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PhotoPlus Expo 2011 Report: Canon Idea Mine iPhone App

by Dan Bailey on October 27, 2011 · 13 comments

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We creative types are always looking for those little pangs of extra inspiration, whether it comes from books, software plugins, or smartphone apps.

Today at PhotoPlus Expo, Paul Pierson Apps announced a brand new iPhone app called “Canon Idea Mind.” Created by graphic design and branding whiz Paul Pierson of NYC-based Carbone Smolan Agency in conjunction with Canon, this cool little app is designed to inspire pro photographers by distilling creative ideas into condensed visual flash cards you can save and use to help drive inspiration for your shoot.

The app’s home screen presents you with a set of fields where you specify what, where, and when you want to photograph. You then fill in fields that correspond to conceptual ideas about your proposed shoot and what feelings or moods you want to convey. Or, if you need additional ideas, you hit the “randomizer” button and let the app fill in concepts for you.

When all the fields are complete, you hit “Done,” and the app spits out a graphic visual promo that matches the parameters of your shoot. You can save this image to share with fellow creative conspirators and/or use it to come up with specific ideas that might help you motivate and plan for your shoot.

Drawing from the notion that a picture is worth a thousand words, Canon Idea Mine comes at it from the other side, using words to inspire images. It’s definitely an original, idea-provoking machine, and even better, it’s free. I wondered where Canon actually fits in the mix, since their name is associated with it. Apparently the final release will include a link to the Canon Digital Learning Center. It’s designed as a portal into their brand; a PR piece, as it were.

Canon or not, I see this one being pretty popular with just about every style of photographer. I like the format, and it’s a fun, well-executed design. I’m a Nikon guy, and I’ll definitely get this one when it comes out.

Don’t tell Nikon.

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Senior contributor Dan Bailey is a professional adventure, outdoor and travel photographer based in Anchorage, Alaska.

 

 

7 Tips for Building Blog and Social Media Success

by Dan Bailey on October 27, 2011 · 8 comments

Aside from booth after booth of all the latest camera gear, PhotoPlus Expo offers an array of informative seminars with industry experts, covering everything from technique to marketing.

On Wednesday, I sat in on a social media seminar by wedding photographer turned family/children photographer and instructor Me Ra Koh. Her business model relies heavily on social media and blogging, which she uses to drive her workshops.

 

Here are 7 blogging tips and a few vital stats about Facebook Koh shared that can help you improve your social media reach.

1. Have a single, specialized focus.

People will read your blog if they see you as a expert. Having a consistent message and style will keep bringing them back.

2. Post consistently.

The hard fact about blogging is that your traffic will be higher if you write regular posts. By giving your readers regular and interesting content, they’ll actually work your blog into their daily/weekly schedule. If your posts drop off, so will your readership. Always have new content ready to go by writing and banking extra posts whenever you have time.

3. Have searchable categories.

Readers stay with you if they can identify with the topics that you cover. Having regular, searchable categories lets new readers dig deeper into your archives to read posts that they might have missed.

4. Hyperlink.

Linking to your own deeper material, as well as to other sites, makes your site a reliable resource for expert information, whether it comes from you or not. It helps build trust with your readers.

5. Use SEO and searchable post titles.

You want people to find your site, and search engine traffic is one of the best ways to make sure that happens. Write blog titles that give Google something to grab, with words that people are likely to use.

6. Run contests.

People love to win stuff. Give them this chance and I promise you, your traffic will climb big time. Prizes don’t have to be big — even things like gift cards and free prints or downloads will get things moving.

7. Engage your readers.

Make your blog an interactive experience. Get to know your readers. Talk to them. Ask questions. Answer their questions. Incite discussion. Be personal. Be you and your blog will take on a personality of its own.

Lastly, here are a couple of interesting stats Koh shared about Facebook that will hep you determine what and when to post:

Posts before noon get 65% more feedback.
Image posts receive 22% more engagement than video, and 54% more than text.

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Senior contributor Dan Bailey is a professional adventure, outdoor and travel photographer based in Anchorage, Alaska.

 

 

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PDN PhotoPlus Expo Day 1: Media Event

by Dan Bailey on October 26, 2011 · 4 comments

Welcome to PDN PhotoPlus Expo 2011! I’m here in New York covering the event, and during the next three days, I’ll be posting right from the show floor, highlighting new products and passing on technical and industry insight that I pick up at some of the awesome seminars that mare going on all weekend.

I’ll kick things off by featuring a couple of items that I got to preview at the pre-show media event.

First is a really nice set of CD/DVD cases by American-Digital. These aluminum jewel cases don’t add much to your presentation cost, but they’ll greatly increase your presentation value. They come in a number of different styles, all of which look way cooler than plastic cases or paper sleeves.

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Second is this extremely innovative camera clip system by Peak Design. Founded by outdoor enthusiast, traveller and photographer Peter Dering, it’s basically a quick release system for your belt, waistbelt, shoulder strap… Anywhere you can fit the little bracket.

The Arca compatible QR plate that screws onto your camera allows you to securely clip your DSLR onto yourself. Makes it so that your camera is literally right at hand when you need it. Looks like a great option for shooters who go light and fast! Think I need one of these! Watch this short video to see how it works.

Lastly, remember last year when I wrote about the great photo sharing community 500px? Well, this evening, I ran into co-founder and technical director Oleg Gutsol, who told me of the company’s continued growth and revealed that they’re continually working to refine and expand the site.

They’ve also got a brand new iPad app, which is a great way to browse their awesome collection of imagery. Get it at the iTunes store. (I’ll be downloading it right after I finish writing this blog post!)

Much more to come, so stay with us all week and follow along on Twitter with hash tag #ppe2011.

The Sad Truth about Vendor-Client Relationships

by Dan Bailey on October 20, 2011 · 19 comments

Go ahead, all you photographers, freelancers and self employed creative types: watch this video and laugh. Then, you have my permission to cry.

It’s great that someone actually took the time to make this video. I applaud them, although I have no idea how the any of the actors kept a straight face while making it. It’s totally over the top and yet it rings so true. It’s also a bit cathartic to watch because it reminds us that we’re not alone. We hear this stuff from our clients and customers all the time. Unfortunately, there’s an element of artistic and creative work that will always be treated this way by some people in the business world.

Will we ever be able to completely change this perception and get treated with the respect that we deserve? I doubt it. However, though continued education, carefully worded contracts, effective negotiation before a job, and through the advice, advocacy and information that is provided by organizations like ASMP, we can at least arm ourselves with the right counter arguments to these kinds of statements.

Of course, not every client is like this. Some gladly pay for services rendered and don’t grumble, haggle or try to split hairs or nickel and dime their way through the entire negotiating process. If you have clients like that, reward them. Work extra hard for them. Shower them with affection and presents and consider writing them into your will, because those are the clients that you never want to lose. They’re worth more than gold. No, platinum.

For help dealing with the not-so-easy clients, make sure you read our posts on pricing photography that I and some of the other contributors write about here on The Photoletariat.

In the meantime, I’d love to hear some of the “best’ ones” that you’ve heard. Post them in the comment section below. It will be like therapy.

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Senior contributor Dan Bailey is a professional adventure, outdoor and travel photographer based in Anchorage, Alaska.

 

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Photographers, Take Care of Your Arms!

by Dan Bailey on September 8, 2011 · 23 comments

Back in the good old days, we spent only spent a fraction of each workday at the computer. The rest of the time was divided up between the light table and that spot in your office or home where you packaged up slides and finished photographs to ship out to clients. Those days are over. Now, between editing images, updating web sites, emailing clients, uploading photos, writing blog posts and eBooks, and spending time on social media sites, we spend an enormous amount of time at the computer. Here it is, 7:59 AM on a Tuesday, and I’m furiously typing away. These days, if we’re not out on a shoot, there’s a good chance that we’re at the computer.

Unfortunately, all that mouse and keyboard time can lead to repetitive stress injuries, which is the last thing you want as a photographer. Imagine trying to hold your camera or external flash unit and having your forearm or elbow scream out at you, or — worse yet — give out on you. The phrase “no pain, no gain” does not apply here; physical in pain is not exactly a great creative motivator — take my word for it. [click to continue…]

4 Great Blog Posts to Read Today

by Dan Bailey on August 16, 2011 · 18 comments

Spend a few hours on the web on any given day and you’ll stumble across about fifty gajillion blog posts and Twitter links. Most will provide an unending amount of photography goodness and information; some can be applied to your own creative ventures. However, reading all those posts takes time and if you spend the majority of your day reading, that means that you’re not spending the majority if your day shooting and marketing. Believe me, I keep learning this the hard way. [click to continue…]

Take Charge of Your Photography Business Model

by Dan Bailey on July 26, 2011 · 20 comments

I keep hearing about how the photography industry has changed so much in the past few years. Apparently, it’s dying and near impossible to make a living at this type of work anymore. However, I’m having a hard time believing that, mostly because I’m doing better than I ever have before during my 15-year career. [click to continue…]

11 Things To Do Between Paid Photo Assignments

by Dan Bailey on July 14, 2011 · 16 comments

One of the really great things about working for yourself in photography is that you have such a varied work schedule. [click to continue…]

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