Quiet Country - Oregon's Contemplative Beauty

Quiet Country - Oregon's Contemplative Beauty

Ultramarine Photo catches its breath with Quiet Country, a contemplative exploration of the natural beauty of Oregon's well-worn environments: the flora, fauna and thoughtful moments that make this such a wonderful place to live and visit.

It's a creation of the incredibly-talented street photographer Sai Stone, a Portland native whose photographic wanderings have taken him from suburban avenues to flower farms, Chinese gardens to rocky beaches.

In this collection you can see the love he has for his home, his fascination with the way people move through the world, and his reverence for their privacy. 

It's a reminder that even when we're alone with our thoughts, we're always in community.

Two young children in farm overalls stand by metal fences, interacting with cows in a pasture, including a black calf, depicting a sweet moment of connection in a rural farm setting.

Pasture Pals

"This was at the pumpkin patch on Sauvie Island. You see regular folks out there, you take a tour of this beautiful land and you might buy a pumpkin or two, but for the most part you dress like you would on an average weekend. But these two kids looked like they belonged there. For me it was a perfect opportunity. It's one of my favorites."

 

Close-up view of the rugged tire and rear lights of a farm tractor in a rural setting, emphasizing the heavy-duty machinery used in agriculture under a bright, clear sky.

Tread Lightly

"One of the reasons I got so close up is that I wanted to show the folks who work that land things that they don't see the beauty of anymore, or take for granted."

 

A rustic, dimly lit interior, likely a historic kitchen or pantry, with an old window letting in diffused light. Various metal pots, pans, and bowls hang or sit on surfaces, emphasizing a sense of vintage utility and quiet domesticity.

Tin Echoes

"This is at Fort Vancouver. I got lost one time and I passed this land that was just so beautiful. It was a British trading post back in the day. They have period actors all around. This was the kitchen in a small shed that somebody lived in. It was very dark in there."

 

Weathered farmhouse with peeling paint and overgrown landscaping, suggesting an abandoned or disused homestead in a quiet rural setting. Bare trees with some autumn foliage surround the property under a bright, hazy sky.

Homestead

"I don't know if the building is still in-use. I was able to capture a moment in time previous to when I actually got the shot. It just seems undisturbed throughout all the decades and iterations of that building. It's so authentically 'farm life.'"

 

Vibrant field of colorful tulips in full bloom, including red, yellow, and white varieties, stretching towards a rustic wooden barn with a green roof under a clear, bright sky at a tulip farm in Oregon.

Petals from the Porch

"I imagined, if I had an opportunity to live in that home and just chilling out on that porch, having a beverage and looking out on all that beauty."

 

Serene river or creek flowing through a vibrant autumn landscape, with trees displaying rich orange, red, and yellow fall foliage reflected in the calm water. Clouds with pink hues fill the sky above, creating a picturesque natural scene.

Kellogg Creek

"This was actually on a urban trip, in Milwaukie, right near a MAX stop. I took a walk over this bridge, took a look to my left and say WOAH. It caught my attention. Look how beautiful this is."

 

Close-up, low-angle view of three dried thistle plants or teasels standing tall in a golden, sunlit field, with a soft, hazy background. The image emphasizes the textures and resilience of the dried plants.

Stand Tall

"This is at Powell Butte, one of me and my dog's favorite places to hike in East Portland. It's such a large, beautiful place that lots of people don't even know about. You get a great view of Mt. Hood."

 

Historic wooden cabin with a split-rail fence in a grassy field, nestled against a dark treeline, depicting a tranquil rural scene. The cabin's weathered wood and traditional design evoke a sense of pioneer history.

This Land of Ours

"This is also at Fort Vancouver. Those are apple trees surrounding the building. It feels like if you get too close someone is gonna kick open the door with a shotgun."

 

A lone Canada goose stands alert on a vibrant green lawn with scattered fallen leaves, in a natural outdoor setting, likely a park or quiet country area, bathed in sunlight.

Solitude

"The last geese I photographed were fighting, and this one was not in the water with the rest, it was in this big open field by itself. It was very aware of my presence. It was confident enough in itself that it didn't see me as a threat at the time."

 

Close-up, top-down view of a colorful Koi fish swimming beneath the rippling surface of dark water, surrounded by concentric circles from raindrops and fallen autumn leaves.

Beneath The Surface

"We all avoid the rain but you got this underwater fish that doesn't give a damn that it's raining. There were several fish but the color on this one popped the most for me."

 

A person in a dark hooded jacket stands on a traditional wooden railing, looking out over a tranquil pond in a Chinese garden, surrounded by lush foliage and distant orange lanterns, creating a contemplative and peaceful atmosphere.

Yin and Yang

"When you take the picture for what it is, you don't know what that person is going through, whether it's deep depression or peace."

 

Group of children with Easter baskets standing on a green lawn with a pink ribbon, seemingly preparing for an Easter egg hunt, with houses and trees visible in the background under an overcast sky.

Easter Bliss

"This is the calm before the storm. These kids are about to go get those eggs, starting to get a little stir crazy."

 

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Check out the complete collection of 32 photos, now available for licensing.

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