Signs of the Times

by on November 11, 2011

This post contributed by Posterjack – custom metal prints, canvas prints, posters, and more!

For ages now there have been ways to get photo images on a variety of surfaces, mediums and materials. The t-shirt with your baby’s image, the coffee cup with your collie and the mousepad with your favorite holiday photo; have been available for years.

Processing has improved in all the photo options, but the print options have changed as well. What used to be long, expensive and protracted processes are now a few clicks of the mouse. Where the options used to be limited now there is a massive range of choices.

For the inspiring artist or photographer this is an interesting medium to work in. The ability to use your digital images allows the transfer of graphic design, electronic art and photography to a wide range of splits and clusters, panoramic views or big, dramatic wall statements. The metal print further adds to the impact and drama of the process.

The ability to do post production work, such as Photoshop or similar software applications, allows you to add text, special effects and even logos and branded images. This means that the metal print can be more than art on the wall. It can be signage, menus, service lists, pricing options or a wide variety of promotional, branding and marketing images.

For business, this unique medium and the ability to generate images allow customers to see your product in vivid color in a format that can be used inside or out. The durability of the material, allows for a 20-30 year range of durability in most cases. There are some weather elements, especially sea air that could speed up the aging process, but in most environments this is a durable product.

Picture the ability to create your own signs. People pay premium dollars for the roadside signs, old promotional signs like Burma Shave signs or for the merchandising signage. But you can generate your own. You can use your favorite images as well. If you want someone to understand your products and services; then an image may be the best process to do so.
The ability to create metal prints in a variety of sizes means that you can create promotional or branded identity objects with a customized image or message, even metal print business cards are available in some metal print options.

This is a dramatic medium that allows you to replace art easily and affordably.

10 Tips For getting creative wedding photographs

by on July 25, 2011

wedding photo by David Crane

 

  1. Get to know what the couple likes, and what makes them tick. (Lopez)
  2. Gain complete trust from your client to allow you to create art from their most important day. (Cheung)
  3. Set up a simple, pleasing pose, and then move around your subject using different lenses, settings, and angles for a variety of unique looks. (Prutch)
  4. Think outside “wedding photography”… use ideas from other sources of media and art to inspire you. (Cheung)
  5. Play, tease and encourage your couples, but be cognizant of their comfort level in front of the camera and any boundaries they may have. (Prutch)
  6. Plan a 10-minute session during the reception, as couples are more relaxed and appreciate the time together away from the crowd. (Prutch)
  7. Don’t be afraid to pose, talk or cajole to encourage an atmosphere where your clients can feel free to respond with honest emotion. (Cheung)
  8. You don’t necessarily want to make them smile. You want to talk to them about things that make you either connect or disconnect. (Lopez)
  9. Be passionate. You will breed excitement and your clients will be ever more wiling to participate in a fun and memorable shoot. (Cheung)
  10. Have a blast doing it!

The state of the stock photography industry

by on July 25, 2011

photo by photokisses

The stock photography industry is in free fall, and the floor seems to be porous, whereby free isn’t even the bottom. While photographers who control their rates using services such as PhotoShelter, with pricing models powered by the baseline of fotoQuote, are able to better withstand the demand for lower rates, by simply saying “no” when unreasonable offers are made, those who are at the whim of pricing models set by a conglomerate, are suffering.

It would be smart for organizations, like Getty, Corbis, and others who have the marketshare to allow photographers to use their services more as a portal, or conduit, while permitting those who use the portal to set the rates. A transaction fee similar to that paid to credit card companies who process transactions (2-4%) would suffice.

Betsy Reid has done a remarkable job of analyzing the state of the market, over at the Brittish Journal of Photography, here, and I highly recommend it for a thoughtful read!

Jason Arnold Photography

by on July 25, 2011

It’s strange how life comes full circle when you least expect it. I was born and raised in South Florida into a family with a long history of fishing, surfing and diving. My deep respect for the ocean and the life that inhabits the majestic waters came from my father, who also spent his formative years enjoying Florida beaches. Little did I know my two passions, the ocean and photography, would collide.

Surfing kept me out of trouble in my teens, which eventually led to a 10-year career as a professional surfer. When reality set in and I realized I needed to get a “real” job, I knew the cubicle life wasn’t for me. Photography had always been a hobby, but when I focused on making my hobby a career, the stars aligned and doors opened that I never dreamed possible.

By my mid-20s, I had earned positions shooting sports photography with the Sun Sentinel, Getty and Reuters. Some of it had to do with talent, but most of it had to do with luck. I shot a handful of Superbowls, Stanley Cups, NBA Finals and MLB World Series. During this time, I fell in love with the science of lighting and found a talent for shooting portraits of athletes. There is nothing in the world that comes close to capturing a thought, feeling or personality when the light hits the subject just right. It’s all about chasing moments…

I bought my first Ikelite underwater housing for a side project I wanted to do while spending quality time with my dad fishing and diving. I wanted to find out if I could capture the same type moments with fish, rather than people. My first underwater portrait was a mahi-mahi about 30 miles off of Fort Lauderdale. When I got home and viewed the images from that day, I was hooked.

It took time to perfect my technique, but I quickly learned that I only had a split second to get the right shot. There was never room for hesitation. Capturing the distinct details of an individual fish quickly became an obsession. Each fish has unique differences. These differences set them apart from the rest of the school.

It’s not always easy and there have been many fishing trips when I came home with nothing. It can be extremely difficult to get a shot because I have to get within two to three feet of the fish. The fish also have to be close enough to the surface to get enough light to capture the brilliance of each fish’s coloring.

Although I don’t have fear while I am taking the portraits, I look back at times and wonder where I found my courage. On one outing, I was even able to jump in the water with two big eye threshers. One measured 14 feet and the other one measured 16 feet. There have been a few bites and a couple close encounters, but I am thankful that fish and sharks are usually more curious than aggressive.

The key to taking great photos is finding the adventure in every moment. Whether you are shooting sports, weddings or fish, there is always an adventure waiting and a story to be told.

You can see more of Jason’s work at JasonArnoldPhoto.com, follow him on Twitter, find him on Facebook, and keep up with him on his blog.

How to price it right

by on July 25, 2011

Pricing is often one of the hardest areas of the business for photographers. New photographers are sensitive about their lack of experience, afraid they don’t merit a large fee and can’t compete with more established professionals. But even for established professionals, a certain sense of guilt is common when it comes to talking price. Many professionals are almost apologetic when quoting a price, and are much to willing to come down.

I’m no exception.

I recently had a revelation that has helped me a great deal with the psychological aspect of pricing. It has to do with the difference between how photographers and clients perceive any given photo shoot. What many photographers, enthusiasts and pros, often forget is that a photo shoot is a rare and big event for a client. While we do shoots every week, most people might do a professional photo shoot a few times in their lives. A FEW TIMES IN THEIR LIVES.

If you charge cheap, cut corners, or otherwise short-change your clients, you really are depriving them of something special. You are depriving them of the opportunity they may only have a few times to experience a professional photo shoot – to be the center of attention during the shoot, the recipients of small gestures that make them feel like valued clients, and ultimately the recipients of truly beautiful professional images.

Instead of skimping on the price, go ahead and price high. And then make it worth it. GIVE YOUR CLIENTS THE UNIQUE AND MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE OF WORKING WITH A TRULY PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER. Dress like a pro, act like a pro, project confidence. Do your homework before the shoot. Go the extra mile to make your clients feel valued before, during, and after. Do everything necessary to create the ambiance of an idealized “photo shoot” as well as produce great images.

Think of yourself as selling an EXPERIENCE, not just a set of photos. If you can do that, I guarantee your clients will be happy to pay for your services. And they’ll remember the experience for a long time to come.

Ambient Light

by on July 3, 2011

Ambient Light refers to any light in a given scene that isn’t artificial light, light supplied by the photographer. Sunlight, candlelight or light emanating from surrounding lamps can produce ambient light in a photograph.

In general, photographers use ambient light on or around an object to produce a certain mood or feeling for the resulting image. This subtle photographic technique is known in cinematic circles as low-key lighting.

Ambient Light

When taking a photograph of lights, for instance at Christmas time, experts suggest making the most of ambient light. Flash photography indoors can be harsh, overpowering the serenity and softness of a image. Consequently, rather than use flash, adding candles or incandescent lights can enhance the ambient lighting of a scene without overpowering it.

Another common manner in which ambient light creates a mood lies in the deliberate ways certain scenes are lit. For example, if a photographer wants to engender a creepy or haunting effect, he tends to use ambient light that comes from beneath the image, making it seem larger and, therefore more menacing.

However, if there is not a clear distinction between an image and its background, ambient light shouldn’t be the sole source of light for the photograph. In these cases, ambient light should be enhanced either th


Lumix DMC-TZ19

by on June 1, 2011

The Lumix DMC-TZ19 is Panasonic’s latest travel-zoom camera, featuring a 16x, 24-384mm lens, 3D Photo Mode and a touchscreen LCD. Successor to the TZ10 model, the DMC-TZ19 has a new 14.1 megapixel CCD sensor which enables 720p HD movies in the AVCHD format and fast continuous shooting at either 10fps or 5ps with continuous auto-focus turned on. The Intelligent Resolution function can be used to digitally boost the zoom ratio to 21x without hardly any loss in quality, or to simply make still images and video look better, at least according to Panasonic. The TZ19 also implements A, S and M exposure modes for creative photographers, in addition to Intelligent Auto and a variety of scene modes for beginners. An upgraded Sonic Speed auto-focus system, high-speed and high-performance Venus Engine FHD processor, POWER O.I.S. anti-shake system and a 3-inch touch-sensitive LCD screen with 460k dots complete the headline specifications. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ19 is available in black for £229, exclusively at Currys, PCWorld and Dixons in the UK.

Finepix F550 EXR

by on February 12, 2011

The Fujifilm Finepix F550 EXR is a new 16 megapixel compact camera with a 15x, 24-360mm zoom lens. Capable of auto-focusing in as little as 0.16 second, other highlights of the successor to the popular F300 EXR include an EXR Back Side Illuminated CMOS sensor, advanced GPS functionality, high-resolution 3 inch LCD screen, 8fps continuous shooting, RAW image capture, full 1080p HD movies and High Speed movie capture at 320 fps. The Fujifilm Finepix F550 EXR is available now in black or silver at a retail price of $329.95 / £329.99.

How to start your own photography business

by on February 12, 2011

Here’ we will outline a few tips to help you start your own photography business

Find what you enjoy shooting and start shooting it!
Don’t produce a haphazard collection of different images. Then they try to sell the resulting images. Shoot first and then find a market. Pros do just the opposite: they know their market, and then shoot for it. Give yourself a highly targeted list of assignments. Do some at-home product shoots, or portrait or engagement sessions with family or friends. Assign yourself to cover at least 10 mammal species at the local zoo, or spend some time at some local wild areas. Take it seriously – learn about the animals or natural areas you’re covering. As long as your niche is something close to home, you can build a portfolio relatively quickly. Unless you live in Kansas and are determined to have your niche be Central American travel photography, it’s not that hard to build a solid portfolio.

Get your website up and running asap
A website is your online portfolio and your most effective marketing tool. A well-designed site gives you credibility and provide a point of interaction with clients and buyers. Like a storefront, it is a place to which you can direct people, and a way for others to stumble into you while searching the web.

start looking for paid assignments
Of course everyonewants to get paid right away, but you may want to do the first 1-2 events at low rates, or even free. Your friends are giving the opportunity to get started, and you are giving them the gift of your valuable photography time. Use the resulting images as a basis for your initial wedding / event portfolio.

Find your buyers and target them
If you are selling to magazines or publishers, go to the book store and buy copies of your target magazines, and find the names of publishers in your field. Register at Photosource International, and pay for a list of buyer contacts in your niche. Go through Photographer’s Market, and list those buyers in your field.

Join a Stock Photo Agency.
If you are really new, or don’t have a deep and coherent portfolio of images, then you can go right now to Alamy, and start the process of signing up with them. As long as your images meet minimum standards of size and quality, Alamy will provide you with a marketplace. You will learn how the stock universe works, and when your portfolio is deeper, you can take the next step.

Different poses for Wedding Photography

by on January 25, 2011

Posing is one of the most important aspects of wedding photography. You can have all of the lighting, camera, and post-production knowledge in the world but still end up with unhappy clients if you fail to make them look beautiful, comfortable, and happy. The following list of poses isn’t comprehensive; and not all of the poses will work for all of your couples. However, it is a good starting point from which you should make adjustments to compliment your couples’ features and accommodate their style preferences. (The following images are provided courtesy of Lin and Jirsa, Los Angeles Wedding Photography)

1) The Basic Pose
The basic pose is a must-have in wedding photography. Make sure the bodies are close to each other with no gaps; and make sure the hands are somewhere other than hanging by their sides. Either have them hold hands in the middle or have the guy place his hand in his pocket and the bride place her hand on her hip.

2) Sitting Basic Post

The most important factor with this pose is hand placement. Awkward hand placement can ruin a perfect photo. Have the groom place one hand behind the bride’s body, with the other holding the bride’s hand in the middle. The bride’s other hand should rest on her lap or over the other hand.

3) Hug onto the Arm

Have the bride hug onto the bicep of the broom and place the other hand on his shoulder. This is a more casual pose than the standard basic pose mentioned above.

4) Standing Forehead to Forehead

Forehead to forehead is an intimate pose without the kissing. Make sure their eyes are closed so it doesn’t look like they’re staring each other down. If there is a significant height difference, have the groom do the splits until they are similar in height.


5) The Dip


The dip adds action to a scene. Make sure the groom is using his legs to dip to give him a sturdy base and have the bride either grab around his neck or have them hold hands as they dip.

As mentioned, these poses are just a starting point. From here, you can make small adjustments, take slightly different angles, use different lighting techniques and lenses, and more to create an entirely different look and feel to the image. We hope you learned a few things, and stay tuned for more wedding photography tutorials.

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