I recently received an email from Google+, the social media site that is was all the rage with photographers. Back when it started, I posted often and grew a following. Then something changed on the site and I didn't quite understand it, and I quit interacting. My blog posts continued auto-posting, but I haven't even visited the site in at least six years. On the other hand, I know several photographers who continued through the changes and kept a strong following and interaction with their audience. I liked Google+ because the interactions … [Read more...] about Google+ kicks the bucket
Google+
What has social media done for you lately?
In the wake of the Google+ ‘sunsetting’ announcement, it has me thinking of social media in general as I’m sure many of you are. If you haven't heard about this, here is a link to the post on Google's Keyword Blog. Basically, they are shutting down the consumer side of Google+ and will only be offering the G-Suite version for internal business use. G+ users will have 10 months to figure out where else to go. I think it’s time to reevaluate our use of social media as photographers (and in general). Is it merely social? Do you use it to … [Read more...] about What has social media done for you lately?
Photography Marketing: Be Everywhere — But Only Where it Counts
With the marketing and social marketplace changing on what seems like a daily basis, it's easy to get overwhelmed and think you have to be active on every platform imaginable. It's great to have profiles on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google Plus, Flickr, Instagram, 500px, LinkedIn, MySpace (wait, MySpace?!?)... You get the idea. There are a ton of networks out there that can help achieve your marketing goals. But you should only be active on those networks that positively impact you and your business. A Case Study: Google Plus Back in … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Be Everywhere — But Only Where it Counts
Photography Marketing: The New Yellow Pages — Having Marketing Success with Google
"The new phone book's here! The new phone book's here!" Steve Martin's character in "The Jerk" would croak if he knew that the physical, print phone books — while still in existence — are no longer used by "millions of people every day." Despite this, the yellow pages are still very much alive in today's modern world, albeit through a completely different medium. The Importance of a Google Listing Several years ago, Google introduced a service called Google Places. This allowed any business to create a profile with their contact … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: The New Yellow Pages — Having Marketing Success with Google
Google NIK Collection: Good News & Bad News
Did you see the NIK software announcement from Google? Truth be told, I’ve always wanted to play with and use NIK software but it was never an expense I was willing to part with. Like many of us, funds are limited and I couldn’t justify buying something when I need a new camera body first. When a friend shared with me the news from Google that NIK software was released for free, I was excited. I downloaded it right away and then came across some negative aspects of the free download. Good news, yes the software is indeed free. It’s the same … [Read more...] about Google NIK Collection: Good News & Bad News
Stop Obsessing over Stats and SEO!
Great you finally have your website up and going. You have set up stat counter and google analytics. A few weeks later you check your stats and you don't have any visitors. You start internet searching and everything is overwhelming. A Quick Explanation on How Search Engines Work As you can imagine there are billions of websites and web pages out there. Search engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo need to first locate and find all the websites. This is called "crawling". They are crawling the internet looking for new sites, old sites that no … [Read more...] about Stop Obsessing over Stats and SEO!
Just Announced Thunderbolt 3 with USB-C Connector
If youre a business professional, content creator, gamer, or just want to simplify your 4K workspace, your world is about to get faster and simpler. - Thunderbolt Technology Intel just announced Thunderbolt 3 with a USB-C connector supporting single-cable support for dual 4K displays. Thunderbolt was developed to simultaneously support the fastest data and most video bandwidth available on a single cable, while also supplying power. USB-C is the new industry-standard connector and cable used for connectivity and power. It was developed by the … [Read more...] about Just Announced Thunderbolt 3 with USB-C Connector
Lightroom Hangout with Special Guests RC Concepcion and the New Lightroom
You gotta join us live for our next Google+ Hangout, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We kick of Thursday 4/30, 2:00pm Eastern, 1:00pm Central, Noon Mountain, and 11:00am Pacific. RSVP here and it'll show your local time. I don't know which I'm more excited about, that RC Concepcion is coming on the show, or that he is going to help us explore the incredible new features in … [Read more...] about Lightroom Hangout with Special Guests RC Concepcion and the New Lightroom
Photo Face Off: iPhone 6 vs Android
iPhone Day! Yesterday, I woke up at 6AM morning to head over to the Apple Store at Pioneer Place in Portland, OR. It was "iPhone Day" after all and there was a 128GB silver iPhone 6 Plus with my name on it somewhere in that store. Fortunately, I successfully preordered mine last Friday and somehow managed to be the very first person in the Reservations line, whereas the line for the day-of purchasers literally wrapped around the entire city block. But based on the global news reporting on this launch, no one should be surprised. The Face Off … [Read more...] about Photo Face Off: iPhone 6 vs Android
Mind Your Own Business: The Challenges of Running a Photo Business (and Some Solutions Too)
Join us for our newest Google+ Hangout for photographers Mind Your Own Business. This event is produced in partnership with Skip Cohen University and LensRentals.com. This months topic is The Challenges of Running a Photo Business (and Some Solutions Too). Were joined by Sal Cincotta whos a successful photographer who runs his own studio and international business and is the founder of Shutter Magazine, ShutterFest and Shutter Network. We'll explore practical advice for professional and semi-professional photographers to help with the … [Read more...] about Mind Your Own Business: The Challenges of Running a Photo Business (and Some Solutions Too)
Don’t Miss Today’s Hangout on Lightroom + A Great Prize
We're holding a Google Hangout today (meaning Wednesday, January 22). The topic is Lightroom and we're going to tackle every photographer's New Year's resolution (getting organized). You'll learn important strategies for import and keeping your photos safe. Of course we'll thrown in a few tips on developing (we can't help ourselves). Here is the URL https://plus.google.com/events/cecgikt5m6fmor43en4ev2s9634 Get Organized in Photoshop Lightroom Wednesday, January 22 | 10:00AM PT 1:00PM ET Join hosts Rob Sylvan and Levi Sim plus special … [Read more...] about Don’t Miss Today’s Hangout on Lightroom + A Great Prize
Our Next Google Hangout is on Photoshop Lightroom
We are thrilled to have another fun yet informative Google+ Hangout with some industry pros who want to tackle and throw down some pretty cool Photoshop Lightroom tips and tricks. This time its all about getting organized and keeping your photos safe. Of course we'll thrown in a few tips on developing (we can't help ourselves). Get Organized in Photoshop Lightroom Wednesday, January 22 | 10:00AM PT 1:00PM ET Join hosts Rob Sylvan and Levi Sim plus special guests including Gerard Murphy and more. Be sure to sign up here: … [Read more...] about Our Next Google Hangout is on Photoshop Lightroom
Did You Miss Our Last Google Hangout?
Many of you missed our last G+ Hangout? It was a great one featuring Photoshop product manager Bryan O'Neil Hughes and Photoshop expert (and Photofocus contributor) Howard Pinsky. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjUYF4xLb_g Can't see the video? Click here We had an in-depth hangout about the latest improvements to Photoshop (as well as the future of digital imaging). If you use Photoshop or Lightroom you want to watch this. Our next hangout is January 22 on Lightroom. Be sure to join our Google+ group to always have the latest … [Read more...] about Did You Miss Our Last Google Hangout?
Don’t Miss Our Photoshop Hangout Today
Our next Google Hangout is underway (it actually starts TODAY at 1:00 pm ET / 10:00 AM PT. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjUYF4xLb_g Weve put together a fantastic Google Hangout so you can learn from some of the top gurus on the planet (absolutely free)! It's your chance to hear from two experts of digital imaging. Plus you can even ask questions by posting them as comments on this page (below) or the event page. An Insiders Look at Photoshop and the Future of Imaging Friday, December 20, 2013 1:00 PM EST 2:30 PM EST Melissa Niu and … [Read more...] about Don’t Miss Our Photoshop Hangout Today
Change Your Lightroom Workflow for the Better
We recently held our Lightroom focussed Google+ hangout. Since many of you can't join us live, we recorded it so you can enjoy it afterwards. The show featured special guests: , , and and was hosted by . The show explored several great ways to keep your Lightroom library organized as well as tips on how to develop your photos. Be sure to join our . Disclaimer: These are several different ways to work in Lightroom (but of course not the only ways). ______ … [Read more...] about Change Your Lightroom Workflow for the Better
Don’t Miss Our Google Hangout Today
A quick reminder... we're holding our next Google+ Hangout TODAY. The topic this time is cool Photoshop Lightroom tips and tricks. Be sure to sign up here: https://plus.google.com/events/cmrmpqo45omgo1uhi37u2kgstts If you're not a Google+ member, you can still see an embedded YouTube video on that page when the event starts Wednesday, October 30 at 10:00AM PT | 1:00 PM ET Join Melissa Niu with special guests Rob Sylvan, Levi Sim and Gerard Murphy for tutorials, some "battle of the best Lightroom edits" and of course a little friendly … [Read more...] about Don’t Miss Our Google Hangout Today
When Should We Hold G+ Hangouts? Feedback Needed
In case you missed our first one on HDR, be sure to watch on . ______ … [Read more...] about When Should We Hold G+ Hangouts? Feedback Needed
Join Us for Our First Live Google+ Hangout Today
We're excited to invite you to our first Google+ hangout this Thursday. Here is the URL for the event (be sure to signup for the event). https://plus.google.com/events/cllg6kjq6t3t7ge4a0a3nqjcvvs There is a YouTube player window on the page you can watch. You can also click here http://youtu.be/K-4syJqwmDg It will be the first of an ongoing tradition, which will bring photo experts to you live. We're kicking off with HDR and Landscape Photography experts who will share their shooting and postproduction secrets. If you are a G+ member, … [Read more...] about Join Us for Our First Live Google+ Hangout Today
Save the Date — Our First Google+ Hangout
We'll be holding our first Google+ hangout on Thursday, October 3. This will be a chance to hangout with some of the Photofocus team live. Our first topic up is HDR (and we'll even have a special sneak peek of something brand new). We'll publish more details (like exact time and speaker list) shortly. We want you to join us live. In order to see the Hangout, you should join our Photofocus G+ community https://plus.google.com/communities/117523094348733460840. In the meantime, please add any HDR questions or topics you'd like to see covered … [Read more...] about Save the Date — Our First Google+ Hangout
Great Photo Collages App (for 99¢)
I'm always on the lookout for affordable apps that do cool things. Well I've found another one, PicFrame that makes Photo Collages simple. The app sells for 99 and is available for Mac, iOS, Droid, and Blackberry (it seems the developer hasn't gotten around to Windows or Windows Phone). The app is very straightforward (although the mobile version offers a few more features). To start you choose a layout using frames. The app currently ships with 71 adjustable frames offering support for up to 9 photos in a single frame. You have a few … [Read more...] about Great Photo Collages App (for 99¢)
Google Kills One of the Nik Software Products
In a move that is far from shocking, Google has killed off Snapseed Desktop for Mac and PC. Beginning today well no longer sell or provide updates for Snapseed Desktop for Macintosh and Windows, said the Official Google Blog. Existing customers will continue to be able to download the software and can contact us for support. Well continue to offer the Snapseed mobile app on iOS and Android for free. While I use Snapseed on my phone almost daily, the desktop version was not a staple of my workflow. What concerns me though is that this is … [Read more...] about Google Kills One of the Nik Software Products
Are You a Nik Customer? Might Want to Transfer Your Registration Info
If you own any Nik Software products (such as Silver Efex Pro and HDR Efex Pro like I do), you should know that Google bought the company recently. That's not the news though. What's important is that you transfer your customer info over to Google if you want to get support or upgrades. Going forward, Google would like to provide you high-touch technical support for the Nik Software products. In order to be able to do this Google needs to receive the information that Nik Software has about you and your past software purchases such as your … [Read more...] about Are You a Nik Customer? Might Want to Transfer Your Registration Info
