Rangefinder Magazine
November 2005

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Rf Cookbook by Jim Rode
Rally of Horns

Then my daughter began performing in high school marching band, I found myself taking mundane snapshots equal to any other parents’ photos. It was often difficult to get close and with strict band discipline, she was not even allowed to make eye contact. As a professional photographer, I’m normally in control of my subject. But what do you do when your subject ignores you, movement is limited, and you find yourself among thousands of fans? My answer was to get a “story shot” first and manipulate the file later. The result becomes as exciting as the performance. Even if she is not visible, the image captures the “magic” of the day.

This photograph was taken from the aisle at Texas Stadium. It is where the Dallas Cowboys play, and you may be familiar with the �ghole�h in the roof. The ambient light is a mixture of filtered natural light from the roof over the field, and sodium stadium lamps aimed toward the turf. I used a Nikon D70 shooting at f/3.5 at a shutter speed of 1.125. The ISO was at 200 (lowest available setting with this camera). The 18.70mm lens was set wide open and the flash turned off. Camera blur is no problem and can provide interesting effects when the file is manipulated, but flash reflection minimizes the painterly quality I was trying to achieve.

The next step is made from my laptop. After downloading the image to the computer I made a backup of the original and begin work on the JPEG image. JPEGs are universal, easy to work with and readily accepted where I post my art.

Using Microsoft Digital Image Suite 9, I made an Automatic Levels fix to correct any contrast flatness. Going to Filters, I chose Metal: Chrome Chaotic, raising the transparency from 50 (a default setting) to 70 thereby lessening the chaotic effect and giving a more pleasing rendition.

It is important to change the hue and saturation levels. I never select a color when prompted, but simply change all colors with the inner circle control. By experimenting with the control until the colors are boosted, I was able to make the photograph look more like the vivid colors of an oil painting. Lastly, I lowered the brightness about 15 percent.