Bellingham’s foliage is aglow with reds, oranges, greens and yellows this fall, making for an enticing palette for local photographers. But finding that perfect spot to shoot can be difficult unless you know where to look.
Max Widjaja, a fourth-year Western Washington University student and an officer of the WWU Photography Club, has explored much of the Bellingham area in search of the perfect photo opportunity.
“I started doing photography just to save moments with my friends and family, and when I went somewhere special. Even when we just went to Seattle, I would take photos,” Widjaja said.
The photography club semi-regularly runs excursions to shoot in places beyond Bellingham, like RoozenGaarde in Mount Vernon and the Skagit Valley area.
“We did make a drive out to Acme last year. There's a place called the [Mosquito Lake Road Bridge]. The bridge is over this shallow creek that's just beautiful and has this amazing view of a mix of evergreens and deciduous so that you can see all those colors changing,” Widjaja said. “It's got this haunting fog over it. It’s so perfect.”
If you’re looking for something more local, Adrian Heffelman, a fourth-year WWU student and Photography Club officer, recommends places like Whatcom Heritage and Boulevard Park.
According to Anna Gia, a second-year art student at Western, you don’t have to walk outside of campus if you want to find a beautiful subject.
“[I like] south campus, where they have the yellow fan leaf type of tree. Those are always so pretty,” Gia said. “All of the trees, the foliage, the flora especially during the fall with all the leaves falling and changing colors, that was a sight to behold.”
Tiffany Brooks, a professional photographer in Bellingham, recommends some lesser-known but well-loved spots around the area.
“The two that stand out the most are Woodstock Farm and Hovander. I think they're probably every other professional photographer's favorite spot as well,” Brooks said. “Woodstock is amazing because not everybody knows about it.”
According to Brooks, some of the best locations in Bellingham are at their most beautiful only during certain times of the year.
“There’s a little park behind Sunnyland Elementary School that’s called Memorial Park, and it's totally hidden back there,” Brooks said. “Every other time of the year, it's just a big piece of property with some trees on it. But in the fall, it gets spectacular [coloring].”
One of the most important things to consider when doing a shoot is light. Even if you’re in a parking lot or an alleyway, your photos will turn out well if you find a place and time with dynamic lighting.
“I've shot next to dumpsters,” Brooks said. “I think it’s just kind of learning how to see tiny little spots. It doesn't have to be the most magnificent, beautiful park. Do a photoshoot in it.”
Widjaja suggested that students who want to take higher-quality photos but don’t want to spend hundreds on equipment can rent professional cameras and lenses from the ATUS at WWU for free.
“You can consider yourself a photographer even if you're taking phone photos because I think it's more about creativity than anything else,” Heffelman said. “It's about the intentionality behind the image.”
Ava Nicholas (she/her) is a campus life reporter for The Front this quarter. She is a second-year Theatre and PR journalism major, with an Honors minor. You will often find her rehearsing for her next production, listening to music or out taking photos with her Canon. You can reach her at avanicholas.thefront@gmail.com.
