This is always controversial, and will be even more so this year, because my pick for Photofocus 2011 Photographer of the Year is none other than Trey Ratcliff. Is Trey controversial? Not in MY opinion. But as the current guru of HDR – and high dynamic range photography being controversial, I’m sure I’ll hear lots of noise. But – I don’t care. Trey deserves this pick and here’s why.

Trey Ratcliff is in every sense of the word, an artist. His art is something he believes in deeply. He works very hard at HDR photography and travels the world making images that never cease to amaze me. Like most successful artists, he has a great passion for what he does. He practices at it regularly. He refines it. He stretches its boundaries. Then he does it again.

Not only is Trey an amazing photographer, but he’s an internationally-recognized thought leader in the space. He writes books and e-books, provides an HDR tutorial, hosts Google+ hangouts, and creates some of the coolest iPhone/iPad applications.

What I really like about Trey’s images is that he has managed to do something I’ve never ever seen before. He’s managed to take his knowledge of science and math (he’s a programmer at heart) and mix it with a great, artistic eye. If you’ve ever met Trey, you’d realize he’s the guy many would describe as a “nerd.” It doesn’t matter if you agree with that assessment or not. It’s who Trey really is that counts. Under the geek facade there is the soul of a communicator, a dreamer and yes – an artist.

Visit Stuckincustoms.com and see for yourself. His daily photos are always interesting, and because Trey travels the world, it’s like watching the Discovery Channel – but you don’t need a television.

For his work as an evangelist in the field of HDR photography, for his vision, for his willingness to share and teach, Photofocus names Trey Ratcliff as the 2011 Photographer of the Year.

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FINALLY! My new book with Skip Cohen – Going Pro: How to Make the Leap from Aspiring to Professional Photographer has started shipping.

Between us, Skip and I have had more than 10 books published. This book was easily the most important of any of those. Both Skip and I have been thinking about, planning, and working on this project for almost two years. We’ve interviewed dozens of photographers for input, gathered hundreds of salable images, built and maintained a blog featuring more than 400 free posts, recorded and published more than 50 podcasts, done a few webinars, responded to more than 1,500 audience questions and comments, held a national bootcamp workshop in New Jersey, maintained a dedicated Twitter account, vetted and recruited the best sponsors we can find and now – it all culminates in this book.

For all this hard work, Skip and I make about $1 each per book. Yep it’s true. Unless you’re famous like Stephen King, you don’t make much money writing books. We didn’t pour our hearts and souls into this project for the money. We did it for the most old-fashioned of reasons – we want to help.

For those of you who are thinking of becoming a professional photographer, or those who have recently (within the last two years) become a professional photographer, we’ve aimed this project directly at you. Additionally, professional photographers who are already out there and working, but who are just surviving rather than thriving, we also targeted this book at you.

We believe that we can help any professional or emerging professional photographer improve their business. We have both gone through a lot of hard work, pain, difficulties and challenges in life and we think we’ve learned a thing or two that will help you. We hold nothing back and share all of our secrets in the book. It’s written to help you succeed at the business of photography.

But we didn’t stop with our own experience. We went to our friends – some of the most accomplished and well-known professional photographers in the business, and we asked them for their help too. There are quotes, tips and photographs in this book from people like Vincent Laforet, Gregory Heisler, Stacy Pearsall, Kevin Kubota, Tamara Lackey, Nick Vedros, Chase Jarvis and many, many more. Even if you aren’t interested in what Skip and I have to say about this subject, you should be interested to hear what these amazing and successful photographers we’ve recruited to help us have to say. This book is as much about and by them as it is us. Our names are on the cover, but they contributed too. We are very grateful for their help on this project and through this journey.

This entire experience has already paid off for Skip and I and it goes beyond money. Our payment is in the satisfaction we get knowing we’ve helped hundreds of photographers already. We hope to help more photographers with the launch of this book. We feel like we’re rich already in the friendships and lifelong relationships we’ve both called upon and built during the authoring of this book, and we hope you’ll enjoy, respect, benefit and prosper by reading the result of all this work – by so many people.

If you are interested, you can order the book here at Going Pro: How to Make the Leap from Aspiring to Professional Photographer. It is in bookstores now and available from numerous online resellers. We’ll be making a few books available as prizes in some up-coming giveaways and trying to do everything we can to use this book to help more of you.

Thanks for supporting us and believing in us as we put this together. It’s been a long, sometimes hard road, but we’re excited to see where it leads. We hope you’ll come along for the rest of the ride.

Thanks

Scott Bourne for
Skip Cohen

Everything is in 100% operational condition – most like new or new!

TERMS: I accept personal checks with 14 day clearance before shipping unless you are personally known to me. I also accept Google Checkout as long as your official Google Billing Address is the same address you want me to ship the gear to. I ship to USA only. All items sent UPS ground free of charge. All items sent signature required. Add $25 for 2nd day air. Add $50 for anything to AK and HI. All gear 100% operational. All Prices Firm! Sorry no exceptions will be made to these policies unless you are personally known to me. Thanks for your interest.

Cameras:

1. Canon G11 Compact Camera
With Canon CPS strap, manual, battery, battery charger excellent 100% working condition $375

Tripods/Heads:

1. Miller 1643 Miller Solo DV Alloy Tripod (black) with DS-20 Fluid Head, Camera Plate, Pan Arm, and Soft Case- Supports up to 22 lb (10 kg) REDUCED to $850
Perfect setup for those shooting video with a DSLR or a dedicated camcorder

Misc.:

1. X-Rite i1XTreme UV Cut Color Calibration Solution – like new -  REDUCED to $850

2. Hoodman Right Angle Viewfinder w/ universal adapters & case – like new – $65

Email bournemediagroup@gmail.com if interested.

Everything is in 100% operational condition – most like new or new!

TERMS: I accept personal checks with 14 day clearance before shipping unless you are personally known to me. I also accept Google Checkout as long as your official Google Billing Address is the same address you want me to ship the gear to. I ship to USA only. All items sent UPS ground free of charge. All items sent signature required. Add $25 for 2nd day air. Add $50 for anything to AK and HI. All gear 100% operational. All Prices Firm! Sorry no exceptions will be made to these policies unless you are personally known to me. Thanks for your interest.

Tripods/Heads

1. Miller 1643 Miller Solo DV Alloy Tripod (black) with DS-20 Fluid Head, Camera Plate, Pan Arm, and Soft Case- Supports up to 22 lb (10 kg) $925
Perfect setup for those shooting video with a DSLR or a dedicated camcorder

Misc.

1. X-Rite i1XTreme UV Cut Color Calibration Solution $950

2. Gigapan Epic Pro $675

Email bournemediagroup@gmail.com if interested.

Successful applicants will be accomplished photographers and self-starters with a good work ethic, the ability to work on deadline and a dedication to helping people learn about photography. We’re looking for experienced photographer/writers and trainers only. Sorry, this is not an on-the-job learning opportunity – although we may offer one at a later date.

Pay is per post and will be tied to experience.

If accepted, you will be given weekly assignments as a sub-contractor. To apply, send three clips/writing samples/instructional videos/screencasts to: bournemediagroup@gmail.com – and put WRITER/TRAINER in the subject line. We will consider any application received by Midnight PST March 30, 2011.

Sorry – these positions are open to USA citizens 18 years and older only or to those foreign residents 18 years and older who can demonstrate a legal right to work in the USA.

Photofocus turns three years old today. Well sort of. Actually, I started Photofocus on Nov 2, 1998. I’ve written about photography online every day since. At times, I shuttered Photofocus and merely pointed the URL to other projects like MYCAMERATRICKS or APERTURETRICKS or a few other photo-related sites I ran or invested in.

I started work on This Week in Photography with Alex Lindsay about four years ago. There were some false starts and good times and during that period the site ran as TWIPPHOTO. When my part on the show was over, I migrated the TWIPPHOTO site (which I ran as part of the TWIP podcast) to Photofocus.com. The first Photofocus.com post (in its current configuration) was January 19, 2008.

It’s hard to believe we’ve been here three years. Lots of guest posts from some of the greatest photographers around as well as a die-hard staff have kept this site relevant. The podcast and contests and yes Twitter have all played a part as well. I’d like to think that some of what I contribute is also occasionally helpful or inspiring. We have tremendous sponsor support which helps too. I’m proud to say we’ve never run a single week on Photofocus.com where the advertising space wasn’t 100% sold out. That’s due to loyal support from our audience.

And of course none of it would matter if it weren’t for those who come read the content. For your constant support I say thanks. And I offer the promise that we’ll continue to do our best to make this site valuable as long as it operates.

I enjoy my role as publisher of Photofocus.com and as long as that’s the case, I’ll continue to provide free photo content.

Happy Birthday to us.

Now back to regular programming. We’ll have a new how-to post for you later today.

Sincerely,

Scott Bourne

Publisher, Photofocus.com

I first encountered Conrad when he reviewed one of my “88 Secrets” books. He can be kind of tough so I felt lucky to survive his review with a generally favorable recommendation. I noticed he reviewed lots of photography books so I kept up with him and eventually offered him the chance to review books here at Photofocus.

Conrad Obregon retired from a successful career in law and finance to become a full-time photographer, based in New York City. Besides spending an inordinate amount of time reading and reviewing photography books, he specializes in wildlife photography (especially birds) and landscapes. He occasionally sells an image or displays his work in galleries, although he enjoys himself too much taking and making photographs to market seriously and contents himself by having a long and growing mailing list.

He graciously offered his reviews to our audience and while the individual authors may not always like his detailed and frank analysis – I personally came to very highly trust his opinions. He is in my mind the best photo book reviewer in the business.

Conrad is moving on to concentrate on posting his photo book reviews on Amazon. Look for his work there. It will be worth the effort.

In the mean time we’re searching for a new book reviewer. There will be no replacement of Conrad. That can’t happen because I just don’t think anyone is good enough to REPLACE him. But we will find someone who can do the job and hopefully grow into a position of greatness that matches Conrad’s efforts.

Thanks to Conrad for all his hard work and best wishes.