Workshop at the Ranch – September 2003 – The Nikon COOLPIX 5700
Hi, and welcome to the September issue of Workshop at the Ranch. Many photographic websites are directed towards equipment and the evaluation and critique of cameras and lenses available to the photographer. I have been working with one consumer camera for the past month or two that captures great quality images. This months Workshop at the Ranch is not an in depth critique but examples of images produced with Nikon’s COOLPIX 5700. This camera offers 5.0 megapixels and Nikkor glass. All images were captured as Nikon RAW NEF files. This months images are a departure from sports and serves as a reminder that taking pictures is just plain fun no matter what the subject is. Continue reading article
Hi, and welcome to the August edition of Workshop at the Ranch. This month I thought we would take a look at a very useful piece of equipment that makes taking great images possible. Let’s talk about wireless remotes, for cameras and strobes. And the piece of equipment that makes remote work easy for me is the Pocket Wizzard Multi Max transceiver. These units are distributed by Mamiya (I would like to thank Lorenzo Gasperini of Mamiya and his expertise with regards to this product and his efforts with many workshops including Rich Clarksons Sports Photography Workshops) and can be purchased through most camera and photography stores (I purchase my equipment from Jodi Grober at Roberts Distributors of Indianapolis 800-726-5544) These units are compact and reliable. 
Hi and welcome to the July edition of Workshop at the Ranch. I had a job this month to do one of my favorite sports, track cycling at the Velodrome. For those not familiar with Velodrome Racing, track cycling is quite different from road racing and takes place on a Velodrome oval that is banked in the curves. Here is a look at Approaching the Event….. 
Hi and welcome to the June edition of Workshop at the Ranch. The past two months have dealt in some detail with photographing images in such a way so as to draw the viewer in for a longer and closer look. Today’s editorial marketplace relies heavily on smash mouth sports action, the value of which fades quickly with tomorrow’s news or does it? We found that Color and Panning can add greatly to the multiple resale of images especially in the commercial marketplace. I have decided to combine these concepts and many more into my Sports Shooter Breakout Session during the Sports Shooter Workshop and Luau November 7 and 8, 2003 in Manhattan Beach, California. Other speakers include Peter Read Miller from Sports Illustrated, Pulitzer winners Rick Rickman and Ben Van Hook, Andy Hayt, Mark Terrill , and many more. It is easy to register, just log onto 
Welcome to the May edition of Workshop at the Ranch. In this issue we will continue with our series What Drives an Image by taking about the use of Slow Shutter Speeds and the Pan and where they are used in the market place. Frozen action is made possible by using High Shutter Speeds usually 1/500th of a second or faster. The use of Slow Shutter Speeds and Panning with the action or an individual subject is nearly a forgotten art and as I will explain, a revenue generating skill. So……..let……us…..slow…..down……and…….see……what……happens………….. 
This first image is in response to the high number of questions via email with regards to February’s Workshop at the Ranch. Many of you wanted to see how the shaft of light was created on the basketball court. First of all, clamping the strobe to the catwalk and using a safety cable is best, but to achieve the perfect angle for the light I received clearance from the athletic department to secure a light stand with strobe and reflector to shoot the game. I used the flags as ” GoBos”(short for go between) the strobe and the court. This images shows how the space between the flags allowed the light to hit the court in a shaft like angle. Hope this helps you understand the technique. 
First, let me thank all of you who e-mailed me with wonderful comments and great questions. The most asked question was easy to answer, “Where do I buy my equipment?” The answer is also easy, Roberts in Indianapolis, and in particular, from Jody Grober. To contact Jody, call 800-726-5544 or log onto 
A Light Painting is simply a photograph taken with a timed exposure using a mobile, constant light source to illuminate the scene.