Think Social Media. Think Internationally!

Today, social media is media. With social media, you have potential customers around the planet. How cool is that?

If you are thinking of producing a book, DVD, iPhone/iTouch app or an iPad app, or a PDF e-book, think of the international market while you are developing your product. The market is huge!

Use Google Analytics to track stats. If you have an app, use AppVis. I check it every day :-)

For more social media tips, scroll down on this blog.

Explore the light - and the international market,
Rick

Rare Shot of an Owl Hunting on a Moonlit Night

Here is a rare shot of an owl hunting on a moonlit night with its prey. Not!

It's actually a daytime shot that I enhanced using the Midnight filter in Nik Software's Color Efex Pro Plug-in. Try it, you'll like it.

Well, I guess you could actually say that it's a rare shot, because no one else has this image - and because there are several controls in Color Efex Pro that let you create a one-of-a-kind image.

For a discount on Color Efex Pro, and other plug-ins, click here.

Explore the light - at different times of the day.
Rick

Emphasize An Important Element In A Photograph

On the left is a screen grab of the Rembrandt painting, "The Man With the Golden Helmet." On the right is a portrait of my dad.

My friend, Steve Inglima, pointed out a similarity (of sorts): Yes, the faces are important, but other elements – the helmet and the hands – are strong and obviously important elements in the painting/photograph.

Rembrandt wanted the viewer to notice the exquisite detail in the helmet - truly a work of art.

I want viewers of my photography to notice my dad's hands - which were at one time very strong and powerful - weak and frail at the time I took the picture. I remember many times when he leaned over my shoulder to help me with my homework – at the desk at which I am sitting in the picture below. (Yes, that's me! My dad took the picture with a 4x5-inch Linhof camera.)

When composing a portrait, consider elements in the scene – other than the face – that can help you to tell a story. You might be surprised at how many different stories you can tell in a single sitting.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. If you like photo philosophies like this, as well as tech info on photographing people, check out my book, Face to Face.

We Are A Part of Everyone We Meet

Three years ago, late one December afternoon, my dad and I were sitting in his study. We were having a nice talk – and a nice time. I looked at him and thought: He looks so happy. The light is just right. I should take a picture - because it might be the last good picture I ever take of him. He was fading.

I thought about taking the picture for about 10 minutes, holding back some tears – thinking about what it would be like not to have him around, after having him around for 88 years - as my dad, and later on in life as the first-pass editor for most of my books. (He was a great editor.)

I finally asked him if I could take a shot. He said sure, with a smile and nod. He knew what I was thinking. I asked him to look out the window, and I took a single shot.

My dad, 91, died suddenly and peacefully and quickly on April 3, 2010. A few hours before, on the other side of the country, I had a dream about him: He had pushed his walker aside and was standing up straight. I had not dreamed about him for at least 20 years. Hummm....

Sure, I am very sad. I get waves of tears. I will miss him more than he probably ever realized. He was my dad, a very big part of my life – in fact, half the reason for my life. :-)

Those of you who know me know I enjoy quotes. Here is my favorite: "We are a part of everyone we meet." Want proof? My dad, Robert M. Sammon, Sr., was a photographer, getting me started, along with my mother, in photography with his cameras and basement darkroom. But more important, he was a good dad - which I try to be. Everyday. I am very glad we met.

You might want to keep that quote in mind when you meet people. I sure do. You may have more of an impact on someone than you realize.

Rick

Proud son of Robert M. Sammon, Sr.

Social Media Marketing Week - Day 5

I am giving my Social Media Marketing talk at the Palm Springs Photo Festival this week. Good fun, and of course, good info if you want to grow your business.

This week's posts will focus on Social Media Marketing. I'll post a slide or two from my show along with a tip or two.

I had a ton of fun putting together this slide show. It features my favorite photographs paired with my favorite social media tips.

Today's advice: Rope people in using twitter, facebook and YouTube - using good content. Content is king! Also, good content will get folks to stampede to your site.

Explore the light,

Rick

P.S. At the festival, I will also be interviewing the pros for the podcast I do with Juan Pons over at the Digital Photo Experience.