Hi ,

 

If you’re reading this, then there’s a good chance that you were introduced to my blog from one of my two recent tripod reviews. If so, then I’d like to welcome you to the newsletter- hopefully you find the information in this issue helpful, useful, or at least mildly entertaining. As promised, here’s the latest news, info, links to my recent blog posts, and some exclusive content that has been compiled just for you.

 

 

I can’t believe that it’s already late February and almost March! Why, a few short weeks ago, I was shooting in minus five degrees, and now here I am this past weekend, riding my snow bike without a hat! What the heck happened to winter! (Of course, as I say this, I’m still looking at nearly four feet of snow in my front yard.)

 

 

If you’ve forgotten what five below feels like, or looks like, for that matter, you can follow along. My first Photoflex LightingSchool Tutorial is finally up. Testing the TritonFlash in Extreme Conditions, walks you through an entire post sunset skate skiing photo shoot here in Anchorage, Alaska, where I use the TritonFlash battery Powered Strobe. 

 

As someone who goes fast with light, I’ve been nothing but impressed with what the TritonFlash can do, even in extreme cold temperatures. In fact, I can’t wait to try shooting with it in anything but bitter, freezing cold weather. Isn’t Spring just around the corner? Although I’ve featured the TritonFlash in a few of my posts recently, look for a full review from me soon.

 

Check out the lesson, even if you’re not a strobe user. I still walk you through the process of my scouting, setup and actual shoot. In that way, it’s similar in format to my next “behind the scenes” style eBook, which I’m currently writing.

 

 

You can also see me in action and see just how fast it is to set up the TritonFlash and Photoflex WhiteDome in this short video of me shooting dog sledding. Note that any of these shots could be done with a traditional small flash; I just use the TritonFlash for faster recycle times and better operation in the cold.

 

 

Yesterday on the blog, I ran a preview of the brand new PocketWizards Plus III radio triggers. (See below.) Here’s another look at these great new triggers - a video blog post by Joe McNally, shooting dragsters in the desert that illustrates the extreme range of these new radios.

 

Things aren’t like they used to be. In fact, they never are, no matter what you do. Just when you think you’ve deciphered the world, it charges ahead and leaves you standing there, trying to figure out how to adapt to the changes that you didn’t see coming.

 

Photography is not exempt from this trend, and so in order to stay afloat in the new economy, or whatever we’re calling it these days, you’ve got to develop some new business models and adaptations. Here are some tips on how to survive and proper, whether you do photography full or part time. Even if you don’t do photography as a business, you can still get something from these tips, because it still costs money and time.

 

1. Treat it like a business. These days, talent alone only gets you so far. Talent, and hard work get you a little farther. Both of those, combined with diligence, efficiency and a professional attitude or outlook, even if you’re not a pro, will help you take your photography to the next level.

 

2. Be diligent and disciplined. I said it above, and I’ll say it again. Create a workflow and/or schedule for your photography, and try to stick to it as much as possible. Or at least have the intention of sticking to it; something will always come up. The more efficient you are, the more you can accomplish, which could include spending more time outside or with your family. Hopefully both!

 

3. Know when to give it away. “Free” has always been a form of marketing, but these days, you can overdo it. Carefully evaluate what you’ll get if you give a photo away without “pay.” The elusive promise of more traffic to your website may not be enough, but with social media traffic, maybe it is. 

 

4. Invest wisely. This goes for everything- equipment, travel, your time, your computer, hard drives, etc… Do you REALLY need that $4K lens or a Nikon D4? Would the same amount of money be better spent on a trip with your current gear?

 

5. Do what you love. I always say this. It always leads to some form of success. If you aren’t totally enamored with the subjects and styles that you’re shooting, your won’t create very inspired imagery. 

 

6. Get better and more creative at PR. Whether it’s writing, blogging, shooting video or whatever… (I’m writing this newsletter) spend the time and energy to communicate with your audience and potential clients in ways where you’re not just always behind the camera. 

 

7. Take control of your income. Prints. Products. EBooks. Workshops. Assignments. Affiliate sales. Blogging. The list goes on… Read this post about my own photography income stream.

 

 

This week, I’m the subject of a featured post on the Wonderful Machine Blog, or Cog, as they call it. The editor, Maria Luci, wrote a short piece about me, my eBooks and my Going Fast With Light style of photography. I’m actually doing the first Fast With Light workshop later this year in Alaska. If you’d like to have me come do a workshop that’s sponsored by your camera club or photography/outdoor organization, contact me directly for info, pricing and scheduling.

 

 

Craft and Vision just released a brand new eBook by Yosemite and landscape photographer Michael Frye, called Exposure for Outdoor Photography. This 50 page manual will teach you how to understand and master the most essential technical skill for any photographer. Get a solid handle on metering modes, histograms, aperture, shutter speeds, depth of field, exposure blending, aesthetics, pushing ISO, high key images, applying your own vision and more. Full of useful information, exercises and case studies. 

 

Having looked through the entire book, what I like about it is the detailed case studies that outline every exposure related decision, factor and outcome from each scene. In addition, each example is accompanied by the corresponding histogram of the scene, as well as a snapshot of the exact camera exposure for reference. 

 

Overall, this is a really solid book on how to expose in tricky outdoor lighting situations, and well worth checking out if you want to increase your technical camera know-how. Plus it's only five bucks. That's less than coffee and a scone. Check it out here.

 

As a Lowepro Professional Photographer, I’m allowed to give special discounts to my readers. This special discount code will save you 20% on any product when you shop directly on the Lowepro website. To get the discount, click this banner above, shop for gear, and enter code LP20 in your shopping cart when you order any products. This special is not time sensitive, so you don’t to hurry and buy something now, the code is good indefinitely.

 

 

Later this week on the blog - My long awaited Fuji X10 camera user review. I’ve been using the X10 for about two months now and so I’ve gotten to know it pretty well. I’ll rundown the features, capabilities, limitations, my likes and dislikes and show you some photos. Stay tuned. 

 

Until then, enjoy the blog articles and be sure to post your favorite shots to my Outdoor Adventure Photography Flickr Group. 

 

Have a great week!

 

Dan