In 1988, motivated by Oregon’s landmark river legislation, Larry Olson began making photographs for a book to celebrate our rivers. Oregon Rivers, which joins his photographs of Oregon’s wild and scenic river system with essays by John Daniel, was published in 1997. Making these photographs provided Larry the opportunity for a long-term immersion in intimate landscapes.
“I made repeated visits to all of the fifty-six designated wild and scenic rivers in Oregon, hiking along (and often in) the rivers, roaming up and down the canyons and drainages surrounding them, and seeking to capture on film the contours and facets of landscape that make up a river system. I also kayaked and canoed many of the rivers in order to visit remote sections.
“This book is dedicated to the individuals and organizations who care about Oregon rivers and work to protect them.” – Larry N. Olson & John Daniel
Oregon Rivers captures the beauty of Oregon’s designated wild and scenic rivers. Landscape photographer Larry N. Olson and noted environmental journalist John Daniel have created a work of visual artistry and literary insight.
Noted environmentalist David Brower had this to say about Larry & John’s book…
“I see from this book that Oregonians have been doing a good job of protecting wild rivers. You’re rich with rivers. Some of them I know, and these photographs have shown me many others – many portraits of water’s wildness and a fine variety of landscape sculpture, Northwest-style.
“You don’t need it but will you take some advice from a Californian who has been around for a while? Cherish these rivers. Witness for them. Enjoy there unimprovable purpose as you sense it, and let those rivers that you never visit comfort you with the assurance that they are there, doing wonderfully what they have always done.
“Keep your rivers flowing as they will, and you will continue to know the most important of all freedoms – the boundless scope of the human mind to contemplate wonders, and to begin to understand their meaning.”
David Brower, Former Sierra Club Director
“Oregon Rivers is a stunning tribute to the beauty and splendor of our state’s incomparable rivers. From humble Joseph Creek in the Northeast corner of Oregon to the mighty Rogue River in the Southwest, these treasures are irreplaceable. For everyone who fishes, swims, floats, paddles, or daydreams in or around our rivers, this book offers inspiration to care for and preserve them for all of our citizens and for the generations to come.”
Additional thanks go out to John Laursen of Press-22, for his friendship, enthusiasm, advise and bookmaking skills which have been invaluable to me. He saw my photographs at the beginning and guided me through the end. I have admired his work for many years and I am proud to have had him design the book.
Reviews of Oregon Rivers book from Amazon
Larry Olson is my favorite landscape photographer. He understands his subjects and patiently waits for the right moment to catch them in their best light. This is a lovely “coffee table” book highlighting rivers of the western U.S.
The stunning photos provide reason enough to purchase, enjoy and share this book. The surprise for me was the fascinating chapter essays. We are relatively new to Oregon and enjoying exploring our new state. This book has added numerous places to our must visit list.
A beautiful book. Olson finds an artistic, abstract beauty in nature that most of us never see. The text is also superb: it is informative but also provides a poetic narrative for the photography. A great find!
Oregon Rivers is one of my favorite books ever, and not just because I have fished some of the rivers so lovingly photographed and described herein. Olson’s excellent eye for subtleties and fascinating accounts of the hard work necessary to capture the perfect moment, had me wishing for more. The essays by John Daniel add depth to the understanding of the importance of water to this extremely diverse region. Thus this is not just a beautiful coffee table book, but begs to be repeatedly referred to for its insights into how the state’s wealth of resources is treated in this age of environmental conflict. This makes the book an educational tool for all of us, no matter where we live, to appreciate our limited water resources with their inherent beauty. But first and foremost, the book is a gorgeous work, to be loved for its display of a superior artist’s love for his subject.