National Parks | Russ Bishop Photography | Nature Photo Blog

March 20, 2011November 6, 2015

Marathon Mentality

Climbers on the summit of Tenaya Peak, Yosemite National Park, California

Watching the LA Marathon today (on a cold, soggy morning in Southern California) got me thinking about the correlation between endurance sports and photography and the rewards involved when going the distance. Coming back from a remote shoot with successful imagery involves many factors that all need to come together and often requires the same discipline used in running a marathon. Call it hang time or as I prefer “marathon mentality”, it’s a willingness to stay just a little longer, travel just a little further, or even endure some discomfort – then expect the unexpected.

After racing many marathons over the past 15 years I began to see a connection between the investment and return for both my photography and racing. Both require the obvious advanced preparation and planning, photo equipment needs to function properly in extremes of temperature and often with rough handling just as the body must be conditioned to endure the effects of running 26 miles. But once at a location or a race the mental process of being “in the moment”, in a heightened sense of awareness for extended periods, is often just as important and can be the difference between success and failure.

I’m always amazed at the multitude of reasons why people run marathons, but the one thing they all have in common is a desire to push themselves further than they have ever gone before. In the same vein, your photography can be taken to the next level simply by tuning your senses to absorb all that is around you and a willingness to exercise your own marathon mentality.

January 14, 2011March 30, 2018

Horsetail Fall

Every February something special happens in Yosemite Valley if the conditions are right. At some point during the month the setting sun aligns perfectly with the canyon walls to the west for several evenings creating a longer than usual glow on the granite walls. And if the winter snowpack is substantial and the temperature warms enough to start the spring runoff, a wonderful cascade forms on the southeast side of El Capitan aptly named Horsetail Fall.

Of course all of this along with the rest of Yosemite’s splendor would be enough to satisfy anyone visiting the valley this time of year. But in addition (as if mother nature is trying to outdo herself) for only a few minutes each evening the alignment of the sun also illuminates the falls from behind creating a brief firefall that is truly amazing. When I made this image, the sky had been rather drab all day and as the magic time approached it looked as if nothing would happen. Then suddenly the clouds parted to the west, the falls began to glow and I had only moments to make a couple of exposures before the light was gone.

October 25, 2010November 6, 2015

Lake O’Hara

Tucked away in British Columbia’s Yoho National Park, Lake O’Hara is one of the crown jewels of the Canadian Rockies. But this alpine wonder is easily overlooked with the majestic scenery just to the east in adjacent Banff and Jasper National Parks. Just seven miles west of Lake Louise on the Trans-Canada highway, Lake O’hara’s pristine setting is preserved in part because it’s located at the end of a seven mile dirt road accessible only by reserved shuttle or foot. Limited accommodations are available at the lakeside lodge, the nearby campground, or one of several huts run by the Canadian Alpine Club, but reservations are required and fill up quickly in the summer months.

In the fall, the turquoise water of this glacially fed lake is a beautiful contrast to the golden larch trees that dot the surrounding cliffs. Like many of the lakes in the Canadian Rockies a high level of glacial silt (also known as rock flour) gives the water its incredible blue hue. Wildlife is abundant in the area and mountain goats can frequently be seen on rocky slopes and ridge lines above the lake along with hoary marmots and pikas. Nearby Lakes Oesa, Opabin, and McArthur are equally breathtaking if you have more than a day in the area and are accessed by an excellent network of trails. For the photographer, the stunning alpine scenery of the Lake O’hara basin is a world-class setting on par with any of the more famous sister parks of the Canadian Rockies.