Sunday Spotlight On: Film

We have all seen amazing images from past photographers who used camera obscure, daguerreotypes, dry plates, and film. As time shifts forward, new technology has merged us into a generation where film has almost become a thing of the past. Certainly there are still some working photographers who only shoot film, develop it and promote their images as if it can stand the test of time.

My first camera was given to me in Germany by my high school teacher who encouraged me to keep this tradition alive. Without knowing that the DSLR was on its way with a bang, I studied the styles of any photographer who has shot with film. I became curious as to how someone could develop their images using chemicals in the dark room. After trial and error, I soon learned myself.

A website properly titled, I Still Shoot Film, is a one stop shop on almost anything film. This website offers resources that can be beneficial to the beginner film enthusiast to the well skilled film photographer. The Beginner's Guide explains everything there is to know about exposures, ISO, and understanding the different style of lenses. There is also a list of places that sell and can develop your film, a how to guide on purchasing a film camera and most importantly a step by step guide to teaching you how to develop your own film.

Film may not be as popular as DSLR's, smart phone cameras and even the handy dandy point and shoot. But it is waiting to be rediscovered.

I am your Sunday Funday Ambassador! Happy shooting!

I Still Shoot Film.

Google+ for Photographers Part 1: Getting Started and Learning from the Pros

Social media is a convenient, free way to share your images with friends, family, other professionals, and potential clients.  One relatively new social media platform is Google+ (G+).  It has become a rather big hit with photographers because of the high image quality when sharing photographs.  With the changes to Flickr in the last year, many professionals flocked to G+ as an alternative for photo sharing and connecting with other photographers.  In today's post, I will go through the basics of setting up your G+ account, share helpful resources about navigating it, and tell you about a few photographers who really have a knack for making the most of the platform.  Next week I will share Part 2, which will focus on using G+ in a professional manner.

How to set up an account:

If you already have a Gmail account, this part is really easy!  Just click the grid on the top right side of your browser window when you are logged in, then click the red "g+" icon (see screen shot of grid and icons).  Google will guide you through this, encouraging you to add information to your profile and connect with others.  To create a brand new account complete with a new Gmail address, simply go to Google's account signup page and follow the steps.  There is also an option to sign up with an existing email account if you want to use an established, non-Gmail email address.

Why choose G+?

Colby Brown, author of Google+ for Photographers, succinctly describes what makes G+ unique: "Facebook is a closed network.  By that I mean that all of the information, content and interactions are kept inside Facebook.  This means that your absolute maximum reach on Facebook is limited to the network itself.  Google on the other hand is all about publicly indexing that content so that it is searchable on the Internet" (Colby Brown Photography).  G+ integrates Google's many features, from Gmail and Google Maps to the blog service used to create this post!  With the power of Google behind you, you can reach a wider audience through searches for the type of content you choose to post.  Remember this when you set up your profile with keywords appropriate to your target audience.  The profile page starts off with tiles that allow you to introduce yourself, which is what people will normally see when they click on your avatar:

Your home page will show content based on the people you follow and circles you create.  While you will see familiar features like the use of hashtags and the ability to give props to a post (here, you will click the "+1" button instead of a "like" button), the interface does take a little getting used to.  Following are resources that will help with just that!

Resources

Constant Contact provides a brief overview of terms, some of which will be familiar and others that Google created for G+.  This is a great place to start.

The Colby Brown blog post mentioned above is extremely helpful in providing an orientation to G+.  Learn about creating content and sharing with Circles, the benefits of Google's trusted content, and how you can use G+ hangouts here.

This post on Digital Photography School (DPS) details why G+ is so much better for posting images and networking with fellow photographers than other social media platforms out there.  It also suggests people to follow from the DPS site.

Photographers to follow

The best way to get started on G+ is to see how others have taken advantage of it.  Check out these photographers for education and inspiration, and take a look at the people they follow to see what inspires them.

Scott Kelby is an experienced photographer who you can spot on the sidelines at Super Bowls and learn from at workshops worldwide.  He posts regularly and shares tutorials, recent projects, and fun anecdotes that can help aspiring photographers stay motivated.

Darren Rowse is the man behind Digital Photography School, so you can bet his G+ content is instructive!

David LaSpina's travel photographs encompass so many genres: architecture, landscapes, street photography, and more!  His G+ posts are a great example of how you can seamlessly integrate mobile, film, and DSLR images while maintaining a recognizable style and brand.

Finally, of course, check out the PSPN G+ community and see the work of your current and former teachers, connect with other students, and view informative content shared by the faculty.

Do you have a favorite photographer or group to follow on G+?  If you have used the platform and enjoy it, what are some tips you have to help newbies dive in?  I would love to hear from you in the comments!  If you are new to G+, I hope this gives you a place to start.  Getting used to the interface and to posting content now will greatly help you when you want to start using it professionally.  Check back next week to see how G+ can help you market your business and connect with other professionals!

-Friday Ambassador

Works Cited:

Brandon, James. "Why Photographers Should Love Google." Digital Photography School RSS. Digital Photography School, 2013. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.

Brown, Colby. "Social Media for Photographers: Google."  Colby Brown Photography. Colby Brown Photography, 1 Nov. 2012. Web. 11 Dec. 2013.

Curtiss, Kristen. "Why Use Google Plus? A Quick Guide and Glossary to Google." Constant Contact Blogs. Constant Contact, 26 Nov. 2013. Web. 11 Dec. 2013.

Big Bang Boom! Fireworks Photo Tips

Photograph by Mike Theiss, National Geographic

In honor of tomorrow's Independence Day celebration, here are a few tips to help you take some fantastic fireworks images:

1. Shoot in Manual Mode!  For fireworks you need to have the greatest control over your camera settings.  Start out at ISO 100, f/11, and 1/2 sec exposure.  Once you have taken a couple of pictures then you can adjust you shutter speed as necessary to get the shots you want.

2.  Focus!  Make sure you set you focus manually before shooting.  Once the pyrotechnic show starts your camera's built in autofocus will not be able to find a contrasting edge to focus on (unless you get lucky).  Find something in the sky or something on the ground that is the same distance away as the fireworks will be.  Once you have set it using manual focus, leave it there and fire away.

3.  Use a tripod!  The slow shutter speeds required to capture amazing shots on July 4th means your camera needs to be stabilized.  If you have an external cable release that will also help reduce camera shake giving you nice clean images.

4.  Check you environment!  Take a look at your surroundings before you start shooting to see what interesting elements there are in the foreground of your images.  Use those natural features to frame your composition.  If you are in a city location, use the city skyline as a backdrop.  And don't forget to keep your horizon line straight.

Well this should get you off on the right foot to start taking fantastic images during your local fireworks shows.  Once you're finished shooting post some of your new images up on the PSPN Google+ page.  I would love to see how they turned out.

Theiss, Mike. "Fireworks, St. Louis." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, n.d. Web. 3 July 2013.      <http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-tips/photographing-fireworks/#/fireworks-st-louis_37118_600x450.jpg>.

Where is that picture?!?

Where is that picture?!?

          This is the situation: you have finished your photography assignment and the Art Director approaches you and says: “Hey, I love your pictures and the way you frame them, I liked one specific image you did for me last year about this time, the one with the red flowers along the river bank, can you get me another copy in about one hour.  I will use that picture to get you another job”.

          If you have made a habit of tagging your images with keywords, then you should have no problems finding that image…however, if haven’t then what are you going to do to find that specific image?

Keywords are a way that photographers can tag images for reference in finding them later on.  As a photography student you probably will be accumulating images at an alarming rate as every single assignment would have a minimum of 30-40 images to be posted.  To get that amount of images, you probably have taken about twice every single time in order to select the best ones.  Entering my fourth year of studies at the AiO, I have accumulated over 15,000 images during that time, not all of them for classes, but still that is a lot of images!

          It would be a good idea (if you haven’t done it yet) to start using keywords with all your images and projects.  We all use Lightroom, and with this program, keywording your images is painless.  So, there are several things that you can do to make your life easier with the use of keywords:

1.      You can assign the keyword during import, that way as you download the images, they are tagged with the words selected for that specific download.  If you forget to do it during import, you can still do in the library mode.

2.      When assigning key words, use those that are relevant to the images.  If you take a portrait of a family on location, you can use the location, names, date, background, and/or

anything that will go along with the picture.

3.      Variety is key, the more words you use the chances to find that specific image is higher.

4.      Later on you can search the entire library by simply typing the word.

Want to read more about this, then click here.

How about an exercise (no it is not graded) to demonstrate what I am talking about.  What key words would you use with the following image?

          The keywords I used were: Zilker (location), water, lily, pink, lily pad, single, side view.  Of course, that means that I have more and that I needed to be precise (I have 450 images of water lilies). If you used any of the above words, then you are ready to start using keywords, if you already are using them, then keep up the good work!

Let me share a cartoon that reminded me that there is always a bright side to small incidents that can happen to us from time to time, and yes, this has happened to me!

Until later, drop me a line,

Tuesday Ambassador

Contacting Your Professors - (Using more than 140 characters)

Twitter Inspired Painting by Gaby Zwaan

“o hey, i need to do some other stuff so I prolly wont get a chance to finish the thing that’s due to day.  Cool if I turn in tmrrw.  LOL thx.”

This might not be the best way to address your instructor (or anyone outside the TwitterSphere for that matter) when you have a legitimate reason for being late.  Even if it’s not about you being late with an assignment, if you just need help with something, this is definitely not the way to go about it.

This is where effective communication comes in and will make you stand out to your instructor as a respectful individual that is deserving of their undivided attention.  Remember our instructors are busy individuals that teach multiple classes and are working professionals in their chosen field as well.  If you truly need their help…help them out by communicating properly.

Our example student (@supertwitterfanfersure), may have had a legitimate reason for handing in an assignment late, but the instructor would have to ask too many questions in order to actually help this person.  Our student should have sent an e-mail that read a little more like this:

“Professor Smith,

My son fell off his bicycle this afternoon and we are sitting in the emergency room right now.  They sent him for x-rays and we are hoping he will not need a cast.  Due to this unexpected emergency, I do not think I will be able to get Week 3 Assignment 2 Turned in by tonight’s deadline.  I will get a letter from the hospital to verify that we were here.  Thank you for understanding.

Jane Doe”

Or something like this:

“Professor Jones,

I have a question regarding Week 2 Assignment 2.  It says that we are supposed to shoot in studio for this assignment.  Does that mean I can move my studio lights into the kitchen and shoot there?  I appreciate your insight on the matter.

Thanks,

Ronnie Doe”

These are the types of e-mails our instructors prefer to get from students.  They are polite, to the point, and unambiguous.  140 characters may work on a social network, but it doesn’t cut the mustard when trying to communicate with faculty. (oh and the same rules apply in the classroom discussion boards as well!)

Works Cited

Zwaan, Gaby. Untitled. N.d. Huffington Post. Web. 25 June 2013. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2morrowknight/gaby-zwaan_b_934315.html>.

Who's On First? Or How to Write Your Introduction

Who’s On First?

Or How to Write Your Introduction

You open the classroom on Day 1 and realize your first assignment is to write an introduction.  If it is your first time your maybe feel quite anxious (kind of like the baseball player above).  If it is your twentieth time you may feel like, "Oh that again."  Today we all enter new classes and are presented with an opportunity to introduce ourselves to the Instructor and class members.

I recommend this basic formula:

1.       Your name, family information, location and something currently going on in your life.

Example:  Hi! My name is ****. My husband **** live in the “little Dutch village” of *****, **** with our ten children (yes, I said ten, same two parents, still married and still sane). We have six girls and four boys, ages 19, 18, 15, 14, 13, 11, 8, 6, 3, and turning 1 next week. And we have a dog.   We are in the midst of baseball and softball season which means 5 children playing on 8 different teams.

2.      Your educational and/or work experience. 

Example: I have a BA in Communication with a Sociology minor that I received the traditional, straight out of high school way.  I then did all the coursework for a MA in Communication, but unfortunately did not complete a thesis.  I am now adding an Associate’s Degree in Photography to my resume as I work on re-entering the work force after 20 years of full time Home Manager.

3.       Address anything specifically asked for in the instructions.

Example: Public speaking and photography are two things I have been doing about as long as I can remember.  I feel that I have a lot to offer by combining my degrees and talents.  Having said that, I am still working to find my true voice and style in photography. The things I most enjoy shooting are sporting events, nature, and people in life. 

4.     A closing comment.

Example: I have scanned through the class readings and assignments and am super excited to learn more!

5.   Your signature:

Use a font that is fitting for you and will help the instructor and class remember you.

I also recommend writing your posts in Word then copying them to the classroom. This allows you to edit and add individual touches to your posts and signature.

You only get one chance to make a first impression – make it great!

Good luck in your new classes and remember we are here to help you in any way as Student Ambassadors!

It’s just another Manic Monday …..

~Monday Ambassador

Photo by Lisa Kay Images, lisakayimages.blogspot.com

Nice Boots, You Suck, Nice Boots... or How To Effectively Critique Your Peers

Guard Inspection

Good morning fellow students.  It's Wednesday and it seems like a good day to  talk about critiquing your peers.  Many years ago, when I was in the military, I was asked to give a briefing to our Captain as a dry run before briefing the Colonel.  When I finished my 15 minutes of talking about our facility the Captain had some words of advice for me.  He started out his advice by reminding himself of the phrase 'Nice Boots, You Suck, Nice Boots'. 

Put quite simply, this format works very well here at the Art Institute when critiquing your peers.


Step 1 (Nice Boots):  Say something positive and specific about your classmate's work.  Don't be vague.  For example: 

"Jane,  I really enjoyed the series of images you posted for this assignment.  I think the expressions that you captured on the faces of your subjects in images 2, 4, and 7 really tell us a lot about their character."

Step 2 (You Suck):  This is where you offer areas of improvement and ask questions to clarify intent.  Be nice, but don't be afraid to tell someone where they could do better. 

"In images 3, 5, and 6 it seems like your images were a little underexposed.  I think if your exposure had been about 2/3 of a stop brighter you would really bring out the colors and the contrast that the rest of your series already has.  In these three images the skin tones all seem a little off color as well.  Did you do something different with the white balance in these?

Step 3 (Nice Boots):  End on a positive note

"Overall I think you have done a really good job on this series of images and with some minor tweaks this set is a knock-out!"


Remember, its through these critiques that we gain valuable, outside perspective on our work.

Works Cited:

Guard Inspection. Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest. Encyclopædia Britannica,
     n.d. Web. 17 June 2013. <http://quest.eb.com/images/115_882269>.