Get the Job Done: My Product Shots on the Web!

Several of the product shots I took of clothing and other merchandise for the Auraria Higher Education Center are now included in online catalogues. It's very cool to see my clients using so many of my images and to know the services I provided were worthwhile for them.

An Aside: A Cold Chill Down My Spine

OMG! Today, I discovered exactly how easy it is to copy one of my images online by taking a screenshot. I am still very new to learning how to use my Mac Book Pro, so I admit I didn't know how to take a screenshot until I was asked to do so in order to submit my blog to the Professional Photographer Magazine's "Freshest Photoblog 09 Contest." I did a quick Google search to explain to me how to do a screenshot of my blog, and the ease of it was astounding. That's when I felt that cold chill down my spine: I realized how it would be possible for someone to do the same thing with one of my photos, especially if it wasn't watermarked.

Up until now I'd always believed in the perspective that said "If anyone really wanted to take your image, they would." Somehow I never thought anyone would be interested in taking any of mine because somewhere down inside I feared my photos weren't good enough. But as my self-confidence grows in my own abilities and talents (and my sales and client base continues to grow); I'm realizing that someone may indeed desire one of my images. Am I making it easy for them when I link to an unwatermarked Flickr image? Yes, when you click on the image, it takes you back to the Flickr photostream where it appeared and once there, the image is right-clicked protected (when you upload the image, all you get is a blank black square). Many of my friends have created actions to help them more easily watermark their images when they are placed on public photography sharing sites such as Flickr or Photobucket.

How can I protect myself? If you take a screenshot of an image, can it be enlarged or can it only copied at the size it's viewed? Maybe I should start watermarking all of my images the same way I protect images on my business website. When I upload images there, SmugMug automatically watermarks them for them with a PNG file I created. I would appreciate it if someone could explain this to me, because to be quite honest, I'm still scared.




I turned to my friends on the Mile High DPS Social Group and asked them for tips to protect my work:

From Cuchalainn:

"Even easier than a screen shot are programs such as Grab. They let you capture a screenie, a selection of the screen or a time screen if you wanted to capture a slideshow. Programs like this may it way to easy for someone to grab your stuff, even bypassing the disabling left clicks as some web masters try to do. If you care about about protecting the image, be aware that there are programs like this out there.

Oh... and also be aware of programs such as Blue Crab as well. These programs allow people to download your entire website to their hard drive including images, pdf's, video etc."

From Dizzle:
"And there is the argument that if you do nothing to attempt to protect your image that you are in essence saying it is free to use. A watermark at least shows you have the intent of protecting your images and they are not free for use just because it is posted online."

Instructor's Tip: Snow

(Sorry this weeks Instructor's Tip is late. I've actually when working on putting one of Russ' tips into action. I will post about it later this week. For now, here is today's tip:)

Enjoy this week's "Instructor's Tip" by one of my favorite instructors, award winning nature photographer Russ Burden. To learn more about how Russ captured this image, join him on one of his photo tours. Visit Russ Burden Photography to get more information.

SNOW
Snow photography is broken down into two types of conditions. The first deals with making images while snow is falling or made while it’s gray and overcast with snow enveloping the landscape. The second deals with crisp clean sunlight reflecting off its surface. The light is so intense and bright it wreaks havoc with a camera’s metering system.

I love to exploit the beauty of a fallen snow. The setting becomes a monochromatic wonderland in its expanse or a miniature world of white on white if you work a macro. Subject wise, the possibilities are endless. The world takes on an entirely fresh look. Whether you look to the left, right, in front or behind you, there’s something new and different to shoot.

Use slow shutter speeds to exaggerate the streaking lines of falling snow. To arrest the descending flakes, use a shutter speed of 125th or faster. Avoid using flash. It will illuminate the flakes directly in front of the lens and appear as undesirable, bright white blobs. I do use fill flash when I’m close to my subject if the falling flakes are small and intermittent.

To take a class with Russ or a fellow Digital Photo Academy instructor in your area, check out the Digital Photo Academy. I took Russ' intermediate and advanced courses last year, and he continues to be a strong source of knowledge and encouragement as I progress in my photography.

Don't forget to check Take Great Pictures for Russ' most recent tips. On the home page, click on the "Photo Tips And Techniques" button in the left hand column. Additionally, check out his "Digital Tip of the Month" found by clicking on the Digital Photography button.

Get the Job Done: Finally a sale from Heidi's Exhibit!

Yesterday I made my first sale from the Heidi's exhibit! Several of my photos have been on display at a downtown Denver Heidi's Deli since August. Marty, the store owner, requested I hang landscape photos to get some exposure for my business. Oddly enough though, the only sale I've made is of the portrait shown above, "Teri's Rose." Guess that goes to show that my portrait specialization is what I should stick with. :)

Thank you Lolly for making my first official sale at the deli. Lolly works at the deli. When her husband came into the deli, he immediately fell in love with the image. He told Lolly that if she got him anything for Christmas, it HAD to be that print! Lolly purchased it and plans to get it framed for their anniversary. Some might argue that one sale in five months is hardly something to be celebrated, but I disagree.

I was grinning from ear to ear! A part of me still can't believe that someone would want to buy something I have photographed, especially when the economy is tight. I felt honored. And I noticed that nearly all of my business cards have disappeared, which means I may have potential clients call me later when they need photographic services. Lolly told me that she makes sure to tell all of the customers who pick up my card that I specialize in portraits. I even went down to the deli for lunch one day and saw a customer reading over my postcard while she was eating. With so many other photographers vying for customers in the Denver metro area (and believe me, there are hundreds), any positive exposure you can get gives you just that much of a leg up.

I've been thinking that I want to liven up the display by changing out the images with new Denver-centric landscapes I've taken since August. Participating in all of these group shoots has given me the chance to add some great new photos, including this lovely night shot of the Denver Art Museum.



My instructor and colleague Armando Martinez suggested, though, that if I want to let customers know I specialize in portraits, then I should be hanging up portraits in the deli. I will talk to Marty to see if he's interested in that.

Monthly Photo Assignment Announced: 7 Deadly Sins

(Image seen on this blog)


Amy Martin, December's photo assignment winner, has chosen the first topic for the new year. The assignment for January 2009 is: THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS, which are lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride. "I hope people have fun with it," Amy said in her email to me announcing her topic. This one seems filled with photographic possibilities. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

You have from NOW until Jan. 25 at midnight to turn in an entry. The photo must be taken during this time frame, as the goal of this assignment is to keep us all out shooting regularly and working on our conceptualization skills.

Please email entries to srwheelr@comcast.net

Entries should include EXIF data and be no larger than 800 on the longest side. Watermarks are optional to help protect your photo from unauthorized usage.

Congratulations December Monthly Photo Contest Winner: Amy Martin

Image by Amy Martin

Congratulations Amy for your winning blog entry for THE DECISIVE MOMENT. This month's assignment drew the most votes ever with 52 people casting for their favorite image. I'm very proud of the entries this month and want to personally thank everyone who took the time to shoot. You got the best compliment ever: numerous statements from people saying they had a hard time deciding whom to vote for because all of the entries were so great. Only three votes separated the to top entries shot by Amy and Armando Martinez!

Besides bragging rights, Amy gets to choose January's monthly assignment, which will be announced tomorrow! So make sure you come back to see what the topic will be!

Saturday Morning Cartoons

Happy New Year everyone! Here is wishing you and yours a more blessed, happy and prosperous year than the one you had before. I really got a great laugh this morning after reading my favorite What the Duck comic for the week. In such difficult and uncertain economic times, sometimes the only thing that will keep you from going crazy with all the fear and worry is a good laugh. So enjoy today's installment of Aaron Johnson's photocentric comic strip "What the Duck."

The popular comic is celebrating it's 2nd year anniversary. Congratulations Aaron! And thank you for encouraging me and others to seek comfort in our sense of humor when the ebbs and flows of the photography business threaten to overwhelm us. The comic is available now for syndication as "W.T. Duck," appearing in a local newspaper near you!