Welcome to Workshop at the Ranch. Each month I will be writing an instructional article about photography. It might cater to sports coverage, new cameras and gear, techniques with Off Camera Speedlights or Large Strobe Systems, Lightpainting and more. These articles began in 2003. They are archived and available for you to revisit as often as you like. A broad pallet of my images with all camera data, equipment I use, special tricks of the trade, and my personal commentary will drive the content of each article. So, be my guest, settle back and “click” on any image you want to enlarge, and enjoy learning each month here on Workshop at the Ranch. Adios, Dave

Workshop at the Ranch - September 2003 - The Nikon COOLPIX 5700

Workshop at the Ranch
September, 2003 Edition

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.


Flying to a location is more fun when you can schedule the flight around sunset. Shooting out the window can be rewarding and easy with the Nikon COOLPIX 5700. Aperture Priority, Exposure Comp: -1.0EV
Canadian Rockies at sunset. Aperture Priority, Exposure Comp: -1.0EV with Bogan Tripod, Timer Shutter Release.

Mist from a waterfall near Banff, Alberta, Canada. Shutter Priority, Exposure Comp: -0.3EV Bogan Tripod, Timer Shutter Release.
Reflections at Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. Shutter Priority, Exposure Comp: -1.0EV and reduced the exposure on the snow by using my hand as a "go-bo" Bogan Tripod, Timer Shutter Release.

Waterfall near Banff, Alberta, Canada. Shutter Priority, Exposure Comp: -1.3EV Bogan Tripod, Timer Shutter Release.
Mountain Sheep near Banff, Alberta, Canada. Aperture Priority, Exposure Comp: +0.7 hand held.


Pine Cones near Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. Shutter Priority 1/4sec Exposure Comp: -2.0EV Lightpainting, Bogan Tripod, Timer Shutter Release.
Bell Flower near Banff, Alberta, Canada. Shutter Priority, Exposure Comp:-1.3EV Lightpainting, Bogan Tripod, Timer Shutter Release.

I hope you have enjoyed this months Workshop at the Ranch. These images were taken while working with Moose Peterson and Vincent Versace at their Digital Landscape Workshop Series. Many thanks to Moose and Vincent for inviting me to join their staff and experience their wonderful style of teaching and enthusiasm for helping fellow photographers at this workshop. See you next month at Workshop at the Ranch,...Adios, Dave

See you next month, Dave

Each month I will be teaching techniques and sharing information about photography. I hope to address not only how images are made, but also aspects of business and the industry. I hope you find the time to log on each month here at "Workshop at the Ranch" If you have a question or comment about an area of photography not covered yet in Workshop at the Ranch, contact me to suggest a topic for a future issue.

*For additional examples of photographs using various lighting techniques see the Sports Scene

For another truly unique lighting style with instructions on it's implementation, check out LightPainting Techniques in the January edition of Workshop at the Ranch or for more on artificial arena lighting techniques, see Arena Lighting, February's Workshop at the Ranch.