by Gavin Seim: Those who listen to the podcast know that while I spend much of my time in Lightroom, I’m a fan on OnOne’s plugins for Photoshop and I look forward to getting my review copies to check out and tell you about. Well I learned that they’ve released FREE versions of their Photo Tools and Photo Frame plugins. Yep I said free. Of course the paid versions are still available, but this free sample model is cool. It’s something I’ve used successfully for my Seim Effects for some time and it’s always a winner.
What more is there to say. Obviously these are stripped down form the pro versions, but useful tools just the same. You can get the free downloads here. By the way we also have a PPS reader deal with OnOne so if you decide you want to pick up any of their paid products use code PRPHTPC at checkout and you’ll save 15%. Enjoy… Gav
by Barry Howell: I have been a professional photographer since the early 80’s and am in the throws of embracing change like I never could have imagined. I have photographed hundreds of weddings and thousands of high school seniors. I was honored with the first ever Haga Wedding Album award for the best wedding album in Minnesota, and have entered many competition prints over the years. I began shooting weddings for a couple of studios, worked part time on my own for several years, and bought a very large studio operation in 1995. My first digital camera was a Fuji S2 and that is where my journey into the digital world really began. A good friend (and former employee) encouraged me to take a look at Lightroom and then Gavin’s presets from Seim Effects.
My years of experience (and significant volume) causes me to very careful how much “post production” we commit to. Having studied with the likes of Monte Zucker, Frank Cricchio Don Blair, David Ziser and others, I learned to produce near perfect images in the camera. There just wasn’t much editing we could do with our C-41 in-house lab printing from medium format Hasselblad negatives. I am the “techie” guy that loves everything shiny, new and cool, but I didn’t jump into digital until I felt the cameras and output options rivaled film quality. My journey from film to digital has been a long and at times very frustrating path. If you are just starting out (i.e. have never shot a roll of film-I know you’re out there), appreciate my story and be glad you can develop a workflow without transitioning from anything else. Take the time to think about ways you can do it right from image capture to customer delivery.
Dynmaics. One of Gavin's free Aperture presets from the Light Study1 pack (linked below). Mouse over for before/after.
Free Aperture Presets Directory by Gavin Seim(Updated Feb 25 2010)
So with the release of Aperture 3, Apple finally added support for presets similar to what us Lightroom users have been enjoying. Now that their here I decided to start a list of FREE aperture presets similar to the free Lightroom presets list I maintain here on PPS. I’ll be continuously updating this one in the same manner.
If you’re an Aperture user jump right in, because presets are king when it come to fast effective workflow. You can get a more creative toolkit easier that saying burn and dodge. There’s not a giant list yet, but it will grow.
Aperture Presets by Gavin Seim:
The Light Stydy1 pack is my first foray into Aperture presets. I’ve been making Lightroom presets for some time, and wanted to test the waters with Aperture so I jumped in and made a variety pack if six presets that are pretty universal with some POP and other creative effects.
Aperture Assistant’s Preset Gallery:
The Aperture assistant site has started a nice list of Aperture presets that allows people to submit effects and results samples. Looks to be a growing list.
Gian Zurly’s presets pack.
The site is not in English, but that does not hurt the presets. A nice assortment of effects in this one.
David Schloss:
Presets pack1 from the Mac Create network has a variety of presets, including some Holga, Lomo and a few other simulated effects. I’ve not used these yet myself but defiantly worth a peek.
Nathan Smith’s Presets:
Nathans blog has an assortment of FREE presets. Most look to be color twists and tones. Go take a peek.
Pavel Sigarteu’s Sin City:
Just one preset, but still a neat looking effect. Kinda of a grunge meets vintage.
Terry Chay’s Presets:
Terry has a presets catagory on his blog with a few downloads. Looks like some mild color enhancements as well as a few B&W effects.
by Gavin Seim: If all you want to do with your photography is buy new gear, go on photo walks, make a few prints and get friends to say “ooh aah”, then that’s Ok and spending all your time learning better photography techniques is fine.
If however you want to be a profit making professional you need to think business. It’s the cold truth, but a known fact that being a successful pro is more about business sense than about art. Sure amazing images turn heads, their great and I love making them too. I’m not saying a photographer should ignore skill building, but most budding artists would be better going to a marketing school while practicing their art, then going to to an art school expecting to graduate and make a profit.
Here’s some things I’ve found to get my business mind thinking (share your own favorites in the comments). Some of these are books and some are free resources. Try making a commitment to getting into at least three of them (all would be even better). This is stuff I’ve tracked down over years of learning and talking to other photographers. Take time to learn something fresh every week and you won’t regret it.
The Purple Cow.
Seth Goden’s book focuses on making a client experience that is memorable. It’s a short book with advice that could be considered simple, but a lot of people overlook it. I’ve gleaned a mindset of service from this book. You can get in on Amazon as well as on Audible as a convenient Audiobook.
David Ziser.
If you don’t know the name you need to read more and there’s no time like the present. David has been in the business for a long time and his blog is a great one to follow. To get you started check out… The Portrait Consultation Part1 and Part2 and The 14 step plan for a successful sales presentation. Then start browsing thru the rest of his great business tips.
The Ultimate Sales Letter.
Writing good copy is valuable in any business. Some of the examples in this book may feel more like a car salesman than a photographer, but the principles can be used to help you market better. I have not found an audiobook, but you get get the print edition on Amazon.
19 Tips for 300 Client Inquiries.
This is a guest article Matt McGraw wrote for PPS. While every tip on the list may not work in your situation, you’re sure to get some ideas in a very short read.
How to Sell Anything to Anybody.
If we can do what the title says we’re good. Seriously though selling high end photography is about knowing how to sell and this book will give you a few ideas. Here’s the Amazon link.
22 immutable laws of marketing.
This is a short easy read that interesting. It looks at big brands in past years and analyzes successes and fails. You may not be the next Coca Cola, but the concepts used in big marketing the effects the way you approach your own. You can find it here on Amazon. and there’s also an Audible version.
by Gavin Seim: Most of us need a little therapy now and then. I decided it was time to stop the grueling labor and have some fun so I made this little video for the Seim Effects site. You’ll get something from this video. A laugh, a cringe or at least a little Déjà vu. If you visit the post on Seim Effects you can even download the ugly presets for free. Enjoy.
by 
