Breaking out of the Box

Being a photographer and running a business sometimes make strange bedfellows. The business end has certain requirements that don't exactly jive with what a photographer wants. The business puts a photographer in a Box that contains a well-defined vision to show to the world so those around the photograph can understand exactly who the photographer is and where they can use him/her. While this is a very sound business practice that makes a cohesive marketing plan possible, if these self-imposed constraints are left unchecked this can develop into a cancer that can destroy that very photographer’s soul.

Dramatic? Maybe a bit, but this is a real issue for many photographers out there. The danger is that if you limit what you do for the sake of your business you will never grow as a photographer and artist. I have found myself sliding towards this fate of late. So I decided to take action.

Step One: Find inspiration that is nothing close to your Branded Vision.

I love the color field artists like Hans Hofman and Barnett Newman. I love seeing things broken down to there most basic forms and focusing on color and shape. I believe the more simple and basic form of visual expression can in many cases be the most powerful.

Step Two: Break out of the Box

Here comes the doing part. For me it was to find a way to create work like the Color Field artist with my camera.  I made a plan, did some experimenting and started creating images unlike any I have done before.

Photo A Day Project

In order to take a step out of the proverbial box I'm starting a project.  I'm going to post one non work related image a day to my twitter account, and at the end of the week I'll have a round up of all the images here on the Blog.  In the sprit of full disclosure this is not a take a photo a day project just yet.  My current life situation won't let me have the time to make that possible, but I will try hard to make it as close to the day as possible.  But I am giving myself some rules, I can only go back one week.

This first image was taken in Steamboat Springs Colorado, and is a stream created by one of the hot springs.

One thing I do ask of you all is to keep me honest.  If I'm slacking off, get on me about it.

The Missing Tether, Part One

Tethering is a must for any studio shooter and even location shooters are moving that direction.  It changes how you work by making you slow down and craft the picture.  This ironically saves you time and prevents costly mistakes.

I recently had a issue when Canon's tethering software stopped working.  I'm still not sure why but when I open the application it closes immediately.  After much pulling of hair I decided to go done a different road and find a new tethering solution.

When searching for a solution to this problem I had a few requirements.  One, It had to be able to integrate it with my most beloved application, Lightroom.  Two it had to work all the time.  I've always had issues with Canon's software when connecting to my camera, and I could no longer stand it.

I started my search by looking for a plugin for Lightroom, I found this by a company called Mountainstorm.  It only works with Nikon cameras.  Then I took a look at Capture One.  It was total over kill.  I didn't need a program that replicated half the features of Lightroom.

Then I stalled.  I had no options for a workable tethering solution. Even google failed me.  I thought was all knowing.  My faith was shaken to the core... Then I saw a light. (I'm getting a bit over dramatic, but lets roll with it)  I rembembered a little app the ships with all macs called Automator.  It's lets you design simple workflow applications without writing a line of script.  I had played around with it a few times but I did not find any compelling use for it.  But now it might just solve my problem.

I dug in and after much trial and error I came up with a solution.  It isn't perfect but it works.  I'll post it below.  To use it you have to create a folder on your desktop titled watch.  Set up Lightroom's auto import to import any pictures from the folder. (File, Auto import) Then connect your camera to the computer and launch the app.

Problems, yes their are some.  To make it import more then one image with out having to relaunch the application, I had to put in a loop function.  The loop function only runs up to 999 times.  So if you have a shoot in witch you take more then 999 pictures you'll have to relaunch the app.  Also the Lightroom watch folder has to be empty, but the function that downloads the images from the camera will only put them into the pictures folder.  The move function did not work, it made the app crash.  I had to use the copy function instead.  Thus leaving a copy of each image in the pictures folder.  This makes you need to clean up you pictures folder a bit afterwards.

But the very next day I found what may just be the holy grail of tethering to Lightroom... (I hate to go all cheesy tv drama on you, but...) To be Continued. 

Here are the downloads both in app form and in an automator file. (Incase you want to get under the hood and try to make it better)  I take no responsibility for this application and by downloading it you agree to waive any responsibility I have for any and all problems this application may have or cause.  I'm giving it away so cut me some slack.

Download Here

Enjoy!

Denver Top Photo Friendly City

As a professional photographer when I think of important cities for photographers New York or LA come to mind.  So I was surprised to find out the PopPhoto.com ranks Denver in a recent article as the top photo friendly city.  As I read the article I realized that is was more geared to the amateur then the professional.

But that did get me thinking about why it would a smart idea for some one to seek photography in a place like Denver instead of a large market like New York.

First, costs.  It cost less to run a studio and live in Denver.  Lets say that your lease on a 2000 square foot studio in New York is around $4000 then that same person rents a apartment for lets say $1500.  Thats a total 5500 just on those two expenses alone.  Now lets compare Denver, you can rent a similar size studio in denver for about $1200 a month and buy a two bedroom home with a payment of $700 a month.  That amounts to $1900 a month.  If you shoot three days a week your over head for those to items alone would be $458 per shooting day in New York and $158 in Denver.  Thats is 300 less per day.  Also in Denver food is less, taxes are less, transportation costs are less and it just costs less to live.  Also stylists, assistants and talent charge less.  This starts to add up quickly. so you are looking at about $1000 or more of difference between Denver and New York per day that you shoot.

Second, Contrary to popular belief not all good photographers are in New York or LA.  Denver and many other smaller markets have talented photographers by the handful.

Third, The internet is a game changer.  There are technologies in which you can see the images the photographer takes in just a few seconds even if you are two thousand miles away.  If you are interested ask me and I'll tell you ways to do it.  So you wouldn't even have to travel.  And the whole shoot could be streamed over the internet with video.

And Last, If you really want to travel Denver is a wonderful place to visit.

So look outside of the big markets.  You might be surprised by what you find.

How to Price for the Commercial Photographer

Pricing is something that most photographers and photography clients find to be a great mystery, lets demystify it.  (Quick interjection, If you are not a photographer but hire them keep reading.  It's important to know how a photographer should run a business)  Step one, know how much you spend in your business.  Step Two, Know how much you need to make to feed and cloth your children, then send them off to an expensive education when they turn eighteen.  Last charge enough to make that possible.

There are so many photographers that don't charge enough because that don't know the costs associated with their craft.  Then when you don't have good book keeping practices you don't realize until it's to late that you are driving their business into the ground.

Here are some resources that can help photographers price for their services.

A SnapFactory Post on Pricing

Some useful articles by the Photography Consutant Leslie Burns-Dell'Acqua. Mainly this, this and this.

NPPA has a Cost of Doing Business Calculator here.

I hope this helps both photographers and clients understand how pricing for photography works.