After months of languishing, I’ve finally found a purpose for my blog. I’m going to be documenting my journey from ameteur photographer to professional (whether successful or not).
I think, at this point, it will be more about the business aspects of being a photographer rather than talking about photography. So here we go…
Coming up next, let’s figure out why I want to be a photographer.
Wow, it’s been a crazy long time since I posted anything. Here’s something exciting to get it kicked off again…
Google and Saatchi Gallery London have teamed up to create a new competition to create new themes for iGoogle and is open to students anywhere. Here is the Google page with all the details.
More after the jump.
From an email I received today:
ASMP applauds the decision of Facebook to reverse its recent policy change concerning ownership of user information. We encourage other networking sites to review the ownership issues raised and how this may impact members and users.
The important subject of copyright ownership of uploaded material has been underscored by the outcry from thousands who were galvanized by Facebook’s new Terms of Use language granting itself permanent rights to users’ photos, posts and other information – even after accounts were closed. We are pleased that Facebook reported on Wednesday it would delay changes while it works to resolve “the issues people have raised.”
ASMP hopes that the Facebook licensing controversy will bring attention to the important issue of image ownership and control. We encourage our 7,000 + media photographer members across the country to inquire about the terms and conditions of the sites they utilize, and we have asked them to patronize only those who respect the rights of creators to have their work valued and protected.
Eugene Mopsik Executive Director, ASMP mopsik@asmp.org or 215 451 2767
ASMP is the leading trade association for photographers who create images primarily for publication. ASMP has 39 chapters across the country and over 7,000 members including the world’s premier photographers. Founded in 1944, ASMP is a leader in promoting photographers’ rights, providing education in better business practices, producing business publications for photographers, and helping to connect purchasers with professional photographers.
This is good news and it is good to know that the ASMP will continue to shed light on this issue should it come up again.
Zack Arias continues to inspire me. His guest post video blog today on Scott Kelby’s Photoshop Insider is going to be hard to top. If you haven’t seen it you should do it now.
Hey, anyone who knows me will know I’m often the skeptic. When the new FB TOS stuff came out I thought, “people are just over reacting as usual.” Typically, there is a very small minority of very vocal people that try and create all kinds of hysteria around the most mundane things. If you ignore it, it usually just blows over in a few days when the truth comes out.
Although, it hasn’t been that long since the news first broke, I think this time it might be worth some caution, as some very prominent figures have remained out spoken out about this issue which is beginning to worry me.
So here’s what I’m doing. I didn’t use Facebook to host any of my “commercial” style work but I’ve left one example and linked to my portfolio. I have no problem continuing to keep my family, documentary and random camera phone photos there. I still believe the value of sharing these images over whatever commercial value I (or anyone else for that matter) could get from them.
And, I’m certainly not going to the extreme of fleeing Facebook. I understand those that might be doing it “teach them a lesson” and that’s fine. The reality for me is, since I’m not paying to put my photos there, it’s free, so the photos I have on Facebook are fair game. I don’t have the hubris to think that every shot I take is gold.
Update: It seems that Facebook has rescinded the problem parts of their new TOS (their blog link is down right now for some reason). I’ll probably still be wary of what things I post to Facebook though.
If you haven’t been to PhotographyMentor.com, I highly recommend everyone check it out. Now. I joined the School January 1st and I’m planning to do a write-up about my thoughts on the site, but what you need to know is there are two parts to the web site. The Playground–which is a social network where members can interact with each other in a variety of different ways including live chat, forums, individual blogs, photo critiques, video uploads, topic groups… the list goes on. To join the Playground is free.
And, the School, which is a paid-subscription service contains hours and hours of professionally produced videos (I think I read over 20 hours so far) of tutorials, photoshoots and interviews. New videos are being added each week. Many of the photoshoots also come with “cheat sheets” which give the specifics like camera settings, lighting setups for each shot.
The site admins have been hinting at some big changes and new features coming to the site for sometime now. They put an official teaser about it today. Read more »
First off a big thanks to all the photographers–especially Karen (Mizz Maze) and Andreas (ANMPhotography) who where the source for most of our models, the models, the make-up artists and the guests who came to the meet. And also a big thanks to Robert and his staff at the 533 Studio who made this all possible. It’s great to know we have such a strong community of artists alive and well in L.A.
The 533 Studio
We held our January Los Angeles Strobist meet up at the 533 Studio in downtown L.A. Roll call was 18 photographers, 3 make-up artists and 12 models. We also had about 20 guests come out to help, learn and see what all the fuss is about. Read more »
Thanks to fotonomous for submitting this.
Check out her blog and flickr stream.
I’ll be spending the weekend over in Santa Monica at Photo L.A. The fancy description of Photo L.A. is that it’s the 18th Annual International Los Angeles Photographic Art Exposition, but basically it’s an annual event where galleries from all over the world come to L.A. to show and sell their photos and books. Most of it is high end stuff – photos that cost five and six figures – some by historically significant photographers, others by contemporary artists. But for those of us that aren’t big spenders there’s also work by newer, unknown artists that will cost you a few bills or Vernacular photography for sale where you can pick up images for under a hundred bucks. I’m not going to Photo L.A. to buy anything (well maybe some books) – for me it’s like walking around one great big photographic museum for the weekend. Last year was my first time at Photo L.A. and I really underestimated the volume of photography to take in. By the end of my first day, I hadn’t made it through the entire show and my brain was seriously overloaded by too much beauty. Last year, Martin Schoeller’s 7 foot tall photos of female body builders visually and physically dominated the show. Read more »
We’re planning our next big event. It will happen January 17, 18, 24 or 25. If you want to join in the discussion you can meet us at the flickr group or the facebook group.
I don’t think you need to be an ASMP member to come to the party or you can just say you’re with me.
You’re invited to a holiday party given by ASMP Los Angeles and LADIG (Los Angeles Digital Imaging Group).
Who should attend?
If you like receiving free photographic prints, come on down. (There is a catch – you have to bring a print yourself – any size will do.)
But Wait! There’s More! Bring more than one print, get more than one in exchange. Such a deal.
Even if you don’t bring a print, bring yourself.
But that’s not all!
If you like Greek food, come on down.
If you like a no-stress, let’s-hang-out-and-swap-lies kind of party, come on down.
If you like free events with lots of free parking, come on down.
If you like the chance to win some giveaways, courtesy of our sponsors, come on down.
If you don’t like any of the above, well, there’s not much we can say about that.
Except come on down anyway. And bring someone. You don’t even need to bring a print, just show up. But please register below so we know how many dolmas we’ll need.
Thursday, December 11, 2008.
6 PM to 9:30 PM
Digital Fusion Pro
3525 Hayden Ave.
Culver City, 90232
REGISTER HERE:
