Blaine + Bethany Gallery

“Summer of the Sandbar” Gallery Image

Blaine FrangerComment

“Summer of the Sandbar” photographed end of September 2022 at Hood River Sandbar Spit, Columbia River Gorge, Hood River, Oregon

“Summer of the Sandbar” 30x45” Metal Print $1,000 - Custom sizes available to suit your needs and budget

Thrilled to introduce a new gallery image titled “Summer of the Sandbar” and the fun filled story behind it’s creation! 

Summer of 2022 was a memorable one for us! Boating and being on the river is our family fun time and it’s even better when friends and family join along, and there was lots of that! Every time we’re on the river, I always have the camera along and love to capture beautiful and fun times- it’s my way of savoring the moments. I often stay out longer than everyone else to pursue photography during and after sunset in spots only accessible by water. End of summer came along way too fast and I was bound and determined to capture a really special image of the Hood River Sandbar and Gorge in the background. I had my eyes on this narrow strip of sand which was so visually interesting, I just loved it! Knowing the scene had so much potential, I wanted to do it justice! On this evening in late September the last of friends and family had gone home for the evening and I went to work! Putting my special 8 foot tripod and stepladder to good use I was able to get a long exposure and higher angle of scene. The after sunset orange and blue colors were so soothing, I love how it’s actually the Hood River on the left and the Columbia River on the right with the sleek and narrow sandbar separating the two. This convergence of waters are so special, filled with memories, and always changing. As a matter of a fact just a couple days after this, the water levels of the Hood River dropped enough that it was only mucky sand on the left side so I captured this right on time… such fleeting moments! Grateful to have created this image, it brings so much joy and appreciation of creation (and good times!) every time I see it. 

This quote from American painter Robert Henri feels fitting for the situation behind how this image came about “The object is not to make art, but to be in the wonderful state which makes art inevitable. The object is intense living, fulfillment; the great happiness in creation”

Checkout “Summer of the Sandbar” online or in person at our gallery and let us know if we can assist with a beautiful print for your home or office! Thanks for following along, all the best! 

Here’s some other behind the scenes photos to help tell the story 😊

Snapped a selfie with the 8 foot tripod and stepladder while capturing “Summer of the Sandbar”

The Hood River Sandbar Spit is always changing season to season, and even day to day! Here’s an overheard aerial view of the sandbar just a couple days after “Summer of the Sandbar” was captured, the water levels of Hood River had dropped enough that the same image would be impossible to capture with these lower water levels. 

Hood River Sandbar Spit panorama in it’s winter sunset mode- February 2022 

Hood River Sandbar Spit in it’s Spring flooding mode- March 2022 
Green water is the Columbia River and murky brown water is the Hood River

Hood River Sandbar Spit aerial abstract- April 2022 

Hood River Sandbar Spit colorful aerial abstract- February 2020

Behind the scenes snapshots showing some of the good times with family and friends. Campfires, campouts, paddle boarding, swimming, tubing, boating and more! 

Sandbar parties with family and lots of friends! 

Trying out a “hyper lapse” with my new quadcopter drone! Good times 😊

Checkout “Summer of the Sandbar” online or in person at our gallery and let us know if we can assist with a beautiful print for your home or office!

Thanks for following along, all the best!