Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
A Photo Editor - Former Photography Director Rob Haggart
I love this take. I think it just about right. This could be a deal changer for a lot of photographers. Are you up for it? Cool! Let's go...
A Photo Editor - Former Photography Director Rob Haggart:
"Will the Apple tablet save publishing? No.
It will force them to get off their collective duffs and start investing in defending their brand digitally, but just like the music industry the business model–where you’re forced to buy a bunch of crap to get at the one thing you want–is broken. I’ve long predicted a bright shiny future for people who deal in photography and the tablet is one more device where things shouting for our attention will require creative geniuses to give us arresting imagery."
New Study Suggests Humans Could Run As Fast As 40 MPH : Gas 2.0
Whew... that would be very cool.
New Study Suggests Humans Could Run As Fast As 40 MPH : Gas 2.0:
"Rarely do we take the time to stop and consider just how complex and amazing our bodies are. It is understandable after all, as the busy world around us can be quite distracting. But the record breaking times set by Usain Bolt this past summer have piqued the interests of scientists in the perceived limits of the human body."
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
After Three Months, Only 35 Subscriptions for Newsday's Web Site | The New York Observer
Well, that sorta settles that... sorta. Jeeeeez... LOL, I don't really know what to say... a 4 Million Dollar website? Bwahahahahahahaha... well, there.... ya go.
After Three Months, Only 35 Subscriptions for Newsday's Web Site | The New York Observer:
"The web site redesign and relaunch cost the Dolans $4 million, according to Mr. Jimenez. With those 35 people, they've grossed about $9,000.
In that time, without question, web traffic has begun to plummet, and, certainly, advertising will follow as well."
Conan’s Good-bye: 10 of 10 in Leadership, Reputation, and Community | Liz Strauss at Successful Blog
Just a damn good lesson in gracious and powerful leadership. Hat's off to you, sir. You will be missed. But you will be back... that, as they say, is a given! Read the whole list and ask yourself if your leadership qualities can measure up to these. It's tough, but powerful.
Conan’s Good-bye: 10 of 10 in Leadership, Reputation, and Community | Liz Strauss at Successful Blog: "
#10- He offered hope even to the nonparticipants.
Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen."
PORTRAIT SESSION ORDERING TIPS » Brand Camp Blog
I love this. Pragmatic and dead on sales information. Good blog for portrait shooters.
PORTRAIT SESSION ORDERING TIPS » Brand Camp Blog:
"I absolutely expect people to make $700 portrait-purchasing decisions on the spot. I don’t have the time to hold 2 or 3 ordering sessions to get one order, and I’ll bet you don’t either. I’m not into high pressure sales, but you’ll find that simply having the expectation of ordering yields…orders. If we’ve designated Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. as our ordering session, we’re going to order, dammit!"
Monday, January 25, 2010
PART 1: ESTABLISH BASELINE PORTRAIT PRICING » Brand Camp Blog
Interesting. I hope some of the lower priced photographers will read this and understand that being cheap is, well, being cheap. Who wants to be the cheapest in town? Read the whole thing!
PART 1: ESTABLISH BASELINE PORTRAIT PRICING » Brand Camp Blog:
"Perhaps you’d like a 10×10″ print with a nasty Photoshop action applied for only $79.99…
Oh, and that 16×20″ print you’re scared to sell for $60? It’s $99.99 at the big S.
Think your collections are too expensive? The Picture People are offering groupings from $149 – $975. Yes, $975.
You’ll find Kiddie Kandids pricing similar to the others…about $20 per 8×10″ print. Same at Sadie’s."
HeatherMortonArt buyer - Johan Hallberg-Campbell and Pikto
Wonderful post and absolutely astounding imagery. Follow the links!
HeatherMortonArt buyer:
"I decided to go to the Island to document the people living there. I was told that there had not been a birth in seven years, the Gaelic speaking Islands fishing tradition is fading away, and the people of old with it. The last corner shop closed in 2007, the pre-school also shut down that year. The primary school has two or three pupils and there is no High School. Over the years the population has dropped to 300. The young leave to seek work. To me this Island symbolizes a Scottish way of life that is disappearing, like many other places in the world! How it was a 100 years ago, ‘The Last of The Fishermen’."
And You Call Yourself a Professional? « Photofocus
I guess common sense isn't as common as it should be. Scott's article is well written and is easy to follow. It lays out the arguement against cheap photographers very well. I have nothing to add to this but "Thanks, Scott."
And You Call Yourself a Professional? « Photofocus:BTW... I feel the same way about Microshitstock too!
"Now there is a group of cheapo wedding photographers attacking me for taking this position. They are threatening me with everything from un-following me on Twitter – (how will I go on?) to assault. That’s right, some of these fine citizens have threatened my life. Another sent me an email saying he was coming after me and would go for my eyes first. These people are sick and they use the Internet like a weapon. Because they are either too lazy, or untalented to learn how to do this job right, they feel like my call for reasonable pricing at the low-end of the market is a personal attack on them. They feel badly (at least privately) about their situation. They know they aren’t serving the client, themselves or the industry, but rather than do something about it, they try to make me into the devil. Well it won’t work. This isn’t the first time I’ve received death threats. It’s a creepy world but I’ve survived worse. I’ve been in this business for more than three decades and I’ll be around long after all of them have moved on to their next job asking that ever important question, “Would you like fries with that?” I won’t stop trying to defend the industry I love, even if it offends a few jealous Internet trolls along the way. I have very close and special friends who feed their families in the wedding and portrait market. I don’t intend to stand by and watch their livelihoods destroyed by these people. If these folks simmer down and take time to ask for my help, I’ll offer it gladly. I don’t want to see them devalue their clients, themselves or our industry. I’ll help them even though they are acting like idiots. I love the photography industry and spend most of my days trying to do everything I can to help photographers. And I will continue to do that no matter how many people attack me, listen to my podcast, read this site, attend my workshops, buy my books, collect my prints or follow me on Twitter."
Are You Tired of Your Image?
I always tell my clients that about the time they are tired of their logo it is just about time that the public is starting to know that it is their logo.
Marketing Essentials International » Are You Tired of Your Image?:
"The list goes on and on, but blaming advertising, logos, company names etc. because you believe they’re old, tired and “everybody’s seen them” is your absolute last resort. Maybe you do need a makeover, but look at your execution of marketing projects, creativity and your skill set before you blame things on your name. Companies get tired of their look, advertising and tag lines and find the need to reinvent the frosting, often long before the public is bored."
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Some out-takes from this weeks iPhone shooting. Here and there. Up and down. Quirky and fun.
Kind of a fun little camera to carry with... and now that it has all of the Don Ellis tunes available, it rocks even more!!! Woo Hoo
Don Giannatti:
Designer / Photographer / Writer
Please... Somebody? Somebody?
Explain this to me? Which one is Dumber and which is Dumberer? Please...
I am so hopeful that someday we can elect people who have a clue. The guy is so far out of reality, but then... he is the Grayson. One of the most stupid people to ever come into the House. Good for you, Grayson. You proved the point that you have NO FKN IDEA what you are talking about.
But this clown votes on legislation that directly affects our lives.
God help us.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
I am so hopeful that someday we can elect people who have a clue. The guy is so far out of reality, but then... he is the Grayson. One of the most stupid people to ever come into the House. Good for you, Grayson. You proved the point that you have NO FKN IDEA what you are talking about.
But this clown votes on legislation that directly affects our lives.
God help us.
Peppers in the Sun. On Textured Paper. On the Patio. iPhone Photographs, 365 project: 1-24-2010
I love the colors. And great for a salad after the portrait... heh.
Don Giannatti:
Designer / Photographer / Writer
Posted via email from Don Giannatti's 365 Photo Blog Project
Adventure 15: The "Boffo" Finish Boing Boing
Oh so true. Pop Culture is so shallow these days... and that is, of course, by design.
Adventure 15: The "Boffo" Finish Boing Boing:
"As I said at the beginning of this program, I'm constantly amazed at the 'pop culture amnesia' that seems to be an epidemic today. People have forgotten some of the greatest achievements of mankind... and what have they replaced it with? Infomercials, current events clowns, celebrity gossip and patently phony reality shows. Now, I can already hear you saying... 'Well. me and all my friends know about important stuff... all kinds of stuff!' Whenever I ask one of my archive interns what kind of music they listen to, I always get the same answer- 'All kinds of music!' Then I ask, 'Who's your favorite country and western artist?' or 'What's your favorite opera?' and I get blank stares. It turns out that 'all kinds of music' means 'acid house, electronica, trance, darkwave, eurobeat, speedcore, etc.'- a million different names for the same kind of music. It isn't their fault that they're ignorant of the cultural riches of the 20th century. Big media has kept them in the dark so they can spoon feed them 'pre-packaged, pasteurized entertainment product'.
The 'good stuff' is all out there. You don't need a fancy shmancy archive. All it takes is a 'breadcrumb', a clue, a YouTube video clip, an MP3, a name to Google- and this wonderful world opens up like a flower. It turns out that the world we live in isn't such a drab and dreary place after all!"
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Looking down looking up: Cloudscapes and Car Hoods... iPhone Photographs: 365 Project: 1-23-2010
Just went to the local Barnes and Noble and caught these great cloudscapes in car hoods on the way to the door.
Fun!Posted via email from Don Giannatti's 365 Photo Blog Project
Are Symphonies Too Big to Succeed? | By Andrew Manshel - WSJ.com
We need to get working on this or all we will be left with is shit rap and crappy pop. Ya know!
Are Symphonies Too Big to Succeed? | By Andrew Manshel - WSJ.com:
"There is a way forward. The Atlanta Symphony recently reported reducing its operating costs (including a reduction in musicians' salaries) through a cooperative process that included management, board members and players, and that worked to provide a thorough understanding of the organization's financial situation to all participants. The symphony's president has since left Atlanta and is now headed for the Philadelphia Orchestra, which has experienced many of the problems that beset Cleveland. Clearly, the survival of orchestras involves the reduction of their cost base, and for that to happen, managements across the country need to make their financial situation transparent to their musicians and make them full partners in creating fiscal viability for the enterprise."
Mercado Negro — Ramon Coronado
Um, OK. But since you mentioned you are right across the street from a huge park would it not be a better statement to be against all the criminality, thuggishness, brutality, and downright aberrant behavior that the neighborhoods simply put up with? And by doing so making it impossible to be a kid there?
Blame the PEOPLE who CAUSE the crime, not the people who do not. Be brave. Challenge the thugocracy - and that means the people in high places that are totally content to be elected by the very people who create parks that are too dangerous to play in and instead let their children play in the streets.
Responsibility sir. Local and on the ground.
Blame the PEOPLE who CAUSE the crime, not the people who do not. Be brave. Challenge the thugocracy - and that means the people in high places that are totally content to be elected by the very people who create parks that are too dangerous to play in and instead let their children play in the streets.
Responsibility sir. Local and on the ground.
Mercado Negro — Ramon Coronado:That said, these are pretty cool works. Keep up the good work, but get mad at the people who continue to perpetrate and devastate, not elusive 'them's'. The "city" is NOT to blame, the people who allow it to happen in their neighborhoods are.
"I took it upon myself to take a shopping cart and make a statement with it. I reclaimed LA's iconic shopping cart and created furniture for kids to enjoy in these urban Los Angeles areas. The project is a criticism of the scarcity of recreational functions for kids growing up in a dense city like Los Angeles."
Friday, January 22, 2010
Scary Times in America... for sure
Roger L. Simon » Scary Times in Obama High:
"Problem is, we’ve been there, done that, a thousand times. The alternative to capitalism is socialism and it has never worked. Not once, in all its myriad permutations. In fact, it most often hurts those it was intended to help, bankrupting the society and leaving the lower classes destitute. The Soviet Union collapsed. China was deeply impoverished until it turned essentially capitalistic . Everybody knows that now, and has for years, except maybe our president. He’s after the banks and is so clueless he thinks that will impress us. Of course, it won’t. Nobody believes anything he says anymore. But he is the President and he can take executive actions. And with those actions, like a wounded animal, he may pull all of us down with him. I am deeply afraid of that because Barack Obama has never had to deal with any personal adversity in his adult life. He has lived a completely privileged existence. This is a first for him. There’s no telling how he will behave. Watch out, buckle up and hold on to your seats."
Don’t Be a Copyright Hypocrite | Black Star Rising
Don’t Be a Copyright Hypocrite | Black Star Rising:
"He was irritated and said, “We just have a fundamental difference about how to approach this.” And I said, “Well, mine is a perspective based upon copyright law and rights granted under the Constitution. Are you suggesting that if an artist produces a song and earns money off the CD, that they then shouldn’t be paid additionally when their music is used in a movie or a commercial?”
And he said, “Well, that’s different.” I said, “No, actually, it’s the same copyright principle.”"
Pennsylvania man beat up and arrested after questioning officer’s illegal parking | Photography is Not a Crime
Well... there ya go. The thugs protect the thugs. Cool.
Thugs.
Thugs.
Pennsylvania man beat up and arrested after questioning officer’s illegal parking | Photography is Not a Crime:
"But the local police department is refusing to release the tape because “the public interest in disclosure does not outweigh the interest in nondisclosure,” according to the Public Opinion, the Chambersburg, Pennsylvania news site that filed the request for public information."
Journalists detained and threatened with arrest at Orlando airport | Photography is Not a Crime
Ooohhh, Goody. Thugs here. Thugs there. Now we gots Thugs in suits. Thugs are thugs... and if they are in charge or carrying a badge that makes it way way way way way worse. These people have been given special powers to HELP the citezenry, not thuggerize them.
Journalists detained and threatened with arrest at Orlando airport | Photography is Not a Crime:Fuckin Morons.
"Tina Susman of the Los Angeles Times and Dionne Searcey of the Wall Street Journal were wearing media credentials around their neck Tuesday as they sat on a bus interviewing a Haitian nun who had survived the earthquake.
They were suddenly ordered off the bus and forced into a conference room where they were detained for 30 minutes while being accused of being terrorists."
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Don’t Be Scared of the F-Word When Exploring New Business Models | Black Star Rising
Don’t Be Scared of the F-Word When Exploring New Business Models | Black Star Rising:
"Far from reveling in the dubious joy of the gutter credit, shouldn’t we be negotiating hyperlinks back to our site, via both our image and our credit? By doing so, we’ve targeted the people most interested in both the subject and/or our product — and we’ve brought them home to buy some more.
How much do you pay in marketing and promotion? Do you really hit the people most interested in your work and/or your subject?
When I agreed to write this blog post and asked Black Star to please link to me here, I drew people to my work that were specifically interested in what I do. That discerning traffic cost me two hours of writing.
Net effect? Who knows? Had you heard of me yesterday?"
Yeah, but they are French... LOL
What a friggin' JOKE. Mistake my ASS. They would have taken the harshest measures and NOT given anyone else a pass, so they ought to not get a pass either... freaking thieves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Heh.
Heh.
Hadopi logo infringement article on LogoLounge.Com:
"French agency charged with preventing online pirating is now charged with pirating unlicensed fonts in its own logo. 'Bienvenue' was created for use only in France Telecom/Orange products."
Buried Alive? There's an APP for that.
Great story. Where can I get a battery that lasts 65 hours?
Man Buried in Haiti Rubble Uses iPhone to Treat Wounds, Survive | Gadget Lab | Wired.com:
"The app even warned Woolley not to fall asleep if he felt he was going into shock, so he set his cellphone’s alarm clock to go off every 20 minutes. Sixty-five hours later, a French rescue team saved him"
Interview with PATRICK - one management blog
In photography there is only one "Patrick". Arguably the most important fashion shooter of our time. I know he is one of my top, top favorites.
ONE ICONOGRAPHY - RIE VS PATRICK - one management blog:
"Rie: You shot a lot in the 90's as well and worked with the 'Real Supermodels'... How do you find that time differs from how things are now?
Patrick: At the time the magazines used them more for the covers, and the time was different the girls were more like a woman than model. Claudia Schiffer, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford... these girls weren't really model type girls they were more like a personality, interesting people. Also at the time Vogue used them for the cover more, now it's more actresses.. they don't want the girls to be stars too much, like we used to do you know... The market now is more and more young girls, they walk well but they pass quick too. New girls every year, they push people out more. If you see the ads, there are a lot of the older girls doing the ads now.."
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Motor City Thuggery Doesn't Go Unpunished... or so they say
This guy is getting off too easy. What he did to the once beautiful city of Detroit is criminal. Wait, that's right... he is a criminal. Pay up, dude.
TBO.com - News From AP:
"Perjury charges related to a text-messaging sex scandal and 2007 whistle-blowers' trial led to his 2008 guilty plea to obstruction of justice and no contest plea to assault.
As part of the deal with prosecutors, Kilpatrick resigned and agreed to pay the city $1 million. He also served 99 days in jail.
After his Feb. 3, 2009 release, Kilpatrick was hired as an account executive for Covisint, a Texas subsidiary of Detroit-based Compuware. Groner then set monthly restitution payments at $6,000.
It was Kilpatrick's desire to pay smaller amounts that prompted prosecutors to delve into his finances. They accused Kilpatrick of hiding assets by moving large sums from bank accounts bearing his name to those under his wife's name, and wanted Groner to order him to pay a $225,000 lump sum."
Oh My!
BBC News - Wildlife photographer stripped of award:
"The experts compared the winning picture to pictures of Ossian, a tame wolf that lives at a zoological park near Madrid called Canada Real.
'You can see several very distinctive markings and the experts all agreed that, yes, it's the same wolf,' said Mr Carwardine.
'We disqualified [Mr Rodriguez] and banned him for life from entering the competition again, so I think that sends a strong message.'
Mr Carwardine added that Mr Rodruiguez had, throughout the investigation, denied 'hiring' Ossian for the photograph. The disqualified photographer maintains that his subject was a wild wolf."
Picture Show: Mathieu Young's "Walkabout" - Picture Show - GOOD
Such a Cool Idea. A personal project with lots and lots of fabulous photographs. Well done, Mathieu!
Picture Show: Mathieu Young's "Walkabout" - Picture Show - GOOD:
"Fascinated by the social and cultural diversity of Los Angeles, I embarked on a four day, 20 mile journey across the city on foot. Pushing a large strobe light, I walked through L.A.'s neighborhoods, asking to photograph everyone whose path I crossed. It was a remarkable experience to step out of the bubble and engage with the city's changing landscape as it is reflected in the faces of its denizens."
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
An iPhoto shot of an old lighting installation near Stansfield, AZ.
I just really liked this light stand in the middle of the desert.
Don Giannatti:
Designer / Photographer / Writerwww.dongiannatti.com / www.lighting-essentials.com / www.learntolight.com / 602 434 1765
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Skype: wizwow 
AIM: wizwow 
Google Talk: don.giannatti
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