NoBs Digital Dogbowl
The NoBs Digital Dogbowl Newsletter:
Keeping you up to date and informed on the latest, coolest, and outrageous happenings inside the world of NoBS Photo Success.
Loaded with Free photography tips, Photoshop tutorials, photo reviews,
and other totally relevant essentials. Be sure to check out the whole thing!
Hungry for more? Visit our digital photography forum.
April 2010 Digital Dogbowl
2010 Spring Inferno A Success
Inferno was a blast! Thanks to all the speakers, Kris G. for recording (videos of the Inferno will be posted in the forum soon enough) all the attendees for attending, Rick B. for organizing, Alison for being, well, Alison- she ran the print show and the shoot out....both amazing successes!!
Thanks to Will Crockett, one of the most dynamic speakers I've heard. Thanks to Mike Long, the member with the cool accent and great, innovative photoshop and photography skills. Thanks to Scott Crosby who super whoa'd everyone with amazing senior marketing. Thanks to Nick Coury, Editor of ShootSmarter.com and education dude over at his brand new job at Durys in Nashville.
Special kudos to Dianne and Danny Rabalais who put on their first ever workshop and spoke at the Inferno. They were huge hits! Thanks to Shannon Walton, who, in spite of being nervous beyond description, gave us a mind blowing one hour presentation on how she does newborns. We took tons of notes! A great big thank you to Tana Lemais, who flew straight from getting off a cruise and didn't even go home first. She gave a dynamic presentation on design ideas and framing.... awesome stuff all around. Everyone kept telling me what a great time they had and how much they learned. It was so cool to meet so many eager and excited photographers, all together to learn and be inspired and have a few laughs. Thanks tons!
Rob
Here's what some of the attendees had to say:
"Inferno has to be one of the 7 wonders of the world! There is an endless stream of knowledge and tones of photographers willing to teach you more! It's like family, I cannot express my gratituted enough to James Hodgins and Rob Provencher for creating this wonderful forum and hosting these rockin' get togethers! I have... learned sooo much in the year that I have been on! Thank you! NoBSer for Life! Inferno Junkie!"
Crystal Provencher
"it was amazing, this was my 1st inferno and i can't wait till the next one. if you have the opportunity to go its totally worth the $ spent. I have to say i enjoyed listening to the members the most. they where all fantastic!!! i toke so much home its hard to know where to even start. thanks so very much!!!!"
Julie Vriesema
"I had a blast I just wish I could have stayed longer..."
Scott Crosby
Member/Photo of the Month: Jason Abbott
This month's winner was Jason Abbott. Here in his own words is what Jason has been up to. You might say he's been a busy fella:
"Wow there has been lots happening. Well at the Inferno in Nashville I won 1st place in HS seniors, and 2nd in individuals for our print competition and had a great time even while being quite ill. I was able to have Mike long come and second shoot a wedding with Tommy and I in December and had a blast."
Photo of the Month
Eleven Keys To Success
While trolling the internet to find some nuggets of inspiration, we ran across this article on MSN, "The 11 Keys To Success". While it was entirely unrelated to photography specifically, the points expressed apply across the spectrum to anyone who has to work to earn a living. That includes photographers. One would be hard pressed to say that these key elements wouldn't come in handy with establishing and maintaining a connection or bond with your clients, who happen to be your boss.
Free Consultation: Marketing & Photography
Sound too good to be true? Well, it's real. NoBS co-founder Rob Provencher recently started a thread asking members to contact him with their biggest problem/frustration and he will respond in kind with a video:
"okay, here's the deal. Send me your worst, biggest, baddest frustration. Is it:
*family posing?
*working with babies?
*booking more weddings?
*struggling with addictions?
*marketing your photography studio....
on and on.....
And I will reply, via VIDEO, on the forum, with my best answer.
Yes, video. With audio. No fluff, just the facts the way I see it. SO, you need to be tough and ready. I'll help you...but only if you're honestly looking."
To get in on this click here.
Where Is Photography Headed?
We know it is an immutable fact of life that all things must change and that with change comes evolution and growth. Likewise in photography, as technology changes, so too does the nature of our craft. We've gone from the camera obscura to the digital camera in a matter of nearly 200 years. From plates and daguerrotypes to flash cards. Ah, digital photography, that amazing technology which some might say dumbed down (or simplified) an art which previously was not so accessible to the masses. The effect it has had on our industry is immeasurable, but it has served to filter out the weak and bring forth to the top the cream of the crop.
This leads us to a very hot topic which was started on the forum, the question of where professional photography is headed. Now that so many people have dipped their toes into the overcrowded pool of professional photography, work is harder to come by. Trying to find that magic pill which will once again weed out the weak and allow the cream to float to the surface is the new challenge at the moment.
Want to find out how NoBS members are dealing with this latest challenge? Read on in this riveting thread.
The Making of a Competition Print by James Hodgins
Part of my presentation in Chicago was on the Elements Of A Competition Print where I discussed different aspects of planning, capturing and creating a Competition Print. It went over very well with many many emails asking me to provide MORE information. I thought every once in awhile I would post some of my images and describe what I was looking for when creating it. As most of you know I do enter a lot of competitions as this is not only a personal goal but it is also for my photographic growth. The more I look at my images a competition worthy the better product I can give to our clients so I strive to make every one of my images a “competition image”.
“Sarah By The Sea” was just awarded “Merit” at this past Professional Photographers Of Canada Image Competition. I captured this last April in Jamaica off resort on location. The sun was high in the sky and strong with a reading of F22. I knew I needed to get some additional lighting as the sun was behind Sarah throwing her in shadow. Using 2 off camera flash’s and setting my output one stop stronger than the sun would give me the dramatic lighting I desired. Of course, I had to expose for the flashes and not the sun.
To see the video and the before and after images, go to the NoBS blog.
Don't miss the next exciting NoBS webinar. On May 27, Rob and James will be bringing us a webinar with Animoto where you'll learn how to make kick-ass slideshows. Here's the link to sign up.
Need some solid advice on improving your sales skills? This is the interview for you. Listen to part 1 and 2 of Rob's interview with sales guru, Reg Mess. Here's the link
With seniors graduating, come senior grad cards. If you happened to purchase some from Andy Armstrong's design house, here's a video tutorial from the man himself showing you just how easy it is to make them.
It started a few years ago, but it's been awfully quiet in there until recently. The thread "Recommended Reading: Marketing" is still alive! If you've read a compelling marketing book from which others might benefit, post it here. Here's the latest recommendation from NoBS member, Covert Opz:
"I'm in the process of reading Guerilla Marketing by Levinson. It is a fantastic book. My uncle, Jack Covert runs 1-800-CEO-READ, a business book company. He also co-wrote a book called The 100 Best Business Books of All Time. He sent me Guerilla Marketing as a gift because I was just starting out. One book that he recommends in his book that is surprisingly highly inspirational is Oh, The Places You'll Go by Dr. Suess."
Here's another great thread that lost steam but just got revived, 101 Ways To Make Some Fast Cash. It's well short of 101, but with a little persistence and participation, it might just make it.
Inferno Video Coming
Kris G was at the Inferno in Chicago and recorded video of many of the NoBS members that were there. Watch for this video compilation of what people had to say about the Inferno and NoBS. It's coming soon!
Here's a short but sweet wedding video brought to you by Rob Provencher. To view it, go to this NoBS link.
NoBS member and senior photography guru, Scott Crosby, announced he will be having a moving sale this coming weekend. Details and a special discount code will be forthcoming. To follow this thread click here.
Hats off to Craig's Actions founder and longtime NoBS member, Craig Minielly who was recently the recipient of a glowing review in PPA. To read the article reviewing his products, click this.
Not sure how to use Facebook effectively? Then you can't afford to miss this webinar with NoBS member Bill Foster. The date is Tuesday, June8, 2010 at 9pm EDT. To sign up click here.