A few years ago, I tried to do only enough research on the Painted Hills to find my way there without much trouble. One goal was to not see photographs of this landscape so I could make my own choices about what and how I'd photograph this area. I had a preconceived notion of what I'd find. After all, it's near central Oregon known for its high desert and sage brush. I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, it was desert and there was plenty of sagebrush, but the clay-stone offered up some beautifully colored hues in those hills.