Jay Grammond - Saturday PM

Golden Hour At The Ranch: An Exploration of Video. Led by Rebecca DeWitt

Step into the cinematic world of the American West during the most magical light of the day. Golden Hour at the Ranch invites creators to capture the authentic rhythms of ranch life under the warm, golden hues of a South Dakota sunset. Set on a working ranch near Spearfish, this hands-on video session blends storytelling with stunning visuals as we film real-life wranglers, horses in motion, and sweeping landscapes bathed in evening light. Participants will create a short narrative or highlight reel using a mix of interview, action, and B-roll techniques. Whether you’re drawn to the grit of leather and dust, the poetry of horse silhouettes against the horizon, or the quiet dignity of ranchers at work—this session is a rare opportunity to build cinematic Western content from the ground up.

Even if you’ve never swapped that dial on your camera into video mode, this session is for you. Rebecca will start with the basics of shooting video with the camera you have, (whether that is a DSLR, mirrorless, or even your phone.) She will cover what settings to use for that “cinematic” look, and show you what types of shots you need to create a short form video or social media reel. If you want further instruction on editing your video, consider signing up for the “Getting started with video editing session”.

Recommended equipment: Your camera | Tripod if you have one (not required) | ND filter if available (not required)

Part One: Two-part compositing Workshop. In part one, you will embark on a creative journey to build a composite portrait from start to finish. This is a hands-on shoot where you'll work closely with the instructor to set up your shots - learning essential lighting techniques, proper camera settings, stabilization, and composition. You will capture a series of images needed for your final composite. Prerequisites: a solid tripod, and your own DSLR or mirrorless camera with lenses are required. ND filters sized for your lenses are highly recommended.

Led by Craig Weinberg.

Reflections At Savoy Pond. Led by Tomas Alvarez.

Tucked away in Spearfish Canyon is a little gem known as Savoy Pond - a quiet spot where reflections meet the canyon walls and time slows down. We'll begin this session with a gentle 1.2-mile hike along the well-maintained trail. It's mostly flat and follows the creek, offering photo ops even before we arrive at the pond. Once there, the still waters, surrounding pines, and shifting light create a perfect canvas for composition, symmetry, and reflection work. Bring a polarizer if you have one, and prepare to be surprised by how peaceful (and photogenic) this tucked-away spot can be.

Join Rammy for an unforgettable three-hour photography session set against the dramatic backdrop of Spearfish Canyon, one of South Dakota's most scenic treasures. Timed to capture the golden hour light and the rich tones of early autumn, this session begins mid-afternoon and flows into the vibrant hues of sunset. Instructor Rammy K will lead you in exploring a variety of locations along the canyon - towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and winding creek beds - each offering unique opportunities to compose stunning landscape images. As the sun dips below the canyon walls, we'll shift our focus to low-light techniques and to capturing the changing mood of the landscape. Photo: Chad Coppess.

"Waterfalls of Spearfish Canyon" led by Rammy Kazemi.