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TREK to Peru and Machu PicchuWorkshop at the Ranch
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 ..................
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.
Past Workshop at the Ranch Issues
May, 2010
April, 2010
March, 2010
February, 2009
December, 2009
November, 2009
October, 2009
September, 2009
August, 2009
July, 2009
June, 2009
May, 2009
April, 2009
March, 2009
February, 2009
January, 2009
November, 2008
October, 2008
September, 2008
August, 2008
July, 2008 |
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.
