If you are a blogger... read this now

Roger L. Simon: An Open Letter to All Bloggers: "This is no way meant to be exclusive. We invite you all to join us. On the advertising end, any blogger -- whether political or not -- is welcome. We would be delighted to place ads on your blog and pay you for them. You may find out more and, we hope, join by simply emailing us at join@pajamasmedia.com"

The Designer as Buffoon

Adrian Shaughnessy has an very entertaining article on how the many in the media portray designers. I remember a TV show, Lou Grant, that had a photographer who was filthy most of the time, and lived like a bum. They called him 'Animal'. I am not sure if it was an inspiration (?) to many shooters, but since that time I have wondered why so many photogs dress, uh, down. I guess it was part of the story they wanted to tell about themselves. "Brand?"

Now I hear "the clients don't think we're professionals," and "we aren't being treated with respect." Not sure wearing a pair of holey jeans, flip-flops, and a dirty Nirvana t-shirt would command much respect from a CEO. (BTW... true story - I was the guy called in to shoot it after the CEO dismissed the other shooter instantly. I wore slacks and a jacket, got the shot and won over a client for 5 years.)

Designers, photographers and illustrators have an 'image' in the media. Whether it is deserved or not is open for discussion. What is your image? Is it what the media portrays it to be, or is it your own? Or would it make sense to have your personal 'brand' be more in tune to what your customer's brand is?

Design Observer: writings about design & culture: Adrian Shaughnessy: The Designer as Buffoon: "Ikea offer us an even more ludicrous figure. There is no subtle casting here. Ikea’s man is the designer from hell. He is some sort of European design fascist; a buffoon who appears to live in the house and garden you might imagine Elton John owns. He wears a beret and looks as if he is about to explode in a fit of designer pique. He even has a name and a manifesto: this is Van den Puup, and he represents “Elite Designers Against Ikea”. His role is to make Ikea look sensible, practical and democratic, a feat he achieves by espousing elitism and behaving hysterically."

Maybe the Truth is Still Out There

Director David Duchovney inspiring a legion of blog readers to help spin the web toward his movie. Viral marketing at it's core, the site has daily updates and works to bring the reader into the making of the film. Could be simply a ruse, but the site is so fun that I genuinely hope not.

Lions Gate Directors - David Duchovny: "again, much of this legwork will be in your court, there won't be a ton of money spent on advertising so if you're not already interested, you may not know it's out there. such a crowded, loud, expensive market place. i have to say that i am really excited about the extremes of responses the movie has provoked in both critics and audiences. love and hate. anything better than lukewarm, ok---i figure i'm on the right track and will keep on going. can't wait to start the next one. maybe in the fall, maybe later. have to act a little more before i get too old and nobody's interested. keep the faith. keep spreading the word."

Extreme Home Makeover

extreme_makeover
Originally uploaded by Wizwow.

We were asked to produce a wall mural for one of the Extreme Home Makeover shows that was filmed in Chandler AZ. It was a huge effort and required a team of extremely talented professionals.

I brought in David Smith as a second shooter, my partner Daniel Magallanes was our computer guru, Mighty Imaging did the print work and Decorative Edge provided the installation.

We produced a 14 foot long, 5 foot high installation that had the color panels raised off the background by two inches. the background was in three sections and all were velcro'd to the wall in precision positioning.

Carly Patterson, Gold Medal Gymnast, was flown in and we had her do her routine about 10 times. One stationary camera to get the routine, one moving shooter to "look good" on camera. We took the best shots from the different parts of the routine and collaged them over a single shot of the house. In the end, the background was a muted, slightly warm B&W and the raised panels were in color. A lot of fun... a hell of a lot of work!

The people of Extreme Home Makeover were wonderful, genuine folks who busted their asses to get that project done on time.

Mark Skalny's Site Show's His Professionalism

Mark has a clean, crisp site that speaks clearly to his client base and prospective clients. His dynamic pages are easily crawled by Google, and the fresh content keeps his page higher in the rankings than a static page.

Mark shows many galleries of work that is ever changing, but I like his "Tear Sheets" page a lot. It shows his work being used and his credibility just rises with each entry. Take a look at his site and his work, and spend a few minutes with this up and coming shooter.

Mark Skalny, commercial editorial photographer in Phoenix Arizona.: "As an editorial style photographer, Mark shoots for magazine articles and feature stories, corporate and Fortune 500 companies including photography for annual reports, brochures, web sites, billboards, lifestyles and products throughout Arizona. Mark also covers corporate events such as annual sales awards meeting, conventions, grand openings and tradeshows for public relations and advertising purposes."

A good site for Editorial Photographers

It is always a good idea to stay up with your industry. This site should be a must read for editorial and advertising shooters. Good forums too.

Editorial Photographers: "EP advocates for fair contracts from publishers and promotes the position that both photographers and publishers must maintain a healthy symbiotic relationship in which both sides can prosper and profit. EP's goal is to find positive solutions to issues confronting all of us in this rapidly evolving industry.

Our organization continues to evolve, as well. What began in the spring of 1999 amongst a small group of Bay Area photographers by 2004 had grown to over 4000 members. While membership in Editorial Photographers has always been by application, limited to editorial photographers and students, it has been free."

Here's a Guy Defining his Story... Listen in...

Remember, this is what this guy really is like when you see his smiling face and friendly demeanor on stage. Seth Godin's new book is titled "All Marketers are Liars". In the case of many celebrities, that couldn't be more true. Celebrity is a marketing venture. And creeps like this should be exposed for what they are. Foul-mouthed, loathesome bastard.

Listen to how he threatens the musicians with their jobs. Listen to his megalomaniacal "That's the way it is" routine. Listen to his incredibly self focused overrated opinion of himself.

Now imagine if this was a CEO or store manager or team leader. Can you imagine what would come of this? Now, ask yourself, what if this was recorded of you in some situation when something went wrong. This is certainly not what you would want people to see you as. Keep it real, as we used to say, and be the better person. Not the lowest.

Celebrity or position should never be allowed to trump decency, honesty and humility. If it does, it will be revealed sooner or later. Don't ever revert to this type of humiliation when dealing with your assistants, associates, clients... anyone.

All marketers (and most celebrities) are indeed liars, Seth. Maybe they should get shirts too....

Noisetank : "...a whole new integrity kick!"

"Why $100 computers are on the way"

Yep... that caught my attention right away...

Why $100 computers are on the way | Newsmakers | CNET News.com: "We expect to start seeing, for example, dual-core desktops before the end of the year being fairly active in the marketplace. There, though, I have to tell you that we have to make sure that the consumer understands the value. For a number of consumers, it'll take some time before the software and all the things that will make dual core really great will actually play out"

A simple convergence?

A little background first. I love music and studied it, performed it and composed it. My music would be labeled contemporary 'classical', I guess. I have been writing again recently and the piece I am working on is on my mind constantly. It is for string quartet.

Yesterday my daughter and I were in a local Mail & More to make some copies. I have never used them before, usually going another mile or so to Kinko's. But time was pressing and when my daughter said "Dad, just go here," I did.

There was a gentleman there making copies of an old music manuscript for String Trios. I recognized the music and made commented on one of the pieces. We talked for a few minutes and he asked me about my interest in classical music. When I explained that I was a composer, he asked if I had ever writteb any String Quartet works. As it turns out he is the cellist for a local string quartet? I replied that I had written a quartet that had won the Arizona Composer's Award in 1972. It was played only once. I gave him my email address and he said he would contact me.

As we turned to walk out another man came into that same Mail & More. It was Jim Apperson. Jim was the first violin player in the quartet that had played my piece that one time over 30 years ago. I hadn't seen him for nearly 20 years. He recognized the other gentleman as they both play in the symphony here. We chatted for awhile and Jim remembered playing my piece, "Metaplasia", all those years ago.

Seemed a little amazingly coincidental to me. Upshot is that the quartet wants to review my old piece and look at my newest work for possible performances in the near future.

Was it my preoccupation with my new music that led me to see things and people that I may not have noticed before, or was there something a little more "Wayne Dyer'ish" going on here? Who knows, just makes me smile. Either way, it shows the power of focus and being open to the everchanging universe in front of you.

UPDATE:
My friend James Cowlin at usroute89a.com writes:

Just read your latest blog entry and it reminded me of a quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe that I've had hanging on my wall for years.

"There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans. That the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would otherwise not have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no one would have dreamed would come their way. Whatever you can do or dream you can do, do it now. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now."

I had a similar occurrence this morning in connection with the US 89 project. I had been thinking about the growing art scene along Grand Avenue in downtown Phoenix and the fact that Grand Avenue was the original route of 89. On a whim this morning my friend who is working with me on the project and I decided to go take a look at it. We had been trying to contact two people who are involved in revitalizing Grand and, lo and behold, we ran into both of them on the street and were able to introduce the project and set up future meetings.

Start the conversation with the Universe and the Universe will answer in ways you could never imagine.

So true James.

This is a "Must Read"

Terry Teachout's wonderful article on the state of blogging, with particular emphasis on artists blogs. Read the whole thing.

ArtsJournal: About Last Night: "Like I said, you already know what I'm talking about. But if you’re an artist, ask yourself this: how are you using the new media to interact with your audience and spread the word about your work?

Specifically:

• Do you have a Web site? If so, do you update it regularly with fresh news of your activities, including links to stories about you that are published or broadcast in the mainstream media, or on other Web sites?

• Is your performance calendar up to date?

• Do you have an e-mailbox on your site? How often do you check it?

• Does your site contain a wide-ranging assortment of downloadable print-quality photographs of you and/or your work?"

There is lots more.

Pure Blog Article... "Stand Alone Journalism"

If you are interested in Blogs as a phenomena, you should read this. I have been asked if I consider this blog 'journalism'. My usual answer is "no, it is simply a dialogue with folks who are interested in the things I write about." But defining 'journalism' has taken newsrooms, bloggers, editors and writers into uncharted territory. To say a blogger could not be a journalist is shortsighted and foolish. To define a journalist as someone who works for some further defined entity... magazine with subscriptions over xxxx, or newspaper that is printed on dead trees at least x times per month actually ends up demeaning the very craft they seek to defend.

It seems to me that most of the "bloggers are not journalists" crap is coming from those who are in fear of having their little 'protected' arena of life invaded. Well, the rest of us have had to deal with increased competition and intense market vulenerability. And yes, some of us have said equally protectionist things like "anybody with a camera thinks that they are now a photographer." Actually, they are by definition. It is beyond the thing you do that establishes your proficiency in doing it. A camera does not make great photographs, just photographs. A blog may give voice (briefly) to someone who has none, but it also may give a remarkable voice a chance to be heard.

I like the 'Stand Alone Journalist' approach. Sounds a lot like 'Freelance Photographer' or 'Marketing Consultant'... cool.

PressThink: Chris Nolan: The Stand Alone Journalist is Here...: "Chris Nolan: The Stand Alone Journalist is Here...
...And the newsroom has left the building. 'If the folks in the building want to insist that what they do has some sort of magical quality, well, today's stand alone journalists have an even better chance of becoming the next generation's most trusted names--plural--in news.'"

Conspiracy Theories and Golf - a convergence

Yep.

HowDidItGoIn.com: "
My name is Jeff Stone and I'm currently a physics PH.D. student at the University of Kenton. I'm writing my thesis on Tiger Woods' remarkable shot on the back 9 at Augusta. My theory, in brief, postulates there is no physical evidence supporting the myth that his shot went in without assistance. That being said, within my theory there are many sub-theories, which can be viewed on this site. Thank you."

Bench and ivy

Bench and ivy
Originally uploaded by Wizwow.

Posted at my in-studio seminar.

We talked about how the web and the networked technology made it easier to promote one's self outside the immediate area. I will post more later this morning. The room was filled with 16 incredibly talented photographers, all giving up a Friday night to hear ideas that challenged them, pushed them and stimulated them. This image was posted to show how easy Flickr can be used with Blogger.

Visual Reflection Notebooks - At Communication Arts

This may help you when you start to develop your "story". Keep a journal (that's why point-n-shoot 5MP cameras were created) of what moves you, stimulates you, makes you go "hmmmmm", titillates you, offends you, turns you off, angers you, triggers happy emotions.... Whatever. Make little prints and tape them into a little blank book with notes and scraps of items from wherever you are. Take your time... these aren't done in a week or so.

Oh... and don't think about it. Turn that voice that says "no, that's corny", "I already got one of those", "that's like the one I saw over at so-and-so's site"... Tell that voice to shut the hell up.

Shoot, comment, write a little... shoot a little more. Then look at it as a whole piece. It is a piece about you. Do this for a month at least. Three is even better. Hone your skill. Hone your vision. Get in touch with wou you are visually, spiritually, humanly.

A story of you.

Design Culture: Visual Reflection Notebooks

Blogs Will Change Your Business... According to Business Week Online

Whew... another MSM article on blogs. They are starting to take notice. This is a good one and, for once, doesn't give us the "blog is short for weblog" crap and the usual referrance to geeks and other n'er do wells.

The affect of a good Blog on business is currently measurable, and it is a good thing... so far. Nike, GM, IBM, Plaxo... even Google, have blogs that are written for clients and prospects. How they are used is as diverse as the companies themselves. Support issues, ideas, new income streams, marketing, credibility strengthening and even simply "buzz."

After researching the article, Business Week has decided to start their own Blog. It looks fairly good so far. Take a look and follow along for awhile.

Blogs Will Change Your Business: "Blogs Will Change Your Business
Look past the yakkers, hobbyists, and political mobs. Your customers and rivals are figuring blogs out. Our advice: Catch up...or catch you later"

Another Reason Writing Well is Important

Writing well is one of the most important skills that designers and photographers should hone. I'm not talking Hemingway... just being able to communicate thoughts, ideas, solutions... your story. Without this valuable asset, communications can be hit and miss.

Try writing about your day. Keep it short. Keep it interesting. Show it to someone who can read (no jokes here) and ask them to tell you what your day was like. Judge for yourself... did you communicate the excitement of a creative day or did they think you lead a life definitely in need of more caffiene.

A design and usability blog: Signal vs. Noise (by 37signals): "If you are trying to decide between a few people to fill your position, always hire the better writer. I don’t care if that person is a designer, programmer, marketer, salesperson, whatever. Assuming your candidates are fairly equally skilled and qualified overall, always hire the better writer. This is especially true with designers since copywriting is interface design (more on that soon)."

Create Excitement

Super cool jewelboxes for creatives. Take a look at some of these beautifully designed presentations. When sending out a portfolio on DVD or CD, as so many of us are doing these days, it would be fantastic to ship it in something that carries your brand, your vision - on the outside as well as the inside.

Jewelboxing - Super Jewel Box Packaging System - CD and DVD Cases: "Bands. Photographers. Animators. Filmmakers. Students. Developers. Architects. Dads. Lots of people are using the Jewelboxing System to put the best possible face on their work. Here's just a few recent executions. Email us here when you finish your next project, we'd love to feature it and send a little traffic your way too."

James... I love this shot!

James Archer, a fellow valley of the sun, lots and lots of sun, freaking 90+ days in April sun.... errr, I digress. Ahem, James is a fellow marketing driven soul and photographer. He has many great posts and terrific information for all of us. You will want to visit his sites and read his blog. You can get there from this image and the link added on my blogroll.

But - you gotta see this image. Absolutely perfect.

James Archer Photography

Brooks Reminds us of the Power of Whimsy

You just gotta see this pic. Write your own story... It will be a winner because the image is so compelling. Uh, and Goofy!!!
Brooks, thanks for making us smile!

Brooks Blog - a photographers blog: "This goofy ass picture is Rodger...

It's part of a triptych that I did a few years ago. I recently showed it to him and neither of us remember anything about when and why we shot the pictures, but I laugh every time I see this one."

Leaf and Legs

leaf1
Originally uploaded by Wizwow.

I dunno... just liked it, I guess.

Insights: Self Promo: at Communications Arts

Good interview and things to think about.

Insights: Self Promo: A Genre That’s Not Always Inspirational: "What’s your biggest Web (design) turn-off?"

Ok, let's buy TWO Spreads in the Annuals

Seth's short article on Home Depots "story" and how it may be the single greatest hindrance to finding new business makes good reading. In my neighborhood there is a HD right across the street from a Loew's. The difference is astounding. Loew's customer experience is heads and shoulders over HD. That doesn't make it the best choice for everyone, but Loew's story is far different than HD's. Just walk in the door, walk the isles and checkout. You'll see.

How does that fit into marketing photography. Well, perfectly. Too many photographers are still in the "Home Depot" mode. Story is narrow and message is cluttered, or non-existent. So what do they do when business starts to slow? They buy more source book ads. When asked if the last years source book ads brought them the work they needed, the answer is usually no. So what is the reason for buying more of the material that didn't perform last year? I think it is comfort. (Yes, ego plays a large part too, but it is so easy to buy an ad, then curse the publication for all kinds of shortcomings, real and imagined.)

Start thinking about your message. Your story. Is it compelling? Does it cut through the amazing amount of clutter that your target audience receives daily? Is it real?

And as far as the lying goes... I have seen photographers with spreads in annuals who show 4-6 images... the best images they ever made. Then when the job comes in the work falters. Are you showing authentically what you can... and WANT to do? Tell your story from the heart. Tell it with passion and honesty (ok, you can glitz up the honesty a tiny bit), and tell it everywhere.

I once had a photographer tell me he never marketed. He wore only black pants and shirts, antique glasses, drove a 50 something Chevy (beautifully restored) shot only large format and hand made all his portfolios. Never marketed? Bull. He was telling his story every day, at every shoot and in every appointment. This was many years ago and he got it back then. Marketing, nawww... tell a story. Get them to 'buy into' your message from a place of choice.

Seth Godin - Liar's Blog - Do you have a Home Depot problem?: "Your organization may be just like the Home Depot. You may be good at one story, you may have grown into that story, but now that story can't get you to an audience that doesn't have the same worldview as your existing customers. The common solution is to yell. To yell louder, or more cleverly, or in more targeted media. To insist that you have the solution to this group's problems, that you have proof that you are better, and why oh why won't they switch."

Good Information for All Photographers and Clients

Best Practices: "Best Practices for the Business of Independent Photojournalism

Following are two lists of Best Practices to consider when contracting for freelance photojournalism. These lists are guidelines and goals similar to those endorsed by other industries, such as medicine, agriculture and manufacturing.

One set of five points is for those who hire independent photojournalists. The other is to guide photojournalists in their efforts to deliver maximum value and accurate portrayals of reality to their clients, readers and viewers.

These lists grew from discussion, writing and rewriting by the Business Practices Committee of the National Press Photographers Association. We intend for this to be a living document, to be updated with new ideas. We welcome input. Our targets are fairness and practicality, two concepts we believe are intertwined in the business of the Fourth Estate. We endorse these practices because we believe professional relationships based on fair exchange, respect and the truth are essential for collecting and disseminating visual reports that are fair, honest and insightful. And we believe our audiences deserve nothing less."

Hello : Easy to use, Free, Fun

One of the coolest properties of this little tool is the ability to instantly do a screen shot and have it sent directly to a folder. No PShop, no pasteboard and no hassle. I just right click the little icon in my tool tray (we are talking Windows XP here) and click on "Send Picture of Window" and it just puts it in my "Screen Shots" folder.

This is really fantastic for our customer support work with the phototool. I can be talking with a user and just do a screen shot of what his configuration should be, and email it with literally a few clicks. Try it out.

Hello : Introducing BloggerBot: "Meet BloggerBot.
Just use Hello to send your pictures to BloggerBot. BloggerBot will automatically resize your JPG pictures, add your captions, and publish your pictures to the Web.
You don't have to resize pictures by hand, transfer files, format HTML posts, or even find a place to host your images - Hello does all the work for you. And, it's totally free."

Tom Peters Interviews Dan Pink

tompeters! management consulting leadership training development project management: "But I don't want to just make an argument, because the reason that I labor at writing books is that I hope to, at least in some small way, help people lead better, more satisfying, more fulfilled, more prosperous lives. So I don't want to simply lay out an argument and say, 'Wow, look at this big argument I've made. Why don't you all give me a round of applause?' What I want to do is then offer people some tools and tips to help them navigate their careers and their lives."

Great Marketers Market Great... and Provide Results

Can you show your clients a measurable component to the use of your photography or design? What if we could somehow quantify the difference between using a RF image instead of custom shot and processed? What would the increased customer involvement be if the design was a notch or two above what is currently being rpoduced? Would the site actually deliver clients (or at least prospects) if it was designed differently?

I think all of these things can be done. I know there are quantifiable measurements that I share with my clients on a regular basis. How much longer can we keep someone on a website is directly linked to navigation and content. RF images are a steal... until they are used by a competitor or a sexual dysfunction product.

Be creative and think about this point. Drive it home with your clients. The fact that you will undertake the attempt will put you above the crowd.

ANA Marketing Musings: Great Marketers Market Great: "5. Measurements and Metrics. Perhaps the most profound change in marketers’ behavior is the intensified focus on measurements and metrics. Driven by the old adage, “you can’t manage what you can’t measure,” marketers are seeking greater precision in assessing the outcomes of their actions, as well as deeper knowledge of alternative communications disciplines. Indeed, the desire to transform marketing into a “science” is one of today’s hottest trends"

This Does Not Make Me Happy

I will have more to say on this later. Just felt this post says a lot.

Macworld: Editors' Notes: The buyout blues: "As the ’90s melted into the new century, I noted that, one-by-one, all the mid-level Web design apps that I had used and enjoyed (and reviewed) were being quietly phased out. In their place were fewer but larger, more elaborate, and more professional packages such as Adobe GoLive (the result of Adobe’s 1998 acquisition of GoLive), Dreamweaver, and to a lesser extent, Freeway (a very good tool specifically designed for desktop publishers who wanted to diversify into Web publishing). These advanced new applications were still classified as visual design tools, but they were heavily oriented toward Web services and programming."

Presentation Solution for Mac Users

We have been using ProShow Gold and iMovie to make presentation samples for clients. this tool looks nearly as robust as ProShow Gold (which unfortunately is PC only) and is very affordable.

We have created custom portfolios, proof presentations and more and delivered them on CD / DVD. The results are impressed clients, no useable files trade hands and the clients share the presentations with many more possible clients than they do the prints/proofs that we used to deliver.

Boinx FotoMagico: "#

• Impress your audience with high resolution images
  
• Perform professional, interactive slideshows
  
• Quickly create stunning slideshows
  
• Use your photos and music from your iLife collection
  
• Synchronize your slides to the music
  
• Easily share your slideshow with others"
  

Waiting to be Called

in_the_tombs
Originally uploaded by Wizwow.

My youngest is waiting for her group to be called to the warm up ice. She is running her program in her head over and over. She skated beautifully and got second.

Running your 'game' in your head can always be beneficial. Pre-visualization is important in every endeavor.

Worth1000.com | Photoshop Contests | Are you Worthy™ | contest

Worth1000.com | Photoshop Contests | Are you Worthy™ | contest: "Everywhere you turn there is another Starbucks, McDonalds or GAP popping up whether it's the logo, store or actual ad you see. In this contest you're going to take corporate takeovers of society to the extreme. Put ads, logos and/or stores in the most unexpected areas you can think of (i.e. the Sphinx in Egypt wearing RayBan sunglasses, or a Taj Mahal McDonalds).

The rules of this game are thus: Depict the world completely overrun by logos, advertisements and stores in the most unexpected places. As always, quality is a must. We will remove poor entries no matter how much we like you. You'll have 48 hours to submit for this contest, so make your submissions count. "

Retro Headshot

Retro Headshot
Originally uploaded by Wizwow.

This readhead had her own retro hat and lace veil. We were shooting on location and I just really wanted this shot.

In honor of his birthday...

How to think like the master. I've ordered my copy and now have to wait for delivery... Ooohhh the anticipation. I would like to practice the list below with stronger discipline. Becoming a better person / creative is the goal. Everyday.

Amazon.com: Books: How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day:

• Curiosita: An insatiably curious approach to life.
  
• Dimonstratzione: A commitment to test knowledge through experience.
  
• Sensazione: The continual refinement of the senses, especially sight, as the means to clarify experience.
  
• Sfumato: A willingness to embrace ambiguity, paradox, and uncertainty.
  
• Arte/Scienza: The development of the balance between science and art, logic and imagination ('whole-brain thinking').
  
• Corporalita: The cultivation of ambidexterity, fitness, and poise.
  
• Connessione: A recognition and appreciation for the connectedness of all things and phenomena; 'systems thinking.'
  

Aren't You Glad You Aren't Mentioned Here...

Gospels of Failure: "Here's a riddle. What is the only business book ever to spend more than 19 weeks on the New York Times best-seller list, sell more than a million copies, and be nominated for the prestigious National Book Award?"

Think Brand / Brand Think

When you take your customers, clients and prospects for granted things can get dicey for your brand (Harley Davidson, American Airlines...). It is imperative to stay focused on what makes you excellent, why people want to use you and why you provide the best solution. This brief article is worth a look or two.

Personally I don't have an attachment to the concept of brand. I prefer to speak of the 'story' of the product. The 'hook', so to speak, of the experience of the service. They are more powerful than 'Brand' these days. Ask Mercedes... What happened to their story?

brandchannel.com | Building Brand Loyalty | Examples in Automotive and Fashion Brands | brand | brands | branding: "To my mind, the problem is not that customers have ceased to be loyal to particular brands but, rather, that companies and brand directors have betrayed their brand promises. Why should a brand command the same recognition and appeal when its quality has been diluted and its founding values scrapped?"

Hey -- You Wanna be a BzzAgent?

Get involved with BzzAgent and think about how you can use some of the same techniques to increase your visibility and buzz. There are many things a photographer can do to get people talking.

Imagine some innovative ways to get your clients excited about your new portfolio. What if they were salivating to see your newest work? Editors calling you to see what you have? Imagine.

BzzAgent: "Join the Hive and you will be given the opportunity to participate in Word-of-Mouth programs for some of the best products and services in the market today. As if that's not enough, expressing your honest opinion will give you access to rewards that will make honey seem dull. What are you waiting for? Start Bzzing today!"

Multiloguing - A Good Article

A good article for bloggers and communications folks. Thinking about a Blog (and you should be), this is a must read.

What's Your Brand Mantra?: Multiloguing: "People define blogs as online journals. That definition leaves out blogs' linky nature that elevates them into a completely different arena. Just as a web site should be more than 'brochure-ware', a blog should be more than 'journal-ware.' I see the blog as personal, scalable conversation tool that happens to resemble an online journal. Social networks like LinkedIn, wikis and discussion forums all serve the same purpose. We're engaging in multilogues, and using the tools at our disposal to make it easier."

Tammy in the Doorway

blondie_small
Originally uploaded by Wizwow.

She stopped by to talk about an audition and we became friends. As she was leaving I asked to shoot a headshot or two. Not wanting to set up all the lights and stuff, I had her stand in the doorway in north light. I like it and it looks cute and just a little sexy.

danny regan: Short Portfolio at 28mm

Just ran across these images... small portfolio and thought you should see them. Lots to see at 28mm.

28MM.ORG | Issue 0014 | by danny regan

Photography by Kathleen Connally: Gorgeous

The beauty of these images is almost a tangible force. Simplicity in style, they will simply stun you with an emotional element that can't be escaped. That's my "critic speak"... what I would say to my friends is that these are dramatic, strong, emotional photographs that will enchant you.

Go see 'em. You will be glad you did.

A Walk Through Durham Township, Pennsylvania - Photography by Kathleen Connally

I'm really intrigued by this one

I am getting desperate (no, really - desperate) to have one of these tiny little cameras with me all of the time. This one is very small and comes recommended by Rick Lee. He uses his to make some great little snaps. Carrying around a 20D just doesn't makes sense all of the time. Fuji makes a great camera... and this thing is tiny!

Steves Digicams - Pentax Optio S4 - User Review: "The Pentax Optio S4 (shown above larger than life) is smaller than the size of an average credit card and just over 3/4-inch thick. The Optio S4 fits neatly into an empty tin of Altoids�. It's the 4-megapixel update of the very popular 3-megapixel Optio S and differs physically only by its champagne colored aluminum body."

Headshot from Salon

Headshot from Salon
Originally uploaded by Wizwow.

Shot in a salon with portable studio setup. This young lady was one of the clients and hadn't 'modeled' before. She was delightful to work with and I ended up with dozens of great shots of her.

Working on location has it's own problems... ambient light, space and inquisitive bystanders ("Is Canon better than Nikon?") - but I love it. Except the part of carrying all the stands and lights and backgrounds... that I can do without.

Shot this with small powered strobes so I could limit the depth of field... (f4 at 100 ISO).

Some ballons at my daughter's party. 

shack_zoo_sm

shack_zoo_sm
Originally uploaded by Wizwow.

Wonderful backlight and texture, I had to take this image.

More US Route 89 Photos at James' blog

Take a look at this most fascinating highway through the lens of James Cowlin. More new images to see. Visit and let him know you did.
US Route 89

Why Photography is like Therapy

I love to take my camera (at least one of them ;-) - with me wherever I go. I find that the capturing of something that interests me just lightens my load sometimes. I will post a shot I take on the way to the office this morning... look for it.

On Location With Rick Lee: "What a way to start the day
I was feeling rather groggy as I went out to the car this morning thinking about driving to Morgantown. The morning air was exactly the right temperature and humidity and I got to see this fantastic sky... this kicked my mood up a few notches."

In case you missed it...

I don't follow golf... but I love Tiger! If you didn't see this amazing shot, you should take a moment to see it here. Clever idea to make an ad for Nike just for fun. It just doesn't get any sweeter than this!

Jaffe Juice: Tiger did it a.k.a. the next Nike Commercial: "The moment of truth (as you'll see) couldn't have been better scripted for Nike and in this case, will live on indefinitely in so many hearts and minds as one of the greatest shots we'll ever see."

Sunday's Image

Trees bending in a stiff breeze. Textures caught my eye.

D. Gorton: Photographer

These are some really exciting photographs, well executed and full of rich textures, colors and emotion.

A simple site, very easy to navigate and see what you came to see. I wish there was a bit of biography and information on his long career, but the images are so strong that you need very few words.

From Waylon and Willie to dramatic journalistic images of rural Illinois, Gorton's images are introspective and full of irreverant wit.

Enjoy

D. Gorton Home Page: "A Twenty-first
Century Landscape: The Rural Lands of Central and Southern Illinois"

AdverBlogging?

You really have to hunt through some other wonderfully created blogs / sites to see this one coming. Seems like a site about a Stolen Audi, and there is suspiciosly a new site devoted to "Recovering Art" and I suspect that they will soon meld. This is a well thought out PR / Insta-Event / Soap... about a stolen piece of art... an Audi... We will have to see how this story plays out - or to the targeted audience. That audience? You, the blog readers.

Stolen A3: "Here's the scene 51 minutes later, when the two security guards from the Audi Forum party showed up.

There's a discussion thread on this here. I was thinking, we really need to get more heads together on the forum. I need to figure out how to get more people to join...hmm..."

I may not Skate...

...but I know a kick-ass website when I see it. Well created and produced, and the niche is served extremely well here. Perfect mix of 'hip' and useability. This is a content rich site that will create so much word-of-mouth that it will be like a mini-google swarm. I was sent a link to a video clip that is outstanding... guys shooting basketball. And immediately visited the site and now blogged it.

Seriously, you gotta see this creative, high energy site.


DCSHOECOUSA

Last post for Friday... (Maybe)

Shooting food in a small restaurant for a corporate brochure. The designer (Coni Bourin) decided that we needed a shot of 'ingredients'. We used a single hot light, white board fill, a bit of window light and some small shiny reflectors. I liked the surface of the tables so we figured 'what the hell'. Only had about 10 minutes to get the shot.

Iranian Portraitist

Some of these images were 'banned' and some were not. I don't know which were or weren't, just passing on the information. Take a look.

Iran-art-photography-shadi ghadirian: "Tell me what you think about my work or anything else that comes to mind.
We welcome all of your comments and suggestions
Notice: Fields with * are required."

Good read on "Fair Use"

It is a huge, contentious area online. When I quote a photog and link to his/her image, which is similar to "word of mouth" I would think that it would follow under "fair use" as I am obviously crediting (through text and link) the creator and actually performing a viral marketing function for them. I thinks it is far different than grabbing an image and putting on a page with no link or credit. Am I wrong? I don't think so.

Fair use of photos on blogs - the photographers speak out. - The Digital Photography Weblog - digitalphotography.weblogsinc.com _: "I had dinner with two big name photographers in L.A. recently. These are folks who's name you might recognize even if you are not in the photography industry. I asked them both under what circumstances could use their images without paying them, they both immediately responded emphatically "under no circumstances!"

Interesting. I asked them if they had heard of the term fair use, and they said they had heard of it but their photo agencies had told them that no one can use their images ever without their permission. This, of course, is not true. There is fair use, and there is commercial fair use as well. The issue is how, as an industry, we will impliment fair use. It is, at the end of the day, up to us how this all goes down."

Photoshop has it's own Blog

Nicely done and with lots of information, RSS, newsletters and more. Fantastic set of links. It is nice to see that Adobe is starting to understand the value of this type of dynamic support. However, it comes at no surprise... Adobe has taken the lead in many of the online support tools that we take for granted these days.

Photoshop Tutorials & Photoshop Plugins | PhotoshopSupport.com: "We've put together a page of links to resources for Photoshop CS2 - Photoshop 9. You'll find a list of all the new features found in Photoshop CS2, plus links to some great resources from the NAPP, who have launched a CS2 Learning Center that offers articles, PDFs, and online video clips."

Another shot from the test shoot Saturday. I will be posting more images in upcoming weeks...just for fun. 

Sorry, I just couldn't resist....

Hmmmmm.... hahaha...

small dead animals: "High Risk Of Being Born Stupid"

This is a new girl that I discovered doing a shoot on location. I had her come to the studio on Saturday and we did a few shots. She did a great job. I still love to shoot and wish I had more time for it. 

Hey Rick... that IS cool...

A new Blog / Photobog by photographer Rick Lee. Check him out.

On Location With Rick Lee: "A commercial photographer in a small market. I love my work and I love the people I work with. How cool is that?"

Here's a Deal for you...

Digital Links: "GAWD, what were we thinking??!! James and I just got back from the PPOC annual national convention in beautiful Calgary.

We lugged two gigormous suitcases jam packed with our Big Kahuna Digital Success Systems and Ultimate Lighting Tutorials over 2,000 miles ready to sell every last one at the trade show.."

A Pic a Day of Wanda comes to the End

A remarkable project comes to a close. Every day for a year a new photo of Wanda was posted. You should visit the site and see the work. To Wanda and Bill, great job.

Wanda03_30_05 - Wm. Bates photos: "This image ends a year of 'Picture A Day Of Wanda'. We committed to taking a photo each and every day for a year. WE MADE IT!! We now have fulfilled our commitment without missing a single day.

I think I'll take tomorrow off. After that we'll see where we go from here.

I know Wanda has said she would be willing to try to appear at least once a week. I think that's pretty great. I plan on continuing on with a picture a day but without restricting myself to a single subject."

Are you a "desperate photographer?".. iStock has an article for you...

If you shoot stock, and have reached a bit of a burnout in ideas, you may want to read this article. Unless, of course, it isn't your fault and all them other photogs keep rippin' you off all the dang time... But I digress. Read it.

iStockphoto.com : Articles - Terrible is the temptation for the desperate photographer: "Stock, a category all its own. Its own genre, approach and lifestyle. The truffle among chocolates: separating itself with subtlety but distinct flavor. Assumedly, many don't grasp the difference, maybe don't see it, but iStock requires a different approach. Quite a few people get spooked at that thought, yet everyday there are new contributors that begin their path to success, building upon each addition to their portfolio. It's natural to find intrigue in their work, asking questions like, 'What are they doing that I'm not?! (Damn it!)' Hard as it may be, you have to stop focusing (perhaps even mimicking) on others' work and concentrate on your own."

Ouch... Some photogs wont like this

... and some wont care, but many designers will find it easier to find images through their usual tools. This is a natural extension of the blurring between creators and suppliers that technology facilitates. It will be interesting to listen to the furor I am sure is coming over this.

Adobe Stock Photos: "Adobe� Stock Photos is a new service included in your favorite Adobe applications. Access Adobe Stock Photos through the new Adobe Bridge file browser in Adobe Creative Suite 2, Photoshop� CS2, Illustrator� CS2, InDesign� CS2, and GoLive� CS2 software."

UpDate: This may be a good time for photographers to really start to think of their own stock sales strategy. As the larger firms seem to be melding into a hadnful of mega-stock houses, the opportunity for smaller boutiques increases - yes, I said increases. Look, there are boutique successes in every niche. It takes work, strategy and consistent effort, but it certainly can be done. Look at the PHOTOtool for an inexpensive solution to creating your own stock. (plug over)

Considering the fantastic reach of blogs, photoblogs, websites, email and viral marketing, a photographer has the ability to make quite a 'buzz' with little asset investment... and a lot to gain.

Mark Culbertson, Photographer

I will start linking to some of my favorite photographers sites and give a little summary /review of the site. NOTE: I am not going to critique the work. Rest assured that if I link the site I like the work. I will limit my comments on the markteting / story / USP (unique selling proposition) of the site as well as discussion on the web design / strategy.

Mark's site is a study in simplicity. His site resembles a flash site with a no scrolling, fixed site. However, the site is totally html / css and is very search engine friendly. He has paid close attention to page names and meta-tags and does very well on the SEO scale.

Junk Stock is Mark's stock sales site. He sells traditional rights managed stock as well as prints for exhibition. He uses the PHOTOtool for total management of e-commerce and image catalogs. Mark has a totally unique set of stock images with a vision that is striking, contemporary and whimsical.

Check Mark's site out and enjoy his wonderful images. Hey Mark, now you need a "Junk Stock Blog"...

Mark A. Culbertson, Photographer, Photographic Services,Commercial, Advertising, Editoral, Stock, Corporate, Industrial, Location, Studiophotography in Phoenix, Arizona, People, Product, Still life, AnnualReports, Print Advertising, Brochures: "So, I'm cruising down old Route 66 in Arizona, rounding the curve, and there it is! An abandoned building, a rusty old car, a wrecking yard, a dusty storefront window. I stop, look around, and contemplate. Who lived here? Who's stuff was this? What did these things mean to them? The past is all around us. It's there. It's beautiful. It's the majesty of history exemplified in a building facade and in a tiny artifact. Now it's all... what? Junk? "

Bullfighters of a New Sort

I admire their spunk. As someone who has had to create some of the same style of drivel that they abhor, it is certainly good to start "telling it like it is", as we used to say. Actually I think this sort of elitist bullshit writing (see the response posted) leads to much of the incivility we see in our everyday lives. A growing sense of disconnect creates resentment and anger. When I ask a question, I am actually requesting a response that enlightens, not obfuscates. But alas...

Fight The Bull: Amazon Responds.: "We sent both posts to Bezos via e-mail, and invited him to clear up the ranking mystery once and for all on our blog.

The good news is that he got back to us with an answer in a whopping 5 hours and 20 minutes.

The bad news is that it wasn't Jeff who responded. One of his minions intercepted our e-mail, and sent us this bullshit:"