Photography and travel go together like peanut butter and jelly. Whether you’re a photo buff who’s deep into your f-stops and apertures or your Insta feed is a colorful journal of your adventures, an experience wouldn’t be the same without a way to preserve and share your memories.
Digital cameras and smartphones now put photography in your hands wherever you go. But if you’re a fan of the slow road, the art of the human hand, or the old classics, you might love photography methods that predate digital innovation.
Analog photo buffs and the film curious out there aren’t going to want to miss Portland’s St Johns neighborhood. This historic downtown has evolved from serving a gritty workforce to a hub for locally owned businesses and creatives. And, it’s become a must-visit stop for analog photography.
As you enter St. Johns’ core along North Lombard Street, you’ll spot Blue Moon Camera. This old-school camera shop has been a destination for all things film since it opened in 2001. Here is where you’ll find an antique view camera, the SLR you learned to shoot on, or the point-and-shoot that ruled the family vacation until digital came along.
You’ll also find everything you need for film photography – film, darkroom equipment and supplies, and camera accessories. They have film in sizes from Instamatic 120 to large-format 14 x 17-inch sheets. You can get your film developed like the old days, and while you’re at it, have it scanned for digital editing and storage. Blue Moon Camera is one of the most respected film labs and camera shops in the country, and it’s a destination for the analog scene in Portland and beyond.
Just a few blocks up the street is the perfect complement for film enthusiasts – a community darkroom. Franklin Foto brings film shooters together by offering space to develop and print analog photos. Class offerings explore a diverse set of hand-made photography techniques, from introductory darkroom skills to polaroid transfer, laser transfer, and cyanotype. The Camera Basics course will show you how to use the settings on your camera so you get a perfect shot (almost) every time.
On the day I visited Franklin Foto, they were showing the work of photojournalist Ken Hawkins, who spent four decades photographing candid moments in the life of former president Jimmy Carter. Each month features a new photographer on the walls of the studio, showing the depth and range of artists working in analog processes.
Photo by Wickimedia Commons
While you’re in St. Johns, take a stroll with your camera. There are some great photo spots, both iconic and waiting to be discovered. The St. Johns Bridge is one of the most photographed landmarks in Portland. Its striking gothic arches frame a view of Forest Park as it is suspended over the Willamette River. This is a great spot for landscape, architectural, and fine art photography.
Beneath the bridge is the equally loved Cathedral Park. This lush riverside setting offers unique views of the bridge and the city, and it’s a great spot for a picnic, a game of frisbee, or a stroll on walking paths. This is a favorite spot for portrait and bridal shots. Nearby Pier Park is an 85-acre urban forest with towering evergreens. There are shaded trails where you can take in the sights and sounds of nature and it’s home to birds and other wildlife, making it a great spot for nature photography.
St. Johns’ mix of historic buildings, colorful murals, rail lines, and industrial textures is a haven for street and documentary photographers. You’re sure to discover a new viewpoint or a creative composition as you wander the quiet, shaded streets.
Photo by Tienda Santa Cruz
You might need to refuel while you’re exploring St. Johns. I love a good taco, and they don’t get any better than the street-style offerings at Tienda Santa Cruz. Tucked in the back of a traditional Mexican grocery, you’ll order your Tacos, Burritos, Huaraches, or Tamales at a single small counter where you can get an icy Coke in a glass bottle, Aloe juice, or Horchata to go with your meal.
While you’re in Portland, check out some of the other great shops for photographers. Pro Photo Supply is a full-service camera shop with a huge selection of digital and analog gear, studio equipment, and lab services. Advance Camera is known for its quality camera repairs as well as an inventory of photo equipment for sale. Camera Solutions is a friendly, low-key shop focused on camera repairs, used cameras, and film. They are known for their knowledgeable staff and hard-to-find vintage equipment. Shutterbug is a long-running Oregon chain that offers cameras, lenses, printing, and film.
Explore the work of some of the best contemporary photographers from around the world at Blue Sky Gallery in Northwest Portland, where you’ll see fine art photography and thought-provoking exhibits. In addition to two gallery spaces for revolving exhibits, be sure to check out the Pacific Northwest Drawers. Artists from the region are selected to show ten prints for the course of a year. This is an inspirational way to discover the rich photographic work being made in the Northwest.
