by successfulbob | architectural photography, commercial photography, Lumix GH4, Lumix Lounge
Marketing & Advertising Photos – Interior
I’ve been photographing advertising and marketing images for Sound Bites Grill in Sedona for the last four years. It’s been great working with Steve & Michele. We’ve been collaborating since before the restaurant opened. They have just redone some decor adding to the collection of guitars displayed on the walls and they understand the need for keeping the imagery fresh and up-to-date.
I made these images with the Lumix GH4, some supplemental lighting and HDR captures. Images were completed using post production in Adobe Photoshop.
Different views of Sound Bites Grill interior advertising photos.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | photography - art quote
Sunday Photo/Art quote – Framing
I know you saw the word framing and might have thought this post would be about finishing your images.
And you’d be wrong.
Today’s thoughts revolve around your thinking when it comes to selling yourself as a photographer or as an artist. How do you present yourself to your potential clients? What is your thought process? Today’s quote comes as a way of reframing your thinking so you put yourself in the shoes of your client as to their needs and selling that verses trying to sell what you are.
“When you buy a 1/4 drill bit, what you really need is a 1/4 inch hole. Clients don’t need photographers. they need photographs.” Bill Westheimer
Remember to stay in business we have to be able to sell. But what and how we sell can determine our success…
Food for thought.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – You might want to check out some of Bill’s work he’s got some prett distinctive imagery!
by successfulbob | photography books, photography education
Rocky Nook Books – April Fools Sale
Wanna save some bucks on quality photography books?
It’s the Aprils Fools Flash Sale. (flash as in gone before you not it, not flash photography although that’s in there too!) Save 40% on paperback books. Use Coupon Code 40FLASH & 50% on Ebooks using coupon code 50FLASH but only through April 2nd. Check it out now…
Good books. Great prices.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – FYI I am a Rocky Nook affiliate so I get a little percentage for sharing this with you that helps support this site and the education provided. Enjoy the discount!
PPS – I highly recommend you looking into Roberto Valenzuela’s books! No Foolin!
by successfulbob | inspiration, photography - art quote, photography competition, photography creativity, photography education, success education
Sunday Photo/Art Quote – Excellence
Let’s go back…
WAAAYYY back.
Around the time when the calendar was going lower as it progressed toward Anno Domini from the time Before Christ. There was this dude named Aristotle who was a scientist but more importantly to today’s discussion a Philosopher. Even back then he recognized that we need to practice – a lot – to become the best we possibly can be. He might have been near the first to recognize the phenomenon but he assuredly was not the last. Repetition has been touted by all the great instructors as one part of how to become good at what we do.
I believe that a major part of the secret is that little secret sauce of making it a habit. Once formed habits self-perpetuate. This makes it an almost unconscious route toward excellence. We still have to program our habits to be good ones moving us forward and not just rote repetition. We need to continue to study, to learn and to practice what we learn. The secret is to make practice the habit and just make sure we program the practice properly.
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not and act, but a habit.” Aristotle, 384-322 B.C.
I feel in order to practice properly we not only need to keep at it, but we need to have some outside help in reviewing our practice. One of the ways I continue to receive outside perspective on my imagery is to participate in Professional Photographer’s of America Photographic Competitions. I respect the jurors and their opinions (FYI I am also a PPA Approved Juror) but I also sign up for the critiques to get additional feedback. It’s not like I need the feedback to earn PPA Merits and awards. I have been fortunate and hold the Master of Photography and Artist degrees and have managed a few awards along the way. The awards and degrees have not been the ultimate goal but been byproducts of my participation in trying to learn more about my craft.
There’s no doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t be the image maker I am today without my participation in PPA’s Photographic Competition.
I encourage you to practice. To learn. To repeat again and again. And seek feedback so you have some outside opinions to help you on your way.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – I am in no way suggesting that the feedback you get will always be spot-on. You still need to run the information received through your own filters. But, I have found on many an occasion that information to be extremely valuable especially when time has passed and I can view my work with a more critical, and less personally involved, eye.
PPS – “10,000 hours.” Malcom Gladwell
by successfulbob | book review, inspiration, photography, photography books, photography creativity, photography education
Visual Palette Book Review
Lots of information and detail. That’s what I look for in a book.
Are you a photographer just getting started? Find yourself in a photographic rut? Getting the same old photographs from iconic places?
And this one has it.Are you a photographer just getting started? Find yourself in a photographic rut? Getting the same old photographs from iconic places?
Are you a photographer just getting started? Find yourself in a photographic rut? Getting the same old photographs from iconic places?
A pro and find yourself in a photographic rut?
Getting the same old photographs from iconic places?
Maybe it’s time to take a look at a book called Visual Palette by Rocky Nook Author Brian Matiash.
I always appreciate taking a peek into another artist’s thought process when it comes to finding new ways to view and capture a scene that lay before me. Brian gives a great primer on the basics of composition and then moves the process forward with ways to apply the basics in a more advanced way. The
The images included in the book are solid examples of the point that is being made. Are all stellar? Nope. Some are. But, do they do the job? You bet. This book is about, and should be about YOUR photography. You get to experience Brian’s work and thought process but he is sharing ideas and concepts that you can take out for a test drive.
And that’s what it’s all about. Learning new ideas or being reminded of those long forgotten.
Yours in CreativePhotography, Bob
PS – here’s a small excerpt from the book to give you a taste of Brian’s ‘voice’…
“I, Photographer
I am sharing the backstory of my life as a student to illustrate a few
points as it relates to you, the photographer. The first, and probably
most important, point to make is that photography absolutely is a
journey with no set destination. There isn’t a geographic coordinate
to plot to, a set distance of miles to travel, or a number of exposures
to take. There is no master class you can complete where you’ll
receive a certificate stating, “You’ve Made It!”
Don’t feel any despair over this. The fact that this is a never-ending
journey should be something to rejoice! I first picked up a camera to
use with meaningful intent in 1996. At the time of this writing—nearly
20 years later—I’m still forging ahead on my path to discover who this
person, this photographer, really is. Sure, I have a solid understanding
of the correlation between the aperture, ISO, and shutter speed
of my camera equipment, but beyond that, I will be a student of this
craft for life. To think otherwise is to resign myself to the idea that I
am done growing as a photographer. And that, dear reader, is a terrifying
thought to ponder.” Brian Matiash
