Spring | Russ Bishop Photography

February 28, 2023February 28, 2023

Go With The Flow

Previsualization is an often used term in landscape photography – the process of researching a location, determining perspective through lens selection and framing, and forming a solid image in your mind’s eye before ever arriving at a scene or tripping the shutter. Ansel Adams referred to it often as “the ability to anticipate a finished image before making the exposure”, and it was a favorite expression of other luminaries such as Minor White and Edward Weston.

There is a lot to be said for this approach and it’s certainly the route I take whenever possible. If all goes according to plan, you do your homework, arrive at the predetermined location, setup the shot, then wait for the ideal light and the image falls into place. This technique works quite well much of the time (assuming you’ve done that homework), but there are those moments when mother nature simply won’t cooperate. The golden light has been replaced with drab overcast, the wind is determined to keep every leaf or flower in motion, or the road has been closed by an avalanche and you can’t even get to the desired location. Fear not, it’s happened to everyone.

This is the time to give in and go with the flow. There are still great images to be made, but now you need to throw out those mental notes and let that right brain have a little fun. When the flowers and leaves are blowing make abstracts. If the light is anything but exciting, avoid the sky and look for the soft even lighting illuminating the ground cover. And even if that avalanche has closed the road, this is the perfect time to take a detour and explore someplace you’ve never seen before.

So the next time that great image you’ve envisioned isn’t working out as planned, try an alternate approach and go with the flow. You might find your masterpiece was there all along just waiting to be discovered.

June 14, 2021May 7, 2022

Nature Photography Day

California Poppies and Goldfield, Antelope Valley, California

June 15th is Nature Photography Day!

Created in 2006 by NANPA, the North American Nature Photography Association, it promotes the enjoyment of nature photography and spotlights the many ways images of the natural environment have helped to advance the cause of conservation and habitat preservation both locally and internationally.

NANPA’s mission is to further the art and science of nature photography as a medium of communication, nature appreciation, and environmental protection. This year marks the 17th anniversary of Nature Photography Day, a great time to celebrate the beauty of nature and share your passion for photography with friends and family.

April 10, 2020April 12, 2022

Visual Opportunity – It’s in the Details

New spring growth on an evergreen branch, Olympic National Park, Washington

Grand landscapes are the cornerstone of most outdoor photography, but when we focus on the singular image it’s easy to overlook a key element in visual storytelling and a golden opportunity. The details.

When the light is dramatic we are often transfixed and it’s only natural to want to capture the whole of nature’s beauty before us – whether it’s a fiery sunset that fills the sky or a hillside covered in golden autumn hues. The mantra is often “go wide” as we reach for our ultra-wide lens to take it all in. But it’s important to remember that the big picture is just one element in conveying the emotion that we felt at the scene, and sometimes less is more.

The details, which often lay at our feet and are so easily overlooked, not only create a continuity in telling the story of a particular location, but can result in images that stand quite well on their own. Once you’ve captured that big beautiful landscape take another look around before leaving the scene – this is the perfect time to focus on the little things.

“Sometimes you can tell a large story with a tiny subject.” ~Eliot Porter