#99. Create awesome kern-photo client schwag.
Introducing the CD/DVD replacement:
My clients will now be receiving their final images on these cool USB thumb drives. Not only do they serve as a way to transfer high resolution digital images, they don’t scratch or crack like DVDs or CDs, are easier to transfer data back and forth, and can also be used a cool thumb drive after the images backed-up in a safe place at home (don’t forget!!!).
I’ll offer 8GB for weddings or 2 GB for portraits sessions. While they cost more than a standard CD or DVD, they are a much nicer touch. I mean what IT Specialist wouldn’t love one of these?!?!
They ship in a matching aluminum case:
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Posted by R. J. on December 21, 2011
Time to upgrade my main workstation after two years of creative use. Upgrading to Thunderbolt.
Super stoked about my new creative workspace with a new 17” Macbook Pro driving dual 27” Thunderbolt displays. These bad boys make me feel at the helm of my air traffic controlling brain. Everything looks simply GORGEOUS on these new screens. Plus all it takes is to little power cords to juice them up and then computer works as normal when closed. Super cool and very efficient when it comes to plugging and unplugging them. My studio is receiving finishing touches in decor this week.
I am selling this 17” Macbook Pro ( 3.06 GHZ Dual-Core, 8GB RAM, 500GB HD at 7200 rpm) with the antiglare display to make editing on the road easier. This machine is super fast. There are no dings or major scratches and everything works like new. It has a new power supply and is covered under AppleCare Protection Plan for peace of mind for 12 months. Click here for Macbook Pro listing.
I am also selling my 23” Apple Cinema Display. Clients love the high, resolution widescreen display screen to view images during their reception and it comes in handy during album design meetings. Click here for external monitor display listing.
Together, they make a great combination… perfect for creative professionals who love Apple products!
All sales end Thursday the 12th at noon.
Posted by R. J. on December 19, 2011
Wondering what to gift the photographer in your life? Need ideas to pass along your favorite shopper?
Gifts are only one way people like to feel loved. Don’t forget homemade coupon books good for acts of service like organizing the garage or quality time like a movie date make gifts that are just as great. Of course, if you are a photographer, know your photographs mounted and ready to hang make a wonderful gift to a loved one!
With last-minute holiday shopping in the works, here a list of 17 awesome holiday gifts I use and recommend in my photography business:
1. Beats Studio by Dr. Dre {$299}
These hi-def noise canceling headphones keep my sanity during trips through noisy airports. They also allow me my space if I need to tune out while at home, or just listen to my music loud without waking the neighbors. I’ve had mine for about 3 years and they still work wonders!
2. Rosco The Strobist Collection, 55 Piece Filter Kit {$8}
A creative box of crayons from those who like to use off-camera flashes. I love to experiment with these during engagement sessions and ring shots.
3. LumiQuest Gel Holder {$13}
Use this to hold the gel holder’s on the front of your flash.
4. ThinkTank International Roller v2.0 Roller {$350}
This camera bag joined me in Summer 2012 and now follows where ever I go. I can stuff my 17” laptop in the sleeve and it counts as one carry-on. It fits in all major international airline overhead compartments (despite what they say). I stack things on top of it when lugging through the airport (read… very sturdy!).
5. Fujifilm INSTAX Mini 7S Camera and 10 rolls of film {$145}
This is a great little toy that packs a punch to preserve memories and share with friends immediately. Kids love these as much as adults. Shake it like a polaroid! I gave a parking guard in Santorini a photo of himself in exchange for parking in his lot since I didn’t have cash…. makes people smile in all languages and may get you out of a predicament in a pinch.
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Posted by R. J. on December 16, 2011
Since I started my photography business back in 2005, I’ve been shooting digital due to the streamlined workflow and what I thought the market wanted. It worked for awhile. However, there was still something elusive I wanted to capture using film and I just wasn’t feeling it in digital. I’m a luddite at heart, and if I could live without a cell phone or internet in the wilderness with cool, creative people around, I would. Then again, that’s what Burning Man is about (more on that here and here).
The backstory
I learned on film in 1994 in my high school darkroom shooting T-Max with the Honeywell Pentax my father gave me. While I dabbled with my holga shooting film on vacation, I never did much with it since. However, after meeting Jose Villa in Denver a year ago with friends Jenna Walker and James Christianson, talking with Brian at Richard Photo Lab, hearing colleagues Collin Hughes and Eliesa Johnson speak of their love of shooting film while attending Elevate Workshop, I knew I should begin taking the steps to incorporate it into my professional work. I totally connected with Laurence Kim’s thoughts after 6 months of shooting film. I researched about the Nikon F100 vs F5, and at the recommendation of three dear friends, Denver Wedding Photographers Gino Siller, Rachel Olsen, James Christianson. Hell, even Ken Rockwell loves the Nikon F100. So I gave it the old college try.
My first session shooting 35mm film
I dipped my toe into the film waters with paying clients watching, veeery slowly. I’ve shot personal work on 35mm film for years, shot several portraits with film for free, but not for actual paying clients. I feared screwing up, but embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and excitement. I brought along my digital Nikon D700 not as my photo security blanket, but because I wanted to draw my own comparison and conclusions in real world shooting situations.
Gear breakdown:
- For film, I shot a Nikon F100 with a 24-70 mm lens using T-Max B&W film which I’ve had in the drawer for about 10 years. Sure, not the optimal scenario, but it worked like a champ. I got the film developed and scanned at National Camera Exchange in Edina, MN. It cost me about $30 for a roll of 36 plus time to drop off/pick up.
- For the digital shots, I used my Nikon D700 with a 24-70 mm lens and used a B&W conversion in Photoshop (Channel Mixer Red: 68%, Green: 24%, and Blue 8%) then Cinnamon Toast at 20% opacity (from TRA1). I’ve used this B&W conversion for the last several years, so it was interesting me to compare it to the film I learnt on (I prefer my B&W slightly warmer than what T-Max 400 offers).
Leah and Craig got married at this same location, walking down this same aisle where we met, which made for a perfect spot to shoot my first roll of film on their Minneapolis family portrait session I blogged about here:
FILM / Nikon F100 / TMAX 400 :
DIGITAL / Nikon D700 :
FILM (notice that lovely grain) :
DIGITAL (better overall image sharpness with greater dynamic range) :
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Posted by R. J. on December 15, 2011
