Women | Russ Bishop Photography

Climbers on the summit of Tenaya Peak, Yosemite National Park, California

Watching the LA Marathon today (on a cold, soggy morning in Southern California) got me thinking about the correlation between endurance sports and photography and the rewards involved when going the distance. Coming back from a remote shoot with successful imagery involves many factors that all need to come together and often requires the same discipline used in running a marathon. Call it hang time or as I prefer “marathon mentality”, it’s a willingness to stay just a little longer, travel just a little further, or even endure some discomfort – then expect the unexpected.

After racing many marathons over the past 15 years I began to see a connection between the investment and return for both my photography and racing. Both require the obvious advanced preparation and planning, photo equipment needs to function properly in extremes of temperature and often with rough handling just as the body must be conditioned to endure the effects of running 26 miles. But once at a location or a race the mental process of being “in the moment”, in a heightened sense of awareness for extended periods, is often just as important and can be the difference between success and failure.

I’m always amazed at the multitude of reasons why people run marathons, but the one thing they all have in common is a desire to push themselves further than they have ever gone before. In the same vein, your photography can be taken to the next level simply by tuning your senses to absorb all that is around you and a willingness to exercise your own marathon mentality.

Jack Johnson’s well-known line sums it up nicely when it comes to many things and especially outdoor photography. It’s wonderful to visit and photograph beautiful locations, to have a permanent (or so we hope) record of our experience long after the trip is over, but an added plus is always being able to savor those moments with someone else.

A recent exchange online got me thinking about all the benefits of sharing your photographic adventures with a friend or partner. Beyond the obvious pleasure of simply enjoying a tropical sunset together or wandering down a forest trail and savoring the smell of wet pines after a storm, there’s another big perk – perspective. Having someone in your landscape images can often add a unique visual element that gives the viewer a sense of place, and with action shots the benefit of being able to give direction (although utmost care is needed here) can make for much more compelling imagery.

In this image, my wife Maureen and I are just starting off on a 16 mile journey down the Na Pali coast of Kauai. Shooting this close to the water is always risky business, but I managed to keep my equipment dry with the careful use of a dry bag while my partner helped line up the perfect shots. So the next time you’re heading out to shoot bring a friend, and don’t forget to let them get in on the action.

Tag: Women

Marathon Mentality

Better Together