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 Travel with our mentors and try out all of the latest equipment from Nikon! Including world class digital SLRs, Nikkor lenses and the Coolpix line of Digital Cameras.
On the first night we gathered at the historic Strater Hotel to meet our mentors, as well as the other trip participants. We were both awed and inspired by the work presented by our mentors. The next day we arose early to go to Mesa Verde National Park, where we were transported back in time 600 years as we visited the famous cliff dwellings. Having received tips on photographing the sites of the park, we all descended down to the Spruce House to photograph the famous kevia. Imagine six photographers at a time down in a dark hole trying to take a picture of a ladder. But WOW our mentors were right--it really is quite a shot. We also photographed the Cliff Palace which is an amazing piece of history. In the afternoon we had the opportunity to shoot kayakers on the Animas river. We were able to work on action shots, panning and portraits of the athletes out of the water. Again our mentors helped us learn how to capture these shots. The next morning we worked on more action photography, this time with mountain bikers. Again the pan and blur and portraits were an important part of the day. Although some of us ended up with more of a blur and blur technique, by day's end we all finally started to get it. Woo-hoo! Next, we went to Silverton to photograph models dressed in 19th century garb. Off camera flash, reflectors and posing-with the help of our trusty mentors we really managed to get the shots. After Silverton we headed to the Rodeo. It was a gorgeous night and there was something for everyone-from Sweet Pea the bucking bronco to small children riding sheep-we captured the action. Our last morning gave us special access to the old time train at the station in Durango. Soot aside, we managed to get incredible shots. All in all it was a great workshop, with each of us getting to demonstrate our new skills at the closing slideshow. Thanks to Nikon (who doesn't want a D300 now that they had a chance to try it?), Microsoft (we all need help in the never ending battle to improve photography workflow), and Mpix (GREAT prints!), for sponsoring the Mentor Series. Thanks to Michelle and Vanessa for all the hard work in planning and herding a group of photographers. Finally, thanks to Tom Bol and Beth Wald for teaching us to be better photographers! Vicki Smith Our memorable trip began in a small town called Durango which is known for its 38 restaurants and being sort of artsy and hip. Colorado received 20 inches of snow in the mountains the night before we landed. Tom can tell you he was camping with his family the night it snowed and stayed up all night knocking the snow off the tent. That night we met our mentors Tom Bol and Beth Wald. Two excellent photographers who I give tons of credit for what they have achieved. I know first-hand because I am trying to follow their foot steps and trying to reach their level as a photographer. Tom and Beth, our mentors, know their stuff and are great to follow around. Tom will climb a tree and offer his first born for a great shot. Beth will climb a cliff to get just the right shot. I went on the ground in front of a moving train to get my shot. Friday, we started with Mesa Verde -- not easy to pronounce this with a New York accent, just ask Michelle, our director. This place is just amazing, tons of photo ops here. Tom got right to work showing us how to make a starburst with the sun. We were climbing everywhere, even crawling on the ground shooting flowers. The next stop at Mesa Verde we had a park ranger who has never been exposed to the paparazzi before. I think he went straight to the bar after we left. Next up, we were photographing kayakers. Rush hour in New York is about traffic. In Colorado rush hour is kayaking after work. This is very challenging to shoot with tough lighting to boot. Tom and Beth got right in and had defectors working to help get the right shot. Nobody fell in the river to my surprise. Saturday, we started out photographing mountain bikers. We learned panning, how to get covered with bugs lying in the brush, starting rock slides while trying to get the perfect location to shoot from and almost killing poor Michelle at the same time. Not to mention me mounting a $3,500 camera on a mountain bike and trusting the bikers to get a great shot while riding. Off to Silverton and back 100 plus years in time. Here we had models waiting for us dressed as cowboys and ladies from the 1800's. This was fun having them pose all around the town that still has dirt roads and saloons. Silverton is surrounded by mountains, the Durango Silverton train station, amazing scenery, and fresh air to inhale, many old buildings and an old train yard. This place has history written all over it. Rodeo time… Now time to get up close and personal with our kicking four-legged friends. We were in an area so close to the action we should have been wearing body armor. This had fun written all over it. There was so much action to shoot, a great sunset, flying cowboys and some tough cowgirl races. Sunday was train yard fun in Durango. We got up and personal with our train crew and locomotive. Tom and Beth were showing us some great lighting techniques with our flash. Most of us were so busy shooting and getting in each others way taking pictures, nobody read the signs. Beware of soot from departing trains in BIG BOLD LETTERS. Just ask Tom and Beth how much fun that was!!! After this it was cram time to get your images in. I felt like I was studying again for a big test. Scanning 4000 images and trying to pick my 10 best images to show everyone. I thought having kids was hard. All I have to say is, I met some great people in a short amount of time and have 4000 images to prove it! I hope I will be doing it again soon. Thanks! |
