Photo Philanthropy at the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops and Crossroads

I spent my college spring break in Santa Fe, New Mexico taking a course on photo philanthropy called “Crossroads Santa Fe: Where Photography and Philanthropy Meet.” The primary instructors were Brenda Berry and David Middleton, both from Crossroads Photographic Workshops.

This was a different type of photo workshop from the ones I’ve taken in the past.  As David said in class, this isn’t about taking the pretty picture, the calendar photo.  What it was about was working with non-profit organizations to provide great photos they could use in their promotional literature and website. 

As a college professor, I found the idea fascinating.  I teach Photoshop, among other business and i.t. classes.  I could teach Photoshop as a boring cookbook “do steps one to seven” class, but I think it is more fun for the students to be able to apply what we are learning to their own work.  I’ve thought we could find non-profits locally, allowing students to improve their Photoshop and photography skills, and doing good for non-profits!  I’ve already done some unofficial work locally with the Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and the local Horses Help.  At Paradise Valley Community College, we call it service learning. 

What did I learn in the workshop that I can share with students?  Many non-profits have no money for promotion or professional photography.  Most would be overjoyed to have photos taken and contributed to them.  In addition to the Relay for Life and Horses Help, I’m sure I could contact United Way to find even more non-profits who would love to have photos. 

You rarely if ever get paid doing this kind of work.  The payoff is in doing good with your camera and having a chance to hone your skills.  Who knows?  If you do a good job, you could get a recommendation for a paying gig!  Plus, here’s another one I hadn’t thought of:  you can get a tax deduction for “in kind services.”  Every 501c3 non-profit can write you a receipt for your work. 

Once you find a non-profit, David and Brenda said you should find out what they want.  What they want in photos may not be exciting or win any awards.  For instance, a representative of Santa Fe’s Randall Davey Audubon Center and Sanctuary came to our class and mentioned how proud they were of a new handrail.  Yes, a handrail.  Well, that was important to them and their contributors, so we had to make sure we had various photos of the handrail!  We went back several days as a group to make sure we got photos of that handrail.

As a team, we came up with a shot list after hearing from the Audubon official.  We developed several “buckets” that we would fill.  Obviously, the handrail was on the list.  David and Brenda taught something they called “Visual Grammar” to tell a story.  First, the establishing shot.  It gives context to where we are at.  Secondly, is a middle ground shot where you step in a bit closer without any sky.  Third you get the details and get close up.  For instance, with the hand rail, we used a shot of a person’s hand on the handrail. 

I use a Canon 5D Mark III.  I was very glad I brought the Canon wide angle lens, the 17-40mm.  It’s a great lens for wide establishing shots outside and indoors, especially in cramped quarters.  This was quite useful inside the Randall Davey house, which is on the Audubon property.  For some portraits and middle shots, I used the Canon 24-105mm, which was my main go-to lens.  One I wish I had brought was the Canon 70-200mm to get bird shots.

The second “client” we had this week was the Nature Conservancy, located next to the Audubon center in Santa Fe.  We went through several visits and built a shot list, then filled each of the “buckets” with photos. 

What I found was to do this job right, you have to visit the site a few times.  It’s rare to get all the shots you want in one visit, especially if you have never seen the place before.  Morning light is different from afternoon light is different from sundown light. 

Next up for me is shooting the Cave Creek Rodeo again, then the North Valley Relay for Life located on the Paradise Valley Community College campus.

Until My Next Adventure, 

See You On Down The Road!

Jim Patterson

...click here for more of my photos from Santa Fe!

For more reading on "photo philanthropy:


http://crossroadsphotographicworkshops.com

http://petapixel.com/2013/04/06/brian-hampton-is-a-ceo-turned-wildlife-photographer-and-philanthropist/ 

http://photography.tutsplus.com/articles/giving-something-back-with-photography-10-ways-to-get-started--photo-4897

http://inspirationfeed.com/photography/photography-for-philanthropy-ways-to-do-good-with-your-camera/

http://lightbox.time.com/2011/11/01/collect-give-photography-meets-philanthropy/#1

http://photophilanthropy.org

http://www.catchafire.org 

http://www.volunteermatch.org   

https://nppa.org/page/nonprofits-its-not-about-free-anymore





Feed Shark

Creating Dramatic Images with Small Flash

I always enjoy my nearly yearly pilgrimage to the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops.  During the year, I am the expert and preach and cajole my students.  At Santa Fe, I find out how much more I have to come before I’m a good photographer.  The instruction and instructors I’d compare to any fine graduate school.  The food is gourmet, so there’s that to look forward to.  It all ends up to a lot of learning, a TON of hard work, and a few very good images to share with you all.

My week in July of 2014 I worked with flash and Canon expert Syl Arena, who is originally from Phoenix and is a fellow University of Arizona graduate.  He still worked me hard!  And that’s what I want.  I don’t want to do a retreat like this to be told everything I’m doing is perfect. 

I took oh probably 400+ photos.  I posted 41.  That’s about right.  Some were experiments; others were mistakes. 

Katrina at Eaves Ranch

This was a course on crafting dramatic light with small flash.  I used the Canon 600EXRT, which is radio controlled.  That means I can fire the flash without any cords.  I used a variety of flash modifiers.  One of the real benefits of the course was to try new things and really get to know the equipment I have.  I also used my Canon 5D Mark III and the Canon 24-105mm lens. 

We went to a variety of locations around Santa Fe and used local models. 

Freddy at Eaves Ranch

Here’s the shoot from Eaves Ranch, featuring Katrina and Freddy. 

Jio, who is studying at the University of New Mexico, is at the old abandoned power plant near Albuquerque, about 50 miles away from Santa Fe.

Jio at the Albuquerque Power Plant

Isaac is British.  He’s also an athlete, as you might gather.  The photo here has a back story.  He just was not giving me much personality so I started to scream at him.  He screamed back and you should have heard the echoes in the power plant!  Anyway, this is one of my favorite photos.

Isaac at the Power Plant

Whitney at Los Luceros

Then off we went to Los Luceros Hacienda, which dates back to the late 1700s.  I did interior shots with Whitney and outside near the river with Juan Carlos.

Juan Carlos at Los Luceros

Finally, we trekked about twenty miles outside of Santa Fe to the huge (dusty and dirty) Hansen Lumber Yard.  Julia was my model. 

Julia at Hansen Lumber Yard

Until My Next Adventure, 

See You On Down The Road!

Jim Patterson

See all of my photos from this adventure on Flickr or by clicking the Zenfolio slideshow below!

Santa Fe Breweries: One Pint at a Time!

I photographed the breweries of Santa Fe, New Mexico from 2 to 5 July 2012 as part of an overall story a team of us put together working with famed National Geographic Magazine photographer Jim Richardson (assisted by the lovely and gracious Kansas princess Jordan Haiduk) while part of the Santa Fe Photographic Workshop.  

Sampling at Santa Fe Brewery

Choosing my topic... well, I guess you can say I’ve had experience touring breweries and drinking the products, so why not cover something I know about.  I also thought it would be a different take on a lovely city. 

Second Street Brewery, Santa Fe

Before leaving for Santa Fe, I did some research and targeted four companies.  The first place I stopped and actually visited twice was Second Street Brewery by the railroad tracks on, of all places, Second Street.  I quickly explained I was doing a photo story and was immediately welcomed in.  Actually, one thing I found with all of my visits was how darn friendly everybody was once they found out I was doing a photo story on breweries.  Maybe it was the intense smell of hops in the breweries or maybe they are sincerely nice folks!  Anyway, I fancied a few of their beers and settled on the India Pale Ale.  We all have different tastes.  I just don’t care much for the highly bitter beers.  I also had to remind myself that these beers often come with a kick (higher in alcohol content).  It was hard to say no, but I did need to keep my camera straight.  Rod Tweet is the able brewmaster there.  Thanks for your hospitality, Rod.  I liked it so much I came back a second time.

Robert from Marble Brewery in Santa Fe

Then I went down on the plaza on San Francisco Street and visited Marble Brewery.  Now, I did some faulty research because I thought they had a brewery in Santa Fe.  They brew in Albuquerque.  No matter, I sure did want to try what they had.  Robert, the friendly fellow you see serving me up a pilsner, also let me sample some of the other beers they make including the red, which has a bit of a kick to it. 

Alana Jones and friend at Santa Fe Brewing Company

I then went over to Santa Fe Brewing Company and visited with manager Alana Jones.  Once again, they opened up their tasting room and brewery to me on two different visits.  The lovely Heather served up the brew in the tasting room.  There is just something about a pub that invites friendly people.  It was hard to photograph because I got so engaged in conversation with people.  I just couldn’t decide what to try, so I got the sampler with, as I recall, eight different varieties.  I gave away a few brews so I could get some photographs of people, so I bought some additional samples.  I have always been partial to Hefeweizen (wheat) beer, and their version did not disappoint.  I also liked the Happy Camper and State Pen Porter (named after the nearby state penitentiary).  The friendly Leif took me over to their cask room, which was nearly pitch dark, to see the beer they were aging for two years in wooden casks.  That was a challenge to photograph.  I put my Canon 7D on manual and pointed and fired my 580exII flash unit in various directions.  Cask beer.  That will be interesting to sample when it is ready.  If you ever get to Santa Fe Brewing, ask them about it. 

John is passionate about beer at Blue Corn Brewery

My final visit was to Blue Corn Brewery.   I sampled again several of their beers, but settled on the Atomic Blonde Lager, a very smooth refreshing beer.  My new friend sitting next to me, Mr. Modesto Gilbert Garcia, also liked the Blonde Lager.  While sitting at the bar contemplating either my next photo or next beer, I met a fellow by the name of Darragh Nagle.  He is CEO of Falcon Meadery and Winery and sell wines to Blue Corn.  Darragh explained it was a honey wine made out of brewers yeast.  I must say, I am not much of a wine drinker but provided a sample and it was quite good!  Sadly, I ran out of time; otherwise I would have enjoyed visiting his winery/brewery (or is that a wine brewery?). 

Darragh Nagle of Falcon Meadery and Winery

If you want to know more about breweries throughout New Mexico, visit the New Mexico Brewers Guild.  My home state of Arizona also has a brewers guild.  Now I’ll have to get familiar with the local stuff; a story for another day.

But for now, thank you Santa Fe brewers!  From what I remember, I had a good time. 

Happy Shooting,

Jim Patterson

http://JamesGordonPatterson.com

See all the photos below from my Flickr site