Grandfather Mountain Camera Clinic

 
Jay Maisel, Bernie Boston, Hugh Morton, and George Tames. Four famous photographers in my book. I took this at the Southern Short Course in the 1980s.

In 1984 I graduated from East Carolina University and then went to work as a staff photographer for the Hickory Daily Record. That year I would also go up to Grandfather Mountain for the Camera Clinic hosted by the mountain’s owner Hugh Morton.

Hugh Morton was a photographer who enjoyed hosting this event each year for photographers.

This August 17 – 18, 2013, I am one of the guest speakers at the Camera Clinic. You can register for the event starting on July 15th.

Here is a link to the event: http://www.grandfather.com/events/grandfather-mountain-camera-clinic/

I will be talking about the business side of photography.

Camera Clinic Ticket Prices

Working Press/PPA Member Participant (includes admission to the park, admission to all programs, plus Saturday evening meal)NC
Camera Clinic Participant (includes admission to the park, admission to all programs, plus Saturday evening meal)$50
2-day adult guest ticket (includes Sat.-Sun. admission to the park for ages 13+)$30
2-day child guest ticket (includes Sat.-Sun. admission to the park for ages 4 thru 12 – under 4 are free)$14
Guest Saturday night meal$10
Bill Fortney emcees a photo event in the 1980s.

Grandfather Mountain is where I first met Bill Fortney. Never know who else you might meet at events like this if you don’t attend. If you can come, I hope to see you there.

JPEGs are better than RAW Images unless you check one thing


From 1982 till 2002 I shot film. I had to get it right in the camera. Most of this time I was shooting color transparency where either you nailed the exposure and white balance or you missed it. No fixing it in post.

When I transitioned to digital the parameters for nailing exposure were just as critical as transparencies. Having shot this way for 20+ years I continued to find it strange how many people rely on post processing to continue to fix what can be done in the camera.

One thing however that digital has given us today we didn’t have with film is the ability correct for the lens defects.  This is really cool and can make your images appear sharper and with better clarity than when we shot on film.

PhotoShop RAW Converter

If you are using PhotoShop to work on your RAW images you need to be sure you always click on the “Lens Icon”, select “Profile” and then check on “Enable Lens Profile Corrections” or you should be shooting JPEGs in camera to get the least amount of distortion with your images.

The Lens Profile Corrections helps with the following known distortions with lenses:

  • Vignetting
  • Barrel distortion
  • Pincushion distortion
  • Chromatic aberration

Each lens has been tested and the mathematical algorithms necessary to correct those distortions is what is being done when you select the enable.  The camera manufacturers have all this built into their cameras to correct for this when you shoot JPEGs, but when you shoot RAW you loose those manufacturer corrections.

Before enabling Lens Profile Corrections
After enabling Lens Profile Corrections

Lightroom

You can also do this using Adobe Lightroom in the “Develop Module.” Go to “Lens Corrections” click on the “Profile” tab and then be sure to check “Enable Profile Corrections.”
This is the first step I do with every image that I shoot RAW.  I recommend it becoming your first step for all your RAW images as well.

Rechargeable Batteries and Organization for the Photographer

I travel with these two chargers and batteries. I have a good number of the Energizer rechargeable AA and AAA batteries as well as the Eneloop, which I prefer. Here are some tips to keep you energized.

Eneloop

I recommend using these Eneloop batteries. There maybe a better battery, but I am just recommending what I use all the time a prefer.

eneloop XX batteries are the perfect choice for powering photo strobe flash lights; providing more than twice the number of flashes per recharge in less than half the time compared to conventional alkaline batteries!

PowerPax

Always store batteries with the positive and negative terminals away from each other. If batteries are stored with positive and negative terminals touching, they may begin conducting electricity idly, which will discharge them. Storing batteries in their original package will help you prevent this. You can also buy battery storage boxes from specialty storage retailers that will eliminate this potential problem.

I use the PowerPax battery holders for keeping up with my batteries and keeping the terminals from touching one another or other items in my bag.

Here is a quick video for you about their product:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEjsy0w4Zro]
Here is one caddy that will carry a complete assortment for most photographers:

A9 Pack | Battery Case $6.95

Holds: 8 – AA’s, 4 – AAA’s and 1 – 9V battery.
Originally designed for pilots, but also great for camping, boating, travel or at home.
Dispenses batteries with one hand for safety and convenience.
Terminal protection at both ends regardless of how the battery is inserted.
Store your batteries in a compact, easy to find caddy.

Importance of Model Release for the photographer

Why do I need a model release?

Whoever publishes a photo is the one who needs the model release. Photographers get model releases as a general rule to help out their clients.

Having a model release increases the value of a photograph, because now it can be used in more ways than without one.

What release should I use?

Here are a few ways I recommend.Easy Release App   For my iPad and Android phone I have an App for getting releases.  If you download an App the App store then will recommend more Apps for you based on what you have already downloaded.  I got a recommendation for the Easy Release.   You don’t need an iPad for this App.  You can put it on just about any Smart Phone or Tablet as long as they are Android or an iPhone/iPad.   The App generates a PDF and a JPEG of the model release.  I love this because then I can put many of these PDFs into one larger PDF and upload this to my PhotoShelter Image Database.  The client has a copy now of the model releases along side the photos.

Pocket Release  

I personally have been using the pocket release, which I modified from the American Society of Media Photographers.  Their legal counsel came up with forms and so many photographers have been using them through the years. Click here for a link to their website which gives you all you need to know about the model and property release.    

4 – Up Pocket Release Forms

I put 4 of the pocket release forms on a page and print them one 8.5″ x 11″ card stock and have them cut into smaller sheets.   Which language should I use?   

TTL Nikon Off Camera Flash Kit

Total package cost $1,067.01
Prices based on July 5, 2013

This is just a list of what I recommend for those wanting to do off camera flash with the Nikon TTL system and using Pocketwizard radio system to fire the flashes.

You can substitute another Nikon TTL or off brand if you wish to lower the price.


$10.17 on Amazon
CowboyStudio Flashlight /Hot Shoe/Umbrella Holder with Swivel/Tilt Bracket

Here is another metal bracket option.  I own both of these and find they work equally well.

$22.49 on Amazon
Interfit Metal Umbrella Bracket with Adjustable Flash Shoe

$57.68 on Amazon
Manfrotto 5001B Nano Black Light Stand – 6.2′ (1.9m)
I chose this light stand because of how small it folds up [19.3″ (49cm)] for easy travel through airports.

$16.23 on Amazon
CowboyStudio 43-Inch Black and White Umbrella for Photography and Video Lighting Reflective

$418 on Amazon
PocketWizard MiniTT1 Radio Transmitter, FlexTT5 Transceiver and AC3 Zone Controller Bundle – Nikon
The AC3 helps you control the flash power from the camera and attaches to the Mini TT1 on the camera. The TT5 fits on the flash and the light stand.

$546.95 on Amazon
Nikon 4809 SB-910 Speedlight

$17.98 on Amazon
External Flash Battery Power Pack for SD-9A Nikon Speed light SB910
Whenever you shoot with Nikon Speedlights you cannot shoot continuously forever. You need to shoot in small bursts of under 10 frames at a time to let the flash cool.  If you do not you will be sending it to Nikon for repair. The external battery will just give you more flashes is how I use it rather than to shoot faster.

Best advice to young people in professional photography

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMUlWq7EImY]
Here is my advice to just about anyone who wants to do photography as a career. To illustrate my points I have included my coverage of the Guinness World Record for the most people dressed as cows from head to hoof by the Chick-fil-A operators in Northern Virginia this week.

Nikon D4, 14-24mm, ISO 7200, ƒ/8, 1/100 and custom white balance using the ExpoDisc

Become an expert in a subject

Become an expert on a subject and learn to provide a finished product to be competitive today, which means more than just photography.

All my clients hire me today because I know a good deal about their industry—not just photography.

I am a visual storyteller using a photojournalistic approach helping organizations build customer loyalty. My social work degree and M.A. in communications makes me uniquely qualified to help people right in their own environment, by looking at all the different aspects of their life and culture.

Nikon D4, 14-24mm, ISO 7200, ƒ/8, 1/100 and custom white balance using the ExpoDisc

You need to go to people with ideas and not wait for the phone to ring for someone to ask you to shoot their idea. The more you know about the subject and audience, the better you are positioned to come up with ideas to help your client engage their audience with content you create.

Diversify

Today I combine my photography, video, audio and writing to help put together complete packages that my clients can use right away. Too many of my colleagues just want to shoot and are no longer shooting because they expected the client to know what to do with their images.

I will use this coverage I did this week as an example of how I am using more than just “photos” as part of my business.

Nikon D4, 14-24mm, ISO 10000, ƒ/8, 1/100 and custom white balance using the ExpoDisc

Breaking down the coverage into parts

What is the story? The reason Chick-fil-A sent me to cover this story was mainly we were going to break a world record. Had I stayed only on this story track it would have been a good story, but since I have become immersed into the culture I was able to see a few elements beyond the record that made the story better.

Nikon D4, 14-24mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/8, 1/100 and custom white balance using the ExpoDisc

One photo showing everyone dressed as a cow is the obvious photo for a world record, but I knew the audience of Chick-fil-A franchisers would be asking themselve, “Can I do this in my town?”

They were giving away the signature Chick-fil-A sandwich and had even brought to the event the Chick-fil-A Food Truck to help cook all those sandwiches.

Nikon D4, 14-24mm, ISO 100, ƒ/8, 1/100 

People were showing up to this event like they do when Apple introduces a new product. They are Raving Fans of Chick-fil-A.

I was able to capture the photos showing families enjoying the event. You can see how the Chick-fil-A Cows were engaging everyone.

How do you tell the story? I used audio as the primary storytelling element. I interviewed three of the key players in the story. I led with the operator who led the charge after his marketing director came to him with the idea. My basic question to him was, “Why did you choose to do this event?”

Thinking of the audience is key. This is a best practices story. This is an idea that could be done by any of the Chick-fil-A restaurants around the USA.  What I saw was this being like a challenge to the rest of the chain to beat the record in the coming years. This is why the marketing director is being interviewed. She is the one who had to organize the event and be sure it met the guidelines of the Guinness people to count as a world record.  My question to the marketing director is, “What did you have to do to create this event?”

Nikon D4, 14-24mm, ISO 8000, ƒ/8, 1/100 and custom white balance using the ExpoDisc

Sweetening—In sound design sweetening (“to sweeten”) refers to “juicing up” the video portion of a film, play, computer game software or any other multimedia project. Often this is done with string instruments.

For me the fine tuning comes in a few ways. First I was able to interview the area marketing director that added some bonus material by pointing out the event also gathered canned food for the local food bank.

The way I sweetened the interviews was I first let each of the people just answer the question. Then after they finish I help them shorten their comments to the core elements. For example I am often taking a five minute interview and brining it down to forty-five to sixty seconds.  When the marketing person first told me about contacting Guinness World  Record, she told me everything about that process. I just asked her to say she contacted them.

Music—I listened to a lot of Royalty Free music and picked something upbeat that I could use. I purchased that music and have the rights to use it with the package.

Nikon D4, 14-24mm, ISO 11400, ƒ/8, 1/100

How to rise to the top

Once the idea has been created the execution of the idea takes place. The more you are part of the creation of the idea the more valuable you become.

When the client has a project thought out and just needs it executed, they are just contacting those creatives that have portfolios that show they can do the job. If the skills are pretty common then the project will often be price driven.

After being the guy called to execute ideas for about have of my 30+ years in the business I was realizing I was doing more than executing ideas.  Pretty regularly I would go to a job and things just didn’t pan out as planned by the client. It was thinking on my feet that helped me develop those creative skills.

Overtime I realized my conversations when I got those calls became different. I was asking questions of the clients to be sure we had everything in place to insure success. Those questions often caught people off guard and they realized I was more than a photographer, but an expert in their field.

After years of refining ideas for people I was developing my skills as a strategic communicator. Today I can help my clients by immersing myself into their business and helping them think strategically and come up with ideas.

It takes time to develop into a strategic thinker in the field. Start now by always asking yourself why are we doing this and how will this help the bottom line. Also learn how to deliver a complete package to your client. As long as you are just doing one part of the package you limit your opportunities.

Add at least one other skill other than photography like writing, sound, video or graphic design for example. But even more important than your communication skills be sure you know a subject so you know what needs storytelling.

Video showing my Digital Workflow

This video will walk you through my basic steps I do with all my photos.

Stanley’s Workflow

  1. Ingest to PhotoMechanic
  2. IPTC information is filled out and part of the ingesting process
  3. Select the keepers
  4. Delete all untagged images
  5. Import into Lightroom, because I am shooting RAW
  6. Select all
  7. Go to Develop Module “D” shortcut
  8. On far right go to lens correction
  9. Click on profile and enable profile
  10. Correct for blown out highlights
  11. Pull in blacks if necessary
  12. Export all images to sRGB JPEGs
  13. Open PM
  14. Upload if necessary
  15. Burn DVD as needed
Here is an earlier blog posts for you on similar workflow issues:
 
May 25, 2013
Shooting Workflow for the Novice Photographer. These are the steps I went through yesterday teaching the camp photographers for WinShape Camps. These were photographers with all levels of skill. We wanted all of them 
Dec 29, 2011
Step 1 – I ingest the images from my Compact Flash Card or SD Cards. My settings for the camera are RAW and I normally use the ExpoDisc to get custom white balance. I shoot in ADOBE RGB color space as well. All the 
Jun 14, 2013
It is a stand alone image browser that is so fast for the pressroom most who use it in their workflow ingest into this program and if they need to more than crop their images then they may use PhotoShop or Lightroom to adjust 
Feb 01, 2012
With XMP, desktop applications and back-end publishing systems gain a common method for capturing, sharing, and leveraging this valuable metadata — opening the door for more efficient job processing, workflow