When I started photography in high school, I spent the majority of my time in the darkroom making prints from the few negatives I shot. It took a lot of time to finally see what I'd recorded on film. When I started digital photography I the complete opposite experience. I could now see my photographs immediately, but getting prints took much longer since I had to send out for them. However, when I got those prints from the lab, the impact was powerful for both me and my clients. The pictures I remember most are always those I have handled and … [Read more...] about Learn to Leverage Powerful Prints at WPPI
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It’s a New Year! Don’t Forget to Update Your Copyright Info
It's a new year, and that means updating your copyright information! For photographers, this oftentimes means making updates in more than one place, like your Camera, post-processing software, and possibly your website. On Your Camera All camera models will be a little different, but they should each have a place to enter your info. For this example, I'll show how to set your info using a Canon 6D. (If you have utility software for your camera, then you may be able to edit your information on your computer. Then, connect your camera for it to … [Read more...] about It’s a New Year! Don’t Forget to Update Your Copyright Info
Don’t Forget to Update Your Lightroom Copyright Preset
It's a good idea to add copyright information to your images. This allows anyone viewing your image on the web or preparing the file for print at a printing lab to determine who owns the copyright of the image and what they can do with it. The copyright metadata can also supply information on how to contact you if they need permission to use your photo. As the end of the year draws near, it's a good idea to review, update and create a new preset that adds your copyright information to your photos metadata automatically. Most cameras have this … [Read more...] about Don’t Forget to Update Your Lightroom Copyright Preset
The Fair-use Myth
A popular myth in both photographic and academic cultures is fair use. The doctrine provides situations where copyrighted works can be used without paying. It places restrictions on: The purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes The nature of the copyrighted work The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole The effect of the use on the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work Students, … [Read more...] about The Fair-use Myth
Third Quarter is Over: Have You Registered your Photos?
In the beginning of the year I wrote, "Have You Created Your 2015 Metadata Copyright Preset?" reminding us to update our copyright information for the New Year. This quick tip made sure we added our copyright information to every photo we imported into Lightroom. Our next step to protect our images is to register them with the Library of Congress. Lightroom makes this final process just as fast and easy. I thought my images were already protected? The moment you capture an image, you automatically own the copyright of the image. If someone … [Read more...] about Third Quarter is Over: Have You Registered your Photos?
Creating a Signature Watermark with Adobe Photoshop CC
I wrote a Tutorial for this over a year ago and I've been humbled by the response. It's time to update the article with the new and improved tools Adobe Photoshop CC has to offer. You can find the older version of the tutorial here. 1. Practice Grab a few sharpie of different sizes and practice your signature over and over with different sizes and widths. I found that the thinner sharpies were better in regards to more detail in the ink. Remember, it's not a bad idea to use a "stylized" signature and not the exact same one you use to sign … [Read more...] about Creating a Signature Watermark with Adobe Photoshop CC
To Taylor Swift, Love Photofocus
(For those with no sense of humor - please note this is a parody, written with sarcasm - tongue in cheek - thank you.) We here at Photofocus write this to explain why well be advising photographers not to buy your music, frequent your concerts or support your advertisers or the companies you are invested in. We feel this deserves an explanation because you used to seem like such a nice young lady. We respect what youve accomplished and your truly ingenious mind that has created a legacy based on innovation and pushing the right boundaries. Im … [Read more...] about To Taylor Swift, Love Photofocus
First Quarter is over: Have you registered your photos?
In the beginning of the year I wrote, "Have You Created Your 2015 Metadata Copyright Preset?" reminding us to update our copyright information for the New Year. This quick tip made sure we added our copyright information to every photo we imported into Lightroom. Our next step to protect our images is to register them with the Library of Congress. Lightroom makes this final process just as fast and easy. I thought my images were already protected? The moment you capture an image, you automatically own the copyright of the image. If someone … [Read more...] about First Quarter is over: Have you registered your photos?
Clear: Securely Wipe Old Drives
Check out the rest of Organize Your Photos: DAM Foundations Consolidate Conform Cull Copy Clear You have rebuilt your photo archive. Now, you have a collection of hard drives, USB drives and CF/SD card that need to be addressed. To start, decide which drives stay and which should go. Here are a few things to consider: How old is the drive? The older the drive gets, the more likely it is to fail. How big is the drive? If you only shoot stills, field drives of 250-500GB might be worth keeping. If you shoot video, 1TB might be … [Read more...] about Clear: Securely Wipe Old Drives
Updating Your Copyright for the New Year
It's a new year, and that means updating your copyright information! For photographers, this oftentimes means making updates in more than one place, like your Camera, post-processing software (such as Adobe Lightroom), and possibly your website. On Your Camera All camera models will be a little different, but they should each have a place to enter your info. For this example, I'll show how to set your info using a Canon 70D. First, go into the Menu and locate the setting for the copyright information. Next, select Enter copyright details to … [Read more...] about Updating Your Copyright for the New Year
Create a Signature Watermark in Under 2 Minutes with Adobe Brush
As photographers, it's always a good idea to watermark your work. Not only is it an extra level of protection, but its also a chance to brand things a bit. In this tutorial I'm going to show you how to use Adobe Brush (a free app for iOS soon for Android). What is Adobe Brush? I first heard about Adobe Brush while watching the keynote from Adobe Max earlier this October. At first I figured its not an app I would EVER use. I do not use a lot of different brushes and I am terrible illustrator. Then it dawned on me. I could turn my signature … [Read more...] about Create a Signature Watermark in Under 2 Minutes with Adobe Brush
Have You Created Your 2015 Metadata Copyright Preset?
Now is the perfect time to create a 2015 copyright preset that will add your copyright information to your photos metadata automatically when you import them using Lightroom. It's a good idea to add personal details to your images so anyone viewing that image on the web or preparing the file for print at a printing lab can determine who owns copyright of the image and what they can do with it. If the image is copyrighted the metadata can show this and give information on how to contact you if they need permission to use your photo. Where to add … [Read more...] about Have You Created Your 2015 Metadata Copyright Preset?
A Fun Way to Learn About Copyright
Did that headline get you attention? Trust me... you want to check this out. The folks at Duke University's Center for the Study of the Public Domain has produced a comic book that explains copyright in both a clear and interesting way. Learn about the delicate balance between intellectual property and the public domain - the realm of material that is free to use without permission or payment. Get this free comic book (yes, a comic) Free digital versions Bound by Law translates law into plain English and abstract ideas into visual … [Read more...] about A Fun Way to Learn About Copyright
12 Tips for Getting the Most out of Photoshop World
Photoshop World is my time to be selfish. All year long I help others develop their skills in Photography, Photoshop and yes Martial Arts. When I attend this conference I get to relax and have fun while learning new skills and meeting old and soon to be new friends. I plan my days to get the most of PSW. Kelby One host two Photoshop Worlds every year; East Coast and West Coast. I have had the honor to attend all of them (except for 1) since 1999. Most people don't have the luxury to attend the conference twice a year so selecting classes may be … [Read more...] about 12 Tips for Getting the Most out of Photoshop World
Someone used my Photo without Consent
My son Alec was excited to tell me he saw on Instagram a photo of his Lacrosse hero Kyle Harrison receiving a gift from a well known sock company, ROCK EM. They sent the lacrosse star a pair of their socks with his name and his famous number 18 on them. Along with the socks, they sent him a photo I took of him during a game in Florida. Kyle used the image on Instagram and it was one of his most viewed images of 2013. Alec commented, "still using the shot haha. Love it!" He was excited to see the image as was I. Later that day a friend … [Read more...] about Someone used my Photo without Consent
Dave Black – Photographer, Teacher, and Author
I first met Dave Black at Photoshop World several years ago. He was setting up a balance beam in a lecture hall for a live shoot he was doing with a champion gymnast for a session he was teaching. As I watched him set up, interact with the gymnast, his assistant, and the room full of attendees; one of the things I was struck with the most was how much Dave loved photography. Daves career as a world-renowned sports photographer spans 30 years, hes covered every kind of sport you can think of, including 12 Olympic games, but the joy in his face … [Read more...] about Dave Black – Photographer, Teacher, and Author
Ten Reasons YOU Should Go to Photoshop World
In less than one month, Scott Kelby and his crew will head out to Vegas for Photoshop World. The conference is held twice a year: once in an "East Coast location", and then in Las Vegas at the end of the summer. This upcoming Photoshop World will be the seventh one I have attended! (And the fact that I am now an instructor on KelbyOne is pretty cool, to top it all off!) If you have never been to Photoshop World, you're missing out on a whole lot of fun, photography, and (very frequent) goofiness. I put together my "Top 10" reasons that YOU … [Read more...] about Ten Reasons YOU Should Go to Photoshop World
Five Top Reasons Why You Should Attend Photo Conferences
With Photoshop World quickly approaching and other conferences creeping up this fall, I want to plant some seeds into your head that hopefully can help you understand the benefit that these types of conferences can have; both personally and for your business. Yes, Photoshop World is a partner and they are dear friends of ours, but regardless of that relationship, I want to be very candid about the positive and priceless experience these types of conferences can have for you, regardless of your photography skill level. ---- 1. … [Read more...] about Five Top Reasons Why You Should Attend Photo Conferences
How to Protect Your Online Galleries
This past week, many site owners of Zenfolio and SmugMug that shoot Boudoir photography had found out private and unlisted galleries were being accessed by people who were using these photos for ransom, personal pleasure and other terrible things. There are forums and chats specifically dedicated to figuring out passwords, sharing links and finding other ways to access these private galleries. Many of these photos can be damaging to careers and lives if pictures are released in a public forum. So you can image how upset photographers and … [Read more...] about How to Protect Your Online Galleries
Music Copyrights for Photographers
We live in an ultra connected world where the amount of media seemingly free for the taking is virtually unlimited. This is not a rant on stealing, fair use or copyrights for that matter. It's really some thoughts on creating and sharing work. Photographers are content creators just like musicians, writers, sculptors, painters and every other artist. Just as one kind of artist might not be skilled in another one's field, it doesn't mean they can appropriate someone else's work into their own. Done Often Doesn't Mean Done Right We all see videos … [Read more...] about Music Copyrights for Photographers
The Myth of Fair Use — Students & Emerging Pros Beware
I wanted to take a moment to discuss a concept you'll often heard thrown around... it's called Fair Use. Now, before I go too deep a few caveats. I am not a lawyer. Laws vary country to country. If you have questions, see a lawyer you trust. Okay, with that out of the way, I wanted to talk a bit about fair use. I've had several photographer friends try to justify to me that they can use copyrighted music in their slideshows. That it's acceptable. Other times, the shoe is on the other foot... as those same photographers explain how their … [Read more...] about The Myth of Fair Use — Students & Emerging Pros Beware
Free & Legal Music Sources for Slideshows & Videos
Whether you're building a slideshow or editing a video, music is an important factor to consider for emotional connection to the audience. The internet is tempting with many sites that allow you to download any song you desire. But we have to warn you. Just because it is free doesn't mean its legal to use in your videos. We don't want you to get sued so listen carefully. There are many sites out there that you can pay for downloads of great music to use legally for your videos so we want to make sure we cover the board of options. There's … [Read more...] about Free & Legal Music Sources for Slideshows & Videos
THRIVE 2014 – Full Focus on Marketing For Photographers
Whether you're an aspiring or working professional photographer, theres a good chance youre having the same problem: Youre surviving - but not thriving. Photographers THRIVE means to change all that. On March 2, 2014 we're going to launch a new approach to photographic education. We're going to focus exclusively on the marketing and business side. We're going to teach you how to get paid. For THRIVE you don't need to bring any camera gear. All you need is a pen, paper and an open mind. We're going to focus on one thing only - marketing. When … [Read more...] about THRIVE 2014 – Full Focus on Marketing For Photographers
Want to Watermark Your Images? Here are Some Options
We recently ran a story about Facebook's changes to terms of service which essential require you to grant them an unlimited license (read the article here). Many responded in the comments with a need to watermark their images more. Here are a few articles from our archives to help you out. How to Sign Your Work Watermarking Your Images The Case For Watermarks ______ … [Read more...] about Want to Watermark Your Images? Here are Some Options
What You’re Giving Up When You Post to Facebook
Some of you aren't regular listeners to our podcast. The changes to Facebook have many concerned, so we excerpted this interview so you can listen to these important opinions. Is the problem real? Yep... even the f If you post photos to Facebook, be sure to listen. [soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/110679767" params="color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true" width=" 100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Photographers are giving up even more rights by posting to the social network. We went straight to the top to … [Read more...] about What You’re Giving Up When You Post to Facebook
Facebook Changes Terms of Service — Photographers Be Wary!
Editor's Note: Be sure to see our update on changes to Facebook terms of service for 2015 I am a member of ASMP (the American Society of Media Photographers). They recently sent a useful update about a change to Facebook's Terms of Service. The use of social media is always a balance between effective promotion and sacrificing your rights as an image maker. ASMP advises strongly evaluating the new changes: The new Facebook Terms of Use have been modified to allow the company to sell virtually anything that is uploaded to the service, … [Read more...] about Facebook Changes Terms of Service — Photographers Be Wary!
My Failed Experiment With Creative Commons
NOTE: This post was written based on my experience as a US citizen doing business from the United States. If you are not a US resident, much of the information in this post may not apply to you so consult legal help in your area to get the most accurate information. More than a year ago my pal Trey Ratcliff influenced me (not directly but subtly through his actions and his blog posts) to switch to a Creative Commons license for my work. Up until that point, most of my work (other than stock) had been completely rights managed or some variation … [Read more...] about My Failed Experiment With Creative Commons
Photographers: It’s Time To Register For Summer School
I'm proud to once again be on the teaching faculty at Skip's Summer School for 2012. I've taught at each of these events and hands-down, they have been some of my favorite in the industry. Skip's Summer School had turned into the most amazing boutique photo conference in the business and this year, Skip's managed to make it better. It's one of the best programs and faculty ever assembled and there are some new components that people have asked for in survey after survey. Before I talk about the up-coming program, here's a three minute look … [Read more...] about Photographers: It’s Time To Register For Summer School
More On Copyright Myths
NOTE: This isn't a white paper. It doesn't detail every single fact you need to know about Copyright. It is just a blog post talking about some common myths. I am not an attorney and cannot give you legal advice. I am expressing my own opinion, based on advice received from my attorney. If in doubt, contact and consult with a licensed attorney in your area for more information. Every once in a while I write a post about Copyright - to predictable results. The young folk send me 3000 word missives about corporate greed, the misinformed quote … [Read more...] about More On Copyright Myths
Photographers – Know Your Rights
(NOTE: This article is intended for photographers in the United States.) One of the saddest things to happen in the last decade has been the war on photography. It seems there has been a mindless rush to blame photographers for just about every bad thing that has ever happened in the universe. Photographers are routinely illegally harassed, and even assaulted by everyone from civilians to police. Unfair and illegal arrests have been documented across the USA. Most photographers have no idea how to fight back. I'm glad to say that the American … [Read more...] about Photographers – Know Your Rights
