photographers

Video is Not a Market

June 24, 2012 By admin

Video is Not a Market

[by Gail Mooney]

I talk to a lot of photographers who seem to be confused right now. The ones who are just starting out are wondering if this career will sustain them and the ones who have been in business for a long time are wondering if they have to learn everything (video) all over again to stay in business. Some know they need to do something – they just don’t know what it is.

Many are looking to video for the answers. Some photographers’ existing clients are asking for video. They witness the public’s hunger for motion content to watch on their iPads, iPhones and other mobile devices and they realize they have a need for video. Video is in demand. A lot of photographers think they need to become “videographers” and go after that “market”. But video isn’t really a market at all. It’s a medium that has sound and motion, and is used – just as we do with still images – to communicate; to tell a story or deliver a message.

Still photographers are accustomed to defining themselves by what they shoot or the “markets” they work in – architecture, food, sports, weddings and so forth. They see these niches as separate markets. The increased demand for video is pervasive and in all these markets and our clients have needs for motion content. With the convergence of our “tools” (cameras), it makes perfect sense for still photographers to add video to the services their businesses offer.

What seems to confuse photographers as they contemplate video, is that they think they will have to abandon still photography and compete in the already glutted arena of video production. They equate video production with creating broadcast spots for advertising agencies or TV shows and films for Hollywood. That’s great work, if you can get it, but those business models have also changed and that is not where the new opportunities are. That world is changing too. As the Internet and TV continue to converge, online programs get broadcast and indie filmmakers with Canon 5D Mark II’s are making movies. To embrace video doesn’t mean that a still photographer has to abandon still photography – it just means that they need to stop defining themselves by their tools..

Opportunities are in “new media,” which is essentially anything digital or displayed digitally. It could be still images, audio, video, graphics or anything that makes up a digital creation and is delivered digitally. We, as “creators,” are living at a time where we can use the new tools that technology gives us, to not only create with, but to deliver our message globally. Video is not a market at all. It’s just another ingredient in the mix of how we communicate in today’s world.

via Video is Not a Market at Strictly Business.

Photographers Provide a Positive Solution

May 15, 2012 By admin

[by Thomas Werner]

During difficult economic times it is easy to become frustrated as you work to hold onto existing clients while growing and changing your business. Do your best not to let your frustration enter into your work or your conversations, the end result will only be detrimental to yourself and your business.

Clients choose photographers, videographers, editors and artists based not only on their ability to problem solve and deliver an outcome that meets their needs, but to do so in a manner that is as problem free as possible. Personal vision, creative ability, pre and post production, professionalism, good business practices, experience, and technical acumen are integral, but they are just part of the problem solving package that we bring to the table as creative entities. Remember that the person hiring you also works for someone else. Their job may depend on not only on the quality of work that you deliver but also the manner in which you create and deliver it.

The next time that a client emails, calls, texts, facebooks, tweets, or invites you to a meeting, take a minute, clear your head, remove your emotions, and focus on the visual and production issues that the client is bringing to the table. Let them know how your unique skill set will solve their problem in the manner that best fits their needs. Then ask yourself how you can do so while making the project and everyone’s life as problem free as possible, while being paid fairly.

The challenges of a shifting a business climate can be frustrating. Don’t let manifestations of your frustration be your downfall. Remember, we are not entitled to success, we have to earn it, and working with your clients in a positive manner is one of the keys to that success.

via Strictly Business.

Some quick Photography tips

April 26, 2012 By admin

Photography is the art of capturing memories of remarkable times through images. Some pursue photography as their hobby whereas some make it their profession. Whatever be the case, one has to be highly passionate about it. Capturing a moment in a frame is not that easy as it may sound. Anybody can click a photograph but in order to retain the beauty of the photo it is essential for the photographer to know the basics of photography. Amateur photographers who have just started out as professionals must have a thorough knowledge about photography. There are even times when professional photographers forget about some elementary points without which the photographs lose their impact. Every photographer, be it starters or highly experienced, must follow some simple tips which will be highly beneficial for them. Those who carry out photography simply as a hobby can also go through these tips. There are many aspects of photography which needs to be kept in mind while clicking pictures. These tips might come in handy which cover almost all the major aspects.

• Be in a level with the subject

While taking a photograph, if the camera is held at the eye level of the subject then the expression is captured in a wonderful way. For children or animals, it is best to lower the camera to their eye level. Even if the subject doesn’t look directly at the camera, it doesn’t matter.

• Using flash outdoors

It is often thought that flash should be used during night only. But this is not true. Even during the day time flash should be used. Use of flash depends on the weather as well as the distance of the object from where the pictures is going to be taken. The fill flash mode in digital cameras should be used for sunny days and within a distance of five feet. It can also be used for cloudy days. In case of subjects at more than five feet distance, the full power mode should be used.

• Clicking in a clutter free area

A photo when clicked with a plain background looks much better than that of a background with many objects. This tends to draw the attention away from the object of the photograph. Every photographer should make it a point to check the background before clicking a photograph.

• Shorten the distance from subject

While clicking a picture, the photographer should shorten the distance from the subject. This makes the picture more vibrant. The aim of the photographer should be to fill up the space of the picture with the object.

• Create sharp pictures by focus locking

The focus should be locked when the subject is not in the middle of the picture. The locking can be done in the following way:

The subject should be centered and then the photographer should press and hold the shutter button halfway down

The camera should be positioned in such a way that the subject is not in the center.

Finally, the shutter button should be pressed down to capture the picture.

These are some of the top tips which should be followed to make an impact with the photography.

Photography a method to express your views in different ways

September 16, 2011 By admin

For Some person’s photography has always been the popular pass time for the photo lovers and turned to be the best tool to express the artist’s vision and creativity in the best manner possible.

Photography is an Art and an artist are all about expression and you cannot articulate effectively if you don’t know the basics of the language of that art. Whether it’s a Black white image,Art photos, Black white images, Fine art photography, Landscape photographer every photography have its own importance.

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Wedding Photography Top Tips

August 30, 2011 By admin

Marriage photography is the activity that occurs before, during and right after wedding ceremonies. Such photography is considered an integral part of the marriage ceremony, very much like marriage costume, and the decorated arena. Now a days that digital photography has had on marriage photography is that there’s no longer much panic photography was a very specialized art like technical.

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