The Through the Lens series offers insight to some of the best destinations in the world from the perspective of some of our favorite photographers.

Words: Josie Collier

Professional commercial and landscape photographer Ryan Field has shot all over the Pacific Northwest but has always been pulled to Bend, Oregon. Now a resident, he has no plans of leaving anytime soon. Bend is the crucible for the outdoor adventurer—hiking, biking, fishing, shoeshoeing, skiing, the list is endless. But beyond the outdoors, Field let us know that Bend is also a capsule of nostalgia, good food and jaw-dropping views.

Field has shot for commercial hotels in Switzerland and high-end outdoor clothing brands, and chased perfect light through the Faroe Islands, Norway, and Greenland. Still, in his mind, the morning mountain reflections on Sparks Lake near Bend are unrivaled. What else makes home special? We asked Field for his look at Bend, Oregon, through the lens.

Best Cup of Coffee

Still Vibrato. Tucked away on the ground floor of an apartment building, this modern minimalist space has a very inviting atmosphere. The espresso there is fantastic, but my go-to order is a cardamom oat latte. They have a really unique drink menu that rotates seasonally and the local pastries they serve are outrageously good. The vegan pop tart is insane. And they allow dogs—always a huge win.

Favorite Cocktail

San Simon. Likely the most eclectic bar menu and atmosphere in Bend. It is a must for happy hour. My favorite drink on the menu is The Last Blockbuster and the sourdough bread loaf is surprisingly incredible. The decor and the fact that no matter the time of day, it is so dark and dimly lit there is what makes it unique. It’s kind of reminiscent of a speakeasy but with voodoo dolls and a signed portrait of Audrey Hepburn.

Favorite Quick Bite

Active Culture Cafe breakfast burrito or bowl (pro tip: sub the rice for potatoes). It's good, nourishing whole meals that aren't cheap, but you get what you pay for. You feel good after eating it and it's just off of the Deschutes River—one of the most beautiful places in Oregon.

Best Sunset

Sparks Lake. The unique orientation of the mountains that ring around the lake and the fact that it has this small microclimate that produces fog in one corner and then churns across the lake with the reflective surface in the mornings. It's just unparalleled. There’s the very classic and legendary view of Mount Bachelor with Soda Creek on the meadow side of the lake too.

Best Sunrise

Pilot Butte. It has a 360° panoramic view of the entire high desert and the Cascade Range. On a clear day, you can even see all the way up to Mount Hood and Mount Adams in Washington.

Favorite Spot for a Night Out

Sen. Unbelievably good fusion of regional Thai cuisine and my favorite cocktail in all of Bend: the Thai Fighter. It's kind of like a delicious Thai margarita.

Best People Watching

The Old Mill District during concert season. Depending on the type of music that's being played that night, you are going to see a very interesting mix of people at varying levels of sobriety. So it's kind of nice to sit out on the patio at one of the restaurants along the river and just kind of observe the people, their excitement, and uniqueness that makes everybody different.

Best Outdoor Activity

I’m biased but my favorite outdoor activity in Bend is hiking and photography. It is just such a pleasure to be able to access these areas that we have around us and my creative vision. I'm able to exercise that with relative ease and with a huge amount of variety. When I go outside 99% of the time, if it's not walking my dog, it's with my camera.

Favorite Place to Get Outside

Anywhere along the Cascade Lakes Highway. I believe there are 14 lakes accessible along the highway and it's just a big loop that starts in Bend taking you up to Mount Bachelor. It has some of the most spectacular Alpine lakes that you really should have to backpack into, but you get the opportunity to just drive up and park next to them.

Favorite Tourist Trap

The last Blockbuster Video location in the world. You can go and get the old school blockbuster membership cards. If you have a DVD player, you can rent the newest movies on DVD. There's a bunch of old photos and memorabilia, but it just reminds me of being a kid in Seattle. It's incredibly nostalgic, it smells just like a Blockbuster and DVD cases. Going in there on Friday night after school and renting a video game or a movie with my friends, it just harkens back to some of the best times in life.

Best Season?

In my estimation, autumn is absolutely unmatched in the high desert. With pitch perfect weather, holiday activities ramping up, and an array of changing colors for the season. You wouldn't expect the high desert to have so many different trees and shrubs and bushes that turn color for the season, but it's fantastic. It's a lot quieter here in the autumn, so it's the best opportunity to have the most personal experiences out in nature. It really reminds me of why I love living here so much.

Why Bend?

The unbelievable access to nature, pristine resources and a raft of active and likeminded individuals have always made Bend feel so comfortable and inviting. I've always had a difficult time articulating why the city is so utterly unique, and I think it boils down to the inimitable “it” factor. Some places just feel like home from the moment you arrive, and Bend without a doubt has always possessed that ambience and mystique for me.