Editor Note: Episode #53 of the podcast is ready for your holiday listening enjoyment! This should have gone out last week, so my apologies. System problems with the post production delayed the publication, but better late than never is my motto! Anyway, enjoy!
Many notable photographers have spoken and alluded to this idea of shooting photography with passion. The idea is to approach photography with your creative voice, and a vision of what it is you want to accomplish. So, what do you do when the voice is silent, or the vision is blinded? Re-igniting the passion for photography is something we all face, and while we can all agree that shooting with passion is always a good thing, the question really is how to achieve that intangible in your work. Tune in to the latest podcast here with Andie Smith as we broach the subject head on.
We also tackle some really engaging listener questions, so be sure to listen in – yours may be answered!
As we rush to get our last minute gifts purchased for the holidays, here is the final set in the five part series of gift ideas for the photographer. I kept the criteria simple:
Did you meet your goals in 2010 photographically speaking? It’s an interesting question, especially for me because as I started to move in toward the holidays, with a new job ramping up, had felt as though work in the photography arena had stagnated for me to a degree. It really was not the case actually – and the back story here is what is important. None of us are an island – we all need help to both keep ourselves motivated, and to keep the fires and energies burning. Sometimes we recharge from a break other times it’s from a good kick in the…well, you get the idea!
The Back Story
Colleagues, mentors, tutors, and others in the field can be a hugely helpful influence, and one sage such associate recently told me to shoot more and talk less. The whole idea of “shut up and shoot” had come back to haunt me! This is advice I give to others when they approach me – how dare he suggest that. But then I considered…and in all honesty, the last month or so of photo production had not been as productive as I had wished. I had excuses of the new job, sure…but the bottom line was that my colleague was right! I needed to get out and shoot more! So I did just that. In doing so, I got a few good decent photos together, including one for the desktop download series…
Then, another industry association (although I use that term lightly), is none other than Mr. David DuChemin. You may recall he paid a visit to the podcast a while back, and occasionally we have had a few exchanges on Twitter, but it’s definitely a one-sided relationship where I learn from him and not vice-versa! 🙂 (There I go again with the self-deprecation – someone needs to shock me so I stop doing that!) Anyway, he reminded me that the whole point of our craft is to share our vision and work with others. It came through a Twitter exchange when I was giving a compliment to his work by also using my well-known tactic of self-deprecation. It stuck with me so much, that I’d rather just share his exact words:
Sage Advice from David DuChemin
– and that is exactly what I had not been doing photographically. Oh sure, test shots from lens reviews, a few sample photos here and there…but nothing really from the inner core that had apparently been needing some voice. So, with that I decided to go ahead full force – not only with capturing more images, but completing the last of the Desktop Downloads for the year!
The 2010 Desktop Downloads
What’s that? You don’t know about the Desktop Downloads? Of course not, because I had been neglecting to share the information with everyone on the regular monthly basis that a new photo for inspiration and enjoyment had been uploaded. For many months of the year, I was capturing photos and content to share, and not sharing it! The legwork behind it was lost in the business. So, I owe the audience an apology and 12 downloads for the year! No worries though – you know why? Because I met my goal for the year! In going back through each month for the image I had selected, I realized that this was also tied to a “project” I gave myself for 2010 – to shoot more often, and take on more projects. The goal was one a month, and I did it! With my personal success finally realized, it’s high time to share that success with everyone else. For the monthly desktop image for December, you can get click the appropriate link and download for your own inspiration and enjoyment!
To get the rest, simply hit the Downloads page and save for your own desktop wallpaper or screen saver as you prefer… As an aside, there are a couple months I had done the download as a calendar, thinking it would be more functional (May and June), but after toying with the idea for 2 months, decided it detracted too much from the image for my tastes (all due respect to Jeffrey Friedl and his PS plugin that helped produce those months though.). Nevertheless, with the year far from over (most of December is left for us), I can officially say I met my goal for the year with 12 photo projects. Already, I’ve shot nearly 20% more than I did last year, because of directed projects and diligence. Have you met yours? There’s still time, so get out there and shoot! Happy shooting and we’ll see you back here again tomorrow…
Editor Note: (Who am I kidding, that’s still me…) I know the Monthly Newsletter is still not out as promised and I expect that to be out tomorrow as well, so if you’d like to still sign up for that, there’s still time!
We’ve come a long way, with Part One, Two and Three giving fifteen of my best items I keep in my gear bag and for all around technical purposes. The list continues today with Part 4 – and only one more to come before all 25 are done! So, without further ado: Continue reading “25 Gift Ideas for 2010: Part 4”→
From the title, you likely correctly guessed that with the end of November comes the end of a monthly contest cycle. The prize for November is a pack of the fabulous Polar Pearl Metallic Paper from the generous folks over at Red River Paper! Continue reading “And the November Winner is…”→
I was having a conversation recently with a fellow photographer and the discussion turned to taking the sharpest possible photos with your camera, and what was needed for it. Inevitably, post production came into play, and being very much a purist, he claimed that he does no sharpening in post production. It struck me that this sounded odd to run no sharpening algorithms in a digital world, as my understanding was quite different. I tried to make the case orally, but was hard-pressed to really make a convincing argument for it without supporting documentation. Given my penchant for writing, the resolution was my advice to “read the blog in a few days…there will be a post on sharpening”! So, for Paul (and for others who may be interested, here’s my take on whether or not to sharpen your images, and when!
The way I understand the digital photography landscape (no pun intended), is that there are three phases in which you can (and should) sharpen your images:
Capture Sharpening – This type of sharpening is done on initial import from your camera to your image editor. Whether that is through ACR in Photoshop, in Lightroom (which has ACR built in), or any other application. This initial one is of utmost importance because of the inherent softening of images during the demosaic process when interpreting raw sensor data. As I understand it, the settings used here are relative to the camera you are using, but not so much the specific image.
ACR Sharpening
Creative Sharpening – After import, this would be the time when selective and subjective interpretations are done on images. Whether you choose to apply USM (unsharp mask) in Photoshop, a High Pass overlay layer, or some other means, these types of effects are always done to taste, and very much open to interpretation.
Creative Sharpening using High Pass Filter
Output Sharpening – Last, but not least, output sharpening is when you apply sharpening effects specific to your output device. These settings are dependent on the output device, such as a printer, the web (screen), as well as the size and resolution of the output image (smaller size requires less sharpening than larger files). Even within output sharpening there are settings specific to the printer you are using, and to the paper you are using,
Again though, these are just my impressions on whether sharpening is needed in a digital age or not. I know someone is going to ask, so should probably state here that an entirely different set of criteria should be used when talking about film sharpening techniques…but I digress! 🙂 Back on topic, there’s actually a couple really good resources (from my biased perspective of course) that discuss sharpening in much greater detail than I did here. First off, a book called “Real World Sharpening” by Bruce Fraser and Jeff Shewe is one I would highly recommend. For those with an online reading preference, here’s another good article on the subject, also by Bruce Fraser.
Am I off base? What are your thoughts on sharpening? Is it needed in a digital world? When and how do you sharpen your images (if at all)? Sound off in the newest poll (also in the sidebar):
I’ve talked about bokeh before, so the concept shouldn’t be new for long-time readers of the blog. In fact, you may remember I’ve broached this subject several times, here, here, and here. Continue reading “The nature of bokeh”→
The tryptophan hasn’t quite kicked in yet, and your afternoon football game needs a break. Stretch those legs and surf along to one of these fine buys – Black Friday or any day! Continue reading “25 Gift Ideas for 2010 – Part 3”→
Last week began the grand-tastic gift guide for 2010, where I shared 5 of 25 great gift ideas for the photographer in your life. I keep the criteria simple. First, I must either own or want it! Second, It must be $50 or less. To read the first five in part 1, feel free to hit the archive for it here. Otherwise, today, we continue with Part 2:
1. Wireless Trigger System: Pocket Wizards, Radio Poppers and Cybersyncs are great if you’ve got the moolah, but for those on a budget, there should be some happy medium to get reasonably reliable triggers. I had tried the Cactus triggers myself, and they were a good point of entry, but really just were too unreliable. My buddy Kerry Garrison from Camera Dojo has researched the heck out of this and knows his stuff on lighting. He’s put together a great kit that includes everything you need from transmitters to receivers, and PC Sync cables too, all for the budget-friendly $50 rate! Check out his demo video here and get your photographer a set of these. I can’t wait to get my own set!
Wireless triggers from Camera Dojo
2. Lexar Memory: Everyone could use an additional memory card, and with prices dropping rapidly, the 8GB UDMA CF cards are now within the budget-conscious range, so pick up a spare (or two) of these as we never have enough in our bags…this one is linked from B&H but pick your own vendor of preference as the deals are across the internet.
Lexar CF Cards
3. Black Rapid RS7 – Okay, so it’s 8 bucks over the limit, but for the portability and easing of camera holding during extended sessions, the Black rapid RS 7 is a godsend. If you don’t have one – get one, plain and simple. Visit here to buy one today!
Black Rapid RS-7
4. Online Training – a month or two from either Kelby Training or Lynda.com is just the ticket to help the photographer in your life help themselves. Whether it’s a refresher on Photoshop, boning up on Indesign, or even learning how to set up a WordPress blog or website, these are great resources for online training. Monthly rates are $25 on average, and with the holidays approaching, you could easily find discount codes or bonus offers for signing up, so consider this valuable option. It’s all part of the mentality of helping people advance in their craft through education!
Online Training
5. Light Stand – I have been procrastinating getting a second light stand for some time now and there is just no excuse. The primary is an Impact stand I got from B&H and it has served me well, so I just need to add this to my own wish list, and encourage you to add one to yours (if you don’t already have enough that is…but then again, do we ever have enough lightstands – it’s a VAL you don’t have to feed or take out for beers after a shoot!)!. Here’s my own preferred one: 10′ Impact Lightstand (Tracy, are you reading this?) I should probably note here that I am linking to the 10′ tall heavy duty one – well worth the extra investment in my opinion, but for the super budget-conscious, these can get as cheap as $20 for a light duty 6′ one!
Impact Light Stand (6' to 10')
Okay, so consider it 5.5 suggestions today. I’m sure you have your own ideas too, so feel free to throw your own suggestions in the mix. Remember, with two down and three to go, keep the ideas coming as I do have some room open for a few more! Happy shooting and we’ll see you back here again tomorrow!
So many people ask me this question, or at least some variation on it. The answer I always give is, “It depends…” Then, I go on to list the various criteria that factor in to determining an equitable pricing guide for your work. Here’s a couple of the factors that I’ve always considered when setting prices for work:
1. Location – Are you in New York, Colorado, South Carolina, or California? The cost of living varies greatly in each of these areas, and what might be a good rate for Colorado would barely pay the cost of gas in California. Consider your geographic market when pricing because the market can be a huge factor in how to set pricing.
Where are you?
2. Competition – What are others charging? Here you have to be careful because there is always going to be someone who can undercut you. I see ads on Craigslist and other places all the time where photographers trying to build a portfolio will offer to work for peanuts – or even free, just to get the experience! It’s kind of hard to compete with that, so consider the “competition” as those who are in the same boat you are in.
The Competition
3. The “Target Market” – Tying all of this in is the target audience that you want to market to. If you want to bring in as many clients as possible, then you will have to market differently than if you only want to work 12 events or sessions a year. So, consider who you want to be your client list as this can be a huge determinant in your pricing strategy.
4. Type of Work – Are you a portrait photographer or an event photographer? Architectural photography? Magazine photography? How specialized is your field or niche? Different types of work can garner different rates, and rates can also vary based on hourly or flat rates depending on how you prefer to work. I know some photographers that charge based on the event, and others who charge hourly rates.
5. What’s included? – Are you talking about just the rate to capture the images or does this also include post production? What about image usage? Is licensing a factor and if so, what type of license is being delivered? if not, are you producing prints, is the cost of the capture time built in to expected sales, or are the resulting images going to be transferred to the client for their own use. This can have a huge impact on pricing because licensing fees can get pretty extensive, as can re-prints.
Costs
This is just the tip of the iceberg too…I’m sure others can offer particular insights and considerations to take into account when building out your price sheet. There’s a lot to take into consideration…and you know what’s coming – the reader question: What are your own considerations when building a price sheet? Do you charge by the hour or by the event? Have you included gear depreciation in your pricing? What about your hourly rate that you would like to actually earn versus that which goes to paying overhead? Sound off in the comments – I’d love to hear what others have included in their own formulas! Happy shooting and we’ll see you back here again tomorrow…
