Quotes

Interesting quotes, at least to me, relating to photography

I Am A Purist

The other day, I met this photographer who shall remain anonymous because… He makes very nice black and white panoramic landscapes and he makes a good living selling the prints. Within 2 minutes of our conversation:

I am a purist, I only use black and white films. When I take the photo, that's it, that's how it's printed.

So, I asked him a few questions:

How to Improve Your Photography

As part of my daily routine early mornings, Pacific Standard Time, I check my emails, update http://www.foto-biz.com, then I sacrifice myself for the common good and surf the web. An hour, an hour and half later, it's breakfast time.

As as was surfing my regular websites, I found this great reminder on how to improve your photography:

  1. Always
  2. Have
  3. Your
  4. Camera

Successful Wedding Photographer FAQ

Lito Sy is a very successful wedding photographer. Not only he does great wedding photos but he also has a fantastic website. What I like most is the FAQ, the Frequently Asked Questions. You can see why he's such a successful photographer.

WORRIED ABOUT WHEN I'M LEAVING?
When you are leaving.
HOW MANY PHOTOS OF THE WEDDING?
There's no set number, but it's usually between 1,000 & 1,500. More for larger weddings, less for more intimate weddings.

Merry Xmas With...

Merry Xmas 2010 from:

Merry Xmas with Microsoft/Bing

Merry Xmas with Microsoft/Bing


Merry Xmas with Google

Merry Xmas with Google

Lens hero

I've received an email from Chris at SnapSort about their new website. They basically list lenses and give you selections by price, range, brand…

Not everyone has a camera bag full of lenses, but we all want to take great photos. For many people, purchasing a lens can be confusing, especially for beginners who don't know where to start. LensHero simplifies the process, allowing photographers to find lenses compatible with their camera, and easily explore lenses based on style of photography and budget.

Retraction To: The Future Of Photography: Kuwait

Earlier I wrote:

Authorities in Kuwait have banned the use of Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras by members of the public.

This was started by the Kuwait Times. Today, 27-Nov-2010, the Kuwait Times published:

The newspaper regrets failing to verify the information. The article wrongly stated that a ban on DSLR cameras was implemented by the Ministries of Information, Social Affairs and Finance. This information is false. In a follow up investigation, it was proved that no such ban has been issued. We regret this error and deeply apologize for any inconvenience caused.

The Future Of Photography: Kuwait

Authorities in Kuwait have banned the use of Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras by members of the public.

The ban, which applies to the use of DSLRs on the Gulf state's streets and shopping malls, makes it illegal for anyone except journalists to use the cameras. Smaller 'compact' digital cameras and camera phones are exempt.

The ban has been brought into force by the combined action of the country's Ministry of Information, Ministry of Social Affairs and Ministry of Finance.

Rupert Murdock & Photography

Rupert Murdoch is the founder, chairman of News Corp. He owns the Times/Sunday Times, the New York Post, Direct TV, the Fox Channel (TV), the Wall Street Journal and dozens of others news organizations. You don't have to agree with his point of view to accept his extraordinary business acumen.

You’ve got to look for a gap, where competitors in a market have grown lazy and lost contact with the readers or the viewers.

Whether your competitors have grown lazy or just frustrated with a lack of new ideas, there’s an opportunity in every community.

Only An Idiot Would...

Only an idiot would buy a 1Dmk4 and shoot in JPEG!

by Richard ... aka Anon Imous

Anon Imous screams first, opens his big mouth, contradicts everybody and is not very competent. You know the type. You know him at the photo club, you also see him at the wedding where he always tell everybody how bad the professional photographer is and what he's doing wrong, he always shut down people on the forums…

BTW, Have you noticed that Anon Imous is always a guy.

So back to why would an “idiot” buy a Canon 1DMk4 and shoot in JPEG? Linn is that idiot.

Photojournalist Trade Secrets

Here are CNN's "trade secrets" for you to become a photojournalist so you can take great photos and be published by CNN. The full document is available as a PDF at: CNN Photojournalists Trade Secrets. Here's the summary.

Doing Wedding Photography?

Usually, I don't pick fun at a whole group of people. I have commented and lambasted people doing or saying damn stupid things when they are related to the business of photography.

The life of wedding photographers is tough. No testing, no trial, only one day and it must be done right. No second chance.

Merry Xmas From ...

Here are some the Xmas welcome screens from the "Big 3".

Google

Google


Microsoft

Microsoft


Yahoo

Yahoo

Merry Xmas

Customer Service

On 11-Nov-2008 Grover Sanschagrin did an interview of Craig Mitchelldyer at Photoshelter. The interview is available at: My Nose, Your Business

I think photography is just like any other business. It's all about customer service. You can be the best photographer in the world, but if you're a jackass, no one will want to work with you. It doesn't matter if you are working a wedding, working for a wire or a newspaper editor or a big time magazine art director, remember the customer is always right.

The Mavericks

Foto-Biz was mentioned by 1001 Noisy Cameras in the article: The Marvericks on 29-Oct-2008

There are hundreds (if not thousands) blogs about the photography business and the business of photography, but very few have the unique style and approach of Foto-Biz.com. A spartan but cutting style that gets straight to the point, as if each word costs dearly and has to be used judiciously.

What The Duck: Work For Free

As usual, What The Duck recently had a great cartoon:

What The Duck: Work For Free

What The Duck: Work For Free


I have heard that one so many times, that if I had a dollar for each time I heard that sentence:

You'll want to pay me to…

Don't think that it doesn't happens. Many places make you pay so they can own your photos, including photography and photographers related companies.

Photography Wedding Business Survey

Every year Photo District News does a survey of wedding photographers. The 2009 survey is at: PDN's 2009 Photography Wedding Business Survey Results. It does yield some interesting results that I think apply to most "retail" photography: weddings, portraits, children...

  1. Fewer bookings with a 6.5 percent drop in wedding photography income with a few less hours per week on wedding photography work.

Email Errors

Why is it that important emails that contain no error will develop errors while passing through the Internet.

— by the world famous: Anonymous

Cutting Corners

How do you deal with people who want to cut corners to save money on your photography?

I just don't think it will turn out the way you want, if we do that.

Rob Haggart: A Photo Editor

New Media Photographer

Foto-Biz was mentioned by New Media Photographer in the article: New media photographer podcast #25 on 1-Dec-2008

New Media photographer Award given this week to Syv Ritch of www.Foto-Biz.com for his excellent blog on the business of photography. He offers great insight and experience.

New media photographer podcast #25

Two People

There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.

— Ansel Adams

Rush Jobs

A high-paying job comes in only after you have committed to a low-paying rush job.

— The world famous: Anonymous

This happened to me many times. Then you have to ask yourself:

  • Do I standby my word and do this photo shoot?

Isn't that the different between a “real man” and a “kid”?

The Service Department According to What The Duck

Here's another great one from What The Duck. It's hard to resist and I'm too weak to even try.

The Service Department According to What The Duck

It's true for photo buffs, but it's not true for most professionals.

This camera takes nice pictures

Saying a camera takes nice pictures is like saying a guitar plays nice melodies.

Darren Rowse — Digital Photography School

  1. So many times, I've been told the same thing. It “infuriates me”.
  2. This will save you tens of thousands of dollars in money saved by not buying gear that doesn't improve your photographic vision. It will earn you tens of thousands of dollars by allowing you to concentrate on your photographic vision and producing great photos.

We don't like their sound

We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out.

— Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962

And the people that rejected the Beatles didn't even get fired! The same thing regularly happens in the business of photography. As a photographer, can you put up with rejection?

Lower Risk

The best way to lower risk is to specialize.

— Zhang Xin of Soho China

Mistakes

Experience is what causes you to make new mistakes instead of old ones.

— The world famous: Anonymous

More With Less

We're going to have to do more with less.

— The world famous Anonymous

  • English translation: You're going to have to do more and be paid less.
  • Isn't it what they always say to the professional photographers?

Not Close Enough

If your photos are not good enough, you're not close enough.

— Robert Capa

Photo Pixels

To say that a photo is nothing but pixels is like saying a Shakespearean play is nothing but words.

— the world famous: Anonymous

Soul

When you photograph people in color you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in B&W, you photograph their souls!

— Ted Grant

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