October 7, 2010

Today I got a new toy. Uhum, I mean tool. It’s a Canon TS-e 24mm Tilt Shift lens. A lot of crazy letters and numbers that add up to awesome. This lens tilts, shifts and twists in more directions than I know what to do with. But not for long.

I’m no expert on it yet, but this is going to give some new powers to my skills. That messed up looking thing in the photo is not a Photoshop job. It’s my lens. In brief in gives me a ton of control over perspective and depth of field by allowing the optic to be moved relative to sensor plane using the knobs and dials. Yes it’s manual focus all the way too.

This is not a review of the lens (though reviews says it’s razor sharp and amazing). It’s just me being excited about the possibilities. You can bet I’ll be talking more about what I learn from tilting and shifting in future posts and on Pro Photo Show. Until then… Gav

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October 21, 2009

by Gavin Seim: Adobe is taking things up a notch once again. Lightroom 3 will bring lots of revamped and new features that should keep it’s current user base happy and continue to bring Lightroom converts into their fold.

Export HD video slodeshows with music.
Export HD video sideshows with music.

Yep, it just went into public beta and is available for everyone as a free download that stays active until April of 2010, so presumably the retail version will be out near then. The beta does not support upgrading of LR2 catalogs however. Obviously the final version will, but for now it’s still in the feedback stage so you’ll have to make a fresh catalog to use it.

Resource Links.

Lightroom 3 will bring major architecture changes under the hood to help speed things up and run faster, but also a host of new features and perhaps even more when the final version ships. Here’s a few quick and dirty screenshots, musings and details on whats new.

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May 2, 2009

seim-wedding-caveb-photo-47-650x299

19 Tips To Get 300 Client Inquiries: Special guest post by Matt McGraw.

1.
Vendors, vendors, vendors. Their important. From reception caterers to cake makers. I do a pre-questionnaire for my brides and grooms. In that questionnaire I find out who I am working with, from DJs ,to Florist, to cake people, to ministers to, reception places etc. I obtain all the contact information for these vendors. After the wedding I compile a list of photos that each vendor would find interest in. I splash my logo and email them the images, then say if they would like any of the photos in high res and without my logo to let me know.

For reception sites: If it’s somewhere I have never worked I’ll send them a 20X30 print with my logo splashed all over it and 4X6s of the same photo with my contact info to pass out to potential brides. I’ll also send them a disc with images they might be interested in and tell them they can use whatever photos they would like to.

Become buddies with the vendors too. For example, I’m on a “hug basis” with the sales directors of 5 major hotels in town. Their cell numbers are in my phone. I photograph their kids. I’ll sometimes meet them for a beer or two. I never promote my photography. It’s always buddy talk. Sure we talk shop sometimes, but it’s not my goal. They feel comfortable around me.

2.
Newsletter/blog: Start one… I use constant contact set up a page and send mine out once a month. My email list is 6300 strong. Most photographers have a webpage set up. We do not.. I’m not opposed to that but I just prefer the email newsletter.

Next question for you is how we get 6300 people on there. Anyone that emails me gets on the list.
The only people who do not get on my list are emails that are inquiring where I am not available. Also I advertise in two magazines where they provide a lead sheet. I’ll copy and paste emails of brides and grooms where I am not booked. I do this once a month right before I send out the newsletter.

3.
Advertising: In the beginning of your career, spend most of your advertising money online as opposed to print. Print is just name recognition. They’ll see or hear your name and see an ad and say I’ve heard of this photographer.

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February 19, 2009

Click To Listen>>  Photography Podcast. PPS #55
Review in iTunes, or Vote on Podcast Alley
Subscribe in itunes

Today’s topics: Pet Photography
Host: Gavin Seim
Special Guest: Paul Walker

pet-photography

Notes, Deals & Links:

Podcast #55 forum discussion:

– Time Index 0:00. We start off with quick news and PPS updates.
– Time Index 7:00. Paul joins us for an informative talk about pet photography, pretty much from A-Z
– Time Index 1:24:57. Show ends. Join us for some general business and photo talk in the after show.

OnOne Software is giving listeners 20% off, good till Feb 28th. Use Promo Code PRPHT2

Photomatix Pro from HDR Soft. Save 15% with code PPS15

Seim Effects. Save 15% with promo code PPS

Follow Gavin on Twitter.

Colbert video about Amtrak photographer

Paul’s Pet Photography Workshop.
Shooting Animal Companions. 2 Day workshop.
May 19-20 2009 In New York

Check out Paul’s book. Pet Photography Now

More talk about online proofing coming soon, including updates on Smugmug.
Smugmug
, Zenfolio, Exposure Manager, Instaproofs, Collages. Even install your own with somethihg like Pictures Pro.

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November 19, 2008

Adobe what? Adobe Configurator. It’s a brand new program Adobe just released that’s going to change the way we interact with Photoshop. You can download it here on Adobe Labs, and learn more about it (including a video) on John Knacks blog.

There’s a lot under the hood, but in basic terms it allows you to make your own palette windows in Photoshop CS4, that can contain pretty much whatever you want. Tools, menu items, actions, even training videos embedded right in to your own little (or big) panel. They look exactly like the built in pallets. They even dock with them.

The best part is you don’t have to be a programmer to make custom panels. You open the Configurator, then drag, drop and export. I really think this is a breakthrough. This level of customization is going to change the way we work.

Our official Photshop CS4 review is coming soon, but Configurator looks so cool that I felt you should know now.

Gavin Seim

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