Workshop at the Ranch – November 2007 – New Nikon D3
Hi and welcome to this edition of Workshop at the Ranch. Nikon’s D3 digital SLR camera is the talk of the town and I was thrilled to be one of the photographers hired to make images for Nikon’s D3 brochure, catalog and public relations pieces.
Let me say that I believe the Nikon D3 digital SLR camera will encourage photographers to think in new and creative ways. There are so many advancements in this camera that photographers of all subject matter, whether it be photojournalism, sports, weddings, landscapes, portraits, etc. will all benefit from the revolutionary technology that the D3 offers. Continue reading article
Hi and welcome to this edition of Workshop at the Ranch. During the course of each year I give a number of presentations, lectures and teachings at workshops across the country. I usually give a digital picture show at these events that include a variety of my work ranging from career images and highlights to instructional lecture demonstrations. I’m always looking to inform and entertain and so I’m always looking for a new way to display my work on the big screen. These images are Black and White conversions. I’m just old enough to have slipped past the era of B&W football photography but marvel at the monochromatic images of grid iron history printed in Black and White. 
Hi and welcome to this edition of Workshop at the Ranch. The “box” of sports imagery is small when you think about it. I know, I know, there are tons of sports pictures all over the place, but it’s the variety of pictures that is lacking. There are so many techniques and industry innovations available to the sports photographer yet we seldom try something new. Yes, but my editor will fire me if I don’t come back with a solid shot. Yes, this is a concern. So should the sports photographer drift along shooting status quo or break out of the sports picture box and if you decide to break out how is that accomplished without loosing your job. Let me say that stepping out of the box will require some experimenting and failure before using a new technique or new equipment on the job. Each of the examples this article offers was first dealt with “off the job” before implemented at a game for a client. I have spent many hours at games that I was not assigned to. Little League games , Youth activities, High School and Intramural sports events are wonderful venues to learn something new before taking it to work. Always be prepared to execute a new technique well prior to Sundays big game. 
Hi and welcome to this edition of Workshop at the Ranch. The strength of a sports photographer is in their ability to freeze the action and capture an athlete making the key moment during competition. This tends to come easy for those who cover sporting events on a regular basis. But on many occasions the sports photographer is called upon to do an athletes portrait and although it might not be our strongest photographic talent I want to encourage those who call the courts, fields and stadiums of America their office to be ready when the phone rings and you are asked to do a portrait. More often than not making a good solid portrait will lead to bigger assignments inside the organization and team. When a photographer turns down the job of taking a portrait the PR person will go to someone else ………. and usually never return to you. I’ll admit it, portraits are not my strong point but I like to do them and improve each time I go out the door to do one. Practice and be ready to do this basic job of photography. 
Hi and welcome to this edition of Workshop at the Ranch. Teaching has become a very important part of my business and my life. I have been involved with the teaching process for well over 25 years. I find it fun, rewarding and a great way to meet people. Seems like whenever I teach a workshop I too learn something and often times make some pictures of my own. My involvement with the American PHOTO Mentor Series, or TREK as returning workshop alumni call it, has been wonderful. Great travel, fantastic photo opportunities, super people (“trekkers”) and a motivating learning environment that makes my job as teacher (“mentor”) a real joy. The Mentor Series spans the globe and offers photographic opportunities and education from beginner to …….. well professional. Yes, each trek I have been involved with has included at least one trekker who is an accomplished professional photographer. 
Hi and welcome to this edition of Workshop at the Ranch. If you have read this month’s June issue of On the Road you get a sense of what I look for when covering the day of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, but, the Derby week offers much more than just Saturday’s race coverage. One of my projects involved portraits of the jockeys. I wanted to do something different by using some off camera lighting on location in the paddock, on the track and around the winner’s circle. Extreme caution must be exercised when using flash around horses. They can easily be spooked by the sudden burst of light, but my experiences with the Nikon SB800 Speedlight system has grown this past year and I felt I could discretely and effectively light up the jockeys without disturbing any million dollar race horses. 
Hi and welcome to this edition of Workshop at the Ranch. I receive more emails requesting examples using the Nikon SB800 Speedlight system than any other topic. My recent American PHOTO Trek to Mexico was a terrific experience. I used the Nikon SB800s every day in Mexico and made some of my favorite pictures of the Trek with them. I have included example images both without and with the use of the SB800 Speedlights so that you all might better see the difference and advantage of using this portable location lighting system. 
Hi, and welcome to this edition of Workshop at the Ranch. Most of the time the sports photographer finds themselves shooting from the same court side position time and time again. Occasionally I will ask a fellow photographer at an event “what’s up?” to which I get a reply like “same old thing.” Sometimes we need to break tradition and get a new outlook on our subjects. I have found that sports action takes on a whole new perspective when captured from above. Editors relish the unique view so I try to incorporate it into my assignments whenever possible. 
Hi and welcome to this edition of Workshop at the Ranch. Composition and design are often times an after thought for the sports photographer. Maybe I’m old fashion but I still believe, as do many of the editors and art directors I have had the pleasure to work with, that a well composed image containing design and elegance still satisfies the viewers eye. When I’m not out photographing or teaching photography I am usually selling images from my picture archives. And while many of the pictures that are published involve key moments in sports history a near equal number of images that sell illustrate a larger idea, a sense of place and have an artistic composition and design. These pictures have been successful in the marketplace because of good composition, dynamic light, color and a moment of anticipation. 
Hi and welcome the this edition of Workshop at the Ranch. I have had the pleasure to visit with students of some of the nations best University photography programs over the years. Because I’m a freelance photographer many students ask the question regarding how they can best begin their freelance careers. I addressed this issue in a previous Workshop at the Ranch back in February 2005 but felt it was important to bring a few additional principles to light that might further help a photographer be better prepared for their career that will begin after graduation. 