Russ Bishop | Russ Bishop Photography | Nature Photo Blog

November 9, 2017December 15, 2020

Backcountry Bliss

Backcountry skier under Banner and Ritter Peaks, Ansel Adams Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California — Skier under Banner and Ritter Peaks, Ansel Adams Wilderness, California

Backcountry skiing in the Sierra Nevada is a perfect winter counterpart to the Desert Solitaire of Edward Abbey’s Utah. This popular and often crowded summer destination takes on another form during the shortest days of the year where deep in the wilderness that rare form of quiet is still plentiful.

Whether you want to ski your own private bowls or just enjoy the tranquility and unique photographic opportunities, it’s all there for the taking. Proper equipment and skills are obvious requirements and outdoor retailers like REI not only sell all the appropriate gear, but also offer classes in technique and safety. Enjoy the season!

August 3, 2017August 3, 2017

Soft Water

Lower Calf Creek Falls, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah

Shooting water in all its endless variety is one of the creative pleasures of nature photography. From drops of dew reflecting a crisp autumn morning to the power of cascading falls frozen in time, the camera allows many unique perspectives of our most abundant resource that are seldom seen in a passing glance.

A polarizing filter is a favorite tool for photographing water as it slows exposure and increases contrast, both of which serve to enhance the emotional response to a scene. While some may say this is altering reality, it’s good to remember that art is more about personal expression than documentation.

“Most creative photographs are departures from reality and it seems to take a higher order of craft to make this departure than to simulate reality.” ~Ansel Adams

This image of Calf Creek Falls in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument was made on an overcast day with a long exposure of 20 seconds. The cloudy sky diffused the harsh mid-day light and saturated the colors of the moss covered rock, while the slow shutter speed gave the falls a silky look.

August 7, 2014March 13, 2018

Bonsai Rock – Lake Tahoe

Bonsai Rock at sunset, Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Lake Tahoe is a land of superlatives. Straddling the border of California and Nevada at over 6,000 feet, it’s the deepest alpine lake in North America and second only to Crater Lake in overall depth. It also has the largest volume of any lake in the United States behind the Great Lakes. By day, the crystal clear waters of this mountain oasis entice with a cerulean hue that sparkles like a jewel amid the surrounding peaks. But dusk and dawn have a special quality all their own for photography or just soaking up the magic hour experience.

Bonsai Rock shown here has become an icon of the lake, and the partially submerged boulders surrounding it make this a wonderful destination at sunset. Located on the northern Nevada side not far from Sand Harbor State Park, it’s a bit tricky to find but well worth the short hike down from the road (providing you find parking along the narrow highway, and have a headlamp for the return). The wind really sets the mood here for photography as it can be strong or non-existent, but a long shutter softens the scene when the lake is restless and adds to the timeless feeling of this beautiful location.