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 16, 2026February 23, 2026

Happy Birthday Ansel Adams

Happy birthday Ansel Adams! The master of landscape photography, who was born February 20, 1902, had a profound affect on my creative direction and continues to be an inspiration to generations of outdoor photographers.

Adams pioneered the idea of previsualization, the concept of seeing the final image in the mind’s eye before the photo is created. He also co-founded Group f/64 with other photographic masters Edward Weston and Imogen Cunningham, and he developed the Zone System, a technique for translating perceived light into specific densities to allow better control over finished photographs. Though he lived well before the time of megapixels and monitors I think he would have embraced the creative possibilities of the digital age.

As a strong advocate for the environment, his iconic black and white images of the American West influenced powerful decision makers in Washington and helped preserve places like Yosemite and Kings Canyon National Parks and California’s iconic Big Sur coast. Ansel was also largely responsible for photography being accepted into the world of fine art, culminating in major exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, in 1980. And shortly after his death in 1984, the Minarets Wilderness in his beloved Sierra Nevada Mountains was re-named the Ansel Adams Wilderness in his honor.

Thank you Ansel – your legacy lives on!

“Photography is more than a medium for factual communication of ideas. It is a creative art.” ~ Ansel Adams

February 1, 2026February 23, 2026

The Power of Negative Space

The Power of Negative Space. Successful landscape photography is often comprised of several elements coming together in harmonious balance within the frame. This can be quite complex or deceptively simple. Spatial relationships and color are the building blocks used to balance most compositions, and careful lens selection is essential in distilling an image down to its essence.

But sometimes less is more and an effective use of negative space can be a great tool to elicit an equally powerful response. This basic, but often overlooked principle of design, gives the eye a place to rest and increases the appeal of a composition through subtle means. The Japanese word ma is a perfect example. Roughly translated to “the space between two structural parts”, it is best described as a consciousness of place – the simultaneous awareness of form and non-form deriving from an intensification of vision.

The image above was made as a late winter storm was moving out of the Teton Range. By using a medium telephoto and focusing on the predominant white space I was able to isolate the spires and ridges to give the illusion that the mountains were floating in the clouds.

With the right conditions, adding negative space to your visual toolkit can be a simple yet powerful way to create strong images that resonate with your viewers.