Russ Bishop | Russ Bishop Photography | Nature Photo Blog

September 28, 2010November 6, 2015

Quinault Rain Forest

The Quinault Rain Forest in Washington’s Olympic National Park is a lush and vibrant setting with limitless possibilities for photography. Along with the Queets and Hoh, it is one of the largest temperate rain forests in the lower 48 and receives an amazing 12 to 14 feet (yes feet!) of precipitation each year. The abundance of plants and trees including Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and Bigleaf maples is a feast for the eyes and the moss-draped branches create a jungle-like feeling in this primeval forest.

The challenge of course is to keep your photo gear dry and a portable umbrella and camera rain hood like those made by Kata are invaluable for shooting when it’s wet. Fortunately, the skies are often cloudy which creates nice even lighting, eliminates the harsh shadows and really makes the colors glow. And if the scene includes water, the longer exposures often required in the forest will create a silky look that only adds to the dreamlike quality of this special place. The only problem I’ve encountered when shooting rain forests is that when you leave your eyes have a hard time adjusting to the lack of green in the rest of the world!

September 9, 2010November 6, 2015

Sierra Nevada Splendor

Autumn is one of my favorite times of year. The crisp air and shorter days stimulate the senses, and the light takes on a magical quality. Throughout the country the deciduous trees from aspen to maple are a visual reminder that summer has passed and that winter is not far off. And for the photographer, this transition is literally a golden opportunity to capture the landscape in its finest hour.

When many people think of fall color the hardwood forests of the eastern United States immediately come to mind, but the aspen groves of the western states and the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California in particular can rival even the sugar maples of Vermont. Photographing aspens is often best on overcast days when the light is soft and harsh shadows are minimized or late in the day when the sky is clear and the warm back-light makes them glow from within. This image was made along Rush Creek near June Lake just moments before the sun dropped behind the Sierra peaks.

June 16, 2010November 10, 2015

On the Freedom Trail

After running the Boston Marathon in April I hit the Freedom Trail to loosen up some sore muscles and get a good dose of American History. Here’s a still life from the old North Church where Paul Revere was given the signal at the start of the Revolutionary War that the British were coming by sea.