Features Matthew Jordan Smith Profile: Arthur Rainville Profile: Craig Kienast Profile: The Wacker Family Footprints in Cyberspace Rf Cookbook Profile: Oscar Lozoya Profile: Rick and Deborah Ferro Profile: Robert T. Williams Columns Insight/On the Cover First Exposure Digital Photography Plug-Ins Page Departments Problems & Solutions Industry News School Spotlight New Products Archives

Rangefinder Magazine
January 2004

Insight/On the Cover by Bill Hurter

If you’re a frequent reader of Rangefinder, you can’t have missed our numerous references to WPPI 2004, the huge convention and trade show put on by our staff in Las Vegas each year. It’s the biggest show in professional photography and the lineup of speakers is second to none. This month’s Rangefinder is a WPPI preview issue, featuring profiles of a few of the notable photographers among the 45 scheduled to speak at this year’s event. First up, we have Matthew Jordan Smith (pg. 12), an incredibly gifted fashion and portrait photographer, who is responsible for this month’s stunning cover. Arthur Rainville (pg. 20), an innovative portraitist, offers Zen-like insights into the art of creative seeing. Craig Kienast (pg. 24) does seniors, primarily, and his work is imaginative and stunning, and he is one of those talented photographers raising the bar on senior photography. Oscar Lozoya (pg. 52), is another gifted portrait photographer with a fascination for the sometimes humorous rituals and customs in the Spanish culture. Robert T. Williams (pg. 60) calls himself a Lifestyle Photojournalist—a wedding photographer who is making it big in Washington, D.C., with his relaxed and elegant style. Rick and Deborah Ferro (pg. 56) have a rich tradition in wedding photography. Rick, whose formal style emulates the work of past masters and Deborah, who shoots photojournalistically, combine on weddings to create a truly unique brand of coverage. The Wacker Family (pg. 32) is a fourth generation family of photographers whose digital work is breaking new ground nationwide. The Roses, Jean Holland- and Paul, (pg. 36) are Internet empressarios, fashioning functional and profitable web sites for the nation’s top photographers. These great photographers and many more will be on hand for WPPI 2004, Feb. 21–26 at BALLY’s Las Vegas. Be there!

Bill Hurter
Editor

On The Cover

PHOTOGRAPHER: Matthew Jordan Smith
Title: “Tyra”
Subject: Tyra Banks
Camera: Mamiya RZ-67
Lens: 140mm Mamiya Macro lens
Film: Kodak E100G
Lighting: Profoto ringflash
Post-Capture Manipulation: Only slight retouching of skin.
PROJECT: For the book, Sepia Dreams
Comments: Prior to this photo session I told Tyra I wanted to do a photo with her where it focused on her incredible facial features, and I joked how beautiful she’d be, even without her amazing hair or figure. This image is the result of that conversation. I decided to use the ringflash because I felt it was the best light to bring attention to her eyes and face. I chose to use the Profoto ringflash because they have never let me down in all the years I’ve been using them. Since the ringflash does not have a modeling light, I used tungsten lights to make the set very bright. This also aided in bringing out the rich color of her eyes.
For more on Matthew Jordan Smith, see Kirsten Mortensen’s profile, beginning on page 12.