[skye:] New Yorkers “are what they wear.” Chicagoans “are what they eat.” Here in Seattle, “we are our summer weekend,” and we are sharing the experience, one passion at a time.

If you’re only just tuning in, where have you been? We’ve been using a five-question format to play with a one-dimensional idea. Seattle Metblogs’ own Cat Nilan blazed a trail to take you hiking and camping. PNW Flying group’s ace pilot David Herman made room for you in his two-seater Cessna for his tenth trip around the horn. Now Eastside Photography group’s organizer John Wilbanks immortalizes that moment-by-moment beauty that is our state.

Sammish Bay at the south end of Chuckanut Dr, with Orcas Island in the background.

John G. Wilbanks is a photographer based out of the Seattle area. When not photographing high end real estate for local clients you can find him pursuing his true passion: photographing nature. His travels have taken him all over the Western U.S. and Canada along with a number of trips to Europe. His next goal? Getting up into Canada’s Yukon Territory to photograph the Mackenzie Mountains.

1) What’s your summertime weekend activity?

I’m usually trying to find new places to go. I have a tendency to travel out of state a lot but realize Washington has so much to offer if I would just spend some time locally. The drive up Chuckanut Drive toward Bellingham is beautiful with plenty of opportunity to pull off and get a quick shot of the bay and Islands; sunset is without a doubt my favorite time to go. Of course, being not much different than most Seattleites, the convenience of the Alpine Lakes has a strong pull…half an hour and you’re at the trailhead ready for a day hike or a quick trail run.

Deception Pass at the North end of Whidbey Island.

2) What’s your favorite thing to photograph?

Give me a piece of water and I’m all over it! Nothing attracts me more, photographically. Water gives movement to light and finding different ways to capture that movement has always fascinated me. Again, the Alpine lakes area is great for those opportunities. There is so much to offer in the lakes…you can go for an easy day hike or go backpacking and leave the crowds behind after hitting the 5-mile mark. Once the trails are snow-free, the area opens up to just about anything you may want to experience.

3) What sort of gear do you take with you?

I used to take my full complement of photography equipment, but it started getting to be just too much to carry on long trips. Now I carry a light weight tripod, one camera body, two lenses (17-35mm and 28-135mm), a set of Graduated Neutral Density filters, and enough film to shoot 5 rolls a day. Yep, I said film. Digital is attractive, but it just isn’t where I want it yet (in an affordable package). Once 15 megapixels gets below $4,000 I’ll go 100 percent digital; I’m guessing that’s only about 2 or 3 years off.

I try to keep my equipment down to less than 10lbs. The less weight I carry the farther I can go and the longer I want to be out. There’s nothing worse than trying to be creative when you’re dog tired from carrying too much stuff.

4) How long have you been doing photography?

I shot as a hobbyist for years before making the jump to pro. I can remember carrying a camera on every weekend hike when in high school. It was about 15 years ago when I decided to give photography a try as a career, and that was only a start/stop situation…there was always the need to take a job so I could pay the rent. It wasn’t until 1997 that I went 100 percent photographer then another two years of meager income before I started to feel comfortable. But, if you want to take a step even farther back, I can remember as a young child watching the way light reflected off the bathroom faucets and moving around to line that reflection up with other background objects in the mirror. Kinda scary huh?

Paradise Ice Caves, Paradise, Mt. Rainier.

5) Does this activity have any unique features in Seattle/PNW?

I’m not sure if I would call it a feature as much as a challenge, but I would have to say rain. Not many of us like to spend a lot of time working out in all that wetness, but sometimes it can produce beautiful photos. Whether it’s a flower with droplets on the petals or thunderstorms coming in over the water, our weather can offer wonderful photo opportunities. Do I take advantage of all those opportunities? Nope. There are times I would rather stay in doors and experience it from the dry, warm comfort of home. But I do own Gortex(R) boots, pants and a jacket.

[skye:]Beginner or pro, if you’re as passionate about photography as John is, you’ll be in good company at the Eastside Photography monthly meetings.