Wilderness | Russ Bishop Photography

July 20, 2023July 20, 2023

Kids in Nature

Kids in Nature. I have mixed feelings as I write this post. The image is a favorite location in the Sierras and a fond memory of a special trip with my kids to the wilderness. But it also holds a deeper meaning, a realization that future generations may not see the value in protecting such areas especially if they have little opportunity to experience them at an early age and ultimately appreciate and preserve them.

Many children today are losing the basic understanding that nature exists even in their own backyards and neighborhoods, which further disconnects them from their knowledge and appreciation of the natural world. It’s important to realize that enjoying a city park can be just as valuable as visiting a wilderness area in terms of instilling a life-long connection with nature.

Richard Louv, in his book Last Child in the Woods, explores research linking the absence of nature in children’s lives to rising rates of obesity, attention disorders, and depression. His findings point to an overload of electronic media combined with an understandable concern for safety from parents unwilling to just let their kids roam free.

Fortunately Ken Burns popular series America’s Best Idea spurred new interest in our national parks, bringing families together in the outdoors and reversing a trend in recent years referred to as “nature deficit disorder”.

I am a member of several conservation organizations whose common goal is to preserve the natural world and to remind us of the less obvious ways that nature enhances our lives. It can improve our physical health and mental outlook, and most importantly it nurtures our souls. “In wildness is the preservation of the world” – today Thoreau’s words are as meaningful as ever and if embraced by the next generation will ring true long into the future.

November 22, 2022November 22, 2022

Light and Fast – Tips for Dynamic Adventure Photography

Light and Fast – Tips for Dynamic Adventure Photography. As with many outdoor photographers, the late Galen Rowell was a big influence in my life and early in my career I adopted his mantra of “light and fast” when photographing in the wilderness. His advice still works as well in today’s digital world as it did in the days of film, and I’m sure he would have embraced the realm of pixels and megabytes.

When shooting adventure images, either on the trail or the side of a mountain, I still use the same techniques I did 25 years ago when my camera of choice was a lightweight Nikon FM2 loaded with Velvia and matched with my favorite 24mm f2.8 lens. Although the F3 was my workhorse when shooting fine art landscapes back then (just as my D850 is today), these bodies are overkill for action shots when weight and efficiency are prime considerations in getting the shot.

Today my D7200 has replaced my FM2 with its perfect balance of weight and function (even the batteries are the same as my D850!). And my tiny Nikkor 16mm f2.8 is the ideal complement to that body, with its DX crop revealing an image almost identical to my favorite 24mm. Both of these lenses are extremely sharp even handheld, and offer amazing depth of field for those in-your-face action shots. Most importantly, this setup is so small and light I don’t even know it’s there when skiing, trekking or climbing.

It’s been said many times that vision is more important than gear when making captivating images, and this is especially true when you leave the pavement. Using the available light and following the action is paramount when the conditions are rapidly changing, and the last thing you want is for your equipment to slow you down just when the images are starting to materialize.

Another often overlooked element is physical conditioning. As a photographer you might not be making all the hard moves that you’re trying to document in your subjects, but you often need to travel lightly and move quickly over rough terrain just to keep up – all while staying one step ahead of the oxygen-depleted air at higher altitudes!

Adventure photography is a fast paced form of visual storytelling that should leave your audience feeling like they are part of the action. But as any seasoned wilderness traveler will tell you, the key to success is to stay fit, pack smart, and travel light. Remember Galen’s rule and make sure your equipment is as transparent as possible. It’ll allow you to live in the moment – and that’s where the great images are found.

October 1, 2018September 4, 2020

A Land of Extremes

Lone Pine Peak through Mobius Arch, Alabama Hills, Inyo National Forest, California

The eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains in California is an area rich in superlatives. From the lofty summit of Mount Whitney (the highest point in the contiguous United States) to the ancient Bristlecone pines (the oldest living trees on earth), the Owens Valley, nestled between the Sierra and the White Mountains, is itself the deepest chasm in North America.

So it’s no surprise that driving up Highway 395, through quaint high desert towns in the shadow of some of the continent’s most imposing peaks, is a visual feast. This is a land of extremes, not only in elevation and longevity, but climate zones and geology. And with so much variety, anyone traveling this route needs to think carefully about their itinerary as there is far too much to explore and experience in a weekend escape.

One exceptional spot that should not be missed is the Alabama Hills Recreation Area just west of Lone Pine. This is a wild landscape of graceful arches and giant boulders strewn across the desert floor. In stark contrast to the snow-capped peaks above, this area has been a favorite of advertising agencies and Hollywood studios going back to the silent movie days, and it’s easy to see why. The warm dawn light here has a special quality that seems to illuminate the rocks from within, and beautifully accentuates the transition from the desert to the alpine environments.

Over the years, the Alabama Hills have grown in popularity both as a photographer’s paradise and a traveler’s escape where camping is free and easy in a gorgeous setting. Unfortunately because the area is under BLM (Bureau of Land Management) jurisdiction and lacks the protection afforded other similarly dramatic sites, it has seen its share of vandalism. Many have advocated for its wilderness designation over the years, but in a strange twist of fate it seems its fame and accessibility are likely to prevent any further protection.

So enjoy this treasure, its beauty and the unique sense of freedom it provides, but be sure to take only pictures and leave only footprints. And if you do happen to discover a new arch, give it a name and keep it to yourself so that the next person who visits can savor the same wilderness experience.