by successfulbob | photography software
Been looking to save some time in editing? Here’s a chance to try a software that makes up to twelve adjustments on your images automatically. It’s called Perfectly Clear from Athentech Imaging. Here’s the scoop… It’s a Mother’s day Sale…
You can download Perfectly Clear and try it out right away. It will give you access for 30 days no strings attached. Although here’s a real bonus if you try it out and purchase it during this Mother’s Day sale between this Friday May 9th NOW and Sunday May 11th at midnight you get it for half price! It’s on sale for 50% off. And, there’s still a 30 day money back guarantee.
The link I give you leads to a place to enter Coates for your discount. Go ahead and download the trial.
Here are a few samples… Up to 12 different adjustments to each image with a single click or two.
Portrait setting used in Perfectly Clear
Used the Landscape preset.
The Default setting. Fixed underexposure and highlighted color and contrast.
Default setting adding a vivid adjustment. It opened up the shadows and added some punch quickly.
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 | photography education, success education
I enjoy seeking inspiration from other art disciplines and Robert Genn and the Painters keys is one that often gives me great ideas… Here’s the start of this week’s post from Robert. If you like what you see go check out the Painters Keys.
Blessed are the curious
March 25, 2014
Dear Artist,
At the risk of once more dividing the world into two main kinds of people, there are two main kinds of people: those who amuse themselves, and those who require amusement from others.
While working late into the night can also produce excellent results, widespread
research shows that success often favours those who start early. (photo by Robin Loznak Photography)
Artists seem to be pretty much of the former kind. Self-amusement prompts creativity.
Mornings are special times for the self-amusing. Curious as to what the day may bring, they often step directly into the amusement area–the studio. What I call “Curious Morning Syndrome” (CMS) is often the simple catalyst for productivity, invention, creativity and success. The blessing, of course, is not always evident to the young. Sleeping-in has ruined many an early career. And some folks must wait until middle or old age for CMS to kick in. Some think it’s a gene. It’s more likely a learned habit.
One way to activate CMS is to simply set yourself up to be curious about the outcome and potential of yesterday’s efforts. A good system is to leave something unfinished when you shut down the studio at night. Better still, leave several things unfinished. The easier, the more enjoyable the task you leave behind, the more the likelihood of an early morning kick-off. At the same time, challenges are often best attacked when you are well rested and fresh. It’s amazing what time and a good sleep can do for problematicals. The cold grey light of dawn automatically presents opportunities to the… continue reading here
by successfulbob | photography, photography - art quote, photography education
INSPIRATION EXISTS!
No doubt in my mind that this is very true. But the second half of the quote has to be in play also. I find inspiration all the time, partly because I am looking for it and partly because I am open to new thoughts and ideas on doing things. I came across this quote from Master Painter and artist Pablo Picasso and it rang so true.
“Inspiration Exists, but it has to find you working.” Pablo Picasso
I feel the Inspriration quote goes hand in hand with words often attributed to one of the Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson, but many variations exist “I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.”
So may I suggest to you, take the quotes of Picasso & Jefferson and put them to work for you? See what comes of it! And, share what comes your way. Love to hear about your success! Share here….
Yours in Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | marketing, photography, photography education
“Bob that press release stuff doesn’t work!”
I hear this all the time when I try to share with fellow photographers one way to get your business name out there. Press releases can, and do, work. But, you have to work at it. You need to write the release in the correct form for the media in which you are trying to get placement. You need to know where to send the release, because the proper person who makes the decisions needs to see it. And, send it to more than one outlet. And, send them out on a regular basis because not every release is printed. Add artwork like your head-shot, illustrative images and captions.
How about getting to know your local editors? Inviting them to lunch? Asking how you might be of help to them? If someone knows you personally there’s a better chance your release will be printed
Here’s an example of how the press release worked so far… from this release
Image of Kudos newspaper printing of press release for Bob Coates’ receiving PPA’s Elite Plus Award 2014
Online printing of Press Release in PhotoClique
I will take the published versions of my work and share them in my studio, republish them on the Internet and make copies to use to help let clients know they have made a good choice in selecting me as their photographer. FYI, any images that appear in an article I recreate for distribution because scans from newsprint and magazines are a bit icky. Also after a scan I will add a curves layer and make the whites whiter and blacks blacker. This helps with the bleed through from the porous paper and makes look better and easier to read.
There’s no free lunch. You do have to work to build relationships. Get your writing skills up to par. Follow through. I feel the effort is more than worth it because when the articles appear in print, even if you penned the info, the result is name recognition you can’t get through a paid advertisement.
If you need some help finding reasons to generate press releases fro your photography business, writing them, finding how to distribute them or need some general business help contact me about some coaching opportunities at great rates.
Yours in photography… Bob
