There’s no question that photography is a very expensive profession to get tangled up in, especially when you’re just starting out and you have to make all those big capital investments. With that in mind, here are six ways that you can save money so that you don’t drive your freelance photo business into the ditch before it even gets off the ground.
1. Buy used camera gear: There’s always been a good market for used photo gear, but ever since the Great Recession, or whatever they call it, tons of great equipment has found its way onto eBay and Craigslist. Picking up a used version of the lens or camera body you want can save you hundreds of dollars. With today’s high tech bodies, I’d probably go for used lenses over cameras these days, but don’t rule out the option if you’re on a tight budget. Check out the B&H Photo and Video used equipment department for some potentially big savings.
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Create and share studio lighting diagrams at Sylights.com
If you’re a studio or portrait photographer, you know that a large portion of your craft and creativity is spent coming up with effective and stylistic ways to light your subjects. Whether you use a simple pair of off-camera flashes or a full kit that includes studio strobes, softboxes, umbrellas, diffuser and reflectors, knowing how and where to position them is the key towards making compelling photographs.
Many photographers will probably attest that achieving the perfect lighting is like chasing the Holy Grail, it’s a lifetime pursuit that requires years of practice and the aid of learning from others.
Enter Sylights.com, the interactive website where you can create sample lighting diagrams, download them for your own reference, share them and learn from other photographers. [click to continue…]
Bruce Dorn of iDC Photo Video.
DV Expo 2010 was not just for video; we managed to find a couple Still Photo resources as well. I got the chance to ask Bruce Dorn of iDC Photo Video a few questions about the transition from Stills to Video. He was candid in his response as to why this is part of the new way we create content.
Bruce has been a pioneer in the photo industry and continues to innovate the video side of stills with his System One HDSLR setup. I was one of the first to use the “Skateboard Wheel” follow focus and it has improved greatly since the first prototype model I got to play around with. The newer system will accommodate both focus and zoom. This is a great solution for the stills shooter who is just getting into video, or only does it sporadically. It’s compact and doesn’t require a base plate and rods like many other follow focus/ zoom assist systems. For further proof of its versatility, just look to the fact that the System One is used by the military.
The IDC Photo Video viewfinder is Military grade. The mounting system is the only one of its kind. Many manufacturers have copied this system. Most other systems are prone to pop off at critical times or during camera moves. The IDC viewfinder is mounted directly to the bottom of the camera.
Lon Parker of iStockphoto.
The iStockphoto application process is a real pain in the ass. I just spent the last hour and half trying to upload three videos for their application. But even if only one of them is selected it may be well worth it. I got the chance to hit up Lon Parker from iStockphoto and ask him a few questions about the process and possible income derived from being a part of their library. They accept multiple media formats including audio files. This could be the future of Stock Media. [click to continue…]
Be more social with social media.
Social Media has taken the photography industry by storm. Whereas a few years ago, very few of us had ever even made a Tweet or posted anything on Facebook, now we’re spending hours every day engaging in social media conversations.
However, not every photographer has figured out how exactly to use these powerful new mediums to their maximum benefit. After all, it’s going by so quickly that we barely have time to read all of our reloaded tweets, let alone take stock on what social media can actually do for us.
By the nature of it, social media is exactly that. It’s social. It’s not called “sit there and blurt things out of your keyboard” media, but this is just how many people use it. They post about themselves or their work, hoping, or expecting that someone will come by and actually take interest in their images or care what they have to say. [click to continue…]
Rope Bridge over the Chandra River, Northern India
Sometimes you just have those days. You know the kind, you spend hours sitting at your computer, editing images, writing blog posts, surfing the web, re-checking your Twitter page, reading comments on your Facbeook page, all the while, waiting for the phone to ring or someone to email. Only it doesn’t.
Unfortunately,there are some days when you’re just not on anyone’s radar. It happens to everyone. Even the most accomplished photographers have slow days. In fact, visitors to my own blog will recall that I recently referred to a quote on Nevada Wier’s site where she says, “No matter how recognized I would become in photography, the phone would never ring on its own.” That’s almost depressing, because she’s one of the best.
I also spoke with another photographer who recently decided to get out of the business. For years, he was on the top of the game, shooting for all kinds of big outdoor, editorial and corporate clients. I asked him if people still call or contact him for work. His answer: “No.”
Anyway, that’s the way it goes. The phone only rings if YOU make it ring. Sometimes that takes a little bit of creativity and an effort to do something proactive every single day. Here are five things you can do right now.
1. Make a Phone Call: No one’s calling today? Pick up the phone and call them. Touch base with a client or a handful of new or longtime clients. Find out if they received your latest card or ask them if there are any current or upcoming image needs that you can help fill. You don’t have to force a long conversation, a quick call to remind them who you are might be all you need to shake things up and make something happen. [click to continue…]
In an on-going series aimed at finite techniques to perfect in order to become a well-rounded photographer, this second set focuses more on light. The first part was a bit broad and encompassed several techniques used in one shot, for this we’ll simplify things, and prove that simple doesn’t mean uncomplicated or non-complex.
Clean Studio Product Shot
Photo By nickwheeleroz
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Maximizing your stock photography shoots with variation helps increase your sales potential
Stock photography is a numbers game. The more images you have with an agency, or in your own files, the more chances you have to sell and make money. Having a diverse collection makes a big difference too, especially when it comes to photos of people, which, after all, is always the most marketable subject in nearly every agency.
Whether you’re a full time stock shooter or a if it’s only a small aspect of your overall photography business model, you’ll want to maximize every shoot so that you can get the most out of your time and monetary investment, which could include model fees, equipment, prop or location rentals and, most importantly, your own time. Your goal should be to produce the greatest number and highest variety of potentially sellable images as possible in your given time frame.
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Tips for photographing inside
As outdoor photographers, we often find ourselves doubling as travel photographers, which means that sometimes we end up shooting inside. And since we outdoor types like to light and fast, we don’t always carry extra strobes or additional lighting equipment that the indoor guys like to schlep around.
However, that doesn’t mean you need to put your camera away when you duck out from under the outside world, in fact, as we all know, there’s a world of great photo opportunities to be had behind closed doors. Knowing how to make the most of lower light conditions can open up a host of new possibilities. Here are a few tips to help you deal with lower light situations.
ISO Setting: The easiest way to deal with dim light is to crank up the ISO on your digital camera. We all know that, just as with film, there is a trade off with higher grain and noise, which tends to build up in the shadows and darker midtones. Fortunately, though, digital camera sensors have improved to the point where shooting at ISO 6400 is a viable option with some bodies. [click to continue…]
