Jānis Miglavs

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You will recognize this photograph when you look carefully at the Oregon Wine Country license plate.

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One of the many joys of photographing vineyards are magical sunrise moments with rows of vines at your feet and Mt Hood in the distance. This fleeting moment is above Newberg, Oregon.

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This view from the top of Elk Cove’s Five Mountain Vineyard is one of my favorite Oregon sights, especially in the Fall with fog whispering around the Willamette valley watched by Mt. Hood.

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This vineyard overlooking an intimate view of northern Willamette Valley is one of my favorites. David Hill Vineyard.

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When I’m in the vineyard, I realize how fickle weather can be to the grape grower. I created this image to celebrate Mother Nature’s powerful relationship to the vineyard. David Hill vineyard, northern Willamette Valley.

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Stick your head right into the vines when they flower to nose an amazingly delicate fragrance. Pinot noir in Brandborg vineyard, southern Oregon.

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I hand-color and used multiple layers of photographic texture to create this image.

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While on an assignment to photograph four seasons in the vineyard, Mother Nature kindly delivered winter snow while some of the vines still clung to bright Fall-colored leaves. Dundee Hills.

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All becomes hush quiet when snow blankets the vineyard. Bella Vida and Maresh vineyards above Dundee.

Winter spring pageA

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Each sunrise morning is so different. This day started as a clear sunrise. Then, while I wasn’t looking, wisps of fog silently sneaked in. Knutsen vineyard seen from Bella Vida.

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While driving just south of the little berg of Dundee, I saw this corrugated metal barn standing alone at attention like a stout soldier. At 7:00 am, with hesitation, I knocked on the door of who I assumed was the barn’s owner, asked permission to enter his fallow field. After a look, Yes. I knew I would be able to see in the distance Stoller’s vineyard and original farmhouse. Then magic happened when sunlight painted streaks on the vineyard. Success.

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As I stand on the roof of my car with my camera on tripod, I wonder how every morning can be so different here in Oregon Wine Country.

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Standing on the roof of my car to get above Elk Cove’s Five Mountain vineyard, I waited for the sun to rise. It was absolutely quiet.

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For my MFA, I learned the old master’s technique of layering thin coats of oil paint to create a depth. Similarily, I layer multiple photographs to create images with more texture and emotion.

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While working on my first winery book, I dangerously exceeded the speed limit racing a powerful storm to photograph this Pinot vineyard in a small valley surrounded by forested mountains. Brandborg Winery’s winemaker told me about their special Ferris Wheel vineyard. The weather gods were with me, cracking their fast-moving clouds just enough to allow a shaft of light to highlight the vines. Luck, a magical part of photography for me.

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Photographing vineyards in Oregon is usually a two-fer affair. First, I can find amazing images. And, second, I get my exercise hiking up the hills. That’s why I love Oregon vineyards. Oh, yes, there is the wine.

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Shortly after sunrise the valley fog rolled in.

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Winter spring stripsA

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Sometimes I enjoy just getting down among the grapes.

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One of my favorite vineyards nested in a small valley surrounded by forested mountains. Brandborg Winery’s Ferris Wheel Vineyard. Umpqua AVA.

Hand coloring landscape illusion2

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