Russ Bishop | Russ Bishop Photography | Nature Photo Blog

December 1, 2021December 1, 2021

A Sense of Place

Compelling landscape images stand on their own and connect the viewer with a sense of place or time. They can be displayed alone or in a series to tell a story, but they all have one thing in common. They make a statement about a location that defines its uniqueness.

The use of color or form in a composition can provoke an emotional response. Leading lines draw the viewer into the frame, creating tension that guides your audience towards the important elements you’re presenting. Shutter speed can illustrate the passing of time to create mood. These are all-powerful creative tools that when applied thoughtfully can result in strong imagery.

Another technique is the silhouette, which uses a graphic approach to convey an idea. Any object or scene that is backlit and appears dark against a lighter background will work, but the key is to find a subject with highly defined edges. A diffused yet colorful background like a sunrise or sunset often works best as it compliments the scene and reinforces the message.

Try adding this technique to your visual toolkit to create powerful images that stand on their own and strengthen your visual storytelling.

November 11, 2021November 11, 2021

A Different Ground Zero

TGIF. It’s easy to say after a long work week in which maybe things didn’t all go as planned, but we need to put things into perspective. Seventy-six years ago on this now quiet beach along the coast of Normandy, France a different ground zero occurred. And decisions were made that have provided us with the freedoms we continue to enjoy today.

This monument on Omaha Beach, Les Braves created by French sculptor Anilore Banon, is a tribute to the soldiers who made such great sacrifices during the Allied Invasion on D-Day to preserve our way of life. Today I’m grateful to those who have given so much to allow me the opportunity to live and work as I choose.

On Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day the National Park Service waives all entrance fees to the parks in honor of these sacrifices, but today is perhaps the best time to reflect on all that we have. So enjoy the day and exercise your freedom, through photography, sport or good company – and take a moment to remember those who helped make it all possible.

May 24, 2021May 24, 2021

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone in Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park is one of the great wonders of the world. Though not as famous, as large, or as old as Arizona’s grand fissure, what it lacks in size and scope, it makes up for in color and curiosity.

As with much of this hyperactive park, the canyon below the Lower Yellowstone Falls was once the site of a geyser basin. During the last ice age large ice dams formed near the mouth of Yellowstone Lake. Then, when they melted, a huge volume of water was released downstream causing massive flash floods and catastrophic erosion that carved through the soft rhyolite lava flows and created the present-day canyon.

It’s unique colors are also a result of hydrothermal alteration and exposure to the elements. Most of the yellow coloring is the result of iron present in the rock rather than sulfur as most people assume. The exposed rocks are oxidizing and essentially the canyon is slowly rusting.

The Yellowstone River begins on the slopes of Younts Peak, south of the park, and travels more than 600 miles to North Dakota where it empties into the Missouri River. It is the longest undammed river in the continental United States, and it’s evolution continues to shape this beautiful canyon.