COWBOYS AND KANGAROOS
As we drive back to Austin this morning, I find myself taking mind pictures of the fields of yellow flowers and reflecting on what a great weekend spent with several talented photographers, cowboys and a kangaroo! This last weekend Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Skeeter Hagler and I had a blast showing photographers the ropes of shooting cowboys at the Blisswood Bed and Breakfast Ranch. Friday night started out with a group dinner of juicy ribeye steaks at Carol’s Cat Spring Restaurant. Later we moved our party to a beautiful gazebo on an island in a small lake at the ranch. As all enjoyed some wonderful port Skeeter and I prepared everyone for what was ahead for the weekend and shared a slideshow to the musical chorus of toads, crickets and owls coming from all around us.
Saturday morning started with Cade a pretty darn good cowboy, herding cattle at the break of dawn. Wow, what a beautiful sight. The sound of shutters pretty much matched there thunder of hooves pounding the ground, as Cade skillfully ran a herd of about 30 head anywhere we needed him…with the help of the ranches mascot of course, Scout a fine example of an Australian Shepherd. Once the light had become a little hard, we headed over to a chuck wagon parked close to an incredible log cabin, all under the canopy of several massive oak trees for a cowboy chuckwagon breakfast prepared by the most beautiful chuckwagon cook I have ever laid my eyes on! Yummmmm, fried egg, hashbrowns, bacon and skillet biscuits cooked over a campfire….cot please.
After spending some time at our meeting space, critiquing what the photographers had just shot, Skeeter and I showed a few Photoshop tricks we like to use. By lunchtime all were sent out to spend some time with their wives, husbands or cameras doing whatever they wished.
Later Saturday afternoon, a whole 1800’s era family and three cowboy re-enactors showed up, thanks to Skeeter. All the photographers spent the rest of the day shooting these models at the log cabin, shooting guns and a special session with a real kangaroo. Now that was an experience I think we will all be telling our grandchildren. After dinner, I set up a scene to light paint. We all spent the night, until 11 pm, light painting one cool shot….see to shot at top of blog. Yup, painted with flashlights!
Sunday morning, students took advantage of the beautiful sunrise, followed by another wonderful chuckwagon breakfast with pancakes this time.Later, we spent the rest of the morning in critiques and printing prints. After a very late lunch(sorry guys) everyone was released to spend the rest of day shooting on the ranch.
Below are some of the photos shot by a few students…
Not only did everyone get some great shots as you can see, they were all great people and very enjoyable to work with! I’m always amazed at how other people see some things I never would have seen or thought of shooting. Skeeter and I have decided to do this workshop again in the fall sometime. Check it out and other workshops at www.texasphotoworkshops.com.
Kevin Vandivier
Vandivier Photographers 