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Workshop at the Ranch – April 2004 – Scene Setters

0404-iconHello, and welcome to the April edition of Workshop at the Ranch. So often in sports photography we concentrate so hard on documenting the action and one athlete that we forget all about the venue. The”scene setter”as it is commonly called is often used for an opener or 2 page spread. It gives the viewer a sense of place to lead them into the article. Here are some scene setters over the years…..

Hello, and welcome to the April edition of Workshop at the Ranch. So often in sports photography we concentrate so hard on documenting the action and one athlete that we forget all about the venue. The”scene setter”as it is commonly called is often used for an opener or 2 page spread. It gives the viewer a sense of place to lead them into the article. Here are some scene setters over the years…..

Sydney, Olympics,………..need I say more? I have done my job if the viewer can in instantly understand and identify the place and event. Nikon D1,WB Daylight, 17mm-35mm lens, Bogen Graphite Tripod, While Opening Ceremonies were wrapping up at the Olympic Stadium I was in downtown Sydney when the Opera House and Olympic Rings lit up.

Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky. The Spires of Churchill Downs are a landmark icon of horse racing. Remote Nikon D1X mounted on a SLIK Pro Ball Head and SLIK Ground Plate. Nikon 14mm lens, Triggered wirelessly with PocketWizzard MultiMAX Transceivers.

Platform Diving, Barcelona, Spain. The Olympic Games offer some of the most unique venues in all of sports. The 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain featured the diving well high atop a mountain overlooking the city. Nikon F3, Kodak Ektachrome film.

NFL Football and Invesco Field at Mile High. The new home for the Denver Broncos. NikonD1X, Nikon 14mm lens. I waited until the sky, stadium lights, and field exposure all matched and was fortunate that the play was at the end of the field that looked into the cool Colorado evening sky.
Velodrome cycling, Seoul, Korea. 1988 was the first and last time I shot Olympic Velodrome Cycling that featured an outdoor wood track. Sunset in the Korean sky and the Olympic favorites in Team Pursuit, Australia, in high gear. Nikon F3, Kodak Ektachrome film, Nikon 16mm lens.

Madison Square Garden and the 2004 American Cup International Gymnastics competition. The ceiling of the Garden is unique and identifiable. Here the athlete is captured in mid air with the”Close Encounters”ceiling to show a sense of place. Nikon D2H, WB 5000K, ISO1600, 500/sec,f4, Nikon12mm-24mm lens.

These are not complicated images but serve a purpose in the overall coverage of an event. They add a sense of place and draw the viewer into the article. Look for the opportunity to capture the”scene setter”at the events you cover. Thanks for coming to the Workshop at the Ranch. Adios, Dave