Rangefinder Magazine
March 2005

Click Here for printable version of this article.

Insight/On the Cover

INSIGHT . . .

THANK YOU!
This year Rangefinder magazine is celebrating its 53rd anniversary, while the WPPI Convention and Trade Show is celebrating its 25th. But, there’s one more new milestone we’re about to celebrate—the March issue you’re about to read is the largest magazine published in the history of Rangefinder Publishing Company!

There’s obviously a lot that’s changed in photography in the last 53 years. Back in 1952 the photographic community was in a state of panic over a radical new idea called “color” photography! And newspaper photographers, who could not fathom an indoor existing light image, used flash bulbs and Speed Graphics.

As much as photography keeps changing, there’s one thing that’s been consistent all these years, the pride of everyone here at Rangefinder to be a part of this industry. We couldn’t have grown without the support and energy of our readers, advertisers and the countless hours put into creating Rangefinder every month by a dedicated team of writers, editors and artists.

With the exception of modern medicine, no career has given society more than the photographic profession. We’ve captured and shared with the world everything from the violation of human rights to the pure joy of a wedding and the start of a new family. It doesn’t matter which side of the camera or industry you’re on, we all share a unique responsibility.

However, the best part of photography has nothing whatsoever to do with imaging. It’s about friendships and the love we all share for the craft of photography. It’s about passion—capturing the human spirit and utilizing technology in ways that George Eastman and Jules Verne together couldn’t have imagined!

This issue is dedicated to all of the photographers who refuse to compromise their creativity, to every advertiser working to create innovations that enhance the creative process, and to every reader who’s in love with the photographic process.

Thank you for allowing us to share your passion!

Skip Cohen, President

ON THE COVER . . .

PHOTOGRAPHER: Joe Buissink
CAMERA: Nikon D2H
LENS: Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor
EXPOSURE: 1⁄60 at f/4
COMMENTS: This wedding was shot in Oaxaca, Mexico in 2004. The bride is a wedding photographer (Elena Suro) who saw one of my seminars and came up after I was finished and asked me if I would photograph her wedding . I said, “Absolutely!” It was clear to me that she definitely connected to the work. The shot was taken the day after the wedding. We ran out of light the day of, and I told her not to worry—we could reshoot the portrait the following morning. She did not hesitate. The next morning while Elena was putting on her make-up (after two hours sleep), I noticed dark clouds coming in. Just my luck. I asked her to please hurry. She finished just in time for the start of the storm. While we were waiting underneath an overhang, I realized the storm was not going away anytime soon. I looked at the rain. I looked at Elena. I looked at the rain. I looked at Elena. A smile crept over my face. “What?” she asked. “You want us in there don’t you?”

“Yep,” I said. Without any hesitation they both stepped into the rain. “Kiss her,” I said. He lifted her veil and went under. “Elena, put your hands on your hips and give me some attitude.” Click, click. Gotcha!