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KENTUCKY | April 11 - 13, 2008
Mentors | Mark Alberhasky & Kevin T. Gilbert
RECAP
Friday greeted us with moody skies and rain as predicted. Our Kentucky trek began with a workshop introduction and to meet our mentors Mark Alberhasky and Kevin Gilbert. Thanks to Kevin Gilbert's pre-trek weather report and note about how to waterproof our camera gear and ourselves, we were well prepared with ziplock bags, rubber bands and rainwear. Kevin told us that he preferred bad weather photos over sunny weather pictures any time because it provides mood which is what we need to make amazing photos. The rain had stopped and our mood was upbeat as we boarded the bus to Keeneland. Even the prospect of a major downpour (which never happened,--hooray!) couldn’t dampen our enthusiasm for what proved to be an exciting afternoon of making racing related photographs. Picturesque Keeneland Race Track is a setting worthy of The Sport of Kings. “Tell a story” with your photographs, Kevin said. And the beautiful prancing thoroughbreds, jockeys attired in colorful silks, backstretch workers and races provided ample opportunity and challenge of capturing action, emotion and passion; to tell a ‘story’ in a photograph. The intermittent afternoon showers proved a positive as we got to explore changing light. We even got to play with the light provided by a brief sun shower. The first day of shooting ended with a Digital Workflow presentation by Mark Alberhasky.
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 Travel with our mentors and try out all of the latest equipment from Nikon! Including world class digital SLRs, Nikkor lenses and the Coolpix line of Digital Cameras.
Saturday brought a sunny day which was a surprise based on the advance forecast. A full and diverse day of photography got under way with a 7:30am departure from the hotel. Our first stop was the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, KY, set in the bluegrass countryside with many century old stone buildings. We enjoyed an informative tour and saw cypress fermenting tanks, three copper pot stills and white oak barrels. Next stop was Shakertown, a living history museum where our focus was on animals, architecture and myriad other details including eating a tasty lunch. Then we were off to Keeneland Racetrack again for another afternoon of racing including the prestigious Bluegrass Stakes which featured some of the current three year old equine stars. The pageantry of racing was on full display, with a festive and fashionable crowd in attendance. This day ended with a group review session where we selected five images for critique and review by our mentors.
On Sunday cold temps and gloomy skies threatening serious rain were the backdrop for our trek to the Kentucky Horse Park. Again, we were lucky, in that heavy rain did not fall until after we finished. Many trekkers congregated near the outdoor show ring to photograph the action of the jumping competition. The park offered varied scapes of photographic interest but most focused on the horse of course. Back to the hotel for a final review session before us each chose up to ten images for the final slide show. The intense good energy in the room heightened as we edged closer to the deadline, similar to the last burst of energy that puts horse and jockey over the finish line. And then we viewed a super slide show of student images. They were testament to what good instruction, inspiration and stimulating subjects can accomplish. Prizes were awarded for several best photographs chosen by Mark and Kevin. We left Lexington with many memorable moments, saved and savored in pixels, mind and heart. And new knowledge to help us continue to make better photographs. Terrific Trek!
- Mary Ann Donahue
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