Hi and welcome to this edition of Workshop at the Ranch. Usually I address photographic techniques or issues that today’s photographer might find helpful, but this edition of WATR is going beyond my normal boundaries. Photographic workshops and seminars come in all shapes and sizes but when it comes to the big adventure the American PHOTO magazine’s Mentor Series may top them all. The Mentor Series, or Trek as it is also known, takes its participants to some of our nations most beautiful areas and to the worlds most exotic locations ……. in this case, Peru. It was my pleasure to work with fellow photographer/instructor and Peru Trek mentor Rosanne Pennella on this wonderful photographic journey to the Andes Mountains of Peru where our group photographed the land, the people and Machu Picchu.

Hi and welcome to this edition of Workshop at the Ranch. Usually I address photographic techniques or issues that today’s photographer might find helpful, but this edition of WATR is going beyond my normal boundaries. Photographic workshops and seminars come in all shapes and sizes but when it comes to the big adventure the American PHOTO magazine’s Mentor Series may top them all. The Mentor Series, or Trek as it is also known, takes its participants to some of our nations most beautiful areas and to the worlds most exotic locations ……. in this case, Peru. It was my pleasure to work with fellow photographer/instructor and Peru Trek mentor Rosanne Pennella on this wonderful photographic journey to the Andes Mountains of Peru where our group photographed the land, the people and Machu Picchu.

You might be thinking that this article belongs in the On The Road tutorial page of my website but this Trek was so big that I needed both articles to bring you the entire scope of this experience. My hope is that each image will act as a small workshop of its own. With this said, let’s begin our Trek of Peru and Machu Picchu ……………

Image #1      Orchid of Lima … As one of the Treks mentors my goal was to communicate photographic concepts to our 30 Trekkers through presentations, hands on learning and in the field experience. During my introduction presentation to the group I addressed many aspects of my photography and career including Lightpainting. This interested many of the Trekkers and so I conducted a Lightpainting class that would enlighten the group on the basics of this artistic and stylized lighting technique. Here is my Lightpainting of an Orchid. Nikon D200, ISO 100, 2 Seconds at f6.3, Nikon 17-55mm Lens, WB 6700K, Inova XO3 LED Flashlight, Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod, SLIK Super Ball head, Lexar 4G Flash Card. This flower arrangement was on the 2nd floor of our hotel in Lima. The ISO100, 2 Seconds at f6.3 exposure was just enough time to Lightpaint the single Orchid while having the other flowers slightly underexposed, thus illustrating that it is possible to apply some Lightpainting in an environment that is not in complete darkness.

Image #2      Working the High Country of Peru … We departed Lima the next morning and flew to the City of Cusco which rests at an elevation of 11,000 ft. We traveled by bus and made several stops to photograph the local villages and high country life style of the Peruvian people on our way to the Sacred Valley.. This image of a family bringing in their livestock from the high country of the Andes Mountains was actually shot from my window seat on the bus … a ” drive by shooting ” as I call it. Even though my primary concern is to teach photography to the participants on the Trek I feel it important to set an example of what a working journalist does and so I photograph along with the group ……. even if we are traveling at 50mph. Nikon D200, ISO320, 1/1600 at f5.6, Nikon 17-55mm Lens, WB 6700K, Lexar 4G Flash Card. I have made many strong images from bus, train and air travel over the years. The bus window acts as a polarizing filter and enriches the depth and color of the scene.

Image #3      Little Girl of Willoq … After an afternoon of country travel our next photographic destination was one of my favorites of the entire trip, the high Andean village of Willoq. Willoq is a remote community of people who’s social structure, dress and language is unchanged sense before the Inca. This mountain village is nestled between Andean peaks and was void of sunlight by the time we arrived which gave me and many of the Trekkers the chance to use our Nikon SB800 Speedlights or on camera fill flash. Nikon D200, ISO200, 1/10 at f11, Nikon 12-24mm Lens, WB 6700K, Nikon SB800 Speedlight and in camera Master, Lexar 4G Flash Card. Several of the participants were interested in using off camera strobes to improve their images with light. I usually use the SU800 Commander but chose to use the Nikon D200 in camera Master to trigger my SB800 so as to help demonstrate the fill flash technique to many of the Trekkers who used the Nikon D200, D80 and D70. I under exposed my background by 1 1/3 stops and increased my Speedlight power output by +1 1/3 stops. This is an unofficial formula, a suggestion not a rule ….but if you underexpose the background then it is helpful to increase your flash power output by the same amount.

Image #4      Inca Ancestor … The next morning we explored the small town of Chincheros. While many in our group hiked up the mountain to the Temple of the Sun those Trekkers that came with me to explore the village had a most unusual encounter. We were practicing our SB800 Speedlight technique when a woman from the village approached us and communicated to us that she wanted to show us her house. My fellow Trekkers looked to me for guidance and so I said to the women “Bien! Vamos a su casa” … loosely meaning …”Good, go to your house.” Once inside we were greeted by her friends having a meal of ……. well, ….. Ginny Pig, I think. Which seemed appropriate because there were at least 50 Ginny Pigs running around on the floor. We spent about 30 minutes photographing the interior of her house and in my case Lightpainting. I added a touch of Lightpainting to this Inca Ancestor Shrine on the wall by adding light from my Inova XO3 LED Flashlight to the wall, flowers and skull. Nikon D2X, ISO200, 1/15 at f4.5, Nikon 17-55mm Lens, WB 8000K, Inova XO3 LED Flashlight, Lexar 4G Flash Card. This was a great opportunity to experience and document Peruvian village lifestyle first hand. Like with the Orchid in Image #1 sometimes all you need is a little hint of Lightpainting to draw attention to your subject.

Image #5      Machu Picchu Sunset … Our next adventure would involve travel by train, bus and foot. We were beginning the days journey to what was the primary quest of many of our group, Machu Picchu. We arrived just past mid day at the lost city of the Inca and photographed until sunset. The weather was perfect and we all enjoyed the afternoon of exploration, discovery and photographing one of the worlds most breathtaking ancient cities. Nikon D2X, ISO200, 1/125 at f18, Nikon 12-24mm Lens, WB 7700K, Lexar 4G Flash Card.

Image #6      Lost City Fog … After a restful night in the Pueblo Hotel at the foot of the mountains we embarked the next morning well before sunrise to arrive at the ruins to capture the first moments of light on Machu Picchu. Fog had settled in during the night which made for a very moody daybreak to which our Trekkers made some wonderful images while waiting and hoping for sunshine. Nikon D2X, ISO100, 1/20 at f11, Nikon 17-55mm Lens, WB 5000K, Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod, SLIK Super Ball Head, Lexar 4G Flash Card.

Image #7      Lost City Dawn … What an experience it was to watch the fog lift and settle and swirl around this ancient city while shafts of sunlight illuminated various sections of the city and mountains. We were all treated to an exceptional morning of photographic opportunities. While many of our group wandered through the ruins I remained at our initial vantage point high above the city and clouds. I just wanted to take it all in. Nikon D2X, ISO100, 1/60 at f16, Nikon 17-55mm Lens, WB 7700K, Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod, SLIK Super Ball Head, Lexar 4G Flash Card. The fog lifted and settled dozens of times during the early morning hours but ultimately there were only a few images that seemed to capture the weather, the light and the moment of illumination the way we had all hoped.

Image #8      Road Smile … I was fascinated by the people and made use of many opportunities to capture images that would reveal their lifestyle. This young girl was riding atop her family truck as it crossed paths with our bus on a narrow mountain road. I was not even looking through the view finder but instinctively held up my camera and took a shot while making eye contact and smiling at the young girl as she passed by at about 15mph. Her response was direct eye contact and a friendly smile. Nikon D2X, ISO250, 1/1000 at f4.5, Nikon 17-55mm Lens, WB 7700K, Lexar 4G Flash Card.

Image #9      Young Weaver … Along our journey through Peru we stopped at a store that produced exquisite Alpaca clothing. I bypassed the shopping area and made my way, along with several Trekkers, downstairs to find the weavers working at their trade. The room was only lit with window light so I decided to use my Nikon SB800 Speedlight as a Remote flash off the camera and use a Luma Quest Snoot that I had pinched to a narrow opening with a paper clip to reveal this young weaver’s eyes from darkness with a very thin shaft of light. Nikon D200, ISO200, 1/125 at f6.3, Nikon 17-55mm Lens, WB 10,000K, Lexar 4G Flash Card.

Image #10      Lamas at the Door … Upon our return to the city of Cusco our group gathered at a local restaurant. We enjoyed the Peruvian sounds of the musicians, each others company and a wonderful meal. While dining I noticed some visitors at the front door of the restaurant so I picked up my camera and took this image. Nikon D200, ISO320, 1/160 at f5.6, Nikon 17-55mm Lens, WB 6700K, Lexar 4G Flash Card. I didn’t have the heart to tell our visitors that the special of the day was Grilled Alpaca.

I realize this Workshop at the Ranch does not specifically address one technique or photographic issue but I hope you all have enjoyed this workshop, the images and the information. I cannot say enough about the wonders that we encountered on our 9 day adventure south of the Equator. Many thanks to Mirjam, “the hardest working woman in workshops”, Rosanne Pennella, Odon, Michel, Mario, Joe and Curtis and those at American PHOTO magazine who made this workshop a very special trip for me. Thanks also to all the Trekkers who came along to explore, learn and photograph the culture and people of Peru. I enjoyed working with and getting to know all of you very much.

Well, it’s time for me to elevate my foot again. Until next month’s Workshop at the Ranch …………Adios. Dave