Message from the Board (Formerly President's Message)
Each month the AzPPA Board challenges you with thoughts on photography. Here are messages from the last couple years starting from the most current and going back...
December 2010
Start some Fusion Photography Fun
by Allen Patrou
The “fusion” of still photography and HD Video is fast becoming popular with many photographers and is gaining momentum as a powerful digital medium. Fusion is the combination of still and video image capture with the added dimension of sound. When you combine all three of these potentially powerful mediums together correctly, you can command your client’s visual attention, move emotional mountains, and help distinguish yourself among an ever increasing number of photographers.
Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony all have cameras with built in 1080p HD video features on the market and more are on the way. I own the Canon 5D Mark II which is considered one of the best (not for long I’m sure) for HD because of its full frame 21 megapixel sensor and excellent low light capability. Camera manufacturers are working on better designs and upgrades as you are reading this.
If you haven’t already started working with this medium, I would suggest that you start getting your feet wet. If you already own an HD capable camera start by experimenting with it every time you take still photos. If your camera doesn’t have a video mode, you can get a compact HD video camera to use in just about any price range. Start using your video settings and find out as much as you can about your model’s features and controls to get comfortable using them. There are some great fusion video and cinematography workshops and DVD instruction available right now. The F-Stop Academy, 5D Film School, and Canon 5D Cinematography are three great resources.
You will be amazed at how much you already know about shooting video. Most of what you’ve learned about still photography applies to shooting video including exposure, lighting, composition, and story telling. One difference in capturing “moving” pictures is when you’re shooting video you will normally fix your shutter speed at 1/60th second (1/50 in Europe), thereby loosing one of the exposure controls you’re used to. With your ISO set to 100 and your shutter at 1/60 second, this only leaves your aperture control the set the amount of light entering the camera for correct exposure. This can force you loose control of your dept of field but there is an easy solution.
In video this issue is solved by placing a neutral density filter in front of your lens. The next question is how many stops of filtering will I need? Can I stack filters together? One great way to handle this is with a variable neutral density filter. The Singh-Ray Vari-ND filter can be set from 2 and 8 stops of density just by rotating the outer ring of the filter. This gives you back use and control of your aperture (and depth of field) and can even be used as the final exposure setting by just by watching the “light meter” on your camera back display. I have been able to shoot video in full sun or partial shade at around f2.0 which creates a very unique cinematic look (see Vinnie G. 2010 on my blog at http://blog.apatrouphotography.com/ ). Without the filter your f-stop would around f16 to f22 in bright light outside.
Neutral density filters can also be used in your still photography. Consider taking a portrait with your subject motionless and a waterfall or a flowing field of wheat for your background. If your subject is stable and you shoot with a slow shutter speed, you will be able to blur any movement behind them to create a nice effect. Try taking a shot like this with a one to three second shutter speed. Still and video photography are very similar.
Once you start shooting video you’ll need to consider video editing software. Short of going to a full blown editor like Apple’s Final Cut Pro (only works on Mac), Avid’s Media Composer 5, or Adobe’s Premier Pro, you may want to start out with a more limited home version. Many still don’t yet work with the DSLR video formats. However, Pinnacle Studio 14 is a good starter editing program at a great price and it works directly with your native DSLR video files.
Adding video to your repertoire is an exciting and fun way to add a new dimension to your product line. You can use video capture to sell and show off your high school seniors, weddings or even your family and child photography sessions. Animoto is a website application where you upload your video and still images to create any number of different style videos. I have had wonderful results using five to seven short HD video clips along with 25 or 30 still images in my Animoto “Music Memory Video” products for clients, especially high school seniors. I’ve had seniors come in and say that’s all they want is “one of those videos!” Pro Show Gold is another great way of showing off your still and video creations and gives you more control of the outcome.
If you haven’t yet thought about adding video capability or started using your camera’s video setting, you should definitely consider it now or as part of your next camera upgrade. I am enjoying learning about videography and offering this to clients and video has added uniqueness and impact to my product line and demos. Video is already very popular with young people and will only become more important in the future. DSLR with HD video is really lots of fun once you get going and is definitely here to stay. Get started, have some fun, and add some Fusion to your photography!
I will be giving a short presentation of some of my work with Animoto and Fusion Photography at the AZPPA meeting in January 2011 along with Jennifer Flannagan’s presentation. Come and see some samples of my version of this popular new medium.
November 2010
Cause-related marketing, a sweat equity investment in your company that gives back to your community and can provide many rewards.
by Ivan Martinez
As we enter November and look towards to Thanksgiving, I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you my approach to cause-related marketing. I hope you find this information helpful and that you can benefit by giving back and sharing your photographic skills with many organizations in your market that are in desperate need of your service and will greatly appreciate your support. There is a great deal of benefit to be gained by providing services at a hefty discount or for free to nonprofit organizations in the markets you serve.
In today’s challenging times, I am always looking for ways to get my company in front of potential clients. I don’t have hefty budgets to be able to accomplish this via standard advertising and marketing channels. I have used a different, yet very well know marketing tool that corporations and large businesses have been using for many years. It is known as cause-related marketing. The concept has been around for a long time. Promotions or partnerships such as American Express’s Members’ Projects, Nike’s Livestrong and Mayor League Baseball partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs are few examples of programs implemented to increase awareness, gain market share while giving back to a charitable organization and the communities they serve. They do this by creating marketing programs designed to promote a cause. There is nothing wrong with this concept. The corporation is providing a great bust of awareness and in many instances millions of dollars in donations to a nonprofit organization. The corporation in turn is being associated with the cause. As a result it stands to gain a great deal of goodwill among current and potential customers that believe and support the charitable organization.
Like any marketing effort, for a cause-related marketing campaign or effort to work, it needs to have a purpose, a target audience, consistency and a well developed plan of execution. Although, there is not direct monetary reward, there is a good opportunity for goodwill to be created. The corporation will also gain exposure, see potential increase in market share and most importantly, obtain a sense of personal satisfaction by knowing it is supporting a cause that helps make its community a better place. Early on when I started my business I made a commitment to provide my services at a discount or for free to several organizations in my community. I consciously selected these organizations because I strongly believed, and still believe, on their objective and purpose. Whenever possible, I have also opted to get involved as an active volunteer with the organization. I have found that in many instances when I am actively involved, I have been able to better focus my efforts in areas where it will have the biggest and most positive impact on the organization.
Nonprofit organizations I currently support.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona.
This was the first organization I became involved with. It was natural fit for me. I already was a Big Brother and have been a volunteer with the organizations for several years prior to making the leap into photography as a profession. Every year, I provide free portrait sessions and prints to Littles that are graduating from high schools. I provide Littles with a professional session and prints that I know, they will not be able to afford. For many of them, these are the only senior portraits they will have.
United Food Bank
I became involved with the United Food Bank of Arizona two and half years ago. I am in the UFB marketing committee and have also volunteered to help on their annual fundraising gala event, Gourmet For Good. I have photographed all of their key events and have donated images to be used to promote their fund raising programs. I have also donated framed prints and portrait sessions to their annual fundraiser auctions.
Save the Family Foundation
I provide a free portrait session and print to the Mesa Chamber of Commerce’s adopted family. Every year the selected family gets a free portrait session and a framed print. The family portrait is one of several presents the family receives from Mesa Chamber members
American Cancer Society Relay for Life events at Mesa and Gilbert High Schools
I provide event photography for this annual event. Images are used to promote the event each year and are shared with thousands of volunteers.
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep
It is without a doubt the most difficult yet the most rewarding experience I have had with any of the non profits I volunteer with. It is an organization that depends mostly on photographers to accomplish its goal. If you have heard about NILMDTS but are not sure if you want to volunteer, do yourself a favor and find a photographer that is involved with it and take a few minutes to learn more about this incredible organization.
Friends of Arizona Highways
I got involved with Friends of Arizona Highways because I wanted to learn more about Arizona and was also looking for a way to keep my photography skills in check while doing something other than portraits, wedding and events. FOAH is a volunteer run organization. Its mission is to promote an appreciation for the cultural, historic and scenic wonders of Arizona, as well as to educate participants in photographic technique through the Arizona Highways Photo Workshops. I have had the opportunity to lead workshops in several locations in Arizona and have met a wonderful group of volunteers and workshop participants from many corners of the US. I have also have had the privilege of working with many talented, dedicated and award winning photographers.
Where to find additional organizations:
There are several resources available that provide information about organizations and projects that are in need of volunteers.
- http://www.ppa.com/community/charities.php
- http://www.volunteermatch.org/
- http://www.allforgood.org/
- http://www.1-800-volunteer.org
- http://www.goodwill.org/
What I have learned through the years and what I am thankful for:
Through the years I have discovered that my efforts with each one of these charitable organizations have helped me gain new business, sharpen my skills as a photographer and have also given me a great deal of personal satisfaction by knowing I am helping many by doing what I love to do. It has not been easy. Although I have found new customers and have had businesses contact me as a result of my involvement with several of these organizations, I have found that it did not happen overnight. It has taken several weeks, months and sometimes years to gain recognition.
Here is an interesting aspect about working with nonprofits. If you do this as a way to gain new business and are not truthful to the organization you are involved with, you will get very frustrated and it is very likely this approach will not work for you. You have to be honest and work with an organization you believe in. You also need to get involved and support the organization. Your satisfaction will come from knowing you are using your talent to make your community a better place. Rewards in the form of new business are bonuses and they should not be the intent of your involvement.
As I look forward to Thanksgiving, I am extremely greaful for being in an enviable position in my life. Although I came late in the profession, I feel very fortunate that I am able to do something I really enjoy and have clients willing to pay for it. So I believe it is only fair that I share my talent and passion for photography with several organizations that are working hard every day to make my community a better place.
To you, your family and friends, I wish the best of Thanksgivings!
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