by successfulbob | photography education, success education
Being in business means more than just making money in the community. I feel a great part about being part of a community is being able to give back and support those who are doing good things or providing service ‘over and above’.
One way to bring that to other folks attention is by blogging and telling the world about good things you see. The Internet is full of people who share their bad experiences and spread negativity in their wake… I feel if we reward the positive more often that it will breed more positive behavior. One of the ways I share that is with my images and blog. When I run across something good happening I try to share it with as many people as possible. Here’s an example of a salute to a great employee at our Sedona Community Center.
Following the the post I make a copy and put it in a frame and give it to the business for display. It gets the person who is featured more exposure and lets them know they are appreciated.
Here is the 8×10 piece for display that also keep Bob Coates Photography name in front of people.
How does this help my business? In looking for stories I tend to have my camera with me all the time so I don’t miss anything. Having the camera all the time generates conversations about photography. Exposure for my business through people seeing the salutes, getting people to feel good about themselves and each other, more human interest material for my blog which helps with SEO. AND, people want to work with positive people… Start sharing the good things and see how it helps you.
Yours in Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | photography, photography - art quote, success education
Anonymous strikes again with this quote that tells you to get up off your butt and study, and practice, and be ready for the time when it all comes together. 
“Success is what happens when 10,000 hours of preparation meet with one moment of opportunity.” – Anonymous
I think that in today’s society there is a tendency to want or think you can get to success without putting in the time to make it happen. I’ll throw a quote attributed to Thomas Jefferson again because it is appropriate. “I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.”
Raise your glass in a toast to working hard, working smart and enjoying the journey!
Yours in Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | fine art musician portrait, fine art photography, Lumix GX7, Lumix Lounge, musician photography, people photography
These are two of the house players for Sound Bites Grill in Sedona who have been added to the Wall of Fame
New Wall of Fame member Steve Sandner playing keyboards and singing as part of the Jazz Fest Jam night at Sound Bites on March 23rd.
Chris Finet is a strong Bass Player. He made the Wall of Fame at Sound Bites Grill. Originally from Phoenix, Chris is the Professor of String Bass and Jazz Studies at Northern Arizona University. In addition to his work as an educator at NAU, Chris keeps busy performing throughout Arizona and the rest of the country.
Images were captured with the Panasonic Lumix GX7 and 35-100mm 2.8 lens (70-200mm 35 mm equivalent)
by successfulbob | commercial photography, fine art musician portrait, Lumix GX7, Lumix Lounge, musician photography, people photography, photography
One of the jobs I really enjoy involves taking the art techniques I’ve been developing and using them for my commercial clients. These have been created for the Sound Bites Grill Wall of Fame. Musicians are photographed live during their performances and then I create 8×10’s for display at the restaurant. It’s an increasing challenge (which I love!) to have a slightly different look for each artist. Here are a drummer, guitarist and keyboard player as part of the latest installment…
Jazz Guitarist, composer and Recording Engineer Peter Sprague of Road Work Ahead
at Sound Bites Grill Show Lounge
Road Work Ahead Keyboard Player, composer and arranger Bill Mays jams
at the Sound Bites Grill Jazz Fest Jam in Sedona
Jim Plank, drummer and percussionist for Road Work Ahead plays on the
Sound Bites Show Lounge stage at the Jazz Jam in March.
Images were captured with the Panasonic Lumix GX7 using the 35-100 (70-200 35mm equivalent) 2.8 lens ISO 2500. This is a great combo for getting intimate images without getting too close to the stage. For some of the captures in the future I might bump the ISO up another notch to get just a bit more shutter speed when the performers are moving.
One of the most important parts of my job is to not be obtrusive when capturing performers. I am very conscious of the guests and not disturbing their enjoyment at performances. The GX7 and lens combo is small and helps me remain low key but strangely enough looks pro enough to get inquiries all the time about what type of camera I’m working with.
After the show images are downloaded. Musicians are separated from the background using Adobe Photoshop’s various selection techniques and placed on their own layer. At that point I can start the art part… Adding shadows, textures, blending modes and lighting effects that were not on the stage.
Yours in Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | Lumix GH3, Lumix Lounge, people photography, photography, photography education, photography gear
Cobblers children go without shoes. Painters houses show peeling paint. You’ve seen the expressions in writing for the professionals not taking care of their own business because they are so busy taking care of others.
Don’t let your own personal look be the victim of this…
Make the commitment to get your head shot updated. When people see your head shot and wonder who the photo is of you gotta know it’s time for a new one. Here’s the way I remade mine. Ideally you might grab a photographer friend and shoot each others photo but when you are hanging out with a little time it’s time to work your own. While I did it I practiced with a lot of the new technology that’s available in the Lumix GH3. Learned some stuff along the way…
I used the facial recognition feature to make sure the photo was in focus. If you have tried to self portraits without this it can be very frustrating. I am pleased to say whether I moved forward, back or to the side during the shoot the focus was dead-nuts on!
Bob Coates head shot
Used the WiFi capabilities of the GH3 with my IPhone to fire the camera remotely. It’s pretty cool. You can see what the camera sees on the phone. The only problem with that part is when you try to pose and change position it’s like looking in a double mirror. There’s a tendency to move exactly opposite form what you think you are doing. After you get used to it it’s not too much of a problem. Obviously when it’s not you on the phone screen it’s pretty easy.
Why else would you want to use the WiFi connection? Transferring images to the web. Controlling your camera from a distance but still being able to see what the camera sees. Like not disturbing wildlife like birds or a watering hole where animals come to visit. I’m sure you can come up with many more…
Where’s your new head shot? Send me a link!
Yours in Photography, Bob
