What Drives an Image
Workshop at the Ranch
April, 2003 Edition
What Drives an Image?
Welcome to April's Workshop
at the Ranch. Beginning with this months edition I will be teaching
and illustrating elements that drive an image. That is, things
besides "the moment" that can draw a viewer into your
pictures and hold their interest. I believe that color, pure and
simple, is one of those elements that when used correctly can
be a driving force behind an image selling for publication. Here
are some examples.
|
|
This picture of volleyball
players is simple yet effective. The color of the court is
a dominating factor in drawing the viewer into the picture.
I used the Nikon D1H and set the white balance on Shade-3
which is the warmest setting to make the salmon colored court
a burnt orange. Simple action, it happens a hundred times
a game, but made interesting with color. |
|
No trees, No golfer, No action, No moment,
yet a very pleasing picture. Color is the main focus of
attention. It also helps that the guy mowing has a red shirt.
A simple scene made interesting with color.
|
 |
|
|
Similar to the volleyball
players, color is the draw. I used a Nikon D1H at this event
and enhanced the blue of the stage lighting with white balance
controls on the camera. Fluorescent+3 is a very cool color
setting when used in combination with theater lighting grids
used at some sporting events. |
|
The color of the clay in tennis can
vary. This clay in Argentina was extremely vibrant. Shot
from the top of the stadium with a my thought being Great
Color, I chose the most common movement in tennis to heighten
the idea of perfection and beautiful color.
|
 |
|
|
Sometimes the color can
be the subject and the background is simple. In this example,
Indy500 winner Rick Mears has the brightest yellow car on
the track. Terrific color, and the champion. |
|
Same concept as the Rick Mears photograph.
Strong color this time popping out of the black background
of pine trees. Russia's premier skier with great color,
black background, strong action, and the subject I was assigned
to photograph. Works for me.
|
 |
Well, we have a start into a series I hope you
will like. Please join me next month for another Workshop at the
Ranch were we will continue along this series of what drives an
image and see how to incorporate design into your work. Your questions
are always welcome.
Adios, 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.
WORKSHOPS and PRESENTATION Schedule
March 5-7, 2010 ... Southwestern Photojournalism Conference (SWPJC) Ft. Worth, Tx. www.swpjc.org
April 28,- May 4, 2010 ... American PHOTO Mentor Series Trek to Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon www.mentorseries.com
June 27- July 2 ... Sports Photography Workshop, Colorado Springs, Co. www.sportsphotographyworkshop.com
August 1-5 ... Long Island Photo Workshop, Long Island, NY. www.liphotoworkshop.com
September 9-12 ... American PHOTO Mentor Series Trek to Tetons, Wyoming www.mentorseries.com
October 3-8 ... Photography at the Summit, Jackson Hole, Wy. www.photographyatthesummit.com
|
Past Workshop at the Ranch Issues
March, 2010
"Workshop Wonders"
February, 2009
The D3s Advantage
January, 2010
"New Nikon D3s"
December, 2009
"Year in Review"

November, 2009
Return to Neverland

October, 2009
"Dramatic Gym Light"
September, 2009
"Saratoga Light"

August, 2009
"Graduation Class"

July, 2009
"FourSquare Sensation"

June, 2009
"Print On Demand publishing is for you"

May, 2009
"Sports Shooter Academy"

April, 2009
"My New Book is Available"

March, 2009
"The Nikon D3X...Part II "

February, 2009
"The Nikon D3X...Part I "

January, 2009
"Book Ideas Wanted"

December, 2008
Year in Review

November, 2008
Action with the SB-900 Speedlights

October, 2008
Lightpainting Under the Stars

September, 2008
Long Island Photo Workshop
August, 2008
"Best Buy Summit in San Francisco"
July, 2008
"Rich Clarkson's Sports Photography Workshop"

June, 2008
"Seven Photo Techniques"

May, 2008
"Learn Something New"

April, 2008
San Diego TREK

March, 2008
Joe McNally's book

February, 2008
The Nikon D300

January, 2008
Shoot From Where They Ain't (click here)
December, 2007
D3 Questions , Answers and Images

November, 2007
New Nikon D3

October, 2007
Football...A Retro Look

September, 2007
Get Out of the Box
August, 2007
Portrait Session with Frankie Herr

July, 2007
"Cowboy Up at the Double JJ Ranch"

June, 2007
"Light on the Run"

May, 2007
"SB800 Location Lighting in Mexico"

April, 2007
"Take it From the Top"

March, 2007
"Triple Play, Hat Trick, Trifecta" of Design

February, 2007
Principles of Success

January, 2007
Answers to Popular Questions

December , 2006
TREK to Peru and Machu Picchu

October, 2006
Creative Lightpainting (click
here)

September, 2006
Tandem SB800 Speedlight Set Up (click here)

August, 2006
Get Pumped Up with Light (click here)

July, 2006
Sports Action SB800 Lighting on Location (click here)

June, 2006
An Artistic Look At Derby Week (click here)

May, 2006
Lightpainting....from the Beginning (click here)

April, 2006
Workshop 40: Arches Mentor Series TREK

March, 2006
Workshop 39: Let the Games Begin...

February, 2006
Workshop 38: My Moody Blue Location Lighting Formula

January, 2006
Workshop 37: Answers to Popular Questions

December, 2005
Workshop 36: Year in Review...
My Favorite Equipment of 2005

November, 2005
Workshop 35: Building a Portrait

October, 2005
Workshop 34: Game Coverage.....My Way

September, 2005
Workshop 33: Equipment...and How It Can Help A Career

August, 2005
Workshop 32, Fill Flash....It's not Just For Portraits

July, 2005
Workshop 31, Rock On!

June, 2005
Workshop 30, Remote Cameras at Churchill Downs

May, 2005
Workshop 29, Arena Sport Strobe Lighting 102

April, 2005
Workshop 28, Arena Sport Strobe Lighting 101

March, 2005
Workshop 27: Nikon's D2X Digital Camera

February, 2005
Workshop 26: Steps to Success

January, 2005
Workshop 25: Own Your Images!

December, 2004
Workshop 24: Step-by-Step Lightpainting
November, 2004
Workshop 23: The Importance of Recognizing Light


September, 2004
Workshop 21: Covering The 2004 Summer Olympics
in Athens, Greece
(click here)

August, 2004
Workshop 20: Nikon SB-800 Speedlight
WIRELESS TTL LIGHTING
(click here)

July, 2004
Workshop 19: Location Portrait Lighting using
Nikon's NEW SB-800 Speedlights
(click here)

June, 2004
Workshop 18: Photography - Just Enjoy it!
(click here)

May, 2004
Workshop 17: Documenting the Masters
(click here)

April, 2004
Workshop 16: Scene Setters
(click here)

March, 2004
Workshop 15: THE JOY of FILL FLASH
(click here)

February, 2004
Workshop 14: Sports Strobe Photography
(click here)


December, 2003
Workshop 12: "Product Review - The Nikon D2H Digital Camera
(click here)

November, 2003
Workshop 11: "Be More Than a Fan"

October, 2003
Workshop 10: "More Porrage, Please"

September, 2003
Workshop 9: The Nikon COOLPIX 5700

August, 2003
Workshop 8: Using Wireless Remotes

July, 2003
Workshop 7: Approaching The Event

June, 2003
Workshop 6: To be noticed, to be published, to the marketplace

May, 2003
Workshop 5: What Drives an Image Part Two,
Slow Shutter Speed & Pan, (click here)
April, 2003
Workshop 4: What Drives an Image? (click here)

March, 2003
Workshop 3: Fill Flash Techniques (click here)

February, 2003
Workshop 2: Sports Arena Lighting (click here)

January,
2003
Workshop 1: Lightpainting (click here)
