A nice set of photos showing what kids around the world have when it comes to playtime. Reminds me of Peter Menzel’s “Material World: A Global Family Portrait
Photographer Captures What Play-Time Means Around The World | FullyM.com by Snapsort.
Archive for the 'photojournalism' Category
Getting model releases signed and organized has always been a hassle for photographers and videographers especially when they ‘re on the move. Now “there’s an app for that” too!
Now photographers can use their tablet or smart phones to get the releases signed and even translated on the go! Then you can have the Getty Images-ready release e-mailed to you in jpeg or PDF form ready for archiving. The releases even include a ID image so you can visually match the shoot to your images later on!
What a great idea! I’d love to try this one out
Easy Release by ApplicationGap replaces inconvenient paper release forms with a slick, streamlined model release app designed by professional photographers for professional photographers.
via Model Release App : Easy Release by ApplicationGap : HOME.
D. Sharon Pruitt, taking photos of her daughter Hayley, is one of a growing number of amateur photographers who earn small fees for their work. From the NYT article referred to below
I’ve written about it before, but the future of professional photography as a solo art isn’t looking any more lucrative than it did several years ago. In fact things are becoming more specialized and “good” is becoming “good enough” for cash strapped newspapers, magazines, print and web venues.
In the NY Times story, “Image of a shrinking path”, talks about how professional photographers are being overwhelmed by the amount of stock images and cheaper competition from amateur photographers who are flooding the market for weddings, portraits and even magazine and print work. The photography market has become overexposed with cheap but quality digital cameras that even those with little or no training can use to make quality images that pass for most customers.
I agree that someone who was looking for a career as a studio, portrait or even journalism photographer isn’t going to find themselves in a hot market…however someone who is willing to wade into that field, be excellent at what they do AND diversify their imaging abilities they could find themselves in a good position to grow with a hybrid industry that is still in blossom: Still/videography
Three tips for up and coming photographers:
1) Be the best photographer you can be and find ways to be better.
Devin Graham’s Facebook profile image
2) Learn and shoot video too. Check out the likes of Devin Graham who is taking YouTube videos to a new level and making money doing it. Besides even for photojournalists, this is the digital age and videos are part of image reporting now.
3) Do what you love. If you don’t really enjoy the work and toil of photography, find a way to make it enjoyable or do something else that you do love and go be the best at it!
Michael & Lisa Porter: A portrait
March 16, 1998
Six days out of the week a dusty blue station wagon winds its way up the driveway to the Oral Roberts University campus and another college day begins for Michael and Lisa Porter. As they make their way to class, Lisa smiles a greeting from behind Michael’s wheelchair as they join other students in the rush to morning classes.
Like many commuters, the Porters enjoy getting to know other students and participating in university events. But Michael and Lisa are a step beyond the average commuter. Their many contrasts set them apart.
Michael is 32. Lisa is 21. He is confined to a wheelchair; she takes an aerobic class at a gym. Since their relationship began in 1997, it has been these striking differences which have drawn Michael and Lisa together. Continue reading ‘Seated and Standing Tall Together’
When I found out how much people in other countries enjoyed getting an actual print of themselves, I decided that I wanted a quick and easy way of printing images when I’m traveling or in a market. The Polaroid Instant Pogo Printer
With some tweaking, I got my iPhone 3GS to print images straight from the Camera Roll to my Pogo printer. Here’s a link on how to get your iPhone to print on the POGO using a free Dropbox account. Personally I use iBlueNova or Celeste’s Bluetooth File Sharing program to get a straight Bluetooth connection from my iPhone to my Pogo printer. I can’t print from every photo program, but when I save it to the Camera Roll it seems to work quite well.
At 18 to 23 cents apiece, the 2″x3″ prints (they double as stickers too) aren’t cheap, but the mobility of these ink-free prints are pretty great. The ZINK photo paper
I’m looking forward to using my rinter to get some nice prints to hand out in Guatemala. First, I need to find some good deals on Polaroid Zink Paper so I can keep this cool tool in my camera bag!
Note: Here’s an entry on how I’ve been using my printer in Guatemala at a special needs school!
Camera+ logo
Camera+ is my new favorite App for the iPhone. ($1.99)
I’ve been using the standard camera option on my iPhone 3GS. It was handy but nothing fancy and with pretty much no options or editing capabilities. Camera+ has so many options, filters and editing tools built right in that it turns your iPhone camera into a photo machine that gives you customized images that look awesome!
Summary
Fresh bean dip
Easy to use and great additional features for your iPhone camera including zoom, filters, self-timer, and more! Many options are available without paying more than the basic 99 cents. (There are additional features available for additional costs but they’re just more filters.)
Things I love about it:
- Quick button response — The Camera+ App provides quick response times. When you push the shutter button…the photo is taken. What a concept!
- Timer — Want a photo of yourself? Camera+ includes a self timer with audible warning. There are 5 second, 15 second and 30 second timers available.
- Cropping — Get just the good stuff when you crop down the image as you desire. Options allow you to keep a variety of ratios or crop freestyle.
- Borders/Frames — This option really makes your presentation look good before you post your images out to your friends. Includes a variety of options to choose from
- Filters — One of my favorite things… I really like the options that are provided. From antique looks to HDR and limited depth of field , cross processing and more, this App provides a wide selection of filter effects that can be expanded (paid service).
- Sharing – With Camera+ it’s easy to share your favorite images via Flickr, Twitter, Facebook, or by emailing the image size of your choice to your friends. Continue reading ‘Camera+ App for iPhone’
I had a conversation with a wedding photographer friend of mine yesterday. She was shooting a wedding for another friend of mine and we had the chance to catch up.
She told me about how her business is struggling. With the economy and the glut of amateur photographers flooding the market, her gross income has gone from around $70,000 to $17,000. Last year she shot 30 weddings and this year she only has five full-paying wedding shoots.
INDUSTRY SHIFT
It’s not just the economy with people cutting budgets. She said that the amateur photographers out there are presenting a new model that clients are liking and veteran photographers are having to compete with. Continue reading ‘Change in the photography industry’
The Nikon D7000 (Photo: Nikon USA)
Nikon is raising the bar for DSLR video
Nikon has announced another new gem in the video-capable DSLR with the new D7000.
When I reviewed the D3100 I predicted more was on the way and Nikon has delivered! Due to ship in October, the D7000 adds the controls and pro lens capabilities the D3100 was lacking. At $1199 this looks like just the tool to put in modern photojournalists bags.
This mid-level model is the second Nikon to have full high definition (1920 x 1080 pixels) recording capabilities and active auto focus during video recording — something Canon doesn’ yet offer.
Here’s a rundown of Nikon’s latest:
Basics:
- 16.2 megapixel DX format CMOS sensor for sharp images and great prints
- 3-inch monitor screen
- Full HD (1920 x 1080) video recording with active auto focus
- Up to 6 frames per second in sweeping 100 image blasts
- 39 point auto focus
- ISO sensitivity from 100 – 6400 expands up to ISO 25,600 equivalent (Hi2)
- Dual SD card slots for longer shooting or splitting RAW, jpeg, and movie files
- 100% viewfinder view
- Lots of regular Nikon features included like: Image processing, In-camera editing, pop-up flash, etc. Continue reading ‘Preview of the Nikon D7000: Full HD Video with control’
Nikon is stepping into Full HD
Nikon has announced their latest foray into the video-capable DSLR with the new D3100 which adds a 9th camera to their DSLR line up. It is supposed to be available in mid September!
This entry level model is the first Nikon to have full high definition (1920 x 1080 pixels) recording capabilities and likely heralds the coming of full HD to their high end line as well. One great feature on the D3100 is the auto focus during video recording!
Like it’s predecessor, the D3000 the D3100 is an entry level camera but has some great capabilities that can get even an pro interested in this camera as a backup. Here’s a rundown of Nikon’s latest:
Basics:
- 14.2 megapixel DX format CMOS sensor for great prints even beyond 20″x30″
- 3-inch monitor screen
- Full HD (1920 x 1080) video recording
- Up to 3 frames per second bursts
- 11 point auto focus
- ISO sensitivity from 100 – 3200 expands up to ISO 12800 equivalent
- Auto Sensor Cleaner
- Lots of user friendly features included like: Guide Mode, Scene Auto Selector, Image processing, In-camera editing, pop-up flash, etc.
There are lots of great previews out there reviewing the D3100, so I’m going to cover the features that attract me to this camera and a few that make me wish for more. Continue reading ‘Preview of the Nikon D3100: Step into Full HD’
Do you have soft focus issues with your digital camera?
Some of Nikons DSLR’s like the D300 and newer come with the option of adjusting the focus yourself if you know which way to adjust. Sadly, the D200 didn’t include that option. You might have to send the camera in for repair if it is a D200. Try reading over this and downloading the chart (It’s on the last page) to test your camera and see how it handles focus.
If you do need to adjust your focus, check out what Leon Goodman has to say. He also provides some great targets for download.