Sunset | Russ Bishop Photography | Nature Photo Blog

July 26, 2021July 26, 2021

Kona Hawaii City of Refuge

Sunset over Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park (City of Refuge), Kona Coast, Hawaii — Sunset over Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park, Kona Coast, Hawaii

Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park (known as the The City of Refuge) is one of my favorite destinations on the Big Island of Hawaii. This tranquil park is tucked away on the Kona coast not far from Kealakekua Bay – the spot where Captain James Cook first visited the Islands in 1778 and soon after met his fate.

In ancient Hawaii this sacred location was both a favorite residence of the high chiefs, and a safe haven for defeated warriors and those who had broken the kapu (ancient laws). Several thatched buildings including a heiau (or temple) and interpretive displays provide a glimpse of what life was like here centuries ago.

Today this quiet palm lined beach and lagoon are perfect for snorkeling or photography, and contemplating the rich island history this park preserves. It is also a sanctuary for the endangered green sea turtles that feed in the shallow cove and frequent the sandy beach to lay their eggs and rest.

Whether you come for the view or to experience a bit of natural history and island culture, this magical spot is well worth a side trip when exploring the Big Island of Hawaii.

October 9, 2018June 7, 2022

My Backyard

As a landscape photographer I spend a fair amount of time on the road each year often traveling hundreds or thousands of miles to remote locations. So it struck a chord when it was recently suggested within the online community of photographers to showcase images of those special places that are close to home – essentially in our backyard.

I’m fortunate to have a national park adjacent to my community and, although it’s 11 miles offshore in the Pacific Ocean and I don’t make it out there as often as I’d like, I do get to see it most every day. Channel Islands National Park is made up of five of the eight Channel Islands with Santa Cruz seen here being the largest. The islands are rich in Native American culture and wildlife, and are a diver’s paradise. But even from afar they make a wonderful setting for a classic Southern California sunset.

When planning your next photographic adventure don’t overlook the local gems that are within easy reach and may provide just as much visual opportunity as those popular locations miles from home.

July 21, 2017July 22, 2017

The Value of Filters

Evening light on Watchman Peak above the Virgin River, Zion Canyon, Zion National Park, Utah — Evening light on Watchman Peak above the Virgin River, Zion National Park, Utah

Back in the days when I shot film filters were an indispensable part of my technique that enabled me to control the light, balance dynamic range, and give a little extra snap to every image. Well guess what? Fast forward to the digital age and the same still holds true.

It’s easy to get caught in the trap of saying “I’ll just fix it in post”, but the truth is filters are every bit as important in the digital age as they were in the days of film. Photography after all is about shaping and controlling light, and whether your image is preserved in celluloid or pixels there is still no substitute for capturing the best possible image up front.

Two filters that I consider essential are the graduated neutral density (GND) and the polarizer. The GND is available in several densities with both hard and soft transitions allowing you to ideally balance the contrast in the scene. This magical filter works best for landscapes where the foreground is in shadow and the background has direct light. Through the viewfinder washed out clouds suddenly become more defined and foreground subjects emerge from the shadows and retain their natural color. Positioning the filter takes a little practice so that the transition seamlessly blends into the horizon and is not obvious in the final image.

The polarizing filter blocks scattered light rays to remove reflections from water and foliage, and definitely spends more time on the front of my lens than any other. By turning the filter you can control the amount of polarized light reaching the lens, which has the added benefit of saturating colors, darkening skies and increasing overall contrast. In addition, the polarizer works like a neutral density filter to slow exposure times allowing for a silky effect when shooting flowing water.

There are many other excellent filters available, but these two are a great starting point for creating more dynamic images and saving considerable time at the computer.