Don't settle

My last post generated a lot of attention. A couple of friends suggested I post a link on a photography group page on Facebook. Although I did, I hesitated for a couple of days for two reasons. First, I knew no matter how tactfully I tried to put it, no matter how many disclaimers I tacked on it, someone would choose to be offended. Second, I knew that most of the people who looked at it would be photographers, and I try to orient my posts to interested or potential clients.

I was right on both counts. Most of the people who responded to the link on Facebook were positive and supportive. Another way to put it is, those who were positive and supportive, chose to respond publicly on Facebook. Those who were offended apparently didn't want to be identified, and the 2 or 3 who responded, did so with anonymous comments on the blog, and that's okay.


I posted the "Fauxtographer" article because I want my clients to be aware that "there is a difference in a duck." It was not a list of rules. Most of the things on the list, I've done, as have most professionals, at least at one time or another. Most of the techniques I included in the list are things professionals have experimented with, or did at one time, but amateurs and "fauxtographers" identified it as "professional" and made it their specialty, did it poorly, and/or overdid it to the point that it's now passe.

There are a lot of people who call themselves professionals who frankly are not, as evidenced in a video by Kevin Newsome of Tampa, FL where he tells of a client calling and asking, "Are you a real photographer?". Some are "Moms With A Camera" as portrayed by Missy Mwac on YouTube (although it could also be a dad or a high school student - it's usually a mom who started out photographing her own small children and whose husband provides the family income). There are a lot more who are just getting started, who have a lot to learn, but they are committed to doing so. They call themselves professionals, and rightly so. They are talented, but they may not be able to produce the quality of photography you're looking for.

I'm not concerned about any of these as "competition." All of these have always been part of the photography industry. That last group mentioned above (the group of talented individuals who are serious about becoming true professionals) is important to the industry for two reasons.
First, because of their lower prices, they meet a market need for those who cannot afford a professional portrait experience, while offering better images than the department store "studios."
Second, every industry needs new blood. New, innovative creatives keep the whole photography industry on its toes and fresh. And, businesses come and go, people retire, etc., so we need new photographers to keep the craft alive. I was one of those "newbies" once, so as I said before, I don't begrudge anyone the opportunity. And if they are serious about learning the craft, I am more than happy to help them.

My only concern is that with the proliferation of digital technology and the ability to post images online in so many public venues, with so many claiming professional status, the public is not getting a good picture of what constitutes quality, professional portraiture.

It's your image, don't settle:
A local business recently sent out postcards and posted new staff photos on their Facebook page. They were taken by a friend of a staff member who "has a nice camera and wants to start doing photography." The group images are posed like a snap-shot of high school cheerleaders. The outdoor images are either in full sun with harsh shadows, or in the shade of the building with blue skin tones. The business itself has a beautiful building, state of the art equipment and well-trained, experienced professionals. The images don't portray that. They went for a cheap photographer, and got cheap images.  

When you settle for less you generally get even less than the less for which you settled.

You Might Be a Fauxtographer If:

I recently saw the term "fauxtographer" on a photography forum. I kind of hate to say so, but I think it aptly fits many of the new "professionals" entering the photography market over the past few years. With the ready availability of high megapixel amateur and advanced amateur digital SLR cameras, there has been a huge number of people who think photography is an easy way to make a buck. They've taken a few good photos, got some complements....

please note: some of the things mentioned in this list are techniques that can have their place if used sparingly or for special effects or purposes. But if it's "what you do," if it characterizes your work, you just think it's "cool," and you don't know how to do things better, you might just be a fauxtographer. Also, not any of these by itself would qualify someone as a fauxtographer, but several? You may want to give it some thought.

And one last disclaimer:  Everyone's got to start somewhere. So if you're serious about becoming a professional photographer, go for it. However, you've got to know your limits. You've got to realistically assess your abilities. Seek advice, counsel, education, maybe even a mentor, in order to constantly improve and raise your work to a true professional level.

You just might be a fauxtographer if:

• you "shoot pictures"
• you think your camera is a professional camera because it has interchangeable lenses
• your lens is the kit lens that came with the camera
• you think the best way to control depth of field is with a wide open aperture on a super fast lens
• you're willing to photograph up close on a portrait subject with a lens smaller than 85mm
• you think the product you're selling is pictures
• you don't know the five lighting patterns for portraits
• you don't know how to light hair
• you only shoot with natural light
• you don't know how or when to use off camera flash
• you don't know how to use studio strobes
• you don't know how or when to use a reflector, a diffuser, or a gobo
• you don't know that light has different colors in full sun and shade and how to correct for it
• you expect your customers to do all their ordering through online proofing
• your only product offering to clients is on CD or DVD, no prints, and unlimited rights to reproduce the images
• you think $25 for an 8x10 is expensive
• you think an 8x10 is a big picture
• you think your competition is JCPenney, and price accordingly
• you base your prices on 3 or 4 times your cost, but you only figure the cost of the tangible paper print - and don't count your time, equipment, overhead, packaging, etc.
• you don't package the images you deliver to your clients in anymore than a paper or plastic bag
• you over saturate your color images
• you line people up against a wall for a group portrait
• you have the front row of people bend forward with hands on knees for group portraits
• you "don't believe in posing people"
• most of your portraits are slanted
• you don't know how to use a gray card (or black card or white card)
• you photograph couples or families sitting against a wall with their feet straight toward the camera - double this one if you use a wide angle lens so their feet look disproportionately large
• you include color, b&w, and sepia versions of multiple prints on each session
• you use PhotoShop actions for almost all your special effects, retouching, and editing, and don't know how to create an action for yourself, or do the editing without using an action
• you figure you can "fix it in Photoshop"
• you know you're a good photographer because your clients tell you so, and maybe some other beginning photographers, but you aren't willing to have your work critiqued by more experienced professional
• you don't charge sales tax
• you don't participate in any professional photographer organizations at the local, state, or national level
• your photographic education consists only of the classes you took in college
• your photographic education consists only of occasional touring workshops
• your photographic education consists only of what you can find on websites, forums, or Facebook
• when you offer prints, you have them printed at a one-hour lab

And for the ultimate fauxtographer, visit this YouTube site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S3NFW2c7hA   "Missy Mwac" has a series of videos done somewhat tongue in cheek, but done so well, it's hard to know whether she's serious or not.

The Power of Fitness

The following is a guest post by David Haas, staff writer for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Blog. I hope you enjoy it and gain useful insights. Although his comments are geared primarily to cancer patients and survivors, his insights, especially on mood, energy, and mental health are useful to all of us. And, if being healthy reduces the risk of cancer, I'm all for that, too. As a cancer survivor myself, I'm especially pleased to present this for my readers.

 

The Power of Fitness

Regular exercise and attention to diet can increase the overall health of a person dramatically. Regular fitness can also provide many benefits to a cancer patient. Before beginning your exercise regimen, consult your oncology doctor to ensure that it is safe.

Disease

According to the Mayo Clinic, regular fitness can help prevent and manage some diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, depression and some forms of cancer.
Fitness can also help even if you have already been diagnosed with cancer, such as breast cancer or mesothelioma. Doctor Matthew Hoffman from WebMD support this research. He states that, although not a cure for cancer, regular fitness can lower the risk for remission and increase the length of survival after a cancer diagnosis.

Mood

It is hard to stay positive when you have just been told you have a life threatening illness. Regular fitness increases the activity of endorphins, which causes you to feel happier and more relaxed. Fitness also makes a person feel proud that they are attending to their body and may raise your confidence level.

Energy

Although it may be difficult to exert extra energy to exercise while struggling with cancer, doing so will actually give you more energy. In addition, exercise will provide you with more strength to get through difficult treatment and procedures. Fitness can also help decrease the common fatigue that accompanies cancer and cancer treatment.

Weight Control

Exercising on a regular basis can help you to attain and maintain a healthy weight by burning calories. Cancer patients who are overweight after receiving cancer treatments survived for fewer years and had a higher probability of remission.

Mental Health

Having fitness in your life can help with your mental health as well. Fitness combats the negativity that often comes after a cancer diagnosis. It can also combat more serious bouts of depression. Fitness can also help relieve stress and feelings of anxiousness.

How Much Exercise?

Cancer patients and cancer survivors can often complete the same amount of exercise as the general population. This consists of exercise for 30 to 60 minutes a day. Cancer patients should complete this exercise regimen at least five days a week.

Fitness plays a vital role in developing a healthy lifestyle for cancer patients and survivors. It provides many benefits, including weight loss, mental health advantages, mood enhancement, and increased levels of energy. Most importantly, it can help to prevent the recurrence of cancer.

Never Give Up

I visited the local office of a group of radio stations a couple of weeks ago. After a brief explanation of our survivor project, the receptionist gave me the name of the people to call in their marketing department. When I called them, they referred me to their PSA (public service announcement) department. The PSA guy asked for as much info as I could give him in about a minute, then suggested I send him an email explaining the project so he could talk with others on their staff about it. I worked up an email, explaining it and the benefits to the stations for participating. I even called the marketing director at their affiliate stations in another city that had participated in a similar project by another photographer. I never heard back from him. I called to follow up and got his voice mail. I never got a call back.

So, I did some research and found there are actually several companies that own networks of radio stations in this market area. Yesterday, I visited another one of these networks, and it was a totally different experience. The receptionist immediately started thinking through to whom to refer me. They were in a meeting. But the meeting broke up a couple of minutes later and she found the right person and I got to speak with him on the spot.

He was very interested and began talking about how to make it work. He also asked if I could write something up he could share with the staff. I already had it and pulled it from my pocket. He was thrilled, and talked about having me in the meeting when he presented it to the staff.

It isn't a "done deal," so I won't name the stations yet. But it was very encouraging. I'm glad I didn't give up after the first network dropped the ball on it. (And if this one doesn't run with it, I still won't give up.) But, right now, it looks like they're going to go with it. Good publicity for the project will only make it more effective at raising money for cancer research.

A Celebration of Life

Yesterday was an interesting and inspiring day. I had the opportunity to photograph a charity event for Hope Transplant Support Organization. They offer support, obviously, and help raise awareness and funds for organ transplants. Their event yesterday included a brunch (with music provided by local classical guitarist, Edgar Cruz), a group photo of all the transplant recipients who were present, and a program. The program involved several speakers, mostly recipients, and awards given to the most recent and the longest surviving transplant recipients based on the organs received.




Each recipient is encouraged to create a patch that is later used in the making of a quilt. There were 4 or 5 complete quilts on display.





And, each recipient is also encouraged to bring an ornament to go on one of the Christmas trees. There were 5 trees full of ornaments. Troy Golden brought one that spelled out the word HOPE.

Specifically, the speakers included a couple of transplant recipients, local pastor Troy Golden - who is awaiting a transplant and has an artificial heart operated by a pump he carries in a backpack - and a young mother who donated 20% of liver to her infant daughter (who is now 3 years old and quite healthy and active).

As a 2 year cancer survivor, I could relate to much of what they said; but at the same time, my situation never seemed as life-threatening as most of those I met yesterday. It was very inspiring to hear the stories of their struggles, how they made it through, and how they learned to cherish life by coming so close to losing it.