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Staying Inspired: Does your photography get burnt out?

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on October 12, 2008

. 0 Comments

I want photography to always feel like play, even though I’m getting paid to do it. Often what separates work from play is how we think of it, and changing how we think is not always easy. Good photographers are photographers because they love photography (say that three times fast)

As a professional photographer with a growing business, I often find myself needing to step back and review. What, how and why am I shooting? Obviously I want to to make a living, but in the hustle the stress of keeping clients thrilled I can forget that I’m doing a job I love, and start thinking all business. Being paid for something you love doing is a real blessing, and many of us have worked/are working hard to attain that.

I think it’s easy to get burnt out if you don’t try new things. When you get burnt out that means you’re less creative, and passionate about photography. Both you and your clients suffer for that.

Lately I’m turning to nature and landscape. If I MAKE time to go and just shoot, I relax and start to think about my work. It breaks the mold and helps me learn new things that I can apply to my “real” jobs. Sure I sell my nature photography, but I don’t really make any money from it. It’s just my way of slowing down remembering what a beautiful world God has built around me and that I became a photographer, not to worry about how much money I make per hour, but because I love photography.

Not always nature. A few minutes ago I went out in the backyard with my wife and shot portraits using only my 50mm 1.4. It was a way for me to experiment and learn, but without deadlines or requirements. Once I started It was really fun and my wife loves the attention; double win. The problem is that often I put such things aside because I feel I’ve been shooting more than enough with other jobs.

Maybe you’re with the crowd who’s not trying new things, but should be. Or maybe your somebody who doesn’t easily get burnt out and can stay relaxed. Or maybe I’m just a stress case and nobody else deals with this. Speaking of relaxing, I’m off to call a square dance. Relaxing doesn’t always have to be photography you know

What do you do to stay inspired, relaxed and on your toes? Let’s hear it in the comments.

by Gavin Seim

Nikon Rumors Heating Up Again

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prophotoshow

on October 3, 2008

in Gavin Seim and Nikon

. 15 Comments

Just when it looked like things might finally slow down in the rumor mill, this ad pops up. Supposedly from Nikon Japan, Nikon Rumors has reported this, and has a few related posts over on their site. Apparently it says ‘BIG” in Japanese.

If this is a Nikon ad I definatly see them trying to cash in the the mysterious side that Canon was using to get so much press. Cmon Nikon, be original. You got good stuff, don’t copy Canon. Anyways what do you all think this could be? Speak Up.

Orphan Works Act Passes US Senate: Bye Bye Photographs?

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prophotoshow

on October 2, 2008

in Gavin Seim and News

. 0 Comments

UPDATE: It looks like the OWA is dead in the house. At least for now.

For us photographer in the US it looks like politicians may have their way, and we may have to start jumping through hoops just to protect our images.

The orphan works act basically allows our photography to to be used by anyone, as long as they can’t find it registered in a database that would to be created for images. NPPA is reporting that the Senate snuck this through under the radar a few nights ago. Granted it still has to pass congress, and be signs off by the president but it their really trying to sneak this through.

Your can read more details about the effect of the Orpan Works Act in our original post.

by Gavin Seim… Thanks to Metal

Be A Better Photographer In 90 Seconds: One Line Tips

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prophotoshow

on September 26, 2008

in Gavin Seim, Nature, PPS Photography Tips, Portrait, ProPhotoShow and Weddings

. 2 Comments

I get email from photographers asking me to look at their photography, and give my thoughts. In ten seconds I can usually tell them how to improve it. Other pro’s can see things in my photo’s as well. There’s nearly always something we can improve, no matter the experienced we have.

Many rules are universal to any photographer, of any style, any experience level. Of course rules are made to be broken, but we all need inspiration and reminders. These are things that I try to remember in my own work, and I’ve spend the past week compiling them. Share yours in the comments, then post some of your work in the forums and get some personal feedback. OK let’s go…

Omit needless objects:
Simplicity is at the heart of great images:
Bold colors make bold photographs:
If a background is too cluttered, blur it:
If a background still doesn’t add to a scene dump it:
Light; Where’s it coming from? how can you leverage it?:
Don’t center everything. Use the rule of thirds. It works:
Eye’s? Watch them close. They control emotion:
Blur used right can be magical:
Keep it vivid. Watch your shutter speed, and movement:
Crop out needless space:
Harsh sunlight is usually bad:
Shadows are dramatic. Use them:
Clouds are your friend, they give shade & put you in control:
Go with your gut. Have an idea? Then try it:
If the weather is foul, it doesn’t mean pictures will be:

Images & Content By Gavin Seim

Adobe CS4 Officially Announced

Published

prophotoshow

on September 24, 2008

in Gavin Seim, News and Photoshop

. 3 Comments

Today Adobe hosted a live online presentation of the up coming Creative Suite 4. It kinda failed on that side. For me (and others) it was so choppy and slow that it was unwatchable. Still the new features have been announced and though we’re not seeing a exact release date yet you can probably expect it soon.

There’s lots inside, though this update looks mainly evolutionary and not revolutionary. There’s some good videos over on the CS4 learning center that you can check out to get a visual.

A few of the things we’ll see are…

Interface update:
A new adjustment layers panel:
Mask Panel:
New 3d features:
Updates to Bridge:
Focus Blending (from multiple images):
And one of my favorites, Content Aware image scaling (this is like the Liquid Resize product we saw talked about last year:

So, what do you think? Super. Blah. Overpriced. Are you gonna get it? What are your favorite new features? Post up those comments folks.

Lightsphere: Cool Gadget Of The Week

Published

prophotoshow

on September 22, 2008

in Cool Gadgets, Gavin Seim and Review

. 5 Comments

For this weeks CPPOTW I want to talk about something really simple and useful. Many of us photographers use hotshoe flashes for light on the go. I use a Canon 580EX myself and though it’s a great flash, the light is still really harsh. The Lightsphere is quite simply a diffuser for that harsh light. It helps me have control.

The Lighsphere is made by Gary Fong. I’ve never met him personally, but a lot of you know of him. I’ve tried more than one diffuser, and the Lightsphere (often called a Fong Dong) has worked the best. Many photographer will vouch for this, and I’m no exception.

It’s simple and straight forward. Put it on your flash, and get better light. It’s kinda like a tiny softbox for your flash. The bottom line it that it works really good. You can pick up a Lightsphere for around fifty bucks. I use the clear version myself, but their both good. I can light pretty big area with just a single on camera flash using this simple tool.

Gary also has a new diffuser called the Whale Tale. It looks good as well, though I have not tried it yet. When I get my hands on one and have an option I’ll let you know.

Check out the Lightsphere here…