foliage along the banks. But the tranquility remained. Exploring the Willapa early on that foggy day was the perfect peaceful escape from everyday life. The morning yielded some images that encapsulated the magical atmospheric light.
