by successfulbob | photography, photography education, success education
Week one. Really good intentions. Two or three posts for my blog as I promised to do each week. Yeah success! Week two. Procrastination. One post. Avoidance. Not sure what to write about.
Week three. I’ll get to it tomorrow or the next day…
“Oh, Sh%$!! It’s been two months since my last post… Again.” Sound familiar??
Okay, how to break the cycle?? I found an answer.
I came across this girl named Jenika who claims a web site called ‘Psychology for Photographers’ that will help in creating web site posts with interesting content that pulls clients in. And, it won’t be hard to do.
“HA!” is what I said.
Then she pulled me, a skeptic, in. In a very short time of poking around on her blog. I liked her info enough to lay out some cash, and now I like it even more. Here’s a link to learn about ‘Irresistible Words’ An amazingly helpful way to learn to create content.
Here’s the deal. I came in late to share this with you so you only have until November 6 to get this ‘Irresistible Words’ course for only $119 bucks. After November 6 it’s $249 and word is it will never be available for $119 again.
But, even if you read this on the 7th of November or later it’s still worth the $249 and I encourage you to get it anyway. You will be shocked at how well this stuff works. She gives you 30 days to try it out. If it’s not your cup of tea – she refunds your money. So what’s to loose??
Click here to view more details
Click here to view more details
by successfulbob | fine art photography, Lumix Lounge, marketing, photography, photography education, success education
Picture yourself sitting on a stage in a trade show booth in front of everyone. You have an earpiece reminiscent of an FBI agent and a microphone worthy of Madonna attached to the other ear. They start to count down… 4, 3, 2 and point a finger at your host Frederick Van Johnson. You are now live on a Google Plus Hangout.
Nervous?? “NAAH.” I used to be in radio and TV AND one of my best friends, Skip Cohen, is up on the platform with me. Better yet we are talking about two of my favorite subjects, photography and fine art. It was a great show and I learned a lot because there were three other Internet guests sharing their ideas.
I don’t want to tell you what Skip said because that would spoil the surprise but I gotta tell ya that guy can say some pretty funny things! Hear the interview for yourself.
Frederick Van Johnson host of This Week in Photo on Google hangouts, yours truly holding center spot and Skip Cohen of Skip Cohen University. Live interview broadcast during PhotoPlus Expo in New York.
You can hear the other Lumix Luminaries and their interviews from PhotoPlus Expo in New York in the Lumix Lounge.
by successfulbob | architectural photography, Lumix GX7, Lumix Lounge, photography, photography - art quote, photography education
Pablo Picasso jumped out at me when I was poking through my quotes files when looking for a subject to chat about today… And note that it is being released on time and not a day late. Seems that you want your Sunday photo/art quote on Sundays.
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” Pablo Picasso
Pablo brings up a very interesting point of view and I agree 100%. Now I don’t necessarily like all of Picasso’s creations, but he does make me see things in a different light. Which brings me to the idea your camera doesn’t see as your eye does. The pupil expands and contracts when viewing shadows or bright areas in a scene. It happens so fast and automatically most are not even aware of it. Why does this matter? Well our job as a photographers is to translate a three dimensional scene with luminance values that can’t fit on the paper we are printing into a two dimensional space… and make it look as our eye sees it. That’s why it’s important to know how the camera sees and be the translator.
Many photographers say, “I only shoot natural light!” or I would never put a filter on my lens, that’s cheating!” I actually remember saying similar things when I was first creating images – before I really started to understand a camera and lens’s limitations in reproducing the scene in front of me. Until you understand that supplemental light helps to tame the dynamic range of a scene or that filters were created to answer challenges of being able to ‘fit’ all the light into a finite printing space you will have difficulty creating images that share what you see.
HDR photography, when done properly, is one of the ultimate ways of taming the dynamic range of a scene. There are some images that have the ‘look’ that makes you say, “That’s an HDR.” Those aren’t the images I’m talking about. I’m talking about the images that you go, “WOW!” Because the scene is presented so realistically you can’t believe how beautiful it is.
The next time you come across a scene you believe will make a wonderful image think it through and make sure others see your vision and not just what a camera may happen to capture.
Do you see what I do? My excitement came from the juxtaposition of the four different architectural styles and nature all in one place at one time… Or do you see something else?
Panasonic Lumix GX7 Lumix G Vario 35-100 f2.8 51mm 102 35mm equivalent 1/50 sec. F13 ISO 500
Image © Bob Coates Photography
by successfulbob | Lumix GX7, Lumix Lounge, photography, photography education, photography gear
Since I moved to the micro 4/3rds format I’ve been looking high and low for the right bag for my gear and finally found it in the form of a Think Tank Photo Bag. The one I choose is called the Mirrorless Mover 20 and is pretty close to perfect for my needs. It has a strong build with solid material and stitching. I even like the handle on the top for when the bag is not attached to my belt.
So here’s my kit these days for most outings. Lumix GX7 camera with Lumix Vario lenses of 7-14mm f4.0, 12-35mm f2.8, 35-70mm f2.8 and either a 25mm f1.4 or 45mm macro. The camera goes on my shoulder and the three other lenses and assorted gear go into the Think Tank bag on my belt. (the bag comes with a shoulder strap too if you prefer) If I’m changing lenses a lot a nice feature is the magnetic closure on the flap. When you need to really secure everything it’s time to use the zipper to close the compartment.
The bag will hold three lenses, extra SD cards, spare battery, battery charger, card reader, small flashlight and a tripod. (“A tripod you say??” Yes I do. See the ‘splainin’ at the bottom of the post) The bag also comes with its own raincoat rolled up inside in case you get caught in inclement weather conditions.
Never have I traveled so light with this range of lenses. Gotta tell you I’m one happy camper!
This is my travel kit. All gear is on the camera or in the Think Tank Photo bag.
Note the little tripod. It may not look like much but this tripod has helped to hold the camera steady in cathedrals in Europe and the woods in America. You can set this on the floor. Hold it against a wall. Put it on a chair or table. Once you think about it a bit you see it’s a great way to get support for your camera when you are traveling and need to go light sans big tripod or mono-pod.
by successfulbob | architectural photography, black & white, Lumix GX7, Lumix Lounge, photography, photography education
Having attended the PhotoPlus Expo in New York I had a chance to wander around the city making photos and seeing what my Lumix GX7 can do. The Impressive Art setting with the color balance set to black and white adds a purely graphic feel to the captured images. I’m not sure why, but it is a look that I am really enjoying. The high contrast, slight ghosting works well for me and it’s hard to replicate the out of camera look in post production. Let me know what you think…
Photographed with a single light coming down from the ceiling. One of the dancers from the Bar-Top Bandits was the model for this. The costume, the light and the art setting all work together. 1/25 sec; f/2.8; ISO 3200 LUMIX G VARIO 12-35/F2.8 lens
This was the view out my hotel window. I like all the shapes and forms from the architecture. 1/80 sec; f/2.8; ISO 200 LUMIX G VARIO 35-100/F2.8 at 35mm
In the Javitts Convention Center looking up. Very graphic! 1/500 sec; f/5.6; ISO 200 LUMIX G VARIO 12-35/F2.8 at 12mm 
Using a slightly different art setting in camera to distinguish the difference between the old and new. Brick buildings in the foreground and the Empire State Building in the background. 1/500 sec; f/5.6; ISO 200 LUMIX G VARIO 12-35/F2.8 12mm Impressive Art setting with the color WB cranked all the way up. This has a illustrative feel.
by successfulbob | photography, photography education
Many times the cross country flight can be one of pain and torture. This particular flight to Phoenix from JFK was shortened by a single magazine. At PhotoPlus Expo in New York I had the pleasure of running into Alexandra Niki one of the editors of Resource Magazine. After giving me a great hug she slipped me the latest copy, the Fall Issue. I was wowed by the quality and variety of articles. Covering biz, tech, imaging, the arts and more. There were interesting takes on interviews with artists including how’s and whys of their image-making.
Imagine my shock when I looked up and realized three hours had passed while working my way through the pages. Definitely sparked some creative ideas. Now I can’t wait for the next issue… You can find your quarterly copy at newsstands around the country, order a subscription for 30 bucks at http://resourcemagonline.com/retail It’s also available online but I think you are going to want to touch this one. Cover stock and reproduction of imagery is pretty darn nice. Whether old school or new you’ll want to check this out.
Just have questions about the subscription service? try info@recourcemagonline.com
Here’s how Resource describe themselves… “Resource Magazine is a photo and video quarterly publication. Originally focused on photography, we quickly expanded to video when technology began to mesh the two worlds. The magazine is filled with inspiration, techniques, product reviews, photo essays and interviews with big name pros. Established professionals and aspiring image-makers alike can find something to inspire or inform them, and learn a new trick or two along the way.
Resource brings a fresh approach to the field of photo/video magazines, with a unique tone of voice and point of view. We talk to (and about) everyone involved on a shoot, from creatives working in advertising agencies, to studio staff, on-set crew and image-makers (be they photographers or videographers). Our articles are about the stuff that happens on (and off) set and the reality of working in this creative, fast-paced, and fun field.”
