You may not yet have upgraded to Lightroom 4, however we thought we would show one of Lightroom 4’s benefits for travel photography, the new Map module. Some cameras, like the ones in many cell phones in including the iPhone, and many consumer cameras, embed GPS data into the image file. You can also use a GPS unit like the JOBO PhotoGPS with your DSLR. This hot shoe activated GPS data logger records the GPS data with each photograph. You can use the PhotoGPS software to tag all the photos before you import them into Lightroom. Once in Lightroom, the GPS coordinates of each shot appear in the Metadata panel. Let me show you how all of this works...

Marketing yourself as a photographer these days is a process that seems to change faster than new apps being released in the Apple store. What can we do as photographers to keep our sanity and still attract new clients?

Wedding season is upon us and many of us will either be shooting them for our own businesses or second shooting for others. As a business owner and wedding photographer, I am always open to having second shooters assist at weddings. We have a total of six photographers that shoot our weddings and over the years I have learned what makes a good second shooter. In all reality, it's many of the same things that make good primary shooters for weddings. But, there are things specifically that make a good second shooter. So, if you're looking for a second shooter or want to be one yourself, I have outlined several points that I think will help focus attention on those things that are most important for picking the perfect second shooter.

When we're at home, all of our digital files are available to us over our local computer network and hard drives. Files that need to be shared or accessible from any computer are stored on our Network Attached Storage hard drive or NAS. Ok, great! What about when we're on the road or need to send a lot of files to someone else? Here are my favorite online sharing tools for files on the go.

Two weeks ago, I have been in the symposium of Lucian Freud at National Portrait Gallery in London. This visit inspired me to make this video about composition. Looking through the exhibition I could see several frames where the main canvas has been patched  with other pieces of canvas. So I've learned that Lucian Freud had the composition done in a later stage of  the painting. What was important for him was the biography of that person, and the story he wanted to say. If he had to patch the main canvas to tell the story, that's what he did. And I found it fascinating! I'm so happy that we as digital photographers don't need to patch any canvas, we have Photoshop!

PRESENTED BY BAY PHOTO

The new CS6 is out in public beta and we are having fun learning all the cool new features! Let’s take a look at one of the three new blur tools, the tilt-shift blur!

Looking for straight forward info about the Panasonic Lumix GX1 mirrorless camera? Watch my new video for a straight forward review on the info you need to decide if this is the right camera for you. As you know, I am one of the pros that thinks mirrorless cameras will replace the DSLR as we know it today and is taking the smarter road to my own "Migration to MIRRORLESS." I have actually tested over 15 different mirrorless cameras and more are on the way. The technical specs are online everywhere, but they don't tell you how this camera really is. My "Real-Life Reviews" present a real photographer using a real GX1and sharing his real insight - both the good and the bad. There is no perfect camera for everyone, but spend a few minutes of your time to watch this video and see if this particular mirrorless Compact System Camera is for you.

Many of us do not work out of a brick and mortar studio. We work out of our homes or strictly on the road. With the advent of Tablet PC's, we don’t need to lug our laptops around anymore. As an example, I am typing this smArticle on my Android Tablet; for you techno geeks, it's a Motorola Xoom. But, there are three must-have apps that are for my on the road business and they not only are super great to make my life easier, but they help me make money, too.

Videos…they are everywhere! The new ways of slideshow/video editing and production allow photographers to not only use images but incorporate video clips in as well to create beautiful HD video with pleasing effects. Many of these new programs have a quick “auto” feature that allows the photographer to select a style, music preference, upload images/videos and have a professional quality video in a matter of minutes. The majority of programs also offer at least some sort of a free trial to test out the software. So, which one should you choose…this one or that one? A simple comparison of three well known programs might help a little in choosing which program best fits your needs.

A lot of us have at least one still camera that shoots HD video. In a country that has over 50% broadband coverage in private homes, and in just about every business, video has become a very important element on most websites. This allows photographers who can produce video an additional revenue stream. But, there are more than just a few items that are important to know. First, it is very difficult to shoot, direct the action, properly record the audio, slate the scene for sound sync, pull focus, set up 2 or more cameras to run concurrently, and not forget something... or several somethings…Here is an in-depth preview of what you need to know to get started in video.

A skilled photographer almost unconsciously takes all four components of light into consideration with each photo he or she takes. Light is one of several very important factors we use as a tool when creating images. However, having a deeper understanding of it is important for our growth as image makers. Last month I talked about Quality and Quantity, so this month I want to conclude our understanding light with Direction and Color.

Conversation always gets interesting whenever we get together at conventions and seminars and begin to discuss our craft. Once you have established who has the most expensive lens, the most mega-pixels and charges the most for an 8 x 10, often the discussion settles on whether you shoot in RAW or JPEG. In some cases your identity is bound up in your answer. If you shoot RAW, it’s because you’re educated enough to shoot RAW. Or you shoot JPEG only because you’re good enough to shoot JPEG only. After editing perhaps millions of files in both JPEG and RAW, I think it’s time for me to toss my hat in the ring and present some evidence that might surprise you about the advantages of shooting both RAW and JPEG.

Masking is one of the most powerful tools in Photoshop. In this month's issue of Shootsmarter.com, I explain how to use the gradient tool to perform masking procedures. This technique will help you to obtain a nice and smooth transition to your image. Simple tips for some really cool techniques. Watch now to learn more about masking...

Executive portraits were always traditional and predictable.... boring! But they don't have to be. Whenever I shoot an executive session, I ask a lot of questions and dig deeper into what the person is all about. I'm looking for a creative angle, something that we help me create an image that is unique and in tune with what the client is all about.

It’s one thing to sit and read on the internet and there is no doubt education media sites like ShootSmarter.com and fridayphotoschool.com are really helping all of us...and that includes me. But there is something to be said about working hands on with an instructor. Here are some tips and shots from my photo school in Pittsburgh, PA.

Let's talk about backups. Boring topic, but so important that ShootSmarter is devoting an entire new section on it, "ShootSmarter All-Stars!" In this article, I will break down my backup procedures for you step by step. I am not going to bother to tell you why you should have a backup policy or how important it really is. But if you ever need to save your *!*, it will be your backups to the rescue. Here are my back ups. Read them, use them, modify them and make them your own.

Hey ShootSmarter Peeps, I hope everyone is having a great spring so far! Ok, today’s topic is something a lot of photographers have asked me about over the years. In fact, ShootSmarter’s editor, Cindy, forwarded me some emails from readers like you out there about this topic. Most photographers don’t seem to have a problem getting gift certificates for their studio out into the community, but they have a heck of a time getting clients in to use them. Well, this happens to be one of my specialties! Our studio has a 90% gift certificate retention rate with charity auctions. This is huge considering we donate to anywhere from 60-80 auctions a year with an average sale of over $2000. We also sell a few dozen gift certificates around the different holidays, give them to people for referrals, and have a $50 gift certificate opt in on our Facebook page when you “LIKE” us. Like I said, I want this article to be about getting these people to USE the gift certificates, not just how and where to hand them out, so I’ll focus on retention if that is ok.  

I wanted you to be the first to preview my newest addition to the ShootSmarter.com series of videos, "Pictures That Move". It is due to be released early April and I am excited to share with you a sneak preview. You will get a clear picture of my vision for the future of photography as technology is changing the way that we shoot, shape and share images with friends, family, clients, and even potential clients. YouTube, Facebook,and Vimeo make it easier than ever to share digital HD content. Your digital hungry clients will demand it and I am here to lead the way with my "Pictures That Move" DVD. Watch this short video to preview "Pictures That Move"...