Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Professional Marketing & Selling Techniques for Digital Wedding Photographers

Professional Marketing & Selling Techniques for Digital Wedding Photographers Review



Updated to include the latest digital camera models, imaging software, and current image proofing and sales techniques, this business guide teaches wedding photographers how to build a profitable business. From formulating a business plan to presenting final images to clients, the strategies presented help photographers avoid the pitfalls that ruin many wedding photography studios. Photographers learn how to define a target demographic—whether that be low-volume big-budget or high-volume low-budget clients—and market to those demographics in print, on the Internet, through networking, and at bridal shows. Customer service tips include how to interview clients to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable portrait experience, conduct presession consultations, and write a contract, as well as presentation techniques for wall-size images, coffee-table–style books, and guestbooks. The featured images and drawings include a gallery of the author's wedding photographs and samples of advertising, marketing, and promotional literature.


Monday, January 30, 2012

500 Poses for Photographing Women: A Visual Sourcebook for Portrait Photographers

500 Poses for Photographing Women: A Visual Sourcebook for Portrait Photographers Review



Next to lighting, posing is the most challenging aspect of photography—with so many body parts to capture, the possibilities are endless, and it’s all too easy to make a wrong turn. This illustrated reference provides both amateur shutterbugs and seasoned pros with the perfect place to turn when in need of quick posing strategies and fresh ideas. Containing 500 contemporary images by leading photographers, this indispensable manual explains posing fundamentals as well as how to create a flattering, feature-specific photograph—one that focuses on the head, shoulders, arms, torso, or feet—in different levels of close-ups, from head-shots to full-lengths.


Saturday, January 28, 2012

How to Start and Operate a Digital Portrait Photography Studio

How to Start and Operate a Digital Portrait Photography Studio Review



Twenty successful studio owners offer their expertise to aspiring professional photographers in this guide to operating a digital portrait studio. Every element of a thriving studio is covered, from choosing a location and determining a budget to selecting computer equipment and streamlining the digital work flow. Details on selecting backgrounds, sets, and props that set a studio apart and advice on lighting patterns, posing, and clothing selection help photographers ensure that they produce client-pleasing images and return customers. Customer service tips on creating comfortable waiting and viewing areas are included to help photographers set up an attractive space to better profit from their artistic skills.


Friday, January 27, 2012

Fine Art Printing for Photographers: Exhibition Quality Prints with Inkjet Printers, 2nd Edition

Fine Art Printing for Photographers: Exhibition Quality Prints with Inkjet Printers, 2nd Edition Review



Today's digital cameras provide image data files allowing large-format output at high resolution. At the same time, printing technology has moved forward at an equally fast pace bringing us new inkjet systems capable of printing in high precision at a very fine resolution, providing an amazing tonality range and longtime stability of inks.

Moreover, these systems are now affordable to the serious photographer. In the hands of knowledgeable and experienced photographers, these new inkjet printers can help create prints comparable to the highest quality darkroom prints on photographic paper.

This book provides the necessary foundation for fine art printing: The understanding of color management, profiling, paper and inks. It demonstrates how to set up the printing workflow as it guides the reader step-by-step through this process from an image file to an outstanding fine art print.


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Studio Lighting Anywhere: The Digital Photographer's Guide to Lighting on Location and in Small Spaces

Studio Lighting Anywhere: The Digital Photographer's Guide to Lighting on Location and in Small Spaces Review



Offering a streamlined approach to creating studio-quality images, from backdrops to lighting, Joe Farace instructs photographers on selecting the gear that provides the most value and requires only minimal storage space. Emphasizing portability and ease, Farace also provides techniques for using small flash units to create big portrait-lighting effects. Also included is a demonstration on the use of green-screen technology to digitally superimpose on the image any desired type of background, thereby eliminating the need to buy and store dozens of unique backdrops. Once each piece of gear is finally in place, more advanced demonstrations include lighting placement, adjusting lights to suit each unique subject, and metering them for correct exposure. Lessons also include creating classic portrait-lighting effects and tips on posing subjects, as well as a final walk-through of the postproduction phase and troubleshooting common challenges.


Monday, January 23, 2012

Hollywood Studios Press Photos and Official Portraits of Stars and Legends in the Twenties and Thirties. Vol.I (The United States in the Twenties and Thirties)

Hollywood Studios Press Photos and Official Portraits of Stars and Legends in the Twenties and Thirties. Vol.I (The United States in the Twenties and Thirties) Review



A superb photos album of Hollywood’s legends, icons, divas, superstars and motion pictures greatest names (The famous, the immortal and forgotten), in the twenties and thirties, taken directly from the vaults and archives of Hollywood’s studios and legendary photographers of the era. Hundreds upon hundreds of rare, vintage photos signed by the stars, and rare portraits of the legends that would enrich any treasured collection!! A true gem of the golden era of the silver screen. See the superstars as they REALLY looked when they started their careers, and their glamorous headshots as publicized by Hollywood’s studios. A MASSIVE set of 3 volumes.


Sunday, January 22, 2012

Photographic Studios in Indonesia

Photographic Studios in Indonesia Review



This report consists of photographic enterprises which serve the general public or provide photography for advertising, publishing agents and other business purposes. This report covers the scope, size, disposition and growth of the industry including the key sensitivities and success factors. Also included are five year industry forecasts, growth rates and an analysis of the industry key players and their market shares.


Saturday, January 21, 2012

Exploring Color Photography : From the Darkroom to the Digital Studio

Exploring Color Photography : From the Darkroom to the Digital Studio Review



Exploring Color Photography is a flexible, multiple duty text that clearly and concisely instructs students in the fundamental aesthetic and technical concepts needed to create thought provoking photographs in both the digital and the analogue processes. This conceptual approach will not be rapidly outdated, nor will it get students bogged down in complex technical matters. Coverage of Light, Design, Color, Movement, Time, and Space, and Presentation is pertinent to all levels of photographic education.

A comprehensive, diverse, high-quality art program stresses a multitude of approaches through its inspiring visual examples and well-structured illustrative informational charts and tables.

Exploring Color Photography's thoughtful assignments encourage students to be adventurous and to take responsibility for learning and working independently. The emphasis on design and postmodern theoretical concepts stresses the thought process behind the creation of successful images. Image captions give insight into how imagemakers apply technology in the service of their ideas. A "Problem Solving and Writing" chapter offers methods and exercises that help students learn to be visual problem solvers and to talk and write succinctly about the ideas at the foundation of their work.

From the journal Afterimage, November/December 2004, page 15:

"A textbook for college-level students and serious amateurs with a historical and pragmatic approach. Theory is related to practice and it is abundantly illustrated by original works form various sources and many professional practitioners and artists. The digital section has been expanded. Hirsch accompanies his "lectures" with creative assignments for the reader to complete."


Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Understanding Flash Photography: How to Shoot Great Photographs Using Electronic Flash

Understanding Flash Photography: How to Shoot Great Photographs Using Electronic Flash Review



This guide to on- and off-camera flash picks up where Understanding Exposure leaves off, helping free photographers from the limitations of "auto" to get the images they want when natural light isn't enough. For the many amateur photographers afraid to venture past natural lighting, here is the book that will finally help them explore the exciting possibilities of artificial light. In his trademark easy-to-understand style, Bryan Peterson explains not only how flash works, but how to go beyond "TTL" automatic flash exposure to master manual flash, allowing readers to control the quality, shape and direction of light for a perfect exposure, every time.


Monday, January 16, 2012

The Digital Photography Companion

The Digital Photography Companion Review



Are you ready to take photos that reflect your creative spirit, rather than just another set of snapshots? Then you want this book in your camera bag. Well-organized so you can look up topics quickly, The Digital Photography Companion gives you creative tips and technical advice for taking top-notch digital photos in a wide range of conditions, and for a variety of occasions. In other words, this book will help you make pictures that look better than everyone else's.

Professional photographer and teacher Derrick Story, whose online tips and podcasts at The Digital Story (www.thedigitalstory.com) have made him a popular photography blogger, gives you plenty of examples of how to capture great shots of people, places, landscapes, and more. He also provides a complete summary on camera features, tips for printing, sharing your images, and an overview of photo management applications.

Chapters include:

  • What is It? -- Choose the right camera (DSLRs, compact cameras, or hybrids) and get a rundown on all of the typical features they offer, such as face detection, image stabilizers, diopter adjustment, focus assist light, RAM buffer, and more.


  • How Does it Work? -- This A-Z guide of digital camera controls explains everything from Aperture Value (Av) Mode and Autoexposure to White Balance, the Zoom/Magnify Control, and everything in between.


  • Shoot Like a Pro -- Advice for a variety of photographic adventures, such as capturing existing light portraits, creating powerful landscape images, and shooting fireworks, underwater portraits, infrared photos, and more, along with lighting and filter tricks.


  • I've Taken Great Pictures, Now What? -- You get complete advice for sharing your photos, converting from color to balck & white and more, plus an overview of photo management applications, from Adobe Photoshop Lightroom to Apple iPhoto.


  • Printing Made Easy -- Printing doesn't have to be a painful experience. Learn various options, including direct printing without a computer, ordering out, and selecting the right inkjet printer for home (and what to do with it once you get it there.).
You also get an appendix with Quick Reference Tables, as well as other useful tables scattered throughout the book.

The Digital Photography Companion offers you friendly advice so you can try techniques that may never have occurred to you -- approaches that will bring you more of what you're looking for when you click the shutter: Great looking pictures!


Sunday, January 15, 2012

Studio Lighting Unplugged: Small Flash Techniques for Digital Photographers

Studio Lighting Unplugged: Small Flash Techniques for Digital Photographers Review



This lighting manual shows that successful studio photography does not require a warehouse-sized space brimming with expensive lights, Hollywood-style facades, and a half-dozen assistants making the client lattes. Rather, this guide shows photographers how to create studio lighting effects that range from clean and classic to highly complex and use a garage, spare bedroom, or even a backyard as their “studio.” The simple setups show that one to three small, inexpensive electronic flash units—along with budget-friendly stands, communication systems, and some do-it-yourself light modifiers—can be combined to create brilliant studio-quality images without the studio. Numerous sample shoots and plans provide clear instructions for taking control of any environment to create spectacular images.


Friday, January 13, 2012

DV Filmmaking: From Start to Finish (O'Reilly Digital Studio)

DV Filmmaking: From Start to Finish (O'Reilly Digital Studio) Review



Thanks to the digital revolution, film artists now have a spectacular array of powerful, new, inexpensive tools for creative expression through digital film. The once powerful studios can no longer stifle an artist's creativity. With the power of the Internet, film artists are finding once unimaginable ways to distribute their creations worldwide.

DV Filmmaking: From Start to Finish covers all aspects of the new digital video frontier, for amateurs and professionals alike--from the nuts and bolts of timecode and aspect ratio; to framing, lighting, and sound recording; as well as editing, special effects creation, and distribution.

The book is written for filmmakers at varying experience levels--taking an integrated approach to media production, and emphasizing the ways different aspects of the process work together to create a vital work of digital art:

  • Hands-on detailed examination of the artistic aspects of film and video production
  • Extensive examples use comprehensive step-by-step exercises for advanced editing techniques
  • Scenes from successful films illustrate techniques used by professionals
  • Includes a collection of professionally shot video clips, so the user can read and follow along with sets of structured exercises
  • Develops a highly refined repertoire of advanced skills in editing, effects creation, title design, and more
  • Inspires advanced readers to work with the included clips on their own and experiment with new ideas
  • Written for both Mac and PC users and covers advanced uses of both Final Cut Pro and Adobe After Effects

Written in an engaging, accessible style, DV Filmmaking provides a solid foundation of tremendous value to a beginner, while addressing the fine points of filmmaking with a level of sophistication, detail, and insight that even the most worldly director or educator can appreciate. The author draws upon his years of experience teaching at the college and graduate level, his extensive professional background as a media producer, and his unmistakable love of cinema to create a text that's not only easy to learn from, but also fun to read.


Thursday, January 12, 2012

The Practical Zone System for Film and Digital Photography, Fifth Edition: Classic Tool, Universal Applications

The Practical Zone System for Film and Digital Photography, Fifth Edition: Classic Tool, Universal Applications Review



In this fifth edition of The Practical Zone System, Chris Johnson updates his classic manual on Ansel Adams's landmark technique for the digital age. Whether you are a beginning, large-format, or professional photographer; whether you work with digital or film; and whether you shoot in black and white or color, the simple visual language called Previsualization will help you to control contrast in order to create beautiful photographs.

Entirely new to this edition is a chapter applying Zone System concepts to studio photography. Using Bill Brant's "Nude, Campden Hill London, 1949, May" (cover image) as an inspiration, Johnson demonstrates how the Zone System, traditionally considered to be a methodology limited to the uses of films and developers, is actually a universal visual and conceptual language that dramatically simplifies the problem of creating and rendering complex studio lighting setups.

*Written in plain English - Chris has taught the Zone System to countless budding photographers and knows how to explain this complex topic in non-technical terms

*The only resource available with comprehensive information on Zone techniques specifically for studio shooting

*Information is applicable to film and digital shooters


Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Dance Studio Photography: A Guide for Professional Photographers

Dance Studio Photography: A Guide for Professional Photographers Review



Professional Photographers often struggle to achieve a steady flow of business, particularly during the slow winter months. One area of opportunity is in photographing dancers in costume for dance studios. Sandwiched in between high-volume sports imagery and artistic portraiture, dance studio photography can generate significant income for photographers, as well as generate a steady stream of families that will work with the photographer for weddings, senior portraits, family portraits and more.

This book addresses, in great detail, the processes for approaching the studio owners, demonstrating your competence, planning and conducting the photography, and implementing a successful, profitable selling campaign.

If you are a professional photographer, or an aspiring pro, this book will give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to pursue dance studio photography as a viable element of your photography portfolio.


Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Mastering Digital Flash Photography: The Complete Reference Guide (A Lark Photography Book)

Mastering Digital Flash Photography: The Complete Reference Guide (A Lark Photography Book) Review



Electronic flash not only brings light to a photograph, it can be an important artistic tool—if you’ve acquired the knowledge to use it creatively. To master those skills, digital photographers need only turn to this complete reference. Packed with inspirational photos, it takes the mystery out of flash, covering every type of equipment and explaining such essentials as guide numbers, sync speeds, white balance, and more. Photographers will see how fill flash can decrease contrast and shadows in outdoor portrait photography, understand how to control the light using bounce and multiple flash techniques, and expertly employ high-speed and rear curtain synchronization to create impressive motion-blur images. Everything you need to know is here—including a section on studio flash and computer processing.


Monday, January 9, 2012

Studio Photography & Design - June 2005 (Single Issue Magazine)

Studio Photography & Design - June 2005 (Single Issue Magazine) Review



This issue features car photography, developing your studio brand, and much more!


Friday, January 6, 2012

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Digital Photography Like A Pro, 4E

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Digital Photography Like A Pro, 4E Review



The focus is on great sales with this fully revised guide.

Written by a professional still photographer who’s also an expert in digital imaging, this updated edition explains everything beginners and seasoned photographers need to know about digital photography. Step-by-step methods help readers understand and utilize resolution, image processors, and pixels. Readers will find helpful pictures, expanded coverage on camera features, extras for the camera, download devices, and more.
-Software options including using third-party software, proprietary programs, image management programs, and album/scrapbooking software
-More coverage on how to take great pictures with a digital camera
-Digital camera ownership reached 20% in the U.S. by 2003, and continues to grow exponentially both in the States and abroad
-Author is a top-notch professional photographer