Mountains | Russ Bishop Photography | Nature Photo Blog

May 26, 2010November 6, 2015

Carson Peak Sunrise

It’s almost June and the Sierra Nevada is expecting another winter storm this week – amazing! Here’s a recent image of early morning light on Carson Peak above June Lake. This quiet eastern California hamlet could easily pass for the French Alps with views like this.

March 10, 2010November 5, 2015

Light Painting

Light painting is a photographic technique where artificial light is combined with ambient light (typically at dusk or after dark) to enhance the features of a foreground subject and add a sense of mystery. It is often used on Indian ruins, unique rock formations, or trees to enhance the dramatic qualities already present in the scene.

This image of an ancient Bristlecone Pine in the Patriarch Grove in California’s White Mountains was made at dusk when the stars were just starting to shine and the sky still held some color. A Maglite flashlight with a directional snout and an amber gel was used to paint the tree during the 2 minute exposure, and a wide-angle 17mm lens allowed me to fill the frame with the large tree and still include plenty of sky.

These images are fun to create because, as Forrest Gump would say, “you never really know what you’re gonna get”. Fortunately with the advent of digital the wait is considerably shorter than the old days of film and any mistakes can be corrected before leaving the scene.

October 30, 2009November 6, 2015

Tioga Pass Ski Trip

This image was taken on a backcountry ski trip over Tioga Pass in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. For adventure photography one of my favorite lenses is the Nikkor 16mm. Its small size and easy handling make it a perfect choice for fast action and its wide field of view really lets the viewer connect with the scene. An added plus is the beautiful sun star that is achieved when the lens is stopped down to its smallest aperture.