Exploring Oregon with my iPhone

Last weekend, I spent a few days venturing around Oregon with friends. Saturday we explored the many waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge and on Sunday we wandered the Pearl and South East Districts of Portland as well as Cathedral Park.  

I really enjoy getting to experience new environments and since this was only my second trip to Portland, it still all felt very new. The air smelt different, very fresh and crisp. The skyline was instead blocked by trees, not massive buildings. The weather was much colder and wetter than San Francisco and the amount of nature and greenery I absorbed was overwhelming.

During my travels, I always try to also capture my experiences with my iPhone because of the freedom to easily photograph an instant without altering the moment by setting up a DSLR.

(The images below were edited with VSCO and Rookie for iOS.)


Columbia River Gorge

Multnomah Falls

Panther Falls 

 

Panther Falls

 

Brian Bonham shooting Panther Falls

Brian Bonham shooting with his Yashica at Panther Falls

Bronty enjoying the cool streams

Cathedral Park, Oregon

Saint John's Bridge 

Saint John's Bridge 

 

Saint John's Bridge

 

South East Porland

Former electrical supply company

Former electrical supply company

Former electrical supply company

Former electrical supply company

Former electrical supply company

Brian Matiash at a former electrical supply company

Former electrical supply company

Pearl District, Portland

Cargo Imports

Cargo Imports

Cargo Imports

Cargo Imports

Cargo Imports

Photo: "K Building"

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The Polk Building, or K Building, at the Western State Hospital in Tennessee, formerly known as the West Tennessee Hospital for the Insane, was constructed in 1932 as a psychopathic facility with 400 beds for patients.

(Print - http://smu.gs/1iHWfHu )

Photo: "Missing Doorlandia"

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A few years ago I used to get out and shoot one night almost every full moon with a regular group of nocturnal photographers. These days my schedule is a lot busier and I tend to do more sunrise shooting, so I don't get out at night as often as I'd like. I'm definitely hoping to change that this year. 

This image is from the archives, from a car dismantler in Northern California. The collection of cars here is pretty incredible and they all possess such amazing personalities. 

(Print - http://smu.gs/1bWzr2i )

Photo: "Unparallelled Worlds"

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There was something so mysterious about this unfinished Tennessee Valley Authority nuclear plant. Maybe it was the rebar dancing out of the concrete, the darkness that swallowed the lower floors, or the lime green grass breathing life back into this facility. Whatever it was, it brought me ecstasy. 

If you've never walked through one of these abandoned time capsules and stood in the place where nobody has worked, lived or been a patient in since it shut down, it's an incredible experience that can't be parallelled. 

(Prints - http://smu.gs/1kaVeZG)

Photo: "Through 1921 Eyes"

 
 

When Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital accepted its first patients in April 1874, they opened the doors to both male and female patients though the original plan was to treat only males. 

The original administration building experienced an attic fire in 1921 and though the patients were safely removed and records preserved, the building was basically destroyed. One portion of the original wings was salvaged, shown here, but the porches and ornamental architecture was removed.

Photo: "Hospital Corridor"

 
 

The Mare Island Naval Shipyard Hospital was constructed when the shipyard was established in the late 1800's, however the beautiful, original building experienced severe damage in an 1898 quake. 

The replacement building shown here is the central section of a three and four story building and a great example of Beaux Arts classicism. Not only that, but it is unique in style for the shipyard.

Since the building's inception, many modifications have been made, including drop ceilings, many new layers of paint and the addition of better HVAC systems. 

When the shipyard closed in the 1990's, the hospital became vacant. In the recent years Touro University has been using the building for storage.  

(Print - http://smu.gs/1fDzKWN)

Photo: "Winery & Fuel Depot"

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This location was a former winery, once known as the largest in the world, which closed down in 1919 due to prohibition.

In 1941, the Navy purchased the land and turned the property into a fuel depot, which remained in operation for 54 years.  

Like many other military sites in the United States, this one was decommissioned in 1995 due to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program. 

(Print - http://smu.gs/KepJ3q )