A post about how many photos I give to my clients.
http://www.danpomykalski.com/blog/2014/12/post-28-faq-how-many-photos-do-i-give-to-clients
Monday, December 22, 2014
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Post 94: Why you should avoid stock photography
A post on why you should avoid stock photography.
http://www.danpomykalski.com/blog/2014/12/post-27-why-i-hate-stock-photography
http://www.danpomykalski.com/blog/2014/12/post-27-why-i-hate-stock-photography
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Post 93: Stop giving my camera all of the credit
A post on why my camera doesn't deserve the credit for my photos.
http://www.danpomykalski.com/blog/2014/12/post-26-stop-giving-my-camera-all-the-credit
http://www.danpomykalski.com/blog/2014/12/post-26-stop-giving-my-camera-all-the-credit
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Post 91:FAQ: Do I shoot (insert type of photography/various event here)?
A post answering the question "do you shoot (insert type of photography/various event here)?"
http://www.danpomykalski.com/blog/2014/11/post-23-faq-do-i-shoot-insert-type-of-photography/various-event-here
http://www.danpomykalski.com/blog/2014/11/post-23-faq-do-i-shoot-insert-type-of-photography/various-event-here
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Post 90: That link to the pros and cons of being a photographer works now...
I don't know how to use a computer. Here is the link again... http://www.danpomykalski.com/blog/2014/11/post-22-pros-and-cons-of-being-a-photographer
Post 89: The pros and cons of being a photographer
A quick pros and cons list of being a photographer.
http://www.danpomykalski.com/blog/2014/11/post-22-pros-and-cons-of-being-a-photographer
http://www.danpomykalski.com/blog/2014/11/post-22-pros-and-cons-of-being-a-photographer
Monday, November 10, 2014
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Post 86: The difference between a professional and an expert
The difference between a professional and an expert: http://www.danpomykalski.com/blog/2014/10/post-19-the-difference-between-a-professional-and-an-expert
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Post 83: I'm giving away a free session
I'm giving away a free session. Please visit my Facebook page for more details: https://www.facebook.com/PomykalskiPhoto
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Post 80: Nikon D750 announcement
Nikon announced their D620, I mean D750, last Thursday. Here's what I think:
http://www.danpomykalski.com/blog/2014/9/post-9-nikon-d750-announcement
http://www.danpomykalski.com/blog/2014/9/post-9-nikon-d750-announcement
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Post 79: How I use my iPad for work as a photographer
Read it here:
http://www.danpomykalski.com/blog/2014/9/post-8-how-i-use-my-ipad-for-work-as-a-photographer
http://www.danpomykalski.com/blog/2014/9/post-8-how-i-use-my-ipad-for-work-as-a-photographer
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Post 78
See this post at my new blog: http://www.danpomykalski.com/blog/2014/8/
post-5
Camera companies are churning out new lenses all the time, and with those new lenses come reviews. Although usually highly subjective, I love those reviews because new gear is one of the most exciting parts about photography, honestly; at least I think so. There seems to be a recurring theme in these reviews, however.
This recurring theme is the common complaint about how cheap these new lenses often feel. This "cheap" feeling is usually because lenses are often made out of plastic now. It makes me think back to the day when lenses were made of metal, and felt like the highest quality and bulletproof. I often think of my Nikon 105mm f/2.5 Ais and how much better it feels than my new lenses. It makes me wonder why a camera company would ever stop making lenses like this.
And then I realize it's because so many people were complaining about the weight of these metal lenses...
Obviously, a cylinder of metal and glass is going to be hefty; neither one of those components are light. So it makes sense that a company would change what the lenses were made out of, since that's really the only option. Undoubtedly, lenses are now much lighter than they used to be, with the trade off being a cheaper feeling product. Personally, I don't mind the weight of lenses. People often mention the weight of heavier lenses like it's a drawback, but there hasn't ever been a time really where I've wished a lens was lighter. To me, heavier lenses feel more professional and durable, and I'd definitely take a lens made of metal instead of plastic any day.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Post 77: What do I do all day?
Check this post out on my new blog: http://www.danpomykalski.com/blog/2014/8/post-4-what-do-i-do-all-day
Out of all the questions I'm ever asked, one of the questions I'm asked most by my friends and family is "what do I do all day?" Before I decided to pursue photography as a full-time job, I was under the impression that professional photographers had the privilege of doing whatever they wanted all day every day, except for when they were shooting. I can't help but assume this is what people think I do when they ask me what I do all day. I imagine they picture me, sitting in our apartment, playing video games and eating junk food all day while Devan is at work. I wish this were true, but over the years, it has become apparent that this scenario rarely happens.
I've done a post like this before, but it was a while ago and my daily routine has changed since then. I have a fairly strict schedule that changes every couples of months that I follow religiously. This is what my schedule looks like at the moment when I'm not shooting.
I try to wake up sometime between 8 and 9 every morning. I hate sleeping in because I feel like I miss out on a large portion of the day, so I try to wake up sometime before the late morning. Waking up at 9 usually isn't too much of a problem, but if I happen to wake up earlier, all the better. I also feel somewhat more like a responsible adult if I wake up at a reasonable time every day, instead of sleeping in until noon or later like I used to in college.
For the next half hour, I play a game of NHL 14 (which will soon be NHL 15). My philosophy is that if I get playing video games out of my system right away and only play one game of NHL, I won't be as tempted to not do any work throughout the day and I'll be able to focus better. So far, this has worked out. I also like to have some personal time every morning, and that half hour allows me to wake up a bit.
After my game of NHL, I'll clean the coffee maker, and get a pot brewing. I used to work at a coffee shop when I was in high school, but since then, I didn't drink much coffee until my last semester in college. Now I'm one of "those people" and can't get work done without it. As the coffee is brewing, I take a shower so the coffee will be ready when I get out.
Once I'm out of the shower and have poured a cup of coffee, I turn the computer on, and begin my actual work day. This is usually sometime between 9:30 and 10:30 am on a good day. Sometimes I don't start work until noon, but that's pretty rare. The first thing I do is I look at my website and record the number of unique visitors that my website has. I just started doing this in July, and it really isn't that important to me yet. I used to check my website views whenever I thought of it, but then I could never remember what it was at the last time. It's pretty cool when I look at the views and see that I've had 10 new unique visitors in one day. On the other hand, it's not exactly a morale booster when I don't receive any new visitors over two or three days. Recording the views on my site usually takes me less than 10 minutes each day.
After I record the views on my website, I begin talking to people. From the time I first began taking photos until around January 2014, I was under the impression that I didn't have to reach out to anyone. I used to think that I would be able to create photos, people would see those photos, and then approach me and hire me. I also thought that someone would "discover" me, and pay me a large amount of money to do work for them. In general, I thought that I would be able to just sit around and do whatever I wanted, and people would come to me without me doing much of anything. It wasn't until around January that I realized I could be doing much, much more.
I'm not going to get very specific with this part of my routine, because I don't want to give away too much, given how much competition there is. But I will say that this portion of my routine is the bulk of it, and can take anywhere from half an hour to two hours. I imagine myself as those business people you see in movies or TV shows that are constantly emailing and calling people, although I probably don't look that cool and am not really that important. This is probably the most important thing I do for work during the day.
Once I'm done talking to potential clients, I usually check Craigslist. This is probably the most useless part of the day, because anyone looking for a photographer on Craigslist is usually looking for someone to do it for free or for way less that what I charge. I have gotten a couple of decent paying jobs from Craigslist, though, so I check it anyway. This usually takes anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour.
The next thing I do is jump on social media and try to build my social media presence. Social media is the only advertising I do really. The only other advertising I get is through word-of-mouth, which I don't have a whole lot of control over. I upload a photo of the day to both Facebook and Twitter, and also respond to any comments or mentions, and other fun social media stuff.
After this, I take my lunch break, which is usually a game of NHL 14.
Next, I get back on the computer. This time is basically dedicated to replying to any emails that I've received since the morning, to motivating myself, or to learning how to run a better business. This can take anywhere from half an hour to two hours.
And there you have it. This is what I do every day unless I'm taking photos. If I'm taking actual photos, I still try to do at least a little bit of my work routine. I've been taking photos professionally since 2012, but this is basically my first full year in business. School took up a lot of my time until I graduated in December 2013, so I'm still trying to figure things out. I think this routine is working pretty well for me, but I'm sure there will be changes sooner or later.
I hope this post helps people understand that although I'm my own boss and can take days off whenever and however often I want, I still have to put in work if I want to be successful. When I first started, I realized that most people have to apply for a job a handful of times, while I have to basically apply for a new job every day. It isn't as easy as people often think, and there's times I feel like my work is terrible and I'll never make it, but I can't imagine myself doing anything else.
www.danpomykalski.com
Friday, August 1, 2014
Post 76: If you're trying to sell something, do yourself a favor and hire a photographer
Devan and I have started looking at houses to get a general idea of what we can afford. More than a few times, a posting has almost been painful to look at. If you're trying to sell a house, or anything for that matter, do yourself a favor and hire a photographer.
When I see a really bad photo, I can generally tell what went wrong and what needs to be changed. Sometimes though, I don't always analyze a photo, and I find myself thinking, "wow, this house looks terrible." The chances of me sticking around and looking at that listing is pretty much 0%. Sometimes I'll look at the photos for a little longer and try to figure out what went wrong; it's usually on camera flash or too slow of a shutter speed. I don't know for sure what someone who doesn't know much about photography will think, but I can't help but assume they'll think the house looks awful, and go on to the next one.
The house might sell eventually, but do yourself a favor and hire someone to take the photos if you can't do it yourself. This doesn't only apply to houses, either. If you're trying to sell anything, it'll be much easier to sell if you can provide a decent photo.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Post 75: New Blog
I don't think anyone really checks this blog regularly, but just in case someone does, I thought I'd let you know I'll be switching over to the blog that goes through my website. The new blog can be found here: http://www.danpomykalski.com/blog
I'll be posting to both blogs for the time being, but this blog will more than likely be phased out.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Post 74: Noble Choice Chiropractic
Last week, I went back to Noble Choice Chiropractic to take some photos of their clinic so they could update their website. The week before that, I had gone in to take some headshots of Dr. Jon and Steph Pinnow. The headshots weren't that big of a deal because I do those all the time and feel pretty comfortable doing them. To be honest, though, I was pretty nervous about the website photos.
I've never really taken photos that weren't headshots that were intended for a website before. Clients have used photos of mine on their websites before, but I've never done any work strictly intended for that purpose. When I was first starting out and I was getting some of my first jobs, I remember I would have trouble sleeping the night before, usually wake up pretty early, and then sit around and wait anxiously for the time to come to take the photos. I still get excited before every job, but not nervous like that.
I showed up to the clinic about 15 minutes early to set up and everything went about as well as it could from my end. The photos ended up turning out better than I had thought they would, and I'm pretty satisfied with the results. I was having a slight issue with the lighting, but I moved my umbrella around once or twice and got it into a pretty good position for most of the shots. Some of the areas were a bit tricky, but I was able to work with it.
It's a pretty big confidence-booster when you go in to take photos you haven't really done before and they turn out pretty well. I'm a firm believer that if you can take photos of one thing well, then you can take photos in similar situations pretty well if not just as good, though. I used to be the photo editor of the Royal Purple when I attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and I had taken quite a few photos that were similar to the ones I took at Noble Choice Chiropractic, which I felt helped tremendously in this situation. A lot of people probably wouldn't have hired me because I didn't have enough "experience," so I'm pretty stoked that Dr. Jon and Steph Pinnow gave me the opportunity.
You can see all of the photos from the shoot here: http://www.danpomykalski.com/noblechoicechiropractic2
I've never really taken photos that weren't headshots that were intended for a website before. Clients have used photos of mine on their websites before, but I've never done any work strictly intended for that purpose. When I was first starting out and I was getting some of my first jobs, I remember I would have trouble sleeping the night before, usually wake up pretty early, and then sit around and wait anxiously for the time to come to take the photos. I still get excited before every job, but not nervous like that.
I showed up to the clinic about 15 minutes early to set up and everything went about as well as it could from my end. The photos ended up turning out better than I had thought they would, and I'm pretty satisfied with the results. I was having a slight issue with the lighting, but I moved my umbrella around once or twice and got it into a pretty good position for most of the shots. Some of the areas were a bit tricky, but I was able to work with it.
It's a pretty big confidence-booster when you go in to take photos you haven't really done before and they turn out pretty well. I'm a firm believer that if you can take photos of one thing well, then you can take photos in similar situations pretty well if not just as good, though. I used to be the photo editor of the Royal Purple when I attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and I had taken quite a few photos that were similar to the ones I took at Noble Choice Chiropractic, which I felt helped tremendously in this situation. A lot of people probably wouldn't have hired me because I didn't have enough "experience," so I'm pretty stoked that Dr. Jon and Steph Pinnow gave me the opportunity.
You can see all of the photos from the shoot here: http://www.danpomykalski.com/noblechoicechiropractic2
Monday, July 21, 2014
Post 73: Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks
Due to the length of this post, I'll sum it up quickly at the beginning for those of you who don't want to or have the time to read; go, go, go.
At the end of June, my wife and I drove from Madison, WI., to Wyoming to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Both of us love road trips, and the chance of seeing wildlife that isn't near Wisconsin was an added bonus. I bought a few things specifically for this trip. Those things were a Nikon 300mm f/4 (the older version) for wildlife, a Rode video mic for better quality audio for any videos I might take, and the Lowepro Flipside 15L because of the better support and design compared to my old photo backpack.
The first day was mostly driving, and we didn't see anything too exciting. We drove through the southern part of Minnesota and then through part of South Dakota until we got to Rapid City, which is where we stayed.
On day two, we stayed in South Dakota and went to Badlands National Park. I had been there once before, but had only seen a fraction of what Devan and I saw this time. We also saw two mountain goats. While Devan and I were photographing the mountain goats, two deer came out of no where and started running around, which was kind of weird to see. For the rest of the day, Devan and I drove and hiked around the park until about 4 pm. On our way out, we stopped and watched some prairie dogs.
We then went and saw Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. I've also been to Mount Rushmore before, but didn't remember the drive being nearly that epic. I love driving through the mountains, and didn't really expect to see any until the second day of driving.
The next day, we drove from Rapid City to Moran, WY. On the way, we stopped at Devils Tower National Monument as well as every pull-off to take photos that we saw. We hiked around Devils Tower, which took an hour or two, and then continued on our way to Grand Teton National Park.
While driving through Bighorn National Forest, we were fortunate enough to spot a moose. We had driven past a car that was parked along the side of the road, and Devan quickly discovered it was because of the moose. Luckily, there was a place to pull off pretty close to where the moose was, so we stopped and photographed it for a few minutes. We also saw quite a few deer along the way.
After driving through a surprising deserty-type section, we arrived at our cabin in Colter Bay Village in Grand Teton National Park around 11 pm local time. The cabin was very "rustic" and had no TV or internet, which we didn't mind. The cabin did have a shower and a toilet, which is more than we have when backpacking, so we were happy. I somehow managed to suppress my excitement long enough to fall asleep.
The next day, we woke up bright and early. Our plan was to go to Yellowstone for two days and Grand Teton for three. The first day in Yellowstone, we saw Old Faithful, which was pretty cool. After Old Faithful, we drove through the park and saw our first bison. I pulled off on the side of the road and took photos like this might be the only one I'd see.
We continued to drive through Yellowstone, and saw many more bison, a black bear, a fox, mountains, and snow. We also drove to a couple of waterfalls. The best waterfall we saw was definitely at the "Grand Canyon" in Yellowstone. (http://www.danpomykalski.com/honeymoon/h150a8ee8#h150a8ee8)
The highlight of that day was definitely while we were leaving the park. On our way out, we were driving past some geysers and saw a heard of bison walking through them. The photo I captured was probably my favorite of the entire trip. (http://www.danpomykalski.com/honeymoon/hb8f5861#hb8f5861)
On our way back, we got stuck in a bit of a snow storm. I've never been so afraid in my life while driving. Last year, Devan and I went to Moab, UT with some friends and drove through winter storm Virgil. Driving through this was much worse. We were in the mountains, alone on the road, with the possibility of animals emerging at anytime, in almost absolute darkness. This was the last time we drove home from Yellowstone at night.
The next day, we went back to Yellowstone to walk around and see some of the geysers. This day was by far the coldest, and it snowed off and on for most of the day. The cold weather didn't stop us though, and we saw the majority of the geysers around Old Faithful.
The next three days were spent in Grand Teton National Park. These days all kind of blend together, but I'll do my best to mention everything.
On the first day that we spent at Grand Teton National Park, Devan and I woke up around 5 am to see the sunrise. The sun hit the mountains as it rose, which made being tired well worth it. After the sunrise, we hiked to a waterfall near Jenny Lake. We didn't see much wildlife on the hike except for a pair or marmots, but the waterfall was worth the very hilly two mile hike. We took a boat back to the parking lot and had a lunch consisting of snacks and a hot dog bought from the gift shop/convenience store. (http://www.danpomykalski.com/honeymoon/h8c379ef#h8c379ef)
The next day, Devan and I went on a wagon ride. The wagon was pulled by horses, and left from our cabin and went to a secluded spot, where we had steak, potatoes, corn, and s'mores. The dinner was pretty good, but seeing a grizzly and her two cubs on the way was definitely the highlight.
On our way to the spot where we were eating, a ranger pulled up behind us, which everyone though was a little weird. Then another ranger pulled up in front of us, which is when people started wondering what was going on. I jokingly suggested to Devan that they might be tracking an animal. Next thing I knew, we were stopped because of a grizzly and her two cubs that were searching for grubs about 25 yards from us. We were probably only stopped for about 15 minutes, but it felt like hours. We all sat quietly as the bears got closer and closer. Eventually, the driver (I don't know if that's the right term or not...) of the wagon told us that the horses "might jerk" and run off into the woods. She told us that it probably wasn't likely, but to hold on and not to panic if it happened. Eventually, the excitement of seeing a grizzly so close wore off, and I slowly began to realize that the bear didn't seem very scared of us, and that it probably wasn't going to turn around any time soon. The driver asked the rangers how much longer we should wait, and the ranger said it was probably okay to start going now. The second the wagon moved, the grizzly immediately stopped and stood on its hind legs. Time almost slowed to a stop as I prepared myself to run into the ranger's vehicle if it came to that. Luckily, the grizzlies ran away from us instead of towards us.
After riding in the wagon for 30 more minutes, we arrived to the spot where dinner was served. While eating, two foxes were walking around the area. We were told that the foxes liked to show off what they catch and also liked to try to get food from people, so they would get pretty close. Unfortunately, we were also told that one of the foxes was beginning to get aggressive and had been nipping at people. As far as I know, when wild animals begin to do this they're either relocated or killed. (http://www.danpomykalski.com/honeymoon/h3b5f3d76#h3b5f3d76)
Other than the hike and wagon ride, we spent our days driving around the park looking for animals all day. Some of the animals we saw in Grand Teton National Park was a moose, one grizzly twice, the grizzly and her cubs, elk (which we didn't realize were elk until we left), deer, a coyote, pronghorns, bison, pelicans, a bald eagle, an otter, huge ravens, cormorants, ducks, and two marmots. I was expecting to see bison, but all of the other animals besides the ducks, pelicans, and ravens were a surprise. The only animal we didn't see that I wish we would have was a wolf.
I bought a Nikon 300mm f/4 specifically for this trip, and I'm really glad I did. A lot of the photos I took wouldn't have been possible without it. Next time, I'll probably buy a teleconverter as well. There were a few times where a little extra reach would have been helpful.
Every day except for one, we went to the restaurant that was right next to our cabin for breakfast. We also went to the same restaurant for dinner a few times, as well as a pizza place that was in a marina, which we went to multiple times a day sometimes.
I'm going through a bit of a wildlife photography phase, which made this trip even more amazing. I also love the mountains, and would drive the 4,000 mile round trip just to stare at those for a few hours. The only downside is now I'm not as enthusiastic about going out and trying to find animals to shoot around here because I know I probably won't run into a moose, bison, or grizzlies. I don't know when we'll be going back, but I'm going to try to make it a semi-regular thing. If you haven't been out there yet, do yourself a favor and go.
www.danpomykalski.com
See all of the photos from the trip here: http://www.danpomykalski.com/honeymoon
At the end of June, my wife and I drove from Madison, WI., to Wyoming to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Both of us love road trips, and the chance of seeing wildlife that isn't near Wisconsin was an added bonus. I bought a few things specifically for this trip. Those things were a Nikon 300mm f/4 (the older version) for wildlife, a Rode video mic for better quality audio for any videos I might take, and the Lowepro Flipside 15L because of the better support and design compared to my old photo backpack.
The first day was mostly driving, and we didn't see anything too exciting. We drove through the southern part of Minnesota and then through part of South Dakota until we got to Rapid City, which is where we stayed.
On day two, we stayed in South Dakota and went to Badlands National Park. I had been there once before, but had only seen a fraction of what Devan and I saw this time. We also saw two mountain goats. While Devan and I were photographing the mountain goats, two deer came out of no where and started running around, which was kind of weird to see. For the rest of the day, Devan and I drove and hiked around the park until about 4 pm. On our way out, we stopped and watched some prairie dogs.
We then went and saw Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. I've also been to Mount Rushmore before, but didn't remember the drive being nearly that epic. I love driving through the mountains, and didn't really expect to see any until the second day of driving.
The next day, we drove from Rapid City to Moran, WY. On the way, we stopped at Devils Tower National Monument as well as every pull-off to take photos that we saw. We hiked around Devils Tower, which took an hour or two, and then continued on our way to Grand Teton National Park.
While driving through Bighorn National Forest, we were fortunate enough to spot a moose. We had driven past a car that was parked along the side of the road, and Devan quickly discovered it was because of the moose. Luckily, there was a place to pull off pretty close to where the moose was, so we stopped and photographed it for a few minutes. We also saw quite a few deer along the way.
After driving through a surprising deserty-type section, we arrived at our cabin in Colter Bay Village in Grand Teton National Park around 11 pm local time. The cabin was very "rustic" and had no TV or internet, which we didn't mind. The cabin did have a shower and a toilet, which is more than we have when backpacking, so we were happy. I somehow managed to suppress my excitement long enough to fall asleep.
The next day, we woke up bright and early. Our plan was to go to Yellowstone for two days and Grand Teton for three. The first day in Yellowstone, we saw Old Faithful, which was pretty cool. After Old Faithful, we drove through the park and saw our first bison. I pulled off on the side of the road and took photos like this might be the only one I'd see.
We continued to drive through Yellowstone, and saw many more bison, a black bear, a fox, mountains, and snow. We also drove to a couple of waterfalls. The best waterfall we saw was definitely at the "Grand Canyon" in Yellowstone. (http://www.danpomykalski.com/honeymoon/h150a8ee8#h150a8ee8)
The highlight of that day was definitely while we were leaving the park. On our way out, we were driving past some geysers and saw a heard of bison walking through them. The photo I captured was probably my favorite of the entire trip. (http://www.danpomykalski.com/honeymoon/hb8f5861#hb8f5861)
On our way back, we got stuck in a bit of a snow storm. I've never been so afraid in my life while driving. Last year, Devan and I went to Moab, UT with some friends and drove through winter storm Virgil. Driving through this was much worse. We were in the mountains, alone on the road, with the possibility of animals emerging at anytime, in almost absolute darkness. This was the last time we drove home from Yellowstone at night.
The next day, we went back to Yellowstone to walk around and see some of the geysers. This day was by far the coldest, and it snowed off and on for most of the day. The cold weather didn't stop us though, and we saw the majority of the geysers around Old Faithful.
The next three days were spent in Grand Teton National Park. These days all kind of blend together, but I'll do my best to mention everything.
On the first day that we spent at Grand Teton National Park, Devan and I woke up around 5 am to see the sunrise. The sun hit the mountains as it rose, which made being tired well worth it. After the sunrise, we hiked to a waterfall near Jenny Lake. We didn't see much wildlife on the hike except for a pair or marmots, but the waterfall was worth the very hilly two mile hike. We took a boat back to the parking lot and had a lunch consisting of snacks and a hot dog bought from the gift shop/convenience store. (http://www.danpomykalski.com/honeymoon/h8c379ef#h8c379ef)
The next day, Devan and I went on a wagon ride. The wagon was pulled by horses, and left from our cabin and went to a secluded spot, where we had steak, potatoes, corn, and s'mores. The dinner was pretty good, but seeing a grizzly and her two cubs on the way was definitely the highlight.
On our way to the spot where we were eating, a ranger pulled up behind us, which everyone though was a little weird. Then another ranger pulled up in front of us, which is when people started wondering what was going on. I jokingly suggested to Devan that they might be tracking an animal. Next thing I knew, we were stopped because of a grizzly and her two cubs that were searching for grubs about 25 yards from us. We were probably only stopped for about 15 minutes, but it felt like hours. We all sat quietly as the bears got closer and closer. Eventually, the driver (I don't know if that's the right term or not...) of the wagon told us that the horses "might jerk" and run off into the woods. She told us that it probably wasn't likely, but to hold on and not to panic if it happened. Eventually, the excitement of seeing a grizzly so close wore off, and I slowly began to realize that the bear didn't seem very scared of us, and that it probably wasn't going to turn around any time soon. The driver asked the rangers how much longer we should wait, and the ranger said it was probably okay to start going now. The second the wagon moved, the grizzly immediately stopped and stood on its hind legs. Time almost slowed to a stop as I prepared myself to run into the ranger's vehicle if it came to that. Luckily, the grizzlies ran away from us instead of towards us.
After riding in the wagon for 30 more minutes, we arrived to the spot where dinner was served. While eating, two foxes were walking around the area. We were told that the foxes liked to show off what they catch and also liked to try to get food from people, so they would get pretty close. Unfortunately, we were also told that one of the foxes was beginning to get aggressive and had been nipping at people. As far as I know, when wild animals begin to do this they're either relocated or killed. (http://www.danpomykalski.com/honeymoon/h3b5f3d76#h3b5f3d76)
Other than the hike and wagon ride, we spent our days driving around the park looking for animals all day. Some of the animals we saw in Grand Teton National Park was a moose, one grizzly twice, the grizzly and her cubs, elk (which we didn't realize were elk until we left), deer, a coyote, pronghorns, bison, pelicans, a bald eagle, an otter, huge ravens, cormorants, ducks, and two marmots. I was expecting to see bison, but all of the other animals besides the ducks, pelicans, and ravens were a surprise. The only animal we didn't see that I wish we would have was a wolf.
I bought a Nikon 300mm f/4 specifically for this trip, and I'm really glad I did. A lot of the photos I took wouldn't have been possible without it. Next time, I'll probably buy a teleconverter as well. There were a few times where a little extra reach would have been helpful.
Every day except for one, we went to the restaurant that was right next to our cabin for breakfast. We also went to the same restaurant for dinner a few times, as well as a pizza place that was in a marina, which we went to multiple times a day sometimes.
I'm going through a bit of a wildlife photography phase, which made this trip even more amazing. I also love the mountains, and would drive the 4,000 mile round trip just to stare at those for a few hours. The only downside is now I'm not as enthusiastic about going out and trying to find animals to shoot around here because I know I probably won't run into a moose, bison, or grizzlies. I don't know when we'll be going back, but I'm going to try to make it a semi-regular thing. If you haven't been out there yet, do yourself a favor and go.
www.danpomykalski.com
See all of the photos from the trip here: http://www.danpomykalski.com/honeymoon
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Post 72: Why the equipment doesn't matter
It doesn't happen often, but every now and then, a client will ask me "what equipment do you use?" This is a question that has always kind of annoyed me, and I never really understood why it matters.
I assume that the client is thinking that the more expensive the equipment, the better the photographer, but any photographer knows (or should, at least) there's nothing further from the truth. I know for a fact that there isn't going to be a noticeable difference in my technique or knowledge if I'm using an entry level DSLR or a flagship DSLR. People should be looking at the work and end product, not the tools that were used. If someone sees work they like, then that's all that should matter.
Before I was a photographer, I was a musician, and one thing that musicians and photographers both have a serious case of is G.A.S., or Gear Acquisition Syndrome. There is always something new or better to be purchased that won't make the musician's/photographer's skills better, but they tell themselves it will, buy whatever item they want, and then move on to the next thing. There's always a better lens or better camera that I think I need that will make my photos better, but not too long ago, I came to a realization. I realized that, for the most part, the client probably won't be able to tell the difference between a $500 lens and a $2,000 lens (maybe even the difference between a kit lens and a pro lens). For example, the difference between a Nikon 85mm 1.8G and a Nikon 85mm 1.4 to a client is that one lens is bigger than the other. Does this realization help my GAS? No; not even slightly, but it's something to take into consideration if you're a photographer.
If I had the money to buy all of the best glass available, I would in a second. But, like most photographers, this isn't the case, and knowing that the client probably won't be able to tell a difference helps to keep me from dropping serious amounts of money every couple of days. *
*Please note, this doesn't mean that I think you should necessarily run around with a kit lens for paid work. Lenses are the most important part of a camera system, and better glass is likely to yield better results. Also, better equipment does make life easier.
I assume that the client is thinking that the more expensive the equipment, the better the photographer, but any photographer knows (or should, at least) there's nothing further from the truth. I know for a fact that there isn't going to be a noticeable difference in my technique or knowledge if I'm using an entry level DSLR or a flagship DSLR. People should be looking at the work and end product, not the tools that were used. If someone sees work they like, then that's all that should matter.
Before I was a photographer, I was a musician, and one thing that musicians and photographers both have a serious case of is G.A.S., or Gear Acquisition Syndrome. There is always something new or better to be purchased that won't make the musician's/photographer's skills better, but they tell themselves it will, buy whatever item they want, and then move on to the next thing. There's always a better lens or better camera that I think I need that will make my photos better, but not too long ago, I came to a realization. I realized that, for the most part, the client probably won't be able to tell the difference between a $500 lens and a $2,000 lens (maybe even the difference between a kit lens and a pro lens). For example, the difference between a Nikon 85mm 1.8G and a Nikon 85mm 1.4 to a client is that one lens is bigger than the other. Does this realization help my GAS? No; not even slightly, but it's something to take into consideration if you're a photographer.
If I had the money to buy all of the best glass available, I would in a second. But, like most photographers, this isn't the case, and knowing that the client probably won't be able to tell a difference helps to keep me from dropping serious amounts of money every couple of days. *
*Please note, this doesn't mean that I think you should necessarily run around with a kit lens for paid work. Lenses are the most important part of a camera system, and better glass is likely to yield better results. Also, better equipment does make life easier.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Post 71: 3 Legged Thing: A review of sorts
I began looking for my first tripod around December in 2012. I don't remember exactly how I came across 3 Legged Thing, but that's who I decided to go with. After much deliberation, I finally decided to go with their most inexpensive model. I figured I wouldn't use a tripod much (wrong), so there wasn't really any need to spend too much on one.
I think there were two reasons 3 Legged Thing caught my eye. First, they seemed to have had really good ideas for their "tripod systems." The main feature I like that a large number of their tripods feature is a detachable leg that can be used as a monopod. I wasn't sure if I'd ever use a monopod, but if I did decide to get one, it would be at the very least another $150, so I decided I'd kill two birds with one stone (I later found out that, apparently, 3 Legged Thing isn't the only company to have this feature).
The other reason I liked 3 Legged Thing was because they seemed like a very small company run by a small number of photographers. I figured this would mean products that would work better for photographers as well as a possibility of better customer service.
My 3 Legged Thing Adrian arrived in the mail a few days after I ordered it. While it was on its way, I looked up some reviews. The majority of the reviews were on their more expensive tripod, "Brian," but I was able to find a few on Adrian. One of the reviews said that the legs kept coming loose, as well as a few other minor problems. When my tripod arrived, sure enough, it's legs wouldn't stay tight. It wasn't a huge deal, but I decided to shoot 3 Legged Thing and email. Within a day or so, 3 Legged Thing replied to my email, and sent me some washers they said would fix the problem at no cost to me. Unfortunately, the washers didn't fix the problem, but I decided just to deal with it.
I had written a review on the tripod on the website I ordered it from, and gave it a fairly low rating. A month or so after I wrote the review, the CEO of 3 Legged Thing, Danny Lenihan, sent me an email. In his email, Lenihan basically apologized for the issues I was having that he had read about in the review (that's right. He, or at least someone from the company, kept track of the reviews on their products) and informed me that they would be sending me a completely new Adrian at absolutely no cost to me. Not only that, but they let me keep my old one. I felt like I had won the lottery.
My new Adrian arrived in the mail, and it was obvious there were a few changes. The tripod overall seemed better, and the ball head had been updated as well. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was that the screw that attaches the plate to my camera had a D-ring on the first system I had, and the new one required a screwdriver (foreshadowing, I've kept my first baseplate with the D-ring throughout the entire ordeal I'm getting into).
All was well and fine with my new Adrian, until the piece that holds the baseplate on the ball head began to wiggle. At first, just a little, but it slowly got worse. I tried tightening the piece more, but it was as tight as it would go. This was a pretty significant issue for a tripod, as it was no longer stable while taking photos. Again, I shot 3 Legged Thing an email telling them about my problem, and again, they responded quickly.
3 Legged Thing told me to send them my ball head back, and then once they received it, they would send me brand new one. I wasn't sure how long that whole process would take, and I was about to go to Niagara Falls, and absolutely wanted my tripod for that trip. I told them not to worry about it, and I wasn't interested in swapping out the ball head.
A few days after I sent that email, a new ball head showed up at my door. I don't know if 3LT jumped the gun and sent me the ball head before I sent mine back, or if they had just decided to do me a solid favor. Either way, I was surprised and felt like a lottery winner once again (By the way, 3LT's ball heads are pretty awesome).
The ball head situation occurred towards the end of July 2013. We are now at Christmas. My mom had asked me to take a photo of our family, and I of course need a tripod so I could be in the photo as well. I pulled out Adrian and began to set things up. As I got to one of the three legs, the smallest leg section slid right out. I unscrewed the leg lock to investigate further, and it didn't take me long to figure out how the legs stay together, and that the section that slid out was missing those pieces. I took a flashlight and shined it down the leg, looking for the missing pieces, but they were no where to be found. To this day, I have no idea where those pieces went, or how they came off. Again, I emailed 3 Legged Thing.
In this email, I basically stated that I was having an issue again, but that I wasn't expecting yet another replacement, as they had already gone above and beyond what I had expected from a company. For the next few months, I just dealt with the leg being able to slide out. I usually only extend two sections anyway, and crouch down to take photos. I find this keeps the tripod more manageable and easier to carry, anyway.
We are now to March 2014. I went hiking with my wife, and I of course brought my camera and Adrian. While using Adrian, the leg came apart at one of the leg locks. It completely came off. I had to super glue it back on. Again, an email was sent to 3 Legged Thing.
If I were reading this post, I would just assume that the author was incredibly abusive to their gear. I can only say that I don't feel I do, and I generally tend to baby my gear. I see people treating their gear poorly and I cringe. I treat my gear like it's one of my cats so that it will purr and hopefully won't have to be replaced.
At this point, I was pretty upset with 3LT, and began looking for a new tripod from a different company.
Then, sometime last week, I was on Twitter. I saw that 3LT had retweeted someone who said they had just purchased one of their tripods, and I warned them to be careful because I had had so many problems with my tripods from them. Whoever was on 3LT's Twitter account at that time clearly took offense, and responded to my tweet. Eventually, 3LT said something to me that I thought was unprofessional, unwarranted, and insulting to my intelligence. I then went on a multiple tweet rampage, things escalated, things calmed down, and I told 3LT and their CEO that I was done with their company. 3LT told me to email them so they could fix the problem, but I told them not to worry about it; partially out of guilt for saying some of the things I said, and partially because of how much they had already done for me.
The next morning, I woke up with an order confirmation email, a tracking number, and another email from their CEO very similar to the one I received when Adrian was fully replaced. 3 Legged Thing had pulled up my previous address, and sent me, what I consider, their flagship*, carbon fiber, $459, Brian for a total cost of nothing as a replacement for my tripod. I wanted so badly to stay mad at 3LT, and just move on. After our Twitter battle, I wanted to find a new tripod company to support, badmouth 3LT and hurt their sales as much as possible.
Once a company sends you yet another replacement, not to mention one that is a huge upgrade to the model you had, it is incredibly, almost impossible, to stay mad at a company. It's like when you get in a fight with someone you love, and they tell you not to laugh or smile, and you do, even though you try your hardest not to. Not only did they send me Brian, but they got it to me within two business days all they way from the U.K.
When Brian got here, I tore open the box to reveal not only Brian, but some accessories as well. 3LT sent me their "Budgie Smuglaz Stone Bag," which is a nylon ballast bag that attaches to the legs of the tripod and heavy objects are placed in to better stabilize the tripod ($25). 3LT also sent me their "heelz," which are spikes that are swapped out with the stock feet and provide better grip on surfaces such as gravel or carpet ($40).
After getting over my excitement and boarder-line tears of joy, I unpacked Brian. It was immediately apparent that Brian was a much better feeling tripod, which is to be expected when going from a company's most inexpensive model to one of their best*. That's not to say that Adrian feels cheap by any means, but Brian is clearly better.
So after all of this, can I honestly recommend 3LT to anyone in the market for a tripod? Adrian? Maybe. Although if 3LT treats everyone as they have me, and correct any problems that pop up, I would take the chance without a second thought**. Brian? It's hard to say, as I've only had this model for a few days, but I can say it feels incredibly solid, and I hope that I don't have any more issues. After 3LT sending me Brian though, I doubt I'll ever email 3LT ever again; I'd feel to guilty after what they've done for me. Overall, if you're in the market for a tripod, I would recommend at least considering 3LT. Maybe not their most inexpensive model. If I were to do it again, I think I probably would, except I would spend a little more, and get one of their more expensive tripod systems. The service I've received from 3LT and their willingness to fix the problem easily trumps any issues I've had with their products or the company***.
www.danpomykalski.com
*I consider Brian their flagship model because it's the model I always see being reviewed and praised.
**Just because I received a replacement tripod because I was having problems with mine, doesn't mean you should go and buy a tripod from 3LT and complain about it until they send you a new one. I imagine this type of behavior would eventually cause 3LT to stop this type of customer service altogether, and you would be ruining it for people who are really having issues...
***The only real issue I've had with the company is what occurred on Twitter. To be honest, both parties were partially responsible for what happened, and the way things were handled overall by the CEO through his email and by 3LT sending me a tremendous upgrade can easily make one forget about what happened.
I think there were two reasons 3 Legged Thing caught my eye. First, they seemed to have had really good ideas for their "tripod systems." The main feature I like that a large number of their tripods feature is a detachable leg that can be used as a monopod. I wasn't sure if I'd ever use a monopod, but if I did decide to get one, it would be at the very least another $150, so I decided I'd kill two birds with one stone (I later found out that, apparently, 3 Legged Thing isn't the only company to have this feature).
The other reason I liked 3 Legged Thing was because they seemed like a very small company run by a small number of photographers. I figured this would mean products that would work better for photographers as well as a possibility of better customer service.
My 3 Legged Thing Adrian arrived in the mail a few days after I ordered it. While it was on its way, I looked up some reviews. The majority of the reviews were on their more expensive tripod, "Brian," but I was able to find a few on Adrian. One of the reviews said that the legs kept coming loose, as well as a few other minor problems. When my tripod arrived, sure enough, it's legs wouldn't stay tight. It wasn't a huge deal, but I decided to shoot 3 Legged Thing and email. Within a day or so, 3 Legged Thing replied to my email, and sent me some washers they said would fix the problem at no cost to me. Unfortunately, the washers didn't fix the problem, but I decided just to deal with it.
I had written a review on the tripod on the website I ordered it from, and gave it a fairly low rating. A month or so after I wrote the review, the CEO of 3 Legged Thing, Danny Lenihan, sent me an email. In his email, Lenihan basically apologized for the issues I was having that he had read about in the review (that's right. He, or at least someone from the company, kept track of the reviews on their products) and informed me that they would be sending me a completely new Adrian at absolutely no cost to me. Not only that, but they let me keep my old one. I felt like I had won the lottery.
My new Adrian arrived in the mail, and it was obvious there were a few changes. The tripod overall seemed better, and the ball head had been updated as well. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was that the screw that attaches the plate to my camera had a D-ring on the first system I had, and the new one required a screwdriver (foreshadowing, I've kept my first baseplate with the D-ring throughout the entire ordeal I'm getting into).
All was well and fine with my new Adrian, until the piece that holds the baseplate on the ball head began to wiggle. At first, just a little, but it slowly got worse. I tried tightening the piece more, but it was as tight as it would go. This was a pretty significant issue for a tripod, as it was no longer stable while taking photos. Again, I shot 3 Legged Thing an email telling them about my problem, and again, they responded quickly.
3 Legged Thing told me to send them my ball head back, and then once they received it, they would send me brand new one. I wasn't sure how long that whole process would take, and I was about to go to Niagara Falls, and absolutely wanted my tripod for that trip. I told them not to worry about it, and I wasn't interested in swapping out the ball head.
A few days after I sent that email, a new ball head showed up at my door. I don't know if 3LT jumped the gun and sent me the ball head before I sent mine back, or if they had just decided to do me a solid favor. Either way, I was surprised and felt like a lottery winner once again (By the way, 3LT's ball heads are pretty awesome).
The ball head situation occurred towards the end of July 2013. We are now at Christmas. My mom had asked me to take a photo of our family, and I of course need a tripod so I could be in the photo as well. I pulled out Adrian and began to set things up. As I got to one of the three legs, the smallest leg section slid right out. I unscrewed the leg lock to investigate further, and it didn't take me long to figure out how the legs stay together, and that the section that slid out was missing those pieces. I took a flashlight and shined it down the leg, looking for the missing pieces, but they were no where to be found. To this day, I have no idea where those pieces went, or how they came off. Again, I emailed 3 Legged Thing.
In this email, I basically stated that I was having an issue again, but that I wasn't expecting yet another replacement, as they had already gone above and beyond what I had expected from a company. For the next few months, I just dealt with the leg being able to slide out. I usually only extend two sections anyway, and crouch down to take photos. I find this keeps the tripod more manageable and easier to carry, anyway.
We are now to March 2014. I went hiking with my wife, and I of course brought my camera and Adrian. While using Adrian, the leg came apart at one of the leg locks. It completely came off. I had to super glue it back on. Again, an email was sent to 3 Legged Thing.
If I were reading this post, I would just assume that the author was incredibly abusive to their gear. I can only say that I don't feel I do, and I generally tend to baby my gear. I see people treating their gear poorly and I cringe. I treat my gear like it's one of my cats so that it will purr and hopefully won't have to be replaced.
At this point, I was pretty upset with 3LT, and began looking for a new tripod from a different company.
Then, sometime last week, I was on Twitter. I saw that 3LT had retweeted someone who said they had just purchased one of their tripods, and I warned them to be careful because I had had so many problems with my tripods from them. Whoever was on 3LT's Twitter account at that time clearly took offense, and responded to my tweet. Eventually, 3LT said something to me that I thought was unprofessional, unwarranted, and insulting to my intelligence. I then went on a multiple tweet rampage, things escalated, things calmed down, and I told 3LT and their CEO that I was done with their company. 3LT told me to email them so they could fix the problem, but I told them not to worry about it; partially out of guilt for saying some of the things I said, and partially because of how much they had already done for me.
The next morning, I woke up with an order confirmation email, a tracking number, and another email from their CEO very similar to the one I received when Adrian was fully replaced. 3 Legged Thing had pulled up my previous address, and sent me, what I consider, their flagship*, carbon fiber, $459, Brian for a total cost of nothing as a replacement for my tripod. I wanted so badly to stay mad at 3LT, and just move on. After our Twitter battle, I wanted to find a new tripod company to support, badmouth 3LT and hurt their sales as much as possible.
Once a company sends you yet another replacement, not to mention one that is a huge upgrade to the model you had, it is incredibly, almost impossible, to stay mad at a company. It's like when you get in a fight with someone you love, and they tell you not to laugh or smile, and you do, even though you try your hardest not to. Not only did they send me Brian, but they got it to me within two business days all they way from the U.K.
When Brian got here, I tore open the box to reveal not only Brian, but some accessories as well. 3LT sent me their "Budgie Smuglaz Stone Bag," which is a nylon ballast bag that attaches to the legs of the tripod and heavy objects are placed in to better stabilize the tripod ($25). 3LT also sent me their "heelz," which are spikes that are swapped out with the stock feet and provide better grip on surfaces such as gravel or carpet ($40).
After getting over my excitement and boarder-line tears of joy, I unpacked Brian. It was immediately apparent that Brian was a much better feeling tripod, which is to be expected when going from a company's most inexpensive model to one of their best*. That's not to say that Adrian feels cheap by any means, but Brian is clearly better.
So after all of this, can I honestly recommend 3LT to anyone in the market for a tripod? Adrian? Maybe. Although if 3LT treats everyone as they have me, and correct any problems that pop up, I would take the chance without a second thought**. Brian? It's hard to say, as I've only had this model for a few days, but I can say it feels incredibly solid, and I hope that I don't have any more issues. After 3LT sending me Brian though, I doubt I'll ever email 3LT ever again; I'd feel to guilty after what they've done for me. Overall, if you're in the market for a tripod, I would recommend at least considering 3LT. Maybe not their most inexpensive model. If I were to do it again, I think I probably would, except I would spend a little more, and get one of their more expensive tripod systems. The service I've received from 3LT and their willingness to fix the problem easily trumps any issues I've had with their products or the company***.
www.danpomykalski.com
*I consider Brian their flagship model because it's the model I always see being reviewed and praised.
**Just because I received a replacement tripod because I was having problems with mine, doesn't mean you should go and buy a tripod from 3LT and complain about it until they send you a new one. I imagine this type of behavior would eventually cause 3LT to stop this type of customer service altogether, and you would be ruining it for people who are really having issues...
***The only real issue I've had with the company is what occurred on Twitter. To be honest, both parties were partially responsible for what happened, and the way things were handled overall by the CEO through his email and by 3LT sending me a tremendous upgrade can easily make one forget about what happened.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Post 70: Why DSLRs and social media aren't as bad as everyone thinks
The DSLR and social media are often the scape goats of aspiring and veteran photographers alike for the decline of the profession of a professional photographer. The DSLR has made photography much more accessible by not only making the equipment more affordable, but simplifying the process. Social media has made it incredibly easy for someone to share their work. These two factors, combined with a few others, have made it incredibly easy for someone with not a lot of money to go out, buy an entry level DSLR, buy some editing software, and market themselves as a photographer. A brand new, entry level DSLR can be had for a measly $500 from some online stores. This may seem like a lot, but when the Nikon D70 was released around 10 years ago, it was selling for around $1000, and it was much less of a camera than today's lowest level DSLRs. Editing software, which replaces what the darkroom was once for, is simple to use and fairly inexpensive as well. Not only is editing software highly accessible, but some photographers don't even find it necessary. I don't agree with this point of view, but I'm just throwing it out there that this cost can sometimes be avoided all together.
This new accessibility has now resulted in thousands of photographers springing up all over that all have to compete with another, as well as new competition for already established photographers. A common saying today is "everyone is a photographer."
It's true, and I hate it.
I once did a search for photographer in my area, just to see who I was competing with, and literally hundreds of results came up. It isn't uncommon for someone to go out, get a DSLR, take some photos, have someone see those photos, and then be convinced their photos look amazing and they should do it professionally. Hell, this is how and why I got started. And I won't hesitate for one second to tell you that my work was terrible, and I had absolutely no right to charge for it. This is the case for many people with DSLRs, which leads me to the main point of this blog post.
Everyone having a DSLR and advertising themselves on social media isn't as bad as everyone has made it seem.
Yes it's unfortunate that there is so much competition out there, but in all honesty, the majority of "photographers" out there aren't even close to producing even decent looking work. I'm not saying my work is the best out there, by any means, but I know there are people out there who are charging for results that are worse than mine. Those people who are producing terrible photos are then sharing their photos on the same social media as I am. Right next to my work. Which makes my work look even better. It's no secret that when something is juxtaposed to something that's of poor quality, that something looks many times better than it would alone. Hence, social media, and everyone thinking they're a photographer, isn't so bad after all.
Sure, I'll lose a number of clients to people who have a "big camera" and are willing to do it for free, but as one of my professors once said, they're simply "not my client." For every person out there who is looking to get a "deal," there is at least one other person who knows the importance and value of a good photographer who knows what they're doing. The biggest difference between photographers who know what they're doing, and "fauxtographers," is the willingness to learn about photography, and the willingness to take the time to edit the photos. People who don't know what they're doing think being a professional photographer is just simply pressing a button. Photographers that know what they're doing know it's much more than this.
Other benefits of social media are free marketing. I've never spent a cent on marketing yet, thanks to Facebook (although I've heard this will be changing soon), Twitter, etc.
Another piece of technology I'd like to thank is the smartphone. The smartphone has made it incredibly easy to upload photos taken by hundreds of people daily. It's pretty rare that these photos turn out well, which makes photos taken by people who know what they're doing look exponentially better.
Also, please be aware I'm not bashing on anyone who does photography as a hobby, or anyone who is just starting out when I'm talking about bad quality photos, etc. I'm talking specifically about the people who get a DSLR, and all of a sudden think they're a photographer. Even more specifically, I'm talking about the people who do this, produce terrible photos, and steal my clients.
www.danpomykalski.com
This new accessibility has now resulted in thousands of photographers springing up all over that all have to compete with another, as well as new competition for already established photographers. A common saying today is "everyone is a photographer."
It's true, and I hate it.
I once did a search for photographer in my area, just to see who I was competing with, and literally hundreds of results came up. It isn't uncommon for someone to go out, get a DSLR, take some photos, have someone see those photos, and then be convinced their photos look amazing and they should do it professionally. Hell, this is how and why I got started. And I won't hesitate for one second to tell you that my work was terrible, and I had absolutely no right to charge for it. This is the case for many people with DSLRs, which leads me to the main point of this blog post.
Everyone having a DSLR and advertising themselves on social media isn't as bad as everyone has made it seem.
Yes it's unfortunate that there is so much competition out there, but in all honesty, the majority of "photographers" out there aren't even close to producing even decent looking work. I'm not saying my work is the best out there, by any means, but I know there are people out there who are charging for results that are worse than mine. Those people who are producing terrible photos are then sharing their photos on the same social media as I am. Right next to my work. Which makes my work look even better. It's no secret that when something is juxtaposed to something that's of poor quality, that something looks many times better than it would alone. Hence, social media, and everyone thinking they're a photographer, isn't so bad after all.
Sure, I'll lose a number of clients to people who have a "big camera" and are willing to do it for free, but as one of my professors once said, they're simply "not my client." For every person out there who is looking to get a "deal," there is at least one other person who knows the importance and value of a good photographer who knows what they're doing. The biggest difference between photographers who know what they're doing, and "fauxtographers," is the willingness to learn about photography, and the willingness to take the time to edit the photos. People who don't know what they're doing think being a professional photographer is just simply pressing a button. Photographers that know what they're doing know it's much more than this.
Other benefits of social media are free marketing. I've never spent a cent on marketing yet, thanks to Facebook (although I've heard this will be changing soon), Twitter, etc.
Another piece of technology I'd like to thank is the smartphone. The smartphone has made it incredibly easy to upload photos taken by hundreds of people daily. It's pretty rare that these photos turn out well, which makes photos taken by people who know what they're doing look exponentially better.
Also, please be aware I'm not bashing on anyone who does photography as a hobby, or anyone who is just starting out when I'm talking about bad quality photos, etc. I'm talking specifically about the people who get a DSLR, and all of a sudden think they're a photographer. Even more specifically, I'm talking about the people who do this, produce terrible photos, and steal my clients.
www.danpomykalski.com
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Post 69: What's in my bag (Update)
I believe I've done one of these already, but of course, my bag is always changing (both the contents and the bag itself). For whatever reason, posts/YouTube videos like these are incredibly popular, and in order to keep up with the times, I'm following the trend. Here's an update of what's in my bag.
First, the bag: I recently picked up the Lowepro Flipside Sport 15L AW Daypack. Originally, I had gotten the 10L version of this pack, but the smaller pack was just a tad too small. So, I went back and swapped it out. I almost got the 20L version, which had a zippered pocket on the outside, but the thing was just too ugly to pull the trigger on it. So I decided to go with the 15L which just looked like a bigger version of the 10L. I've had one other photo-backpack besides this one, and the Lowepro wins hands down. The straps are much better, and this pack is similar to what you would use for hiking as opposed to what you would generally use for school. I was kind of hesitant on this pack because of the lack of pockets for nonlenses and bodies, so it wasn't my first choice when I first started looking for a new pack a year or so ago. I don't know why I impulsively bought the Flipside, but I'm glad I did.
Here's what's currently in the Lowepro Flipside Sport:
Lenses
Nikon 300mm f/4: This is the older version of the 300mm, and I love it. For what I paid for it, it was an absolute steal and replaced my Nikon 180mm f/2.8 I used to have.
Nikon 105mm f/2.5: I don't use this lens a whole lot, and honestly, the only reason it's in my bag is because of the reputation it has as one of Nikon's best lenses ever. Maybe one day there will be a time where I'm glad I lug it around, but so far that hasn't happened. I don't trust my eyes enough to use a manual focus lens in a professional setting.
Nikon 85mm f/1.8G: This is my new favorite lens. I try to use it as much as possible, even if it isn't the best choice. That's how much I love it. I make it work.
Nikon 50mm f/1.8G: I've used this lens more than any other. Before I got the 85mm, this was my go to lens for everything. Everything.
Nikon 35mm f/1.8G: This lens is usually in Devan's bag, and I don't use it a whole lot. I'd like to replace it with the newer 35 Nikon just released, but we'll see. I've started using the 35mm a little more recently, and this used to be my go-to lens before the 50mm replaced it.
Nikon 24mm f/2.8: This used to be my go-to lens for landscape shots or anything I needed to get somewhat wide for. At one point, the rear element got scratched up, so I haven't been using this lens as much. I wanted to replace it anyway, so I'm not too upset about the scratch.
Bodies
Nikon D7000: I've been using this for a couple of years now. I don't have too many complaints about it, but it'll probably be replaced with a full-frame body within the next year or two. It will definitely be my backup body.
Flash stuff
Pocketwizard Plus X (2x): I have two of these in my bag. I like the simplicity of them. They definitely make my life much easier than triggering my flash with my on-camera flash.
Nikon SB-26: I just picked this flash up used to use with my Pocketwizards. It feels pretty solid and does its job.
Miscellaneous
At first, I was bummed because the Flipside sport didn't have anywhere to keep my other goodies, except for a rather useless zippered pocket on the inside that's pretty large, but doesn't expand much. I realized I can store quite a bit in the side pocket that's intended for a water bladder, though, which really made me fall in love with this bag. This is what's in that pocket.
Memory cards: Mostly Lexar 8gb professional level SD cards. I have a few 32gb, but those are used in the second slot to back my images up on. I like to use cards with less space so if they fail, I only lose 225 RAW files instead of the entire shoot.
iPad mini: I just picked this up intending to use it as a way to show clients my portfolio, or photos right after they've been taken while shooting. I haven't gotten the chance to do this, so I'm sure how it'll fit into my workflow, but that's my plan.
SD card reader for iPad: Let me plug my SD cards into my iPad.
Circular polarizing filter: Polzarizes things in a circular fashion. 52mm filter size.
Lens cleaning cloth: Yep
Batteries: AAs for Pocketwizards or flash.
Square card reader: Can be the difference between getting paid or not getting paid.
So there you have it. Now if you want to make photos like me, be sure to go and purchase everything I use, because that's how it works.
www.danpomykalski.com
First, the bag: I recently picked up the Lowepro Flipside Sport 15L AW Daypack. Originally, I had gotten the 10L version of this pack, but the smaller pack was just a tad too small. So, I went back and swapped it out. I almost got the 20L version, which had a zippered pocket on the outside, but the thing was just too ugly to pull the trigger on it. So I decided to go with the 15L which just looked like a bigger version of the 10L. I've had one other photo-backpack besides this one, and the Lowepro wins hands down. The straps are much better, and this pack is similar to what you would use for hiking as opposed to what you would generally use for school. I was kind of hesitant on this pack because of the lack of pockets for nonlenses and bodies, so it wasn't my first choice when I first started looking for a new pack a year or so ago. I don't know why I impulsively bought the Flipside, but I'm glad I did.
Here's what's currently in the Lowepro Flipside Sport:
Lenses
Nikon 300mm f/4: This is the older version of the 300mm, and I love it. For what I paid for it, it was an absolute steal and replaced my Nikon 180mm f/2.8 I used to have.
Nikon 105mm f/2.5: I don't use this lens a whole lot, and honestly, the only reason it's in my bag is because of the reputation it has as one of Nikon's best lenses ever. Maybe one day there will be a time where I'm glad I lug it around, but so far that hasn't happened. I don't trust my eyes enough to use a manual focus lens in a professional setting.
Nikon 85mm f/1.8G: This is my new favorite lens. I try to use it as much as possible, even if it isn't the best choice. That's how much I love it. I make it work.
Nikon 50mm f/1.8G: I've used this lens more than any other. Before I got the 85mm, this was my go to lens for everything. Everything.
Nikon 35mm f/1.8G: This lens is usually in Devan's bag, and I don't use it a whole lot. I'd like to replace it with the newer 35 Nikon just released, but we'll see. I've started using the 35mm a little more recently, and this used to be my go-to lens before the 50mm replaced it.
Nikon 24mm f/2.8: This used to be my go-to lens for landscape shots or anything I needed to get somewhat wide for. At one point, the rear element got scratched up, so I haven't been using this lens as much. I wanted to replace it anyway, so I'm not too upset about the scratch.
Bodies
Nikon D7000: I've been using this for a couple of years now. I don't have too many complaints about it, but it'll probably be replaced with a full-frame body within the next year or two. It will definitely be my backup body.
Flash stuff
Pocketwizard Plus X (2x): I have two of these in my bag. I like the simplicity of them. They definitely make my life much easier than triggering my flash with my on-camera flash.
Nikon SB-26: I just picked this flash up used to use with my Pocketwizards. It feels pretty solid and does its job.
Miscellaneous
At first, I was bummed because the Flipside sport didn't have anywhere to keep my other goodies, except for a rather useless zippered pocket on the inside that's pretty large, but doesn't expand much. I realized I can store quite a bit in the side pocket that's intended for a water bladder, though, which really made me fall in love with this bag. This is what's in that pocket.
Memory cards: Mostly Lexar 8gb professional level SD cards. I have a few 32gb, but those are used in the second slot to back my images up on. I like to use cards with less space so if they fail, I only lose 225 RAW files instead of the entire shoot.
iPad mini: I just picked this up intending to use it as a way to show clients my portfolio, or photos right after they've been taken while shooting. I haven't gotten the chance to do this, so I'm sure how it'll fit into my workflow, but that's my plan.
SD card reader for iPad: Let me plug my SD cards into my iPad.
Circular polarizing filter: Polzarizes things in a circular fashion. 52mm filter size.
Lens cleaning cloth: Yep
Batteries: AAs for Pocketwizards or flash.
Square card reader: Can be the difference between getting paid or not getting paid.
So there you have it. Now if you want to make photos like me, be sure to go and purchase everything I use, because that's how it works.
www.danpomykalski.com
Monday, April 14, 2014
Post 68: I'm on YouTube!
For any of you who haven't seen my portfolio yet for any number of reasons, you can now find it on YouTube here: http://youtu.be/XUsS6bE7xWY
Monday, April 7, 2014
Post 67: The importance of having quality photos for a website
The increased usage of the Internet over the past years has made having a website essential for any business that wishes to succeed. Chances are, if you're a business owner and have a website, your business isn't the only one like it out there. So how do you stand out in a sea of websites and companies offering the same thing?
I, like I'm sure many of you, have been to countless numbers of websites in the past week alone. One of the many things that stands out to me is whether or not the website has excellent photos, or terrible photos. Unfortunately, it seems like I see a lot of local businesses with terrible photos, or sometimes no photos at all.
I don't know about the rest of you, but when I first hear about a business, their website is often the first place I go to learn more about them. Their website is basically their business card, and is what makes their first impression for them. If I'm greeted with a website that is laid out well and has excellent quality photos, I'm most likely going to assume the business is credible, cares about whether or not they look professional, and is profitable. This assumption will result in me being more likely to return to that website and the business will be more likely to take my money.
Just like good quality photos can affect a business in a positive way, poor quality photos, or no photos at all, can affect a business even more than having good photos. If I come across a website that has terrible photos, or no photos at all, I immediately assume the business doesn't care about if they look professional or not, doesn't make enough to afford a photographer, and isn't trustworthy. Unless the company with the terrible photos on their website are my only option, which they probably aren't, I can almost guarantee I'll be taking my business elsewhere.
People say a photo is worth a thousand words for a reason. When it comes to gaining an overall impression of a business based off of their website, photos are infinitely more powerful than words. A single photo can convey something an entire paragraph couldn't. A photograph provides concrete evidence. For example, think about a company going into detail about an event they had and saying everyone had a great time compared to a good, quality photo of that event with people talking, laughing, and enjoying themselves.
Compared to text, photos are easier for people. In all honesty, a vast majority of people are lazy, and reading takes much more effort than looking at some photos. When I'm on a website, I'll take a look at the photos before anything else and get a general idea of what the business is, does, or can do. If those photos pique my interest enough, then I'll probably go and read whatever text the website provides.
If you're a business owner looking to update the photos that you use to help improve your overall profitability, do yourself a favor and spend the money to have quality work done. "You get what you pay for" almost always applies to photographers, and if you're looking to spend almost nothing, expect the quality to match. It's much better to spend more initially to get results you're happy with than to spend less to get results that are terrible, and then spend more money on another photographer because the first photos aren't useable.
Long story short: good photos means more business, which means more money. Bad photos means less business, which means less money.
www.danpomykalski.com
I, like I'm sure many of you, have been to countless numbers of websites in the past week alone. One of the many things that stands out to me is whether or not the website has excellent photos, or terrible photos. Unfortunately, it seems like I see a lot of local businesses with terrible photos, or sometimes no photos at all.
I don't know about the rest of you, but when I first hear about a business, their website is often the first place I go to learn more about them. Their website is basically their business card, and is what makes their first impression for them. If I'm greeted with a website that is laid out well and has excellent quality photos, I'm most likely going to assume the business is credible, cares about whether or not they look professional, and is profitable. This assumption will result in me being more likely to return to that website and the business will be more likely to take my money.
Just like good quality photos can affect a business in a positive way, poor quality photos, or no photos at all, can affect a business even more than having good photos. If I come across a website that has terrible photos, or no photos at all, I immediately assume the business doesn't care about if they look professional or not, doesn't make enough to afford a photographer, and isn't trustworthy. Unless the company with the terrible photos on their website are my only option, which they probably aren't, I can almost guarantee I'll be taking my business elsewhere.
People say a photo is worth a thousand words for a reason. When it comes to gaining an overall impression of a business based off of their website, photos are infinitely more powerful than words. A single photo can convey something an entire paragraph couldn't. A photograph provides concrete evidence. For example, think about a company going into detail about an event they had and saying everyone had a great time compared to a good, quality photo of that event with people talking, laughing, and enjoying themselves.
Compared to text, photos are easier for people. In all honesty, a vast majority of people are lazy, and reading takes much more effort than looking at some photos. When I'm on a website, I'll take a look at the photos before anything else and get a general idea of what the business is, does, or can do. If those photos pique my interest enough, then I'll probably go and read whatever text the website provides.
If you're a business owner looking to update the photos that you use to help improve your overall profitability, do yourself a favor and spend the money to have quality work done. "You get what you pay for" almost always applies to photographers, and if you're looking to spend almost nothing, expect the quality to match. It's much better to spend more initially to get results you're happy with than to spend less to get results that are terrible, and then spend more money on another photographer because the first photos aren't useable.
Long story short: good photos means more business, which means more money. Bad photos means less business, which means less money.
www.danpomykalski.com
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Post 66: I'm going to Boston!
I'm incredibly excited to announce that I will be traveling with Jake Schuppe, who is an Expert Level Coach for Carmichael Training Systems, and has been one of my best friends since 6th grade, to Boston in October to photograph the, according to Jake, "largest rowing regatta." The regatta is called "The Head of The Charles Regatta."
I will be taking headshots of various people, as well as photographing the events that are happening throughout Saturday and Sunday and various products. The photos will be used for advertising, social media, and promotional purposes, which means there's a significant possibility that a large number of people will see my work. This possibility means that this job is incredibly important for my business, and I can't describe how excited I am for the opportunity.
The most important thing, and the part I'm most excited about, is that I'm being paid to go on a road trip to somewhere I've never been with one of my best friends to do something I love. I know it's a cliche, but hard work pays off. I'll be sure to share the photos in October.
Also, I'm not sure how these companies are involved, but Jake mentioned them, so I'll mention them as well. Oar Inspired, Pontoon Sports, and Rowing Innovations.
www.danpomykalski.com
I will be taking headshots of various people, as well as photographing the events that are happening throughout Saturday and Sunday and various products. The photos will be used for advertising, social media, and promotional purposes, which means there's a significant possibility that a large number of people will see my work. This possibility means that this job is incredibly important for my business, and I can't describe how excited I am for the opportunity.
The most important thing, and the part I'm most excited about, is that I'm being paid to go on a road trip to somewhere I've never been with one of my best friends to do something I love. I know it's a cliche, but hard work pays off. I'll be sure to share the photos in October.
Also, I'm not sure how these companies are involved, but Jake mentioned them, so I'll mention them as well. Oar Inspired, Pontoon Sports, and Rowing Innovations.
www.danpomykalski.com
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Post 65: The Canon T5: The camera I'd consider buying if I were to start today
While browsing through my YouTube subscriptions, I saw there was a new video from DigitalRev on the new Canon T5. Honestly, I don't normally take the time to watch or read anything about Canon, unless it's bad or if I'm looking up something for a friend, but I had some time on my hands and I certainly won't complain about watching a DigitalRev video.
Since I don't pay too much attention to what Canon does, I had no idea what the T5 even was. After watching the video (which can be seen here: http://youtu.be/ik1OiWOQ13M) for a few minutes, there were a couple of things that jumped out at me about this dSLR.
First, the thing is tiny. I mean really small. Personally, I don't gravitate towards small cameras, but if I was in the market for my first dSLR, and didn't really know anything about dSLRs, I feel like this would be a strong positive, especially if I were used to taking photos with smartphones or point-and-shoots. The size of dSLRs is probably one of the biggest drawbacks for most beginners.
The second thing I noticed was the amount of buttons. There were barely any. There were about as many buttons as the Nikon Df should have probably had. This is fantastic for beginners, who can be turned off by the amount of buttons there are on dSLRs. Again, if I was in the market for a dSLR for the first time, I think I would like the idea of not having a lot of buttons. I would absolutely never consider something like that at this point, because I know the benefits of having a lot of buttons so I don't have to go digging through menus.
The thing that caught my attention the most was the price. In the video, Kai said that the camera was under $500. Ridiculous. That's nothing for a dSLR. Unfortunately, at least from B&H, the price is $550 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1030209-REG/canon_9126b003_eos_a_rebel_t5_dslr.html). Still incredibly reasonable, I think.
If I were in the market for a dSLR for the very first time, I think I would end up getting the Canon T5. The size, amount of buttons, and price are all very attractive. It is worth mentioning, though, that Nikon currently sells the Nikon D3100 for a measly $389. As far as entry-level dSLRs go though, the D3100 is a dinosaur. If I didn't know anything about dSLRs and walked into a camera store, all the salesman (or woman) would probably have to say is, "this Canon is brand new. It just came out. The Nikon D3100? It came out four years ago" to persuade me to walk out with the Canon over the Nikon.
The Nikon D3300, which was the replacement for the Nikon D3200, which replaced the Nikon D3100, is $100 more than the Canon T5. If I was going to recommend a dSLR to a beginner now, with what I know after a few years of shooting, I would definitely recommend the D3300 over the Canon T5, maybe even the Nikon D5300 if they could afford it. My first camera was a D3100, and I outgrew that within two months. Getting a more expensive dSLR doesn't mean better pictures, but it does mean more real-estate for the photographer's hands, and more buttons, which means quicker adjustments. With the limited amount of buttons and the size of the Canon T5, I know I would outgrow that thing within a matter of weeks.
Since I don't pay too much attention to what Canon does, I had no idea what the T5 even was. After watching the video (which can be seen here: http://youtu.be/ik1OiWOQ13M) for a few minutes, there were a couple of things that jumped out at me about this dSLR.
First, the thing is tiny. I mean really small. Personally, I don't gravitate towards small cameras, but if I was in the market for my first dSLR, and didn't really know anything about dSLRs, I feel like this would be a strong positive, especially if I were used to taking photos with smartphones or point-and-shoots. The size of dSLRs is probably one of the biggest drawbacks for most beginners.
The second thing I noticed was the amount of buttons. There were barely any. There were about as many buttons as the Nikon Df should have probably had. This is fantastic for beginners, who can be turned off by the amount of buttons there are on dSLRs. Again, if I was in the market for a dSLR for the first time, I think I would like the idea of not having a lot of buttons. I would absolutely never consider something like that at this point, because I know the benefits of having a lot of buttons so I don't have to go digging through menus.
The thing that caught my attention the most was the price. In the video, Kai said that the camera was under $500. Ridiculous. That's nothing for a dSLR. Unfortunately, at least from B&H, the price is $550 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1030209-REG/canon_9126b003_eos_a_rebel_t5_dslr.html). Still incredibly reasonable, I think.
If I were in the market for a dSLR for the very first time, I think I would end up getting the Canon T5. The size, amount of buttons, and price are all very attractive. It is worth mentioning, though, that Nikon currently sells the Nikon D3100 for a measly $389. As far as entry-level dSLRs go though, the D3100 is a dinosaur. If I didn't know anything about dSLRs and walked into a camera store, all the salesman (or woman) would probably have to say is, "this Canon is brand new. It just came out. The Nikon D3100? It came out four years ago" to persuade me to walk out with the Canon over the Nikon.
The Nikon D3300, which was the replacement for the Nikon D3200, which replaced the Nikon D3100, is $100 more than the Canon T5. If I was going to recommend a dSLR to a beginner now, with what I know after a few years of shooting, I would definitely recommend the D3300 over the Canon T5, maybe even the Nikon D5300 if they could afford it. My first camera was a D3100, and I outgrew that within two months. Getting a more expensive dSLR doesn't mean better pictures, but it does mean more real-estate for the photographer's hands, and more buttons, which means quicker adjustments. With the limited amount of buttons and the size of the Canon T5, I know I would outgrow that thing within a matter of weeks.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Post 64: Why I hate Craigslist
Craigslist is great. I used to use it all the time when I was younger and spent my money recklessly on musical instruments. Of course, it was only natural for me to gravitate towards the site when I started my photography business. Posting an ad on Craigslist is free, after all.
I will admit, I have gotten a number of jobs from Craigslist, but I will also admit that it is probably one of my most frustrating things I've done related to my business. So frustrating, that I try to avoid the website like the plague when it comes to finding photography jobs, and here's why...
It only took me a number of replies to my emails to figure out that everyone who posts an ad on Craigslist that's looking for a photographer is looking for the absolute cheapest price possible. Trying to find a deal is understandable, but the prices the majority of the people from Craigslist think is reasonable is ridiculous, assuming they're willing to pay at all. I know this is due to dSLRs being so accessible now, but I also know "photographers" not knowing what to charge and asking for almost nothing to take photos certainly isn't helping...
Which brings me to the other reason I hate Craigslist. While searching Craigslist for anyone who is looking for a photographer, I happen across a lot, a lot, and a lot of ads from "photographers" who, quite honestly, have no business trying to make money by taking photos. I'm not saying my work is the absolute best, or even great, but the quality of work these fauxtographers are trying to sell is almost criminal.
"You get what you pay for" applies to many, many different items and situations, and photography is no exception. Do yourself a favor, and pay the extra money to have decent work done. Chances are if you don't you'll end up spending the $25 or whatever, and then whatever the actual photographer was charging when you have to go to them because your first photographer, unsurprisingly, failed.
www.danpomykalski.com
I will admit, I have gotten a number of jobs from Craigslist, but I will also admit that it is probably one of my most frustrating things I've done related to my business. So frustrating, that I try to avoid the website like the plague when it comes to finding photography jobs, and here's why...
It only took me a number of replies to my emails to figure out that everyone who posts an ad on Craigslist that's looking for a photographer is looking for the absolute cheapest price possible. Trying to find a deal is understandable, but the prices the majority of the people from Craigslist think is reasonable is ridiculous, assuming they're willing to pay at all. I know this is due to dSLRs being so accessible now, but I also know "photographers" not knowing what to charge and asking for almost nothing to take photos certainly isn't helping...
Which brings me to the other reason I hate Craigslist. While searching Craigslist for anyone who is looking for a photographer, I happen across a lot, a lot, and a lot of ads from "photographers" who, quite honestly, have no business trying to make money by taking photos. I'm not saying my work is the absolute best, or even great, but the quality of work these fauxtographers are trying to sell is almost criminal.
"You get what you pay for" applies to many, many different items and situations, and photography is no exception. Do yourself a favor, and pay the extra money to have decent work done. Chances are if you don't you'll end up spending the $25 or whatever, and then whatever the actual photographer was charging when you have to go to them because your first photographer, unsurprisingly, failed.
www.danpomykalski.com
Monday, March 17, 2014
Post 63: The importance of a headshot revisited
I've talked about this before, but I thought I'd bring it up again. In this brief post, I'll talk about the importance of a headshot.
With the popularity of social media, it isn't uncommon for potential employers to search for applicants on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. Often, your social media accounts are the first time your potential employer will see you. With that in mind, would you rather have them see a low-quality photo of you and all of your friends at a party, or a high-quality headshot?
I may be heavily biased, but I'd rather have someone who might hire me see a good quality headshot. Not only will a good headshot or profile photo make me appear more professional and trustworthy, but it will also show that I took the time to find someone to take a photo of me, and that looking professional is important to me. This small detail could be the difference between you and the other applicants.
If you don't believe me, you can read further into it here: http://www.martahewson.com/blog/2013/11/the-importance-of-a-professional-headshot/
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Post 62: Nikon 85mm 1.8G
When Nikon first released the 85mm 1.8G, I knew that I would someday own it. Finally, after two years of waiting, I took advantage of Nikon's yearly rebates and picked one up. I've only taken a few photos around the apartment, and I am not disappointed with the performance. Even at f/1.8, the lens performs well enough I would shoot wide-open in a professional context.
For those of you who care, the first and last photo were shot at f/2.8 ISO 100 and the one of our cat, Noodle, was shot at f/1.8 ISO 400.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Post 61: The Importance of Personal Work: Part II
In my previous post, I talked about how important I felt personal work was. Today, while reading an interview with Chase Jarvis, the topic of personal work and its importance came up once again.
Schawbel: There are a lot of photographers online trying to solicit business. How do you think you’ve stood out among them and risen to the top?
Jarvis: This might be the most popular question that I get asked. Probably 10-20 times a week. And my answer is a simple one: Personal Work. Of course you’ve got to be good at your craft – at the fundamentals of being a photographer – in order to become a professional, but that’s really where the technical stuff ends and the standing out begins. The secret weapon – and my raison d’etre – is really creating personal work and sharing it. And my experience says that if you put out a lot of personal work that’s good, it tends to attract high dollar commercial work. But to be clear - I don’t create art to get high dollar projects, I do high dollar projects so I can create more art.
The rest of the interview can be read here: http://newsle.com/article/0/119165262/
Friday, January 17, 2014
Post 60: The importance of personal work
I saw this in my newsfeed today: http://screen.yahoo.com/young-photographer-lands-dream-job-214020482.html
Although I hate sharing anything from Yahoo because of the comments the CEO made about professional photographers, I think this video stresses the importance of personal work. This isn't the first time I've heard of people getting noticed by big companies because of their personal work, and it won't be the last.
I remember first hearing about the importance of personal work from Chase Jarvis. Since then, I've felt that one's personal work is their best work. Personal work is the work one does for fun. Not because they have to, but because they enjoy doing it. I feel this allows the individual to produce their very best work because not only are they not being forced to do it, but they're also allowed complete control; with no one telling them where or when to stop. There are no guidelines or restrictions with personal work, and when one has a career where they make a living with their passion, it's important to take time to create for one's self.
Although I hate sharing anything from Yahoo because of the comments the CEO made about professional photographers, I think this video stresses the importance of personal work. This isn't the first time I've heard of people getting noticed by big companies because of their personal work, and it won't be the last.
I remember first hearing about the importance of personal work from Chase Jarvis. Since then, I've felt that one's personal work is their best work. Personal work is the work one does for fun. Not because they have to, but because they enjoy doing it. I feel this allows the individual to produce their very best work because not only are they not being forced to do it, but they're also allowed complete control; with no one telling them where or when to stop. There are no guidelines or restrictions with personal work, and when one has a career where they make a living with their passion, it's important to take time to create for one's self.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Post 59: Nikon 35mm f/1.8G DX Review
The Nikon 35mm f/1.8G DX was the first additional lens I ever bought for my camera. My first camera was a Nikon D3100 that my parents bought for me along with the 18-55mm and 55-200mm kit lenses. After learning a thing or two about lenses, apertures, and photography in general, I was eager to get as far away as possible from the two lenses that came with my camera.
Until I got the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G, the 35mm was pretty much the only lens I used. The only time I would ever switch lenses is if I needed a telephoto (and by "telephoto," I mean the 200mm end). I loved this lens when I first got it. It let in much more light than the 18-55 did, and taking a few steps closer or further away from my subject wasn't that big of a deal. However, as my knowledge of lenses and photography grew, I began to notice the flaws in this lens.
First of all, this lens is a DX lens, which means it's only for cropped sensor cameras. It can be used on a full-frame camera, but, as I understand it, only in DX mode. Why anyone would want to do this when the better 50mm 1.8G is around the same price is beyond me. I have also heard that when a full frame lens is on a cropped sensor body, more of the middle of the glass is being used, which equals better image quality. I don't know if this is true or not, but I'm not going to take any chances if I don't have to.
While reading reviews of this lens, it received a lot of praise, and I remember one review stating how sharp it was. I would have to disagree. I don't think the sharpness of this lens is anything worth mentioning for more than two to three sentences. I also thing the overall image quality of this lens is lacking.
However, after considering the drawbacks of this lens, one also has to consider what this lens is. It's one of most inexpensive lenses Nikon makes at just under $200. Not only is this lens inexpensive, but this lens also offers a maximum aperture of f/1.8. And most importantly, 35mm on a cropped sensor body roughly has the same angle of view as a 50mm lens does on a full-frame body, which gives about the same angle of view as the human eye. This focal length is extremely popular among photographers, and is one of the only reasons I even use this lens.
Would I ever use this lens in a professional setting? Probably not. I would if I couldn't get everything I needed to into the frame with my 50mm, but I can promise I would try every possible angle with my 50mm before pulling out the 35mm. Would I replace this lens if it were stolen? Yes, but with the new 35mm 1.8G ED that Nikon just released, even if the new 35mm costs three times as much.
www.danpomykalski.com
Until I got the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G, the 35mm was pretty much the only lens I used. The only time I would ever switch lenses is if I needed a telephoto (and by "telephoto," I mean the 200mm end). I loved this lens when I first got it. It let in much more light than the 18-55 did, and taking a few steps closer or further away from my subject wasn't that big of a deal. However, as my knowledge of lenses and photography grew, I began to notice the flaws in this lens.
First of all, this lens is a DX lens, which means it's only for cropped sensor cameras. It can be used on a full-frame camera, but, as I understand it, only in DX mode. Why anyone would want to do this when the better 50mm 1.8G is around the same price is beyond me. I have also heard that when a full frame lens is on a cropped sensor body, more of the middle of the glass is being used, which equals better image quality. I don't know if this is true or not, but I'm not going to take any chances if I don't have to.
While reading reviews of this lens, it received a lot of praise, and I remember one review stating how sharp it was. I would have to disagree. I don't think the sharpness of this lens is anything worth mentioning for more than two to three sentences. I also thing the overall image quality of this lens is lacking.
However, after considering the drawbacks of this lens, one also has to consider what this lens is. It's one of most inexpensive lenses Nikon makes at just under $200. Not only is this lens inexpensive, but this lens also offers a maximum aperture of f/1.8. And most importantly, 35mm on a cropped sensor body roughly has the same angle of view as a 50mm lens does on a full-frame body, which gives about the same angle of view as the human eye. This focal length is extremely popular among photographers, and is one of the only reasons I even use this lens.
Would I ever use this lens in a professional setting? Probably not. I would if I couldn't get everything I needed to into the frame with my 50mm, but I can promise I would try every possible angle with my 50mm before pulling out the 35mm. Would I replace this lens if it were stolen? Yes, but with the new 35mm 1.8G ED that Nikon just released, even if the new 35mm costs three times as much.
www.danpomykalski.com
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