ProFolio: Nature Photographer Richard Wong

My name is Richard Wong and I’m a Los Angeles-based travel and nature photographer. I started to develop an online presence for my photography and submitting travel photos to stock agencies in 2005 because I needed the money. I had just completed grad school and needed a job (along with student loan payments about to kick in) so the only way I could afford to take photos was to start making money at photography. Every year since then, except for one, my revenue has increased by nearly double year over year. My photos have been used by the likes of Whole Foods Market, Tri-Counties Bank, Aquarium of the Pacific, the Vancouver Winter Olympics, AAA, Outdoor Photographer, Cramer-Krasselt, Fodors, and various publishers, businesses and non-profit organizations. Other photographic services I have provided include digital workflow consulting, modeling photo retouching and a photography presentation for the Sierra Club. My website can be found at: www.rwongphoto.com.Here are ten images that I will share some insights on.

(C) Richard Wong

RW1880 – Aspen Trees in Snowstorm near Maroon Bells, White River National Forest, Colorado

My plan was to arrive at Maroon Lake before dawn but the snow storm was so heavy that it was near whiteout conditions on the road up there from Aspen. Rather than take unnecessary chances with safety, I pulled off along the road at this aspen grove about halfway up to Maroon Lake and was treated to these wonderful conditions.

(C) Richard Wong

RW1825 – Sunset Through Fall Foliage on Gray’s Arch Trail at the Red River Gorge Geological Area, Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky

While on the hike back to the parking lot, this grandfather who was trailing behind me kept telling stories to his grandkids about how he knew Daniel Boone back in the day and helped him to “acquire” land from native americans. As much as I wanted to call him out on this story, I instead walked ahead and encountered this amazing scene of fall foliage just as the sun as setting through the forest. So I guess I have Daniel Boone to thank for this photo.

(C) Richard Wong

RW6906 – Winner Creek Gorge, Chugach National Forest, Alaska

= Given that this was my first day in Alaska and that I haven’t spent a lot of time in bear country, I was quite paranoid about bears as I was hiking to Winner Creek Gorge. As soon as I saw the Gorge however, I quickly forgot about bears and focused on trying to get as close to the edge as I could without falling. This is not really a place you want to fall as it would likely end in death but this is about as beautiful of a place as you could pick if you were to have an accident. Winner Creek Gorge is breathtaking.

(C)Richard Wong

RW6945 – Moon Jellyfish, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska

I photographed this large school of moon jellies at the tail end of a rough nine-hour boat tour based out of Seward, Alaska. This was only the 2nd time I have photographed in the open ocean and my advice would be to pick a day in the middle of a stretch of good weather. I learned the hard way since this was the only day I had to spare before flying out to Lake Clark National Park to photograph Alaskan brown bears.

(C)Richard Wong

RW5680 – Ocean Water Funneling into Tide Pool, Laguna Beach, California

It probably wasn’t the smartest idea be standing in this tidal area because what attracted me to it was the large waves splashing. On two occasions, the waves actually flew over my head and I have the photos to prove it. After this, I decided that safety was more important so I stepped out of harm’s way and started zooming closer into the scenes with my lens rather than standing right in front of the wave breaks with a wide angle lens.

(C)Richard Wong

RW5387 – Cholla Cactus Garden, Joshua Tree National Park, California

I had originally photographed the Cholla Cactus Garden during my first year of serious photography in 2002. I knew this place had a lot of potential and had wanted to revisit for a number of years despite the number of cactus needles lodged in my boots. It took me six years but I finally made the return trip in 2008. A similar photo from this session was purchased as a 40 x 60 inch fine art print by an interior design client working a hospital project. I initially had reservations about printing that large but agreed to try it out after consulting with several people. I’m glad I did because the print turned out great and exceeded my expectations. I was 100% sold on digital after this.

(C) Richard Wong

RW3699 – Red Autumn Leaves Against Brick Wall, Empire Mine State Historic Park, Grass Valley, California

Having grown up in California, I’ve had a lifelong fascination with the Gold Rush era. Empire Mine State Historic Park was one of my favorite photo shoots as a result. I believe it’s important to photograph what you feel most passionate about because that is what feeds the photographic soul. Like most of us, I photograph certain things for sales but I also make sure to spend time shooting photos purely for enjoyment as well. The goal is to not let on which is which.

(C)Richard Wong

RW4774 – Trinidad State Beach, California

Trinidad State Beach is arguably the prettiest beach along the North Coast. The light wasn’t spectacular so I looked for tidal action to provide energy for the photo. A Singh-Ray graduated-neutral density filter was used to retain detail in the sky while exposing for the tide pool. My preference is to photograph scenes properly straight out of camera then work to optimize the image on the computer rather than relying on HDR composites to create images. There is no doubt that HDR has been done well by some photographers but to me, the magic in photography is capturing the decisive moment in a single frame. The pursuit of the decisive moment is what keeps me going.

(C)Richard Wong

RW6855 – Trees Sticking Through Coastal Marine Layer, Mount Tamalpais State Park, California

The most surreal landscape I have ever encountered is not the Grand Canyon, Arches National Park or Yellowstone National Park; it is Mount Tamalpais State Park on a foggy day. The San Francisco marine layer oftentimes is below Bolinas Ridge so you can witness the fog rolling over the landscape. This is my favorite California State Park.

(C)Richard Wong

RW5004 – Wild Coastal Seascape at Leo Carrillo State Beach, Malibu, California

My idea of the ultimate landscape photo would be one that brings the power of the scene to the viewer. I don’t think I have come close to achieving this yet so that is what drives me to keep pursuing adverse weather conditions such as this windy evening at Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu, California.

You can view more of Richards work at : www.rwongphoto.com

If you have a portfolio you would be interested in presenting, please emails us a link (only) to your site. pronaturephotographer@gmail.com

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