Nature | Russ Bishop Photography | Nature Photo Blog

July 16, 2021July 16, 2021

Visual Opportunity Is Closer Than You Think

The Milky Way and Perseid meteors over Rose Valley, Los Padres National Forest, California USA — The Milky Way and Perseid meteors, Los Padres National Forest, California

It’s been said that you don’t need to circle the globe to find wonderful subjects to photograph. And while shooting close to home may not sound as exciting as travelling to far off exotic destinations, quite often those grand landscapes and intimate details can be found right in your own backyard.

I’m fortunate to live in Southern California where icons like Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks are within a day’s drive, yet I’ve discovered many less frequented local spots that can be just as rewarding for photography. Los Padres National Forest is one such place that includes a large portion of California’s coastal mountains from Ojai to Monterey. Nearly half of the forest is designated wilderness that ranges from semi-desert in the interior areas to redwood forests on the coast, providing a wealth of photographic potential.

So the next time you’re scouting photo locations or just searching for a quiet place to call your own don’t forget the state parks, national forests, and other public lands nearby. You won’t experience the crowds or expense that come with the bigger parks and international travel, and you might just be surprised by the quality images and visual opportunities that can be found close to home.

June 14, 2021May 7, 2022

Nature Photography Day

California Poppies and Goldfield, Antelope Valley, California

June 15th is Nature Photography Day!

Created in 2006 by NANPA, the North American Nature Photography Association, it promotes the enjoyment of nature photography and spotlights the many ways images of the natural environment have helped to advance the cause of conservation and habitat preservation both locally and internationally.

NANPA’s mission is to further the art and science of nature photography as a medium of communication, nature appreciation, and environmental protection. This year marks the 17th anniversary of Nature Photography Day, a great time to celebrate the beauty of nature and share your passion for photography with friends and family.

April 7, 2021April 7, 2021

Nature as Medicine

Trail through moss covered forest along the Columbia River, Fort Cascade National Historic Site, Washington

As the world struggles with a pandemic not seen in our lifetime it’s important to focus on the positive. Social distancing and working from home has become the new norm, but creative ways to stay healthy and a shift in the thinking of health care providers have also emerged.

Prior to the current situation an interesting phenomenon had already been taking hold in the medical profession. Just when the cost of health insurance had skyrocketed, doctors across the country began trying a new approach. Instructing their patients to “take a hike” as a prescription for good health – literally.

They’re not trying to show you the door, but instead are medicating patients with nature to treat everything from heart disease to attention deficit disorder. Detailed prescriptions are often written to include park or preserve locations, specific trails and mileage. In many ways, as Ken Burns pointed out in his excellent series “America’s Best Idea”, our national park system can and should be an integral part of our healthcare system.

As a landscape photographer, I typically spend a great deal of time on and off the trail, and I feel fortunate that my work not only helps to protect these special places, but promotes my health in the process. Photography and outdoor recreation have always been an ideal match, and now they can be considered part of your health regimen. They could even lower your medical bills – and that’s an idea worth spreading!

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” ― Rachel Carson