Rangefinder Magazine
July 2006

Rf Cookbook: by Bob Coates
Welcome to Las Vegas

INGREDIENTS • Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro • Media: Hoodman 2GB CompactFlash • Lenses:Assorted f/2.8 Nikon and Sigma lenses • Meter: Sekonic • Monopod: Manfrotto 3245 Monopod w/322 RC2 head • Software: Adobe Photoshop CS2 • Computer: Power Mac G5

I’ve been attending the WPPI Convention for many years, and I’ve always brought a camera. But for many reasons (read “excuses”), I never fired a frame at the lights and excitement of Las Vegas. I made a decision that 2006 would be different, and I assigned myself the task of shooting and creating the promotional material for the 2007 WPPI convention.

I hit the streets with several lenses and a monopod. I focused first on the Bally’s and Paris hotels. I found the neon “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign in the basement of Bally’s, and this sign would become the headline banner. Moving outside, I captured the Eiffel Tower with a wide-angle lens from a low angle to help give the appearance of more height.

I took some more shots keeping with the wide-angle to get the facade of Paris showing action and lights in the frame. I then moved to longer lenses to compress detail in distant shots. A picture of a fellow photographer in silhouette added a photography element.

I brought the images into Photoshop and dropped them onto a black background, with each image on an individual layer. I resized and repositioned the elements to create a nice composition. When using the Transform tool, I made sure to hold Shift key to constrain the proportions. I used masks to blend everything together.

In addition to actually creating the 2007 ads, I also met some potential clients—while out shooting I ended up passing out my card to three prospective wedding couples. See you next March in Las Vegas. Don’t forget to bring your camera—and don’t forget to use it!

Visit www.bcweddingphoto.com.