Photographing Cannon Beach

Sunset over Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach.

Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast is a pretty special place to visit, especially during the "off-season" if you are a photographer.  The off-season is actually the best time for photographing the coast, in my opinion.  In the summer, a heavy fog bank often envelopes the coast, making photography difficult.  It's less common in the spring, fall and winter.  Winter can also offer stormy skies and dramatic surf, yet still provide beautiful sunsets, as pictured here. 

This image of Haystack Rock was taken in December, in shorts and T-shirt!  Admittedly, this attire in December is probably the exception to the rule.

Lodging is also easier to come by in these seasons - especially winter.  And Cannon Beach has many options to choose from.

When you're tired of photographing Haystack Rock and The Needles at Cannon Beach (is this possible?), there are many more photography opportunities at nearby Ecola State Park.  The view from Ecola Point is one of the most iconic images of the Oregon coast.  Just a short walk up a path leads you to an incredible panoramic vista looking south along the coast, back to Canon Beach and beyond!  Even the view from the fenced area of Chapman Point is outstanding.

The best time to photograph both of these locations is late afternoon to sunset, though colorful skies in the morning can make sunrises interesting as well - mainly in winter.

This image is currently being used in the travel and tourism market, helping to promote Cannon Beach and the Oregon coast as a family get-away.

You can view many more images from this area in my Oregon Coast Gallery, if you wish.

As always, thanks for looking!