Imnaha River Fine Art Photograph

Description

Imnaha River Fine Art Photograph

Hell’s Canyon National Recreation Area

The Imnaha River is a 73 mile long tributary of the Snake  River. This wild and scenic river runs northeast through parts of the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area as well as Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Imnaha means “land ruled by Imna” in the Nez Perce dialect.

I captured this new Imnaha River fine art photograph during a camping trip to the Wallowa Mountains in Northeast Oregon. On my first night at Wallowa Lake State Park, I scouted out locations for sunrise shots the next morning. I quickly realized that wildflower were clearly past their prime and I’d need to fine a different composition. After scouting for a couple hours, I became smitten with a  foreground scene I found on the shores of Wallowa Lake and the next morning, I captured this new fine art photograph, Wallowa Lake Sunrise.

After that stunning sunrise had faded, I hit the road for the Rugged Imnaha River Canyon. I had an idea of where I wanted to shoot but, not having been there before, I wasn’t positive what  specific composition would be best. The Imnaha River road is…. rugged and a bit intimidating. Mostly single lane gravel with occasional pullouts. It has no shoulders and some enormous drop-offs. It took nearly 90 minutes to drive the last 15 miles of the road! I would NOT recommend attempting to travel this road without a high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicle and I would definitely not recommend traveling that road while pulling a trailer.

Despite the sketchy driving conditions, the Imnaha River Canyon was overwhelmingly beautiful. It did not look like anywhere I’d ever been in Oregon. Looking at images from my trip, it was reminiscent of Iceland or even Kauai. I was smitten.

I saw multiple groups of Big Horn Sheep and countless sweeping views. Lighting conditions were excellent as I discovered what would become my preferred composition of this wild and remote part of Oregon. As an Oregon Landscape photographer, I was in heaven. The Imnaha River Canyon offers countless stunning views with rugged layers that seem to extend forever.

This remarkable new fine art landscape photograph was captured within the Hell’s Canyon National Recreation Area. My seasonal timing was excellent as this area of Oregon is quite dry and becomes very “brown” in summer. The green, treeless mountain ridges and vertical rock faces of the steep canyon walls are complimented nicely by the blues sky and delicate cloudy textures. As I am always trying to be the best Oregon landscape photographer I possibly can, I am thrilled with how this new fine art print captures the textures, layers and stunning beauty of this remarkable part of Oregon!  This image is also available in portrait orientation. Please contact me at 541-610-4815 if you have any questions about this beautiful new print!