Think Before You Speak
- Picture by wallsneedlove.com
Life's a little easier when you Think Before You Speak... Photography is much better when you Think Before You Shoot. Basically I am saying Don't "RUN & GUN"! So many photographers new and seasoned over shoot and aim carelessly. Now I know I am not always capturing an amazing work of art every time I release the shutter but I can say with some confidence that I take that split second where a picture is made very seriously. I want my frame to be meaningful and thought out, regardless of the meter's suggestion I want my exposure to really count, and I want the moment I am capturing to matter. Some days I feel my brain on overload working hard to continually care about each image. However, this is totally worth it. So many photogs out there say "I can fix it in Photoshop"; isn't that just a waste of time? Fixing it in Photoshop is not a great solution. Spend the time (you already have) in creating a great image so you don't have to waste time "fixing" a bad one just to have something okay.
Happy Shooting!
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Shoot Some Video
We have such advanced tools in our hands and most of the photographers out there only use about 1/3 the amount of functions their cameras have. You could double your use if you just add some video work into the mix. Okay maybe not double because you wouldn't really use this function at 50% as our skill for stills is the main priority within our businesses. However, what if you could increase your business revenue by 10% with only adding 3-5% more work to your usual gigs? You would do that in a heart beat right? I know I would and now I do. By informing your clients why they need some B-roll video capture you can up-sell your products fast. I am not a videographer and I am not really interested in becoming one but if I can do just a tad more on a wedding day and squeeze another 10% that's not a bad day. Also it is a way for he client to save a bit because they may be satisfied with just some video and not the whole days worth. Besides Videograpohers are always stepping into my frame and bumping into me. Most seem to be ill mannered and I always stay professional. I know it sounds like I am telling you to cut into the videographer business out there but you really aren't... you are offering a bit more than what you normally do and a videographer could do the same with stills. No matter what people get what they pay for so I say practice then try to sell it. Don't learn on their money.
Happy Shooting!
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Mileage
When you run a small business every bit counts. It could be saving a buck on a few ting here and there or spotting a great deal on a new piece of gear. It is all about making money doing what we love and not spending too much trying to get there. Well there are many business tricks to consider for not spending as much as we could or saving once in a while. One way we get financial breaks it through our taxes. You and I can have very different views about taxes or the way the government performs taxation but the truth is there are options for us to save some money through tax breaks. One major saver is our Mileage. So many small business owners do not track their miles for every bit that goes into their small business. YOU NEED TO! Those miles add up. I did something like 12,000 miles last year for my business and the number climbs each year as more and more work comes my way. Just like almost everything else there is an app for that.
Here are a few to look into:
Auto Miles
Mileage Log+
klicks
Triplog
TrackMyDrive
MileGuru
BizXpenseTracker
Easy Logbook
MileWiz
Hurdlr
MileBug
Everlance
SherpaShare Mileage/Expense Tracker
MileIQ
GPS Mileage Tracker
Fuel buddy
Stride Drive
MetroMile’s
TaxMileage
Happy Shooting!
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FAIL
So the past few weeks have been focusing on acronyms such as: N.O. for Next Opportunity and E.N.D. for Effort Never Dies. This week is all about one of my favorite questions to ask in interviews and that is Fail! Now I did not come up with any of these three acronyms. Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam; 11th president of India, is quoted for each of these three. In the spirit of Failing I share a big failing story where I almost ruined someones wedding in 2014. I can honestly say this was the biggest failure I have ever encountered in my professional career. If I discuss my personal live this episode would never end. That's not sad at all...
There are enough horrible things going on in our lives and throughout the world that it is helpful to a shift your perspective form negative to positive and these acronyms have been a huge help to me over the past year or so. I know that even with all the failure I have plenty left to learn and I look forward to my future mistakes.
Happy Shooting!
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Davin Lavikka - The Alternative Processes
Davin is a Fine Art and Commercial Photographer based in Scottsdale Arizona. You may know Davin from his YouTube channel filled with instructional videos on all things photography. From understanding gear to learning on how to be better prepared on your next shoot.
Davin Lavikka is a photographer and artist in Scottsdale Arizona. Photography is his primary tool and has been for the last fifteen years. He is known for his architectural and commercial work but has become known for his fine art photography first. He is influenced by early masters like Eugene Atget, W. Eugene Smith, Diane Arbus, Walker Evens, Ansel Adams, Albert Renger-Patzsch, Horst P. Horst, Ernst Haas, Herbert Bayer, Jacques Henri Lartigue and Edward Weston. From the very beginning Davin has been a visionary translating his ideas into a physical form through drawing, painting, illustrating and photography. Davin's ultimate goal is to fully explore the artistic side of photography through alternative processes and ideas. He is fascinated with visual composition and how we react to it. "You can look at a master painter's work like Marcus Pierson, Philip Curtis or Van Gogh, see a painting they did and automatically know it was them. It's harder to do that with photography but that's the goal, to see identify me without knowing the work."
Happy Shooting!
W: http://www.lavikkaphotography.com/
http://www.method-wedding-photography.com/
Blog: http://www.lavikkaphotography.com/blog
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Mark Wallace - Change Humanity
A friend of mine introduced me to Mark's YouTube channel and his work in 2010 or so and I have been wanting to get him on the show for a long time now. after a couple quick emails he was game and I am so glad. I could not be more pleased with the conversation, the value, and the inspiration Mark has shared with me and you Photo World. Give it a listen but definitely watch his videos for Adorama TV
Mark Wallace is a photographer based in the United States. Best known for his web-based video series “Digital Photography One on One” and “Exploring Photography” sponsored by Adorama.
Millions of people have watched Mark’s videos on YouTube, and the numbers continue to grow. Mark has a strong social media following on Facebook and Twitter, where he spends time interacting with viewers and workshop attendees.
In 2014, Mark left the United States to embark on a 2 year worldwide adventure. He visited 28 countries and captured thousands of unique photographs across the globe.
In 2016 Mark decided to give up planes, trains, and automobiles and is now exploring the world on his motorcycle.
Happy Shooting!
Adorama: http://www.adorama.com/alc/tags/mark-wallace
W: http://www.markwallacephotography.com/
Blog: http://www.markonabike.com/
Workshops: http://classes.snapfactory.com/
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Overcoming END!
Job, relationships, projects, motivation, and power... thing end. Just like the ones listed here or maybe something you are thinking about, one way or another, there is an end to it. Sometimes and ending comes about when it is unexpected or inconvenient and we can feel lost or afraid about what we may need to do to overcome that end. It is amazing how our perspective can be a solution to most any problem and when we talk about the ends of things that same mind shift can be the help we are looking for. Rather than throwing in the towel and accepting the end, we can give the future a chance to thrive with the idea that E.N.D. is really "Effort Never Dies". There is something to be said about not giving up. However, before I get deep into this topic and the idea that we should always strive to keep going. Let me be clear that an ending may be the right solution to that job, relationship, project, motivation, etc.
My real thought process here is that we can think positively and take our learning with us. When I was younger with part time jobs I would see things coming to an end. It may have been the people were not great to be around or the money wasn't enough/I found a possible new job with higher pay, whatever it was, I always had a plan. I always made the effort to continue and move on, grow, and in my mind continually succeed. I have mentioned in past episodes that I had something like 16 or more jobs before I finished college. I sound like a flake but it was just meticulous planning for what is next and how to always overcome the ends.
Happy Shooting!
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Whats In My Bag part 17
I'm still on this kick of photo gear and breaking down my equipment list. I have to say it is amazing what you can do even when you do not have all the gear you dream of. I have wants of an 85mm f1.5 prime as well as a 200-400mm f4. If I had an extra 9k laying around I would get those lenses. I have had a dream list of gear since the day I realized I love photography. After 7 years I am happy to say that list is almost completely checked off. However, with the advances in technology I find myself always adding and updating the list. I am sure many of you have this process of wants and building up your gear and then wanting something new. Well today's Whats In My Bag episode features the gear that puts the gear envy to rest.
LIGHTING! I'm talking about the Paul C. Buff AlienBees B1600. I have three of these studio strobes and a vagabond mini to give me power on the go. Having the right light will extend the life of any camera, automatically improve the possibility of any lens, and teach you to be a better photographer. I rave about my light because these are what make the shots.
Happy Shooting!
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Get It Right In Camera
Photo World, this fast paced digital age we live in has really been a great advantage to beginning a photography careers. However, many newer photographers depend on the LCD screen as a way of knowing their exposure adjustments rather than understanding their camera meter and how to make creative and/or specific choices to better an image before the even begin. I am all for making adjustments because thing look off on the LCD but I am more for knowing how to meter, understanding what you want, adjust beyond the better judgement of your camera meter, and creating something that looks great rather than something that looks average. It is so much more fun raising the bar from great to awesome rather than average to better. As a wonderfully difficult test I would urge every new photographer to get a hold of a film SLR and shoot a 36 exposure roll and see what it is like to take a picture. Not practice a picture like digital but actually capture and see later if you got what you wanted to take. I understand the power of instant gratification with digital but true knowledge is within. Honing in on your skills and real world practice will help you Get It Right In Camera. So many people rely on tools like Photoshop to solve the problems of their photography mistakes but Photoshop is just that, a tool. You can't really fix bad work with a tool like Photoshop or Lightroom. I know the latitude of RAW files are very rich and informative files however that is not a solution to an originally poor capture. I find it odd how many of my students are content with mediocre work when they were so close to the more appropriate choices for their work. Practice make progress.
Happy Shooting!
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Your Gifts as a Gift
Fist off, yesterday was Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there. Do you ever approach a holiday or birthday thinking "Oh no... I have no idea what to get for them." This happens to me all the time. I found a simple and meaningful way around this annoying problem on what kind of gift to get for Mom or Dad, any friend on their birthday, a significant other, or when your a guest at a wedding.
1: know that this gift idea will not always be the perfect solution
2: understand that if this approach is over used you will look like a thoughtless idiot
3: this is not a work around to the traditional gift ideas that would fit "this" particular occasion in question
It's you. or your abilities rather... I am talking about giving your gifts as a gift. Using your photography to create something special for someone. Maybe offering your photography service as a gift itself. I get that this is a business and we need to make money but giving the service you place value on is often more than you would have spent anyway.
Happy Shooting!
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Whats In My Bag part 16
Continuing, but winding down, on the Friday Whats In My Bag episodes is a phenomenal light I use at every wedding, every portrait, engagement session, and family portraits. It is the Flashpoint Streaklight 360. This light has the compact feel of a speedlight, though it is sufficiently larger, and the power of a studio strobe. Not quite the power of your average 400-600 Watts studio light but near that being a 360 Watt light. Compare that to a top of the line speedlight at about 60-90 Watts and you have a portable powerful light source to be implemented anywhere you need it as you need it. The specific version I purchased is a Manual function only. Although they do make a Nikon Compatible version, as well as, Canon and Sony versions. Those have the option for TTL (Through The Lens) metering function. I could see the benefit in TTL with this power house that is so mobile. However I am a manual kind of guy. I only shoot in full Manual (M) exposure so unsurprisingly I like the same level of control with my lights as well. Plus you save the Green stuff with this lower function version.
Happy Shooting!
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Exposed Photography Showcase
There are countless ways to get out there and network or show your work to others. One local event is the Exposed Photography Showcase at the College of DuPage. It was held last night (05/03/2016) with approximately 500 people in attendance. The Exposed Photography Showcase is a juried contest for both college students as well as surrounding area high school students. We had 11 high schools submit work and I was on the panel of judges for them. The COD student's work was looked at by three local professional photographers. Some of the prizes were subscriptions to the Adobe CC, subscription to ASMP, and even a Canon 70D kit was awarded. This was only the second year for the Exposed Photography Showcase and it was a huge success. Networking was fluent throughout the evening and I even heard a couple students landed internships. Other students were able to sell some work and even book a few sessions. The reality is, when you attend a networking event, any networking possible event, you never know who else may be there or what good can come of it.
Happy Shooting!
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I Love NO!
No... There's a word we don't hear enough. Yeah right. Some times it feels like the only answer people know how to give. It can be upsetting hearing No over and over but maybe there is another way to look at it. In this episode I break down the word No and unfold a few ideas on how to handle hearing it. It isn't something we really ever get used to but most of us still seem to have a lot of trouble dealing with moving past No. In my personal life I have had a tough time moving past many NO's. However, I haven't really had much of an issue letting "No" go when it came to my work environments. Between the ages of 15-19 I had a dozen or so part time jobs. Two or Three at any given time to keep me overwhelmingly busy, though I had more opportunity than most learn and grow for all the No's in my life. On a personal note, I do find great value in looking back over the No's but I never spent much time indulging the idea of sadness or fear because of it. No is motivation.
Happy Shooting!
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