Sony has launched an online content hub and community called αUniverse to showcase its alpha brand. The website is a portal for videography, photography, news content, and instructional content aimed at the imaging community, and will also be used as the primary outlet for news directly from Sony Imaging. Read more
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
ATTENTION! Your PC is blocked due at least one of the reasons specified below. The warning is dire. You’ve been “caught” doing something illegal. Your photos and other data have been locked away from you because it’s “evidence” against you. But don’t worry, if you pay the “fine,” all will be released and you’re off the hook. Don’t pay and, Continue Reading
The post Your Money or Your Photographs! Ransomware and How to Survive an Online Stickup appeared first on Photodoto.
In this article, learn about how you can grow an online following that will enable you to profile your work, make important new contacts, and eventually monetize your photography.
Through growing my online following I have successfully monetized a career in travel photography, visiting amazing destinations like Quebec, Canada.
First, you need to decide on the best way to share your work. Is it a blog, a social media platform, or a combination of the two? Which social media platforms lend themselves best to photography? How many should you have? There are slight nuances between all social media platforms but the core ways to share remain the same.
The best advice for choosing your platform is to follow your heart. You should put your time and effort into the things that you enjoy. A great rule of thumb is to use a platform that you love, religiously, and then supplement it with one or two others. The best way to figure out what you love is to try everything, and I mean really try it. Give different platforms a few weeks each as you learn how to share content, how to engage with the community there, and how to navigate the different features. Look at how much momentum you can pick up in that time, how many users you connect with, and the sort of feedback you are receiving on your photography.
Some great platforms for you to try are Facebook pages, Instagram, Steller, Trover, Google+, Flickr, 500px, Tumblr, Pinterest, Ello and of course, your own blog. Each social media platform is different with its own benefits and limitations. Make some effort to learn about each as you try them and remember that social media is social! If you’re not sure of something, just ask someone that you follow.
The platform that I love the most is Instagram because it lends itself well to the simple compositions I favor, plus users love uncomplicated images and subject matter such as these baby turtles in Bundaberg Australia.
Each platform is a little different, as are the ways of sharing your photographs, but despite subtle differences the core of sharing remains the same. Share your best work, network within the platform to get that work seen, and engage with the people who are engaging with you.
What is your best work? From any shoot or session that you do, whether it is landscape, portraiture, a family shoot, wedding, macro, food photography, etc., choose a handful of favorites and feed them out slowly, as opposed to all at the same time. Build a story into your posts and talk about the work. You might wish to share your camera settings, a gaff you made during the shoot, some information about the subject matter, or maybe even ask for feedback or advice. Again this comes down to online sharing being social. Put yourself out there and you will be amazed at what can happen.
I must have taken 500 photographs of the icebergs in Jökursárlón but I only shared a coupe online, and I made sure they were perfect for my audience, uncluttered with my trademark simple composition.
Networking can be as easy as discovering photographers that you admire and commenting on their work, or using hashtag searches to find inspiration or even liking streams of images that you’re into. When another user receives a notification that you’ve engaged with their work they’re likely to come and check out yours. If they don’t, find others who will. Sharing your work online to grow an audience requires time and persistence as well as a genuine love and passion for what you’re doing. That’s why it’s important to use the platforms that you enjoy.
Another reason why I enjoy Instagram is because it is so populated. I can find any type of image, any destination, and many people with similar interests by sharing there. Reindeer fan anyone?
Engaging can be done in several different ways but one of the most important ways is to thank people that have commented on your work or reply to questions as they’re asked. You don’t need to dedicate your life to it, but you will find that a little effort will enable you to snare new followers and build new connections.
Over time, you may notice that you receive more likes and comments on a certain type of image. For example, if your macro photography is getting double the likes of your portrait photography then your followers are telling you what they really love. You can choose to give them more of what they love, or continue to diversify. In my experience the biggest social media accounts often have quite consistent subject matters. You will start to get people following you just for your macro photography, and perhaps you’ll notice a dip in engagement when you post anything else. It’s up to you how to manage this, but the best advice is to always stay true to your passions.
Although I am well known for travel photography and landscapes I also love portraiture, and despite the lower engagement I continue to post the work that resonates with me.
It’s a funny thing networking on social media; so many people do it badly. If you want to do well with people online then simply remember to be a person! You are not a faceless photographer pumping out uploads; you are a person with feelings, opinions, humor and personality, so you should let that shine through. Whatever platform you are using, you should have a profile photo that looks like you and a bio with a little information about yourself. Each time you upload a photograph you should write an engaging caption, and when people talk to you, talk back as you would in real life. You may be astonished at how many amazing people there are using social media, and they are all at your fingertips.
A strong profile shot of you looking like yourself, doing something you love, in a scenic but uncluttered background, will help people engage with you.
Over time you may realize that brands you admire use the same platform you do, and you should treat them the same way you would treat others. Engage with the brand and offer real feedback on what they’re doing in that space. Share your personality and you may find them discovering you back. The same goes with potential clients if you are trying to break into a certain photography industry. Just be yourself, share great work, network, engage, and persist.
If you ever get to the stage where you have a large online following on any platform, then the time may be right to monetize. There are various ways of doing so. This can be really dependent on the type of photographer you are, and the kind of work you are doing. You may be a wedding photographer you has stylists offering you money to promote them on your channels. You might love travel photography (like me) and find a way to promote destinations to your online followers. Maybe you’re into lifestyle photography and brands pay you to include their product in shots in exchange for a fee. With an audience you will find that the photography industry will open up to you as more and more businesses are hiring based on both photography style and online reach.
It’s not a complicated image, perhaps any decent photographer could have taken it, but combine this image with a 400,000 strong audience and I get a foot in the door thanks to my online reach. (Follow Lauren on Instagram here)
If not the above, then having an online following will expose you daily to an audience that may one day need a photographer. Online sharing gives you a chance to be seen by everyone from businesses, to journalists, to tourism boards, and of course potential clients and friends. By finding the platform that you love and sharing great work; by putting your best foot forward and networking and by keeping an eye out for opportunity, you can definitely go places no matter the level of your photography.
We all start somewhere. Online sharing has enabled me to take my photography to places I never would have believed possible and having an audience makes me proud and accountable for every image I share.
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The post Guide to Growing a Large Online Audience for Photographers by Lauren Bath appeared first on Digital Photography School.
Do you scout for potential photography locations online through sites like Flickr, Panoramio or 500px?
Of course you do! It’s easy, you get hundreds of photographs to look at of any given location, and you might even get some great ideas that you hadn’t thought about for subject matter or composition. So why am I asking you this question?
Well here’s another question for you…
I’m going to venture a guess that it probably hasn’t even crossed your mind before today. What downsides could there possibility be with these rich resources, filled with information about where, and how a photograph was taken? Read on to find out.
When it comes to sites like Flickr or Panoramio, or even apps like Stuck on Earth (which pulls its photographs from these sites) you’re able to see many years worth of photographs taken by dozens, if not hundreds, or even thousands of photographers. At first glance this might seem like a great resource, and to some extent it is, but there’s also a downside – namely you might get lost trying to mimic and forget to create.
Because you’re able to see so many photographs of a given location you may become so focused on a specific angle or idea from these photographs, that you forget to look for your own unique way to express the scene in question – and as a result your image may lose some originality.
A photograph on a website will give you some great ideas and insight into a location, but at the same time, it doesn’t tell you a lot of important things too. For example, you’ll have no idea how many attempts it took the photographer to find the right lighting conditions. You won’t know much about how difficult the location is to reach, or if that particular image required camping out to achieve the desired result.
Not only are you naturally going to be drawn to the best photography on these sites, but they tend to push the best photography higher in searches and ranking, making it even more likely that’s what you’re going to see. Again, on the surface this might sound like a great thing because you’re able to see all the great possibilities that a given location has to offer – but there may be a downside here as well.
Think about this… how likely is it that these great photographs you’re seeing are from people who have visited a location just once? Most great photographs are planned, iterated upon, and purposefully shot. When you find a photograph on a site like this you’re looking at the best of the best, and as a result you’re seeing the best possible lighting conditions a scene might offer, which might not occur while your there.
In an article I’ve previously written for DPS titled Start feeling GOOD about YOUR photography I noted that it’s important that you don’t compare your work to someone else’s. This is particularly true for those who have more experience behind a camera than you, as it will only lead to disappointment.
I think that this advice can be extended to scouting for locations and inspiration as well. Setting the bar too high will only lead to stress and anxiety if you’re unable to produce results that live up to your expectations. This experience could leave you disappointed about your trip to a fantastic location – which had you gone in blind, may not have happened.
I don’t want you to completely write off these resources, after all they do provide you with great inspiration and ideas. This isn’t an article designed to get you to stop using these sites, or even this technique for finding locations, but rather, to use it smarter. I hope this has given you something to think about. Please feel free to share your own thoughts in the comments section below.
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The post 3 Downsides to Scouting New Photography Locations Online by John Davenport appeared first on Digital Photography School.
It is the digital age and therefore vitally important to have a presence on the internet. Photographers, both professional and novice, are using the internet more than ever to showcase their skill. This is imperative from a business and marketing standpoint, but with every great tool comes those who exploit it. Photographers are stuck between marketing themselves in the most Continue Reading
The post Things to Know About Protecting Your Images Online appeared first on Photodoto.
A new platform called Defrozo has launched on Kickstarter. Currently in beta, it offers photographers online services needed to market and run a photography business, including an online store through which customers can purchase prints and a website to showcase one’s own work. When it fully launches in October, Defrozo will offer free and paid subscription options. Read more
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Over the past few years here at dPS, we have run some of our most popular competitions with a very valued partner – the New York Institute of Photography – to give away to dPS readers handpicked photography courses.
Due to popular demand, NYIP and dPS bring you yet another opportunity to win one of these valuable courses!
Each will be won by a different dPS reader. Here’s what you could win:
These are NYIP’s newest courses. They will teach you everything you need to know to take your skills to the next level in each category. These courses are all online. As a student you get access to videos and lesson materials prepared by experts in each field. You can access the course materials on any device, from anywhere in the world, and learn at your own pace.
To win this competition you’ll need to:
The deadline to enter is March 13th, Midnight PDT (GMT-7). Comments left after the deadline will not be considered.
By best – we’re looking to see if you have an understanding of what the course offers and how it suits your needs, so you’ll need to check out the course pages to put yourself in the best position to win.
There’s no need to write essay length comments to win, but we’re looking to hear what you like about the course and how it would help your development as a photographer.
This competition is open to everyone around the world, no matter where you live, but there is only one entry per person.
To enter, simply leave your comment below.
Don’t forget to share this post with your friends and like NYIP on Facebook for special offers and announcements on all NYIP Courses
Learn more about NYIP’s online photography courses.
Disclaimer: NYIP is a paid partner of dPS.
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The post Win One of FOUR Online Photography Courses from New York Institute of Photography by Darlene Hildebrandt appeared first on Digital Photography School.
C&A Marketing, the company that bought photo retailer Calumet’s US operation when it closed its stores in May, has announced that Calumet Rentals is now available online. Cameras, lenses, accessories video and lighting equipment are available to rent through calumetrentals.com. Read more
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Creative Live is currently hosting Photo Week – six days of free photography classes. The event is ongoing through September 20th, and the interactive classes will be taught by professionals from various parts of the industry on a range of topics such as light painting, wedding and GoPro photography. Read more
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Dreaming about a career as a professional photographer? With the right guidance, practice, skills, network, and portfolio, you can make your dream come true.
Developing the necessary skills required to be a professional photographer cannot easily be summed up in a single blog post, let alone many. And networking… well, if you are like most artists, that can be nightmarish, but nevertheless, is absolutely critical. As your referral network grows, so will your business. But that can take years.
Step 1 – create your portfolio. This is a great starting point to help launch your career as a photographer.
Here are eight tips to get you on the right path to creating an online photography portfolio and securing those potential gigs.
In other professions, people use their resumes to apply for potential jobs. However, as a photographer, your portfolio will act as the resume and will showcase the breadth of your work. It will give potential clients a deeper look into your particular forte and expertise.
Your breadth of work should be arranged according to theme or subject. If your work is presented in an organized and easy to navigate way, chances are, potential clients will appreciate the curation and level of professionalism that went into putting your portfolio site together. It also makes their lives a lot easier when looking through your work.
Remember, this is your portfolio site, not your external hard drive. So, you want to make sure that only the best of the best goes up. No one needs to see every single thing you ever shot. Clients need to know what you are good at, so make sure to show only those images that truly count. You may also want to put your best work at the forefront of your site. Most clients are busy and don’t have the time to scan through every photo in all of your galleries, so make sure the work that you are most proud of is at the beginning of your photo galleries.
Often times photographers create beautiful sites and then wait around hoping that clients will see them. However, they forget that they need SEO (search engine optimization). How will anyone hire you, if they can’t find you in a search? Use a portfolio service that enables you to take control of your SEO, and includes search engine friendly URLs, crawl-able content, and unique meta tags. These features will drive traffic to specific places on your site and build links to more than just your homepage.
You may have good intentions to build your own custom portfolio site, wanting it to be a representation of your own unique brand. However, make your life easier and focus on your work, and leave the coding and technicalities to the professionals. Portfolio builder sites will take the guesswork out of the process and will allow you to quickly put together a working, professional site in a short amount of time, so that you can focus on creating and refining your photography.
Nowadays, there are so many portfolio sites to choose from that it can be overwhelming. Some highlight cheap services, various levels of efficiency, and different features. For an aspiring photographer, you want a site that is easy to use, and has a large selection of customizable and flexible templates, so that the site you create truly reflects your personal branding and style. You may also want to use a site that includes unlimited photo proofing. As a professional photographer, you may find yourself uploading thousands of visuals, and you don’t want to be stuck paying for each upload. Stick to a platform that allows you to do this without charging exorbitant fees.
Look for a platform that makes it easy for potential clients to use. The platform you decide to go with, should make it easy for clients to navigate your portfolio using a desktop computer, tablet, or smartphone. Using a portfolio website service, with responsive design, will allow your clients to see your site perfectly formatted to their device. Also, if you plan a career as a commercial photographer, like focusing on weddings, kids, etc, you may want to give your clients the option to purchase certain images directly from your site. Look for a site that has a built-in e-commerce function that clients can use to easily choose and purchase the images they love.
Lastly, you want a site that helps you to connect all your social media pages with your portfolio site. This way, visitors can share your photos on social media platforms with just a click, allowing you to gain more visibility for your brand. You also want to look for a platform that helps you manage your client email list, so that you are ready and organized for sending mass emails.
It may at first seem overwhelming all the things you need to do to get your portfolio together. However, if you really sit down and get your plan together and choose the right portfolio website builder, you can create a beautiful, professional site in days. Now get out there and start putting your site together!
More tips on making a portfolio here:
The post 8 Tips for Creating an Online Photography Portfolio by Julian Dormon appeared first on Digital Photography School.
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