Russ Bishop | Russ Bishop Photography | Nature Photo Blog

May 4, 2012November 6, 2015

A Measure of Wealth

Back in my days at CBS Entertainment there was a saying in the studios that summed up the sentiment about some of the products being produced at the time – “It’s art if it sells!”. This was a tongue in cheek response to the fact that a lot of the shows were commercial fluff designed to sell advertising to the masses (no surprise there), but the underlying fact was that they did sell. And as a result, the desire to strive for quality lost its appeal and was supplanted by a false sense of accomplishment.

Fast forward to my current life as landscape photographer – I now wear all the hats from production to distribution, which is empowering, but does have its challenges. The Internet and the transition to digital has streamlined much of the day-to-day business and leveled the playing field though, and the ultimate reward is being at the forefront of the creative process. The art still must sell, but the satisfaction of creating something that preserves the beauty of the world and hopefully in turn helps inspire others to enjoy and protect it is priceless.

February 6, 2012November 6, 2015

Notre Dame – The Lady of Paris

Notre Dame de Paris (French for “Our Lady of Paris”) is widely considered one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in France and all of Europe. The classic lines of this magnificent cathedral rise gracefully above the Seine River and are as recognizable as the Eiffel Tower, and in terms of visitation it is even more popular than Paris’ other icon.

Situated on the eastern half of the Île de la Cité in the fourth arrondissement of Paris it is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese, and its treasury houses a reliquary with the purported Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus Christ before his crucifixion. And as the geographical center of Paris, a marker by the main entrance represents “point zero” from which all distances in France are measured.

January 31, 2012March 9, 2018

Organ Pipe Cactus

Tucked away on the southern border of Arizona and Mexico, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is one of the least visited units of the National Park system. Yet this relatively small park has a wealth of subject matter for great photography.

It’s named for the stately succulents that are prominent south of the border, but can only found in this remote section of the United States. While not as iconic (or photographed) as the more prevalent saguaro, the organ pipe cactus has a graceful profile that photographs well against the expansive southwest skies and its rocky habitat.

Spring is an excellent time to visit with vibrant wildflower displays including poppy and brittlebush, and the occasional lightning storm that can provide a dramatic evening of entertainment and image making.