Side of Ranch: Jay Heater

As I watched the fading sunlight at Jiggs Landing, it was time to make a command decision since I was in the presence of photographer Manny Cruz.

I say "photographer" with respect because I don't consider anyone holding a camera to be a photographer. That's what you are led to believe when you slap $500 on the counter at Sam's Club and they hand you the most up-to-date piece of wizardry guaranteed to turn you into Ansel Adams.

Having been around some amazing photographers over the years, I know my own limitations. So as Cruz turned to me and nodded, signifying that the time was right for that really sharp sunset photo, I proved I have gained some valuable experience.

I handed him my camera.

Why wouldn't I? In January, the 60-year-old Cruz, who operates Cruz Portrait Design in East County, traveled to Atlanta to receive his master of photography designation from the Professional Photographers of America. I guarantee you can't get one of those at Sam's Club.

However, he was going to need all his expertise to help me. Looking down at my camera, he started to fiddle with the nobs, buttons and wheels. "It's not terrible," he said as he continued to search for the right settings.

Watching him work was more confirmation that he, indeed, was a master. A gator could have rushed the shore and he would have missed it, his concentration locked on the equipment. As I watched the process, It brought back an experience I had years ago with the late, great Arizona photographer, Jack Sheaffer.

I was traveling in Idaho with Sheaffer when we came upon Lake Coeur d'Alene and saw a scuba diver sitting by the shore and getting ready to put on his equipment. Sheaffer wanted to get a shot, so we pulled over and he got his photography equipment out of the trunk.

The next five minutes was a study of two men entrenched in their own business, whether that had to do with flippers or lenses. As Sheaffer finally had his camera just perfect, he stood and faced the water. The scuba diver already had waded waist high, and as Sheaffer went to click his camera, the diver submerged. He, and the photo, were gone.

In front of me stood Cruz, who seemed oblivious the sun was sinking quickly behind him. He already had told me a story about how several photographers, himself included, had shown up at the same place not long ago to shoot a subject. They all arrived at the same time and everyone was gone by the time Cruz had everything just right.

The inescapable point is the camera has to be right or the product won't be a true representation of the setting. In the world according to Cruz, the beauty of a sunset at Jiggs Landing, or of a child playing on a swing-set or a young couple going to their first prom, need not be enhanced through photographic tricks or Photoshop. It can all be recorded through the skill of the photographer.

If it is perfect, it will last a lifetime. "A wall portrait is like a window you can look into every day," he said.

Having been in his business more than 30 years, Cruz understands that "skill" and "photographer" seldom collide in the same sentence anymore. He tells the story of a person admiring his work, then saying, "You must have a great camera."

Imagine serving your friends dinner and having them say, "That was a great meal, you must have an awesome pan."

Cruz loves his profession too much to change course now, so he toils away and keeps his focus on his own self-satisfaction and that of his clients.

Finally, the camera was ready and Cruz handed it back to me. A few clicks later and my "not terrible" camera produced an incredible shot. After I hang it on my wall, I can leave out the part about Cruz doing all the heavy lifting.

We walked away from the shore and Cruz tried to tell me about creating a three-dimensional image on a two-dimensional media, how putting a subject in the middle of the frame is the biggest mistake, and about creating depth and dimension.

I've been around the block a few times, so I didn't listen. I know, to get it done right, I need to go see a master, like Cruz.

(Manny Cruz can be reached at [email protected])