Adventure Photography | Russ Bishop Photography

March 23, 2026March 23, 2026

Don’t Leave Home Without It

Don’t Leave Home Without It ~ When planning a photo shoot many items are obvious and not likely to be left behind such camera bodies, tripods, or a favorite bag. But there’s a reason surgeons and pilots use a checklist before every flight or operation. Even though they have performed these tasks a hundred times, the possibility of forgetting one important item is not acceptable.

Granted photography is not quite as extreme, but we can still benefit from this time-worn ritual. A checklist will alleviate much of the anxiety both when you’re packing, and when you’re far from home and realize you’re missing an important piece of gear.

Every trip is unique. Duration, location and expectations will determine whether specialized gear or extra food and clothing is required, but even the short trips close to home can benefit from good preparation.

Here’s a simple list of action items that should be included on any photo trip:

Do your homework – create a visual idea file of images to develop a sense of place for where you are traveling and images you hope to make. Google Earth can be a huge help in determining landforms and cityscapes alike, and with the Photographer’s Ephemeris you’ll know exactly when the sun will set and where the moon will rise.

Gear List – Make a list of personal gear and camera gear you feel you’ll need for your destination. For extended trips, start these lists at least a month prior to your travel to allow time to modify. Check the online forums for recommendations from those who have been to the location. Often less is more when trying to travel light.

Rentals – If you’re planning to rent a piece of gear, be sure to reserve it well in advance to allow plenty of time for availability and shipping.

Location List – Create a checklist of locations you plan to visit and subjects you’d like to photograph. You won’t make it to all of them, but having options will allow flexibility when the weather or other obstacles alter your plans.

Batteries & Memory – Make sure you have batteries, chargers and memory cards for the specific camera bodies you’ll be taking. Portable solar panels are great for extended backcountry trips, and 12 volt inverters are perfect when working from a car.

Card Reader – Memory card readers for the cards you’re taking are much quicker than downloading directly from the camera. Especially on longer trips when evening social time and sleep are often at a premium!

Software – Make sure your laptop or tablet has the software or apps you plan to use and that they are up to date.

Camera Manuals – Download the PDF instruction manuals for your camera bodies to your phone or tablet. No one likes to read manuals, but knowing what the error code is when you’re miles from home can be a real asset.

Camera Cleaning – Clean all lens elements and filters prior to leaving, and pack a sensor cleaning kit. Dust is the bane of digital photography and it will find its way onto your sensor every time you change lenses.

Repairs – Pack a small photo repair kit, including jeweler’s screwdrivers, pliers, tweezers, and super glue.

Quick Release – QR plates and L-brackets are a real time-saver in the field, but are specific for each camera body. Make sure to bring the correct ones.

Weather Report – Check the weather for the location of your destination both for comfort and alerts. Services like Weather Underground have great apps for phone and tablet with highly detailed forecasts.

Clothing – Pack clothing items such as gloves, a jacket and shoes or boots that are appropriate for the destination. The layering system including a base layer, insulating layer, and waterproof shell has been the standard for mountain travellers for years, but it will serve you well anywhere.

Nutrition and Hydration – Take a water bottle and energy bars (even if you only plan to be out for the afternoon). A water filter is a great option to save on weight if you’ll be near a water source.

First Aid – Always carry a small emergency first aid kit.

Obviously this list will vary depending on the location and duration of your trip, but it’s a good starting point for any photographic outing. There will always be surprises and setbacks, but as the saying goes, “Luck favors the prepared!”.

The confidence of knowing that you’ll be comfortable, and that your gear will be up to the task, will enable you to focus your energy on creativity and the photographic opportunities that present themselves.

February 6, 2025February 6, 2025

Cold Snap – Tips for Successful Winter Photography

Cold Snap – Tips for Successful Winter Photography. The last of autumn’s leaves have fallen and it’s time to focus on the next photographic season (and one of the most challenging!). Winter is a wonderful time to explore and create striking images, but preparation is the key to success. Here are a few tips to make your next photo outing both comfortable and rewarding.

1) Warm Clothing. This might seem obvious, but being comfortable for long hours in the elements will allow you to focus on photography and not your numb toes. Waterproof snow boots are essential along with a hat, gloves, and layers so that you can adjust your body temperature during the day as temperatures rise. Two of my sponsors REI and Patagonia have a large selection of gear to keep you warm and dry.

2) Hand Warmers. Chemical hand warmers can be purchased at most sporting good stores, heat up instantly, and last up to 8 hours. They are excellent inside gloves, for keeping spare batteries warm, and in pockets when you need to warm your hands after taking your gloves off to change batteries or memory cards.

3) Spare Batteries. Today’s lithium-ion camera batteries are a modern marvel of compact energy and perform quite well in the cold, but keeping them warm inside your jacket will extend their life even more. I always have one or two spares and avoid excessive image reviewing in the field. Turning off features such as camera sounds and lights can also greatly help to extend battery life.

4) Tripod Care. I always recommend using a tripod to maximize sharpness and winter is no exception. But when shooting in snow you need to be careful not to over extend the legs and damage the tripod. To avoid this, simply keep the legs together as you sink the tripod in the snow and they will naturally expand to form a solid base. Covering the legs with custom covers or pipe insulation also makes them easier to handle in the cold and more comfortable when carrying over the shoulder.

5) Expose for the Snow. Back in the days of film this was easy to forget and would often result in an entire roll of underexposed images. The problem is your camera’s light meter sees everything as neutral gray (including snow) and adjusts your camera settings accordingly. In scenes with large amounts of snow, this results in images being up to 2 stops underexposed. Fortunately this is easily detected and corrected with today’s digital cameras by setting the exposure compensation dial (typically 2 stops overexposed, but check that histogram). As long as the light is consistent, this works well in both auto and manual metering modes.

6) Breathe Easy. It’s not that standing in the snow is physically exhausting, but your breath can be detrimental to your photography! If it’s cold enough that water vapor will create a sheet of ice on the back of your camera, which is difficult to remove and could cost you the shot. It takes a little practice, but breathing out of the side of your mouth or holding your breath while composing works well to prevent this.

So don’t let the cold keep you from enjoying this wonderful season. It’s a special time with unlimited photographic possibilities, and with a little preparation and care you’ll be experiencing one of nature’s best displays and capturing all that beauty in comfort.

November 14, 2024November 14, 2024

Hawaii’s Valley of the Kings

Tucked away on the remote Hamakua Coast of The Big Island, Hawaii’s Valley of the Kings preserves the essence of ancient Hawaii. From its black sand beach, dramatic cliffs, and waterfalls to the scattering of taro farms that have worked this land for generations, this idyllic valley is a wonderful place to explore and photograph.

The overlook at the end of Highway 240 provides sweeping views of the valley below, but the adventurous traveler will want to experience this verdant valley up close. The excitement starts as you leave the overlook and descend the 25% grade, taxing both engines and muscles alike. This paved public road, which is only open to 4-wheel drive vehicles and foot traffic, is the steepest road of its length in the United States and possibly the world.

Waipiʻo means “curved water” in the Hawaiian language and aptly describes the lazy river that greets you at the bottom. Wild horses can often be seen wandering along its banks, and this is a good spot to bring a kayak and explore upstream. Heading towards the Pacific the road ends at the beach and a primitive picnic area, but you can cross the river when the water is low and experience your own piece of paradise a la Robinson Crusoe. The black sand beach to the west is usually deserted and the occasional washed up fishing float or Hawaiian offering amid the coconut palms provide a truly remote feeling.

It’s easy to see why this was a favorite spot of the ancient Hawaiian royalty, and you might remember it as the final scene in Kevin Costner’s sci-fi epic Waterworld. When it’s time to leave, your only regret is that first glimpse of the road back to reality.