Guests and staff will gather in the Saloon for an early breakfast before our first sunrise photography session.

Tombstone Alley Walk

Goal: Learn how to shoot a portrait low to high with a wide angle lens.

Learning Objectives: Understanding difference between standing and getting low, how lens focal length changes the look of the image, exposure-handling backlighting and shadow.

Goal: Learn how to photograph a good silhouette.

Learning Objectives: Learn how to expose for the background, separate subject from other elements, create good composition.

Goal: Learn Rembrandt lighting technique for low key.

Learning Objectives: Learn how to expose for low key, and learn a two light set up.

Goal: understand effects of lens focal length and depth of field (DoF).

Learning Objectives: Understanding how distance from subject affects DoF. Understand how subjects distance from background affects DoF. Understand how focal length affects DoF.

Learn how to shoot a portrait low to high with a wide angle lens.

Understanding difference between standing and getting low. How lens focal length changes the look of the image. How to exposure for backlighting and shadow.

Teach guests to create classic Western portraits in the alley featured in Tombstone. The model will slowly walk his horse through the alley and stop for posed portraits, using the historic buildings as the backdrop.

• Direct the model’s walking, stopping points, and positioning with the horse.
• Explore wide-angle compositions and close-up portraits.
• Teach how shooting low makes the road appear flatter and reduces how much of the scene it occupies.
• Guide guests in experimenting with intentional overexposure.
• Discuss compositions and tonal choices that work well for black-and-white or sepia images.
• Keep guests clear of the horse’s path and coordinate movement with the model.
• Finish each group’s session within 50 minutes, allowing 10 minutes for rotation and reset.

• Confirm the model and horse are ready before the first group arrives.
• Identify suitable walking routes, posing locations, and safe areas for photographers.
• Check the background for distracting items before shooting.

How to photograph a good silhouette.

How to expose for the background, separate subject from other elements, create good composition.

Guide guests in creating strong Western silhouettes of a cowboy posed in the doorway of Fly’s Photo Studio against the light outside. Use different poses and props to highlight the model’s hat, clothing, and recognizable outline.

• Reinforce the silhouette techniques Lisa covered in the morning classroom session, including how they apply to outdoor and sunset photography.
• Teach guests to expose for the bright background to create the silhouette.
• Demonstrate how overlapping shapes merge together and how separation makes the model and props easier to recognize.
• Direct small adjustments to the model’s arms, stance, and hat to create clearly defined outlines.
• Experiment with standing and seated poses, including placing the chair at an angle.
• Finish each group’s session within 50 minutes, allowing 10 minutes for rotation and reset.

Create dramatic, low-key portraits by illuminating selected details while keeping much of the scene in shadow.

• Use gridded flashes to control where light falls and limit spill.

• Recognize how Rembrandt lighting shapes the face and rim lighting defines the subject’s outline.

• Understand how the model’s pose affects the lighting.

• Work intentionally, evaluating images and making adjustments rather than taking rapid, repetitive shots.

Guide guests through a seated Western portrait session inside the Bank. Use flash, subtle ambient light, and period props to create dark, moody images with minimal movement from the model.

• • Use two flashes with grids: one for rim lighting and one for Rembrandt lighting.

  • Keep the flash modeling lights off.

  • Use an LED light and lantern to provide ambient light.

  • Assess the window light and cover the window if needed.

  • Guide guests through two poses: the cowboy positioned sideways, and the cowboy turning his head slightly toward the photographer.

  • Incorporate selected props to add character and storytelling.

  • Encourage fewer, carefully considered shots to conserve flash battery power.

  • Finish each group’s session within 50 minutes, allowing 10 minutes for rotation and reset.

• • Two flashes with grids and appropriate stands.

  • LED light and lantern.

  • Chair for the model.

  • Window covering, if needed.

  • Props: rifle, guns, rope, pocket watch, whiskey bottle, leatherwork, old books, and candle.

  • Coordinate all firearm props with the armorer before use.

  • Arrange the set and test the lighting before the first group arrives.

Help guests understand how camera-to-subject distance and aperture affect depth of field so they can make intentional choices in their portraits.

• Recognize that depth of field changes with subject distance, even when aperture and focal length remain the same.

• Identify how aperture affects depth of field at a fixed distance.

• Use these relationships to control background sharpness and create a cinematic look.

Lead guests through a controlled portrait exercise with Ed, using marked shooting distances and two aperture settings. Then help them apply what they learned to Western portraits using the surrounding buildings and scenery.

• Explain that the initial exercise is about learning, rather than creating an award-winning image.

• Keep the model in one position throughout the comparison exercise.

• Have guests set their lenses to 70mm and keep that focal length unchanged.

• At each marked distance of 5, 10, and 15 feet, have guests photograph the distance sign, then take a portrait at f/5.6 and another at f/11.

• Remind guests to refocus on the model whenever they change distance.

• Compare the results, looking at changes in background sharpness.

• After the exercise, guide guests through poses and compositions that apply these principles.

• Finish each group’s session within 50 minutes, allowing 10 minutes for rotation and reset.

• Select the exact location behind Fly’s Photo Studio.

• Choose a background with visible detail so differences in sharpness are easy to see.

• Mark the model’s position.

• Use cones or marks in the sand to identify shooting positions 5, 10, and 15 feet from the model.

• Place clearly labeled distance signs at each position.

Bring Main Street to life with cowboys on horseback, a wagon, and townspeople in period clothing. Riders and the wagon will travel back and forth while townspeople walk along the boardwalks and interact naturally. Help guests capture a variety of scenes that convey the activity and atmosphere of a busy Old West town.

• Position photographers at the three designated shooting locations on the south side of the street.

• Keep the wagon, riders, and additional townspeople within the designated action area on the north side of the street.

• Use cones to clearly identify where photographers can and cannot go.

• Spread out among the three photography locations to assist guests with settings, focus, exposure, and composition.

• Coordinate repeated movements and positioning adjustments to give guests multiple opportunities to capture the action.

• Keep photographers within the marked boundaries and clear of horse and wagon routes.

• Confirm the gunfight location and coordinate that scene with the armorer before it begins.

• Cones to mark photography boundaries.

• 20 chairs distributed among the three shooting locations.

• Confirm clear views from each location before guests arrive.

• Select the gunfight location and confirm photographer positions with the armorer.

Enjoy dinner with the guests after a full day of photography. Visit about the day’s experiences and answer questions before everyone returns to the hotel.

• Spread out and sit with guests.

• Lisa will review the next day’s agenda, including meeting times and equipment needs.

• Help clear tables, collect trash, and clean up after dinner.

• Remind guests to gather their belongings before leaving.

• Tables and seating for guests and staff.

• Trash cans and bags for cleanup.

• Next day’s agenda ready for Lisa to review.