Old Cameras, New Eyes

New York portrait and wedding photographer Linda Smith is walking the talk when it comes to social cause photography. She is setting up photo labs and workshops for former child soldiers and refugees of the Hutus-vs-Tutsi genocide casualities in Rwanda. Her program recycles disposable and discarded cameras and provides them to children in Rwanda and Uganda, allowing them to process what has happened to their lives and villages by taking pictures. It is bringing a glimmer of peace to these forgotten children who have witnessed unthinkable horrors.

Please take a few mintues to watch this video about Linda's "Through the Eyes of Hope" project. We can help by donating old cameras, sending the children disposable cameras, or by purchasing the project's first 2009 calendar. All of the calendar's photographs were taken by the children in Kigali, Rwanda. 100% of all proceeds from the sale of these calendars will go directly into funding further programs and school fees for the children.

Thanks to my friend Ellen Kasemeier-Herbert of Jupiterimages and to Linda's brother, Mike Smith, for telling me about Linda's terrific efforts.

Dear Santa (again):

The new WordPress blog theme for photographers called ProPhoto2 has been released out of beta testing and you can see it here. Watching their demo, it looks easy to me and appears they have thought of everything. ProPhoto2 is on my Christmas wish list so if I get it I will test it to be sure. Let me know if you try it and find anything missing.

Thanks to Tristan Tom for pointing it out to me and you can see the theme in action on his site. Be sure to look at Tristan's Golden Gate bridge fog photos while you are there.

Words and Pictures

I like Larry Mills' series on junk yards. Being the organized sort, I'm fascinated by spaces that are in disarray. Some days I purposely stop myself from straightening stuff on my desk but in the end, I need clean space around me in order to think. But enough about me. What Larry doesn't have that would, IMHO, make this series better are captions or introductory text. To become a successful editorial shooter, your photos need headlines and words. What is so hard about doing that when putting together web galleries? While you are waiting for the phone to ring with an assignment, think of a headline, go shoot it, write a caption, sell.

Spinning Around

Mike Terry popped up on my radar today. I see future-great-sports-photographer written all over his work. Mike: Call me anytime you are feeling underwhelmed and I'll load you up with plenty of free suggestions to make your level head spin.

No Yes Wow

Photographer Marcela Taboada is a finalist in this year's Photolucida Critical Mass competition. Her work is among those pre-screened out of over six hundred entries. This image from her photo essay, "Women of Clay," was included in her entry (see Portfolio 1 on her website).

As reviewers, our job is to look at all the finalists and rate each on this scale:

NO = "Someone may be interested in this work but it's not me."
YES = "I'm glad that I've seen this."
WOW = "I can't wait to show this to someone."

For me, Marcela's images for this story are so rare and authentic I want to give the photographer a prize. Moreover, once I read her essay and artist's statement I became a bigger fan because she shot these in her own backyard in her state of Oaxaca. Many photographers feel they must travel great distances to find extraordinary subjects when they would have done better to look right around the corner.

Advice for Young...and Old?

Yesterday's Magnum Blog post gives advice to those starting out in photography from several members. Many provide the same basic suggestions but I think what Mikhael Subotzky had to say works for those aspiring to be a Magnum-type shooter:

Q: What advice would you give young photographers?

A: Stick to one project for a long time. And keep working on it through many stages of learning, even if it might feel finished. It's the only way to break through what I think are some vital lessons that need to be learned about story-telling and how to combine images.

What do you think is a long time? At what point do you quit a project if it isn't panning out or something better comes along? Should you have more than one project going at a time in order to create portfolio diversity?

Blow Up or Grow Up

What a crabby day it was yesterday with my frustration over PDN's articles, a stock market meltdown and photographs of political candidates turned into horror shows on a magazine’s expense account. Navigate on your own, if you must, to Jill's manipulator site to check out her latest handiwork that is spawning heated comments from every corner of the photo industry. We can bet memos are furiously circulating that explain how portrait lighting for name clients should only be from the top and left in the manner of history’s great master painters.

Everyone is brain stretching for the best headlines; any substance beyond that is immaterial. As long as you hit a news cycle, claim a million hits in one day or show up as a hot topic on the coolest photo blogs, it would seem you've made it in this business. Really, this is getting pathetic. Tomorrow, I'll return to actually trying to help people as much as I can.

This is Distinguished

A few weeks ago, I was fortunate to receive a private showing of Verso’s Limited Edition of the Magnum Founders Platinum Portfolio at Serbin Communications in Santa Barbara. Thanks to Elizabeth Owen for showing me this rare project that is impressive in every category of fine art presentation. When she put on a fresh pair of lint-free gloves before opening the solid walnut box containing the book and platinum prints, I knew I was in for something special.

The investment at the pre-publication price was $12,500, and I believe they have six editions remaining to be sold of the original 75 that were assembled. In an atmosphere of content oversaturation and crowd sourcing, important photography presented with taste and care is holding value.

Gadget Day

I hesitate to post something about items I assume everyone already knows about. Take Google Alerts for example. Surely you all have a Google Alert for your name? Apparently not! Yesterday someone admitted to me that they compulsively conduct searches on their name. I used to do that, too. But I told him about two years ago I started using Google Alerts. He had no idea what I was talking about.

Now I am going to tell you about this cool gadget that I previously assumed most photographers either have or want to have. I certainly want one, but it's not available for my camera model (Canon 40D) yet. I wrote to photographer Joanne Williams asking if I could mention it on my Blog (yes, it's a Blog because I take comments). She said to go right ahead and chat it up!

Screen Shades for the LCD panels on digital Cameras.

At last! You can see the LCD panel on your digital camera even on sunny and glary days! Also protects the UV effects of the sun on the screen. $25 each (add $1.00 for shipping and handling).

Magnifier: (optional) Has the ability to add a 3X magnifier, which quickly snaps on the back of the Screen Shade for easier editing of each image. $25 each (add $1.00 for postage).

Models: Canon 5-D, 30D, MarkII 1DN, Nikon D2x, D200, D2h

Here is the ordering info page. Thanks to Kris Mortensen for her quick reply to my request to feature the LCD Screen Shade on my Blog.

Pop Quiz Time

I am not sure I know the answer to this question anymore: How is professionalism measured in this business?

Have you sold any of your images for one dollar or less? Why did you do it!? To what lengths will you go to be considered a professional? If you even once received income for a photo are you calling yourself a pro? If you only have a photosharing website, have never been hired for an assignment, don't have an agency or rep, are still paying off your first strobe kit and don't know how to use a radio slave, why can't you stomach calling yourself ***GULP*** an Amateur?

What if you had a sale on a microstock site or a relative paid you to take photographs of some event or their business? Does that justify the pro credential? To join some associations, you must state that your primary income is from photography and submit tearsheets. But association enrollments are down. The bar has been lowered so there are more people calling themselves professional photographers than ever before.

I am not all worked up about this. I am, however, shouting out to everyone who truly wants to be considered professional, "Please do not sell--or allow agents, assigns, associates or affiliates to sell on your behalf--any of your images for a dollar." To lighten up this post, here is an amusing quiz you can take from PhotoPreneur to find out if you have what it takes. Question #13 might be the tipping point. Oh, they give us another moniker to consider: Hobbyist.

Story Leftovers

When viewing any single image, can you tell if it has been pulled out of an editorial assignment or if it was shot as a standalone? David Burnett consistently manages to deliver a story in one frame. NGS has a classy website and it's inspiring to look around over there. Here is a gallery of David's from his story, Beyond Disney. I love "Savory Samplings" and "Breathing Room."

Why don't more photographers use titles and captions in their galleries? I look at tons of website galleries every week and most photographers need some guidance when it comes to their portfolios. It feels as if too much energy is going into site technology, branding and blogging rather than into selecting and sequencing the most powerful images.

Warning! Warning!

I heard many things are not working for you right now either. It’s a dreaded case of too much stuff and not enough space. We are not alone. This is the good news after weeks of tackling tech problems. Spring cleaning came and went; tons of once loved attachments and software without probable cause bit the cosmic dust. When you can't see stars in the blogosphere it's time to take a break anyway.

While all the sweepers were working, there was time to catch up on reading and writing thank you notes. Do you have a box or two of classy note cards in your office? You certainly need these. It is a wonderful practice to mail a personalized note to a deserving soul every week or so. Even if your favorite client hasn't called you for two years, rather than blasting them with an eNewsletter or your latest postcard/flyer/slick promo/fridge magnet/wall calendar, sending a note card on the finest paper (with postage to match) is sure to make them feel less cranky.

For some ideas, try Red River Paper company. You don’t necessarily need to use a photograph but if you do, don’t go glossy or use an artsy technique if that is not your style. Just your name embossed is fine. Use the best ink pen you can afford. It can’t hurt to take a practice run on what you want to say first if you aren’t good at spur-of-the-moment sentences or writing without spellchecker. You will need a basis for sending someone a card in the first place. “Can you believe it has been a year since the photo show in Denver? I thought I’d drop a note to say hi and hope all is well with you. Maybe I’ll see you in Albuquerque? Trust you had a great summer!”

August Mentoring Assignment

This Adobe Illustrator exercise on CreativePro.com, my favorite site with DIY stuff, is a great example of a step-by-step tutorial. Photographer, etc. Chad Newman just whips these babies out!

This month, write any type of "How To" article using your own illustrations. Instead of a software demo, think of a process you know well and then photograph its stages. If you grow plants from seeds, let's see your method. Amuse us with your technique for hanging a shower curtain or washing your dog. If you have Chad's knack for writing tutorials why not make some extra money?

However, if you become lost every morning trying to measure the right amount of coffee for six cups of water without referring to the instruction manual, then equal credit will be given for submitting before-and-after Silhouettes ;-. Please don’t tell me you don’t take “busy” photos or have Illustrator. You have many resources. It’s a long month. Stay frosty.

If you will be in SoCal next week...

The American Society of Picture Professionals (ASPP) West Coast Chapter is getting together next Tuesday for a screening of Born Into Brothels by Ross Kauffman and Zana Briski. Zana's photography and her work for Kids with Cameras is remarkable.

If you haven't seen this documentary, or if you would like to see it again in the company of picture professionals, please join us to watch this Academy Award winning film.

When: Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Time: Social hour @ 6:30 - Screening @ 7:30
Place: Lew Robertson's Studio, 3619 Eastham, Culver City
Food: Freshly grilled hamburgers with all the fixings, assorted other snacks, cold beer and beverages!
Cost: $10 food/drink contribution for ASPP members and guests
Directions: www.3619Eastham.com
Parking: Free street parking adjacent to the Studio
RSVP: by Monday, August 11 to Michael Masterson @ 323-302-5350. Space is limited.

A Blue Miracle

Around 5:00 PM today, this 60-foot blue whale popped into view as we cruised a few miles off shore aboard the Research Vessel Sea Explorer. We were guests of Bentley Cavazzi, Marketing Director of The Ocean Institute at Dana Point Harbor, California. Captain Mike Bursk and his crew expertly navigated us through pods of dolphins and to within arm's length of this rare whale. I eagerly ran through an entire flash card. I was feeling time pressure; the animal was in complete harmonic calm.

Back on land, we were treated to a lecture with the totally engaging Earl Richmond for The Institute's Artist by the Sea program. Earl shared highlights of his fantastic body of work including research, rescue and educational videos. Earl's company has the world's largest collection of blue whale footage! Sadly, only about 12,000 blue whales remain on the planet.

My position on the tip of the bow pulpit was thrilling. What a great day surrounded by smart creatures above and below the sea.

Death to Hummer

Tosh liked the story about my grandfather. She wrote, "Yikes! I wouldn't want to chase my DNA. Probably my relatives still owe people money." Ha. I hadn't thought of that.

I heard consumer Hummers will soon be extinct. Four GMC truck and SUV plants are closing. New autos sales are down 65 percent across the board. I no longer drive a Pathfinder, but I miss her. I enjoyed the elevated view, on-the-fly 4WD and the overall feeling of security.

TAKE NOTE: There are unique photo opportunities across the nation to convey these stories. Chris Verene-style portraits of car salespeople, chain-smoking as they wait for their next Up, comes to mind.

Tomorrow, I'm going on a road trip for a few weeks in my 2006 Acura with navi and XM, so I won’t be alone. I found a Fuel Cost Calculator. Wish me luck. I will be posting here and there along the way.

Equal Opportunity Sizzle

Today we're serving up Beckham on a Malibu beach for you. Uh huh. Armani. And by photogs Mert & Marcus. When you hail from Turkey and Wales, you can team up and straddle vault with David out at Zuma. Quite a trio of technicians at work. It may be time to revert to a coming soon site. At least for the summer. Either way, the heat is on.

Soon this high-gloss posting stint of mine will be over. I know I'm in my own little world, but it's okay. They know me here...

Are you Hot?

While we're on a heat wave, student photographer Emeline Rodelas M. sends me this photo from her current California shooting tour. She's at my home beach and I'm getting down there after work, dang it.

For temporary refreshment, take a look at this sizzling video short from M.A.C. Cosmetics. Bring on summer!

No Sweaty Palms Allowed

According to this article, "Palm Springs has always been a jewel for still photographers." So I called Locations Unlimited to find out who has been out there shooting recently. Oh, Ben Watts.

Twilight Zone Galleries

There is a method to the madness of naming online galleries. Most photographers name slideshows based on common search engine terms. They use sticky labels: Lifestyle, Travel, Portraits, Architecture, Advertising, Corporate, Editorial, Food and Fashion.

So when a potential client plugs into Google: Architectural photographer Alexandria, Virginia, they are going to find you. Right?

In the above search today, Dana Hoff, who has a sponsored link, shows up in the top three, even though he is based in South Florida. His gallery categories include most of the stickies I mention. A client would need to drill down through many pages of results to find a decent (IMHO) architectural shooter in Alexandria. Showing up on a search depends on proper metatags, regular resubmission of your URL, tweaking flash code so it can be crawled and so on.

For those who don't give a doubletruck about being found by Google-handicapped clients, consider these catchy gallery names:

Welcome to Compton (Albertina d'Urso)

People You've Probably Never Met (David Cassidy)

Until There Were None (Krista Steinke)

Flower Boys (Aaron Vincent Elkaim)

Chairs (Cara Phillips)

How did I find these hip sounding galleries? By keyword searching on stock and community sites and then following the photographer's name into their own world. But for practical purposes, the old standbys work for clients who use standard shooting categories to find you. When they land on your site to see your Food gallery you might as well lead them straight to it.