Seattle has so many great places to take photographs, so creating a list that everyone can agree on is almost impossible. Being a lifelong Seattleite, I have been shooting around the city since I was 15 and with the running of a photography tour company, I am always on the lookout for all things photographic.

Some of these locations are outside the city limits, but if you have a rental car, they are worth the effort to get to the locations listed below.

10. Pu Pu Point in Issaquah

This is one of the locations that many Seattle natives may not even know about. Located about 10 minutes east of Issaquah, Pu Pu Point is the jumping off location for paragliders. With it’s breathtaking view of Lake Sammamish and surrounding areas, makes for a great backdrop with the colorful paragliders as your subject matter. This is one of those locations you’ll have to work for, however. It’s is about a 45 minute hike up to the point from the parking lot and has a pretty good elevation gain, so bring water to keep yourself hydrated. Once you arrive, you will want to spend some time sitting and watching the almost delicate ballet of the paragliders as they float on the updrafts. It is not unusual to see 20 or more floating above the point on a beautiful day.

Location to shoot from:

First and foremost, you want to stay out of the way of the para gliders. This is a dangerous sport and the less distractions, the better for those that are trying to get airborne. You can get a great shot, standing directly behind the launching point. This gives you a terrific background, especially in the mid morning hours. I also like to stand on either side of the launch pad and use both a wide angle and telephoto lens to capture the action. You’ll need a telephoto lens once they are airborne to get some good closeups.

How to get there:

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Approximate address is 11206 Issaquah Hobart Rd Issaquah, WA 98027. Head East out of downtown Seattle on I-90. Take exit no. 17, Front Street Exit, take a right off the exit. Continue south on Front Street for exactly three miles. (Front Street turns into the Issaquah Hobart road.) You will see on open field on your left with cars parked in the lot and along the shoulder of the road if it’s a busy day. You will start your hike on the opposite side of the field, (Landing zone for paragliders so be careful).

Miscellaneous Notes:

Seattle Paragliding offers both lessons and tandem jumps if you are feeling adventurous.

9. Snoqualmie Falls

Snoqualmie Falls is one of the most popular attractions in Washington State next to Mt. Ranier and Seattle’s Pike Place market.  About 45 minutes from Seattle, this is the farthest location from Seattle on our list. Rising 268′ from the bottom of the basin, the falls can be captured from the observation deck with a perfect view as the above image by KM Photography illustrates. This was not listed further up the list as it is quite a drive from Seattle, but is worth the effort to get there.

Location to shoot from:

The observation deck, about 100 yards from the parking lot is the most popular place to shoot. Setting up a tripod can be a bit of a problem when there are weekend crowds, so go later in the day or on a weekday. As you look at the falls, you are looking East, so the sun will be behind the falls in the morning and illuminating the falls in afternoon and evening. You can also take a trail to the bottom of the falls. There is a wooden boardwalk that will give you a good vantage point from below. At the bottom of the trail is also the 1910 powerhouse, closed off behind fences, and the river itself. Visitors can leave the boardwalk and  walk on the river rocks to get a better view from the bottom. Be advised that this area floods during heavy rains.

How to get there:

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Directions from downtown Seattle:

• Take I-90 Eastbound from Seattle and continue about 25 miles until you get to the Hwy 18 west exit (Exit 25).
• Turn left at the bottom of the exit onto H/SE Snoqualmie Parkway
• Turn left on Railroad Avenue SE/WA202 and continue to follow 202 for 3/4 mile.

Miscellaneous Notes:

The town of Snoqualmie also has a train museum with static displays of old trains and cars to photograph.

8. Columbia Tower in Downtown Seattle

Though the Space Needle is the icon for Seattle, I think the Columbia Tower has a much better view on the observation deck,  73 stories up. It does have a few drawbacks, first it is not open on the weekends and secondly, it does not have a full 360 degree view like the Space Needle. But getting past those two minor annoyances you will be happy you paid the $6.00 entry fee vs. the needles $16.00 fee. (If you have the cash, do both however).

Your view will be almost 30 miles out in each direction and on a sunny day, you will be happy you made this stop. The observation deck is enclosed and has ample room to walk around, since it is one of the hidden gems of the city and has less people. The view to the north of the Space Needle, makes it look much smaller from this vantage point, as well as a terrific view of Puget Sound.

Location to shoot from:

You are pretty limited to this single floor, but there is more than enough to keep you interested. I suggest putting your lens against the glass to shoot, to beat the reflections. Mid to late afternoon is better after the haze has burned off the city.

How to get there:

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This is easy walking access in the downtown core, located at 701 5th Avenue. You’ll want to take the 2 elevators to the 73rd floor. Ask the security guard at the front desk for proper elevator banks.

Miscellaneous Notes:

Standing at a height of 937 feet (285 m), the Columbia Tower is the second tallest building on the West Coast. Columbia Center plays host to the largest firefighter competition in the world. About 1,300 firefighters from around the world yearly make the trek up 69 floors and 1,311 steps wearing their full firefighter gear. This event benefits the local chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma society.

7. Beacon Hill

For another great view of the city, that takes in the Seahawks and Mariners stadiums as well as the skyline, the view from Beacon Hill is outstanding. This is an especially good vantage point to take photos at dusk using a time exposure. The traffic from I-90 merges onto northbound I-5 and can make for a good shot of time exposed car lights.

Location to shoot from:

Dr. Jose Rizal Park the earlier the day, the better, as the sun will be at your back for the sunrise and early morning light to wash the buildings with light. Also as stated earlier, shooting at night can allow for some great time exposures.

How to get there:

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The address is 1008 12th Ave S
Seattle, WA 98138

Directions:

FROM I-5 Northbound:

• Take the DEARBORN ST./JAMES ST./I-90 EAST/MADISON ST. exit towards SPOKANE, exit (#164A)
• Take the DEARBORN ST. ramp
• Turn LEFT onto S DEARBORN ST/ WA-167
• Turn RIGHT onto 8TH AVE S
• Turn RIGHT onto S KING ST.
• Turn RIGHT onto 12TH AVE
• Turn RIGHT onto S CHARLES ST.
• S CHARLES ST becomes 12TH AVE S.

From I-5 Southbound:

• Take the exit- exit number 165A- toward JAMES ST..
• Stay straight to go onto 6TH AVE.
• Turn LEFT onto YESLER WAY.
• Turn RIGHT onto BOREN AVE S.
• Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto 12TH AVE S.
• Turn RIGHT onto S CHARLES ST.
• S CHARLES ST becomes 12TH AVE S.

Miscellaneous Notes:

Here is a great link on Flickr.com for what others photographers have done from the park.

6. Gasworks Park

Gasworks park is one of those great locations that can keep you busy for hours while shooting. It’s a nice place to shoot your loved ones or an aspiring model with it’s multiple vantage points of the city as well as the park itself.

This 20 acre point on Lake Union was cleared in 1906 to construct a plant to manufacture gas from coal – later converted to crude oil. Import of natural gas in the 1950’s made the plant obsolete. The city acquired the site for a park in 1962. The park was opened to the public in 1975. The boiler house has been converted to a picnic shelter with tables, fire grills and an open area. The former exhauster-compressor building, now a children’s play barn, features a maze of brightly painted machinery which is great for shooting friends and family.

Location to shoot from:

This is one of those locations that you’ll want to explore. My favorite vantage point is from a boat (Ride the Duck) as well as the children’s play barn, which is not just for children. Being that i’s a 20 acre park, you’ll  lots of places to shoot. There is also a great view of Seattle, from the North end of Lake Union.

How to get there:

View Google Map
By Bus – Use the Metro Trip Planner

By Car

From I-5:

• Take 45th St. Exit.
• Go West on NE 45th St.
• Turn LEFT on Meridian Ave. N.
• Merdian Ave. N ends at Gas Works Park.
• Turn RIGHT on N Northlake Way to turn into parking lot (on LEFT).

Miscellaneous Notes:

Parking can be tough on a busy day, so it is better to take the bus or a cab to the park. Here is a great set of panorama’s of the various vantage points.

5. Seattle Central Library in Downtown

A library sounds like one of the last places you would want to go to take photos, but not so with the Seattle Central Library. Designed by Rem Koolhaas, the library was voted #108 on the American Institute of Architects’ list of Americans’ 150 favorite structures in the US.

The library has an open air feel to it on the main floor and at each turn there is something new to photograph. Walking into the main floor, you almost feel as if you are on the deck of a mother ship in some futuristic movie or in the middle of a big glass iceberg.

Locations to shoot from:

I always ask permission to shoot from the librarian, before I begin. This is more a formality and I have never been told no, but they appreciate those of us that ask. Tripods and lighting kits are not allowed unless you want to pay about $400 per hour, because they consider it a professional shoot.

Starting at the main floor, the bright fluorescent yellow escalator is a good place to start. Continue on up to the fourth floor and you’ll see a lipstick red corridor that looks like it could be the heart of the library. I have spent a good half hour in this area creating all kinds of sci fi looking images. Experiment with putting your camera on the floor and shooting wide angle shots. It’s also a great place to create some images to use as textures in Photoshop.

Work your way up the spiral walkway to level 10, which opens up into a 12,000 sq. ft. reading room bathed in light. Here you will have a good view of Elliott Bay and more than enough to shoot with the 40′ ceilings and modern furniture.

How to get there:

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Located at 1000 4th avenue at the corner of 4th and Madison, it is within walking distance of most hotels in downtown Seattle.

Miscellaneous Notes:

You can find out more information by going to the Seattle Central Library website for hours of operations and special events.

4. Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square is what Seattle may have looked like 80-100 years ago. Many of the old buildings are still there and it is rich in textures and architecture. I would allow at least 1-2 hours to explore the area that includes art museums, restaurants, and Occidental Park.

Locations to shoot from:

I like to wander through Occidental Park. A few of the highlights include the Fallen Firefighters Statue dedicated to four firefighters who died in a 1995 warehouse fire in Chinatown. Totem Poles and other areas like the Bocci Ball court can be of interest as well.

When you walk through the cobblestone area of Occidental Park, by the art galleries, be on the lookout for Glasshouse Studio where glass artisans create their art. You can take photos as the artist blow glass and create some amazing pieces. Be careful in the gallery when wearing a camera backpack. You don’t want to have your backpack catch a shelf and knock off an expensive piece.

I also like to shoot the Merchants Cafe, a bar that has been in Seattle since 1890. This is where prospectors loaded with gold from Alaska would come to celebrate their new found wealth. Stand across the street to get your best shot. You can also shoot from the entrance of the garage, where it slopes down to give you a more interesting angle.

Next, check out the New Orleans Restaurant, especially the bar area if you are over 21. The bar has a ton of character and if you are able to shoot with permission, you will be rewarded with some great images. Their food is exceptional and cheap as well. I especially like the shrimp jambalaya with red beans and rice. Cheap at only $6.50.

Probably the most photographic area is 1st Avenue and on the corner of 1st and Yesler is the Pergola. This was an ornate shelter designed for those waiting for the cable cars to arrive. A few years ago this was damaged by a truck and was rebuilt to the original plans. It is usually a spot where homeless people hang out, but this can add some character to your photos. At this location, you can also see the totem pole that was stolen from the Tlinget tribe in Alaska by members of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce in 1899.

From this point on, one can just wander throughout the area and you will have many places to fill up your viewfinder.

How to get there:

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The central point is at 1st and Yesler and from here you have about a 4-5 block area to explore. This is an easy 15 minute walk from downtown. Just head towards the water and once you get to 1st Avenue, head south and you’ll run right into the area.

Miscellaneous Notes:

I like to stand on the crosswalk at Second and King street to get a great shot of the Smith Tower.

3. Seattle Center

The Seattle Center is a location you can spend a great amount of time in. With the EMP, Space Needle and various fountains and architecture, you’ll have great fun exploring the center grounds.

Locations to shoot from:

First you’ll probably want to take a ride up to the top of the Space Needle. You can get a good shot of Puget Sound and the surrounding skyline. This will also allow you to get your bearings so you can plan your walk through the center.

Once you get that out of the way, start shooting around the Space Needle. Keep the sun at your back to get your best shot and then start looking for different angles and framing opportunities. The photo above, I was shooting from the North side of the EMP, waiting for the monorail to leave. This way you can combine a number of elements of Seattle. The Monorail, EMP and Space Needle all in one shot.There is also another spot, on the east side of the EMP where the monorail comes out. This creates a great futuristic shot of the monorail.

At the EMP, I also like to shoot the building itself, especially in the later afternoon when the sun is shining on it. This creates some nice textures and iridescent look to the building.

To the North of the EMP one can also shoot the Space Needle and EMP with a few nice elements like the circular driveway and large tree.

Next you’ll want to go to the International Fountain. This can be a great place to shoot in hot weather, when the sun is creating rainbows in the spray and children of all ages are running through it. Also, stand at the Northwest end of the fountain and frame your image so the Space Needle is in the background.

From here on out, just explore the area. The carnival rides and arcades are a fun place to get some good detail images.

How to get there:

View Google Map

I would suggest taking the Monorail from Westlake Center, directly into the center. You can also take the bus from downtown or walk about 15 minutes through the neighborhoods like Belltown. Just use the Space Needle as your compass and you’ll have no problem finding it.

Miscellaneous Notes:

Throughout the year there are many events taking place in the Seattle Center. Check the festivals calendar for more information.

2. Kerry Park

Kerry Park is probably the most picturesque location in all of Seattle.  Having a combination of the Space Needle, skyline and Mt. Rainer as its backdrop, you are sure to come away with a fantastic photo.

Locations to shoot from:

There really is only one location to shoot from here. The park is only a couple of acres, but I find the best vantage point to be to the far right as you are looking South. Sunsets are the most dramatic and I would suggest you get there an hour before the sun sets to get a good spot. This is a photographers haven and it is not unusual to see 20-30 tripods lined up as everyone stakes their claimed spot.

And speaking of tripods, yes you should use one here. I go as as far as using a tripod as well as a cable release. If you don’t have a cable release, then set your timer to go off after a few seconds. You will notice a huge difference in sharpness, vs. pressing the shutter with your finger. With the photo above, I can see the people on the space needle and they are very sharp when enlarged to maximum size. Shooting like this is always a good idea for any landscape photos you are doing.

If you are lucky enough to get a day that is sunny, right after it rained, the air will be crystal clear for an even better photo.

The sculpture at Kerry Park also offers some creativity for framing the Space Needle.

How to get there:

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Located two blocks from the top of Queen Anne Hill, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues W, on the hill’s south slope. Take Queen Anne Avenue N to Highland Drive, and turn west. Park is on the north side of the street. On Metro bus routes 1, 2, 8, and 13.

Miscellaneous Notes:

While the Seattle skyline view made famous by the Frazier television show doesn’t really exist, the view from this park comes pretty close.

1. Pike Place Market

10 million people cannot be wrong, Pike Place Market is the most popular place to visit and I think the most interesting to photograph. Thus, it is number 1 on the list as it has more to see than any other place we have on the list. From the market vendors to the buskers, it is a photographers dream.

Locations to shoot from:

I could probably go on for hours about where to shoot, but will give you some of the highlights.

First, the vendors are used to having cameras around and shooting within the market are is probably your first option. The Pike Place Fish Market  is what everyone comes to see as they throw the fish and entertain the audience. There are two spots I like to shoot here. The green pole to the left of the stand (see photo above) is a good vantage point to get the fish stand, employees and gawkers in the frame. If you stand there long enough, you can see them throw a salmon or two as well. Also on the far right hand side of the stand towards the back, you have a good view of the fish laid out. The only challenge is metering with the light in the background, so you’ll want to overexpose a half to 3/4 stop or pop a flash to illuminate the foreground.

Next are the fruit stands, Sosio’s is my favorite to shoot. The lighting is perfect as everything is well lit. If the crowds aren’t too bad, you can stand in front and get a good wide angle shot. Shooting from the right side, will also get the sign in the background. Make sure you get some of the workers in the shots as well, like the image above. Also, don’t forget to get some closeups and maybe work with patterns and colors to create some interesting shots. Don’t be in a hurry if you have the time. There are no redo’s once you head back home and start editing.

Next it’s on to the flower vendors. I find the lighting to be pretty tough, as they usually have incandescent lights that gives off a yellow cast. You might want to change your camera white balance to correct this. There are so many flower stands, so just talk a walk through the market and see what captures your eye. Don’t be shy about shooting the ladies working the stands. They see 10 million people a year, so cameras are not going to bother them. You can do some nice closeups of the arrangements and if you get there early, you’ll have less crowds to contend with.

Once you get outside the market, you’ll see the musicians and performers called “Buskers”. They are there to entertain and do not mind having their photos taken. For most, this is their only income, so be kind with tips while taking photos. On our tours, we make it a point to tip as we bring a group of people to shoot. Don’t be afraid to get close, either with your telephoto lens or stepping closer. You want to frame in closer to capture the personality of the performers. Even look for details like the hands of the musicians or details of clothing or instruments.

Next you’ll want to take a stroll through the different levels of the market and see the unique stores. My favorite is the Magic Shop and though I have not shot inside, others have and it is fun just to see all those things you remember being sold from the back of a comic book.  Ask the owners for permission before shooting.

Next, you’ll want to get a couple of iconic photos of the market signs. The combination of the Seattle’s Best Coffee cup and Public Market sign is good place to start. Just look for the Public Market sign and walk half way up the hill to Seattle’s Best Coffee. During the day, watch for the ferry in the background, to add another element to your shot.

The final photo you don’t want to miss, is the market clock and sign. Keep in mind this is a trademarked sign, so it cannot be used for commercial purposes without paying a licensing fee. There are a ton of different angles you can shoot this at. I have found the best vantage point, to be across the street on First Avenue next to Starbucks. Early mornings are even better as there are no cars in the way.

I only touched on a few of the many possibilities of shooting in the market. There are the alleys, Victor Steinbrueck Park, the neon signs in the market, etc.  Just take the time to explore or take our walking tour that covers the market.

How to get there:

View Google Map
The Market is located at 1st and Pike, within five minutes from most downtown hotels.

Miscellaneous Notes:

When visiting Seattle, this is one place you do not want to miss. The great views and market activity in this 100 year old market is a favorite of even the locals, including this lifelong Washingtonian.

Conclusion:

I know I missed a large part of the city like the West Seattle, Ballard Locks, the Arboretum, University of Washington Campus and other notables. So if you have other favorites, please share them here and maybe we can create a second list of favorites for those visiting the city.

At Shutter Tours we are excited to have you visit our city and if you would like to take a private tour as oppossed to our walking tour, please contact myself at terry@shuttertours.com to arrange a tour for the areas outside the city.