Terra Incognito is the name I jokingly give to the wide open spaces between towns, especially to places that I have never been able to relocate after I took my first pictures there. Mapmakers used the term (but ending with ‘a’ instead of ‘o’) for unexplored territory back when such a thing existed. Some, of course, used the line “Thar be Dragons” instead, but even though I like that description, I like Terra Incognito better.
I use “Terra Incognito” instead of the correct phrase “Terra Incognita” because of a line in “Star Trek IV – The Voyage Home.” Captain Kirk and crew traveled back in time to Earth in the 1980’s, and before they went out into public, he told them to conceal their identities by saying “This is Terra Incognito.” Terra, as in terra firma (solid ground, or earth), and incognito, as in disguised. I liked, and I now use it.
Some places loose their inclusion on the list if I get to know them better. The Eastern Columbia Gorge is one such place. Some places I may never find again. Pictures may come and go from this page. I may even inclde maps.
Farm Lane in Eastern Oregon
©2020 Gary L. Quay
We finally had a chance to get out into Terra Incognito last June. We went out to support some business owners we know in the Parkdale area, and took the opportunity to have a nice drive. We ended up in Sherman County where this lovely scene presented itself. It was one of the bluest skies I have seen.
Camera: Nikon D810
Lens: 24-85mm Nikon
Eastern Oregon Wheat, Route 206, Oregon
©2020 Gary L. Quay
We finally went out to parts unknown after almost 3 months of pandemic lockdown. Parts of Oregon are opening, and it was important to spend some money helping out some struggling businesses. So, while we were at it, I got the camera out a few times.
The wind was howling, so it was difficult to get the wheat to sit still for the camera. I should have had the shutter speed higher, but it still looks good.
Camera: Nikon D810
Lens: 24-85mm Nikon
Pioneer Homestead, Central Oregon
©2010 Gary L. Quay
Gaia and I took a road trip to central Oregon back in 2010. We were hoping to outrun the cloud cover, and get some pictures. These weren’t the fluffy kind of clouds that are good for photography. They were the all-consuming flat cloud cover that wipes out contrast. Well, the clouds won, but we kept going until we found this old homestead.
This pump tower is part of the original homestead from the 1870s, and on the left is a shed from around the same time period. The owner was gracious enough to let us get up close.
Camera: Deardorff 8×10.
Lens: 300mm Nikkor-W with red filter.
FIlm: Ilford HP5+ developed in Kodak HC110 with an N+1 expansion.
Pioneer Homestead, Central Oregon # 2
©2010 Gary L. Quay
Gaia and I took a road trip to central Oregon back in 2010. We were hoping to outrun the cloud cover, and get some pictures. These weren’t the fluffy kind of clouds that are good for photography. They were the all-consuming flat cloud cover that wipes out contrast. Well, the clouds won, but we kept going until we found this old homestead.
This pump tower is part of the original homestead from the 1870s, and on the left is a shed from around the same time period. The owner was gracious enough to let us get up close.
Camera: Deardorff 8×10.
Lens: 300mm Nikkor-W with red filter.
FIlm: Ilford HP5+ developed in Kodak HC110 with an N+1 expansion.
The View from Cabbage Hill, Pendleton, Oregon
©2018 Gary L. Quay
This is the virew from “Cabbage Hill” near Pendleton, Oregon. It’s quite the view, and is more than a single photo can capture. My hope is to do it justice.
Camera: Nikon D810
Lens: 24-120mm Nikon VR
On Cabbage Hill, Pendleton, Oregon, March 2013
©2013 Gary L. Quay
This is from my trip to Pendleton in March of 2013. The negative suffered from dust, and a few light scratches, but they weren’t hard to remove, just tedious.
Camera: Sinar Alpina 4×5.
Lens: 210mm Schneider.
Film: Efke PL 50 developed in PMK Pyro
Abandoned House Near Dufur, Oregon
©2018 Gary L. Quay
This is from about 3 years ago. 2018 was a productive year for my photography. Having access to all of those wonderfully delapidated houses was especially fun. The Substation Fire, and a few other recent fires burned down a few of these beauties, but I managed to capture them to present here.
Camera: Nikon D810
Lens: 90mm Tamron Macro
Country Lane Near Mosier, Oregon, June 2020
©2020 Gary L. Quay
A country lane in Wasco County, Oregon, near Mosier, and the Columbia Gorge as seen with an infrared camera.
Camera: Nikon D300 (infrared conversion)
Lens: Vintage 20mm Nikkor
Distant Windmills, Sherman County, Oregon
©2020 Gary L. Quay
Windmills in the distance in Sherman County, Oregon.
Camera: Nikon D810
Lens: 24-85mm Nikon D