Posted by TJ Dinsmoor on Wed, Jul 07, 2010 @ 04:15 PM
July Featured Photographer - Pat Hitt
Pat Hitt of YouNique Photography in Mukwonago, Wis. is named the featured photographer for July 2010. Please continue to read more on Pat, his photographic experience and view some sample images.
July Special - Free Wallet Prints
Use coupon code JULY10 to receive 8 free wallet photo prints when you order $40 or more. Now is the perfect time for wallet-sized prints because of the busy senior portrait season! *When ordering through ROES please include the coupon code in the instructions area. Photographers can create their own wallet signatures using ROES or LabPrints. If you prefer to create your own signatures in Adobe Photoshop, crop your image to 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" and be sure to keep your text 1/4" from all edges. Save at 250 ppi. Download our wallet signature template.
New Changes!
Be sure to check out The Lab Apollo site in the upcoming weeks as we will be implementing some new changes and offering new products! Don't worry all the ordering systems and previous products will still be the same. However, you will see a facelift to the site giving it a fresher look.
Also in the works is you will soon have the ability to order picture frames for photo prints and other mounted photo products! We will be including a HUGE selection of frames so please stay tuned to learn more!
Posted by TJ Dinsmoor on Wed, Jun 30, 2010 @ 12:14 PM
WPPI 2010 Road Trip
WPPI is taking the fun and excitement of Las Vegas on the road in its second annual WPPI Road Trip. This August and September, WPPI will hit 10 cities across the country, bringing along the biggest speakers in professional photography!
The road trip kicks off Monday, August 23 in Irvine, CA then heads to Sacramento, CA on Wednesday, August 25. The rest of the road trip is as follows:
Monday, August 30 Seattle, WA
Wednesday, September 1 Dallas, TX
Monday, September 13 Washington, D.C.
Thursday, September 16 Chicago, IL
Monday, September 20 Atlanta, GA
Wednesday, September 22 Orlando, FL
Monday, September 27 New Brunswick, NJ
Wednesday, September 29 Detroit, MI
Each stop on the tour will host a full day of educational classes covering important topics including:
- Business and Marketing
- Lighting
- Posing
- Wedding and Portrait Shooting
- Photoshop and Postproduction
Lunch and a mini trade show are included
The cost to attend is $135 ($149 starting July 31) and this includes FREE registration to WPPI 2011 in Las Vegas!
You can also bring a guest for $75 and that also includes a free registration to WPPI 2011 in Las Vegas.
Check out a stop near you!
Posted by TJ Dinsmoor on Mon, Jun 14, 2010 @ 10:41 AM
The Lab Apollo is currently looking into different styles for flush mount albums and picture frames to introduce to our expanding product line. We would like to open up suggestions to our online community to see which styles you prefer.
What Are Flush Mount Albums?
Flush mount albums are photo albums that are printed on quality photographic paper and bound with a leather cover. Your images are mounted to invisibly-hinged pages for durability. Flush mount albums is a seamless-style and has a very small gap between pages.
Custom Picture Frames
The Lab Apollo would like to get your feelings regarding frames. Anything from frames that can fit any size, ready-made frames, metal frames and frames for canvas prints. Comment, e-mail, Facebook or Twitter us and tell us what frames you use for your prints and what you find appealing. Picture frame ordering will be stitched in our software as an add-on to your order. You will be able to view what your print(s) will look like with a selected frame(s).
Posted by TJ Dinsmoor on Fri, Jun 11, 2010 @ 02:10 PM
Digital Proof Books
By creating a press-printed proof book you will show your clients your professionalism and give them a chance to view all of their images from their photo shoot easily. They are economical in the fact that clients can select the images they wish to order by identifying the file name associated with the image directly in the proof book. Books come in two sizes (8x8 or 8x12) and you have the choice of hard, soft and photo cover. 8x8 books have the option of 2 or 4 images per page, plus full bleed. 8x12 books can have 2, 4, 6, 8 or 12 images per page and also full bleed.
Proof book require a minimum of 16 pages. Addition pages for an 8x8 book is $0.50 and $0.70 for an 8x12. The paper stock that is associated with proof books is a 100 lb. glossy photo paper, high-gloss photo paper or protective coating paper.
How Long Does It Take To Create?
A 16 page book can be filled up quick and easy. No doubt, if photographers use our auto-fill feature it will take a matter of minutes to create! Even with our manual fill feature it will still take a few minutes. Once you upload your images into a photo folder on the site, its just dragging and dropping them into place. The file name will automatically appear underneath each image.
I'll Let You In On A Little Secret About Proof Books...
Creators of proof books generally miss the "Include Page Footer" option in step 4 of the build process. A page footer is a way to identify and personalize each proof book. If you look in the first image above you will see the page footer is "Brian DeMint's June 2010 Photo Shoot.
Warning - Proof Books May Lead To More Sales, Really.
Because your clients proofs are in a book, they have the ability to share the book between family and friends instead of passing 4x6 prints. Also, our proof books are printed on actual photo paper giving the
customer an actual representation of what their photos will look like.
Photographers can also get a sense on where they may need to make any
coloring adjustments.
Posted by TJ Dinsmoor on Tue, Jun 08, 2010 @ 10:07 AM
Complex selections made easy.
Now you can select specific areas with fewer clicks. Eliminate background color around tough selection edges, automatically vary selection edges and perfect masks using new refinement tools.
Content-Aware Fill Tool
Remove any image detail or object and watch as Content-Aware Fill magically fills in the space left behind. This breakthrough technology matches lighting, tone, and noise so it looks as if the removed content never existed. This tool takes the clone stamp to a whole new level!
New Raw Image Processing
Download the Adobe Photoshop Camera Raw 6 plug-in to remove image noise while preserving color and detail. Add grain to make digital photos look more organic. Enjoy more control as you perform post-crop vignetting.
Automatic Lens Correction Feature
Correct lens distortions, chromatic aberration, and vignetting. Photoshop CS5 uses an image file's EXIF data to make precise adjustments based on the type of camera and lens you used.
Better Media Management
Easily manage media with more flexible batch renaming, and access your assets in the context of what you're working on by using the customizable Adobe Mini Bridge panel in Photoshop.
Source of Information Click Here
Posted by TJ Dinsmoor on Wed, Jun 02, 2010 @ 02:34 PM
DJ LaDez is a professional photographer who typically shoots modeling portfolio images. DJ teaches photography and advanced location lighting at seminars worldwide. He does between 15 and 30 seminars per year and has over 20 years of experience in both photography and teaching. DJ is based in Richey, Florida where he also acts as boss at Lumedyne, Inc. Lumedyne manufactures and services portable flash lighting equipment.
Continue to read more on DJ LaDez and to view some of his sample images.
Posted by TJ Dinsmoor on Tue, May 25, 2010 @ 02:30 PM
With all the buzz about social networking these days, one of the most powerful resources for an amateur photographer is Flickr. Some may see Flickr as merely an image hosting-photo sharing site but it is much more. Dig into the depths of its user groups and you will explore a plethora of communities with photographers alike. There isn't a better thing than learning from people who share a common hobby - photography.
Amateur Photographers Learning & Becoming Professionals
http://www.flickr.com/groups/amateurphotographersbecomingpro_/
Amateurs looking to get experience and turn professional in hopes of making a decent living out of photography. Most amateur photographers start out in hopes of making a living out of it while others snap photos as a hobby. For those serious in making the next step in their photographic career this is a great group with a lot of forum discussion on how to take those next steps. The group contains 364 members with 4,857 items posted.
Belief in Amateur Photography
http://www.flickr.com/groups/biap/
A group to post your work and network with each other. Help each other out. I choose this group because I believe photographers should be respected more in their field. Photographers can get a bad rap especially when you hear about the shutterbugs falling under the spot light for documenting illegal activity. It doesn't necessarily mean they are associated with the activity, but as a documentary photographer it is a part of their interest to photograph it. The group contains 82 members but already has 1,535 items posted.
People Pics that WOW us
http://www.flickr.com/groups/peoplepicsthatwowus/
This user group is for those pictures or portraits of humans that have a WOW factor. It's for those that strike us from the moment we see them and cant seem to quit admiring them. Taking portraits, in my opinion, is the hardest form of photography. A lot of factors play into making the person comfortable, getting the correct lighting, etc. Also, as a photojournalist, a lot of people are very camera shy and it is very difficult for a photojournalist to document people. The group contains 747 members and has 7,892 items posted.
Critics Corner
http://www.flickr.com/groups/critics_corner/
Critics Corner is a group for photographers who want honest critiques (good or bad) of their photos. Also, it is a group for those who want to share their photography knowledge with those who want to receive it. Some may view critiques as beneficial or not. Some don't like people critiquing their work because the person critiquing it does not fully understand the mentally of the original photographer. Some photographers want something else out of critiques whether it is different lighting suggestions or editing suggestions. So the group may or may not be for you but it can be very beneficial to those photographers who are just starting out and would like to get tips on their work. The group contains 638 members and has 2,514 items posted.
Fotothoughts
http://www.flickr.com/groups/fotothoughts/
Fotothoughts is a community of photographers who are interested in technique and application in fine art photography. It is for those who want to focus on educational discussion and advanced critique as a means of self improvement. Photography is always changing and what was a style two days ago is already forgotten in this digital age. As a photographer you always have to be learning and keeping up. This group contains good forum discussion as an educational outlet. The group contains 555 members and has 2,353 items posted.
Posted by TJ Dinsmoor on Fri, May 14, 2010 @ 04:30 PM
It was early on in high school that Mike Koscielniak found a passion for photography. “I had a 35 MM camera and joined the photo club at Thomas Moore High School.” Mike continued to take photos of nature and wildlife while going on many family vacations. “During the summertime we traveled a lot to Northern Wisconsin such as Minocqua and Boulder Junction.”
By trade, Mike is a salesmen. His previous job included new construction sales for a fireplace company. That’s how he got into architecture photography where he would photograph completed jobs and created portfolios for the company.
The idea of Sporting Dog Portraits grew when he realized he didn’t have many photos of past family pets. Mike decided to take as many pictures as he could of his pets and would hang his prints in his home. “As friends and family came over, they became fascinated with my prints of my dogs and asked if I could come photograph their dogs.”
Mike is a proud owner of two labs; a black lab named Bailey and a chocolate lab named Cassie. Mike photographs alongside his son, Nick. Nick recalls when he was little, his first dog, a chocolate lab named Cocoa, taught him a love for animals. Now a junior in college, Nick explains that most of his photography subjects are his labs, since they seem to be the only things that are willing to sit still for a photo.
Most of Mike’s photo shoots are done outdoors during hunts. The biggest obstacle that he faces is positioning himself to get the correct lighting and getting the hunter, dog and game all in one frame. Mike also offers posed portraits. When asked how he keeps the dogs sitting still he explains, “some trainers put their dogs through obedience classes which makes it easier to have them sit and lay.”
Mike has gone on various types of hunts such as goose, pheasant and a few duck hunts just because duck hunts take up a majority of the day. He describes the ideal pose for a dog is to “get their ears up. It takes a lot of patience and might have to use a lot of calls and whistles, but it’s well worth it.”
On May 27, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. Mike and his son Nick will be featured on Outdoor Wisconsin – a Milwaukee Public Television broadcast that seeks to promote the stewardship of the natural environment and a responsible attitude towards outdoor pursuits. “We were at the Highland Hunt Club in Cascade, WI hunting a few birds we planted. We used a pointer that the Highland had as a guide and shot some photos for a simulated shoot. My son, who is attending MATC for video production, was talking to the producer of the show and they exchanged business cards and that’s kind of how it all got started.”
On behalf of The Lab we would like to thank Mike for sitting down with us. Below, Mike has shared a few of his favorite Sporting Dog Portraits with us. Be sure to check them out – especially the cute little chocolate lab.
Ideas for Presenting Photos of Sporting Dogs
Mike offers his clients a number of options for their finished dog portraits. Among them are metallic photo prints and art prints on canvas.
An art print on canvas offers a dramatic photo presentation that catches the eye from everywhere in the room. Great for photos that present some action or interesting subject extension at the edges of the photo. Clients who have their dogs photographed would likely love an art print on canvas to showcase their prized pet.
Metallic prints provide the kind of special effect that many clients love. Colors seem more vibrant and the subject almost “pops” off the portrait. Metallic prints are available from wallet size to 30”x40”.
Posted by TJ Dinsmoor on Fri, May 14, 2010 @ 09:39 AM
BEST OF SHOW
1st Place
Category: Nature
Title: Complimentary Colors
Photographer of the Year
Donald Bolak
Wheeling, IL - USA
1st Place
Category: People
Title: Aged Man
Marti Belcher
Vienna, VA - USA
1st Place
Category: Places
Title: Sears Power
Darris Harris
Chicago, IL - USA
1st Place
Category: Still-Life
Title: Imperfect Beauty
Corsie Teresa
Port Coquitlam, British Columbia - Canada
1st Place
Category: Alteration of Reality
Title: Trumpet Lily
Karen Hirsch
Chicago, IL - USA
Photos courtesy of Fort Dearborn-Chicago Photo Forum International Photogrraphy Competition 2010
Posted by TJ Dinsmoor on Wed, May 12, 2010 @ 03:40 PM
L.A. photographer Jonas Lara faces misdemeanor graffiti charges stemming from an arrest this past February. Allegedly Lara was acting as a lookout for two graffiti artists when all three men were arrested. If convicted of the charges, Lara could serve up to a year in prison.
Lara believed his case could be argued under the First Amendment, however his former public defender disagreed and the two parted ways. Lara has refused two plea deals and plead not guilty to the charges.
Lara is looking for an attorney who he can afford and the fundraising has been well, but he is still short of what he needs. He's looking for someone who will be able to bring up the issues of the First Amendment and photographers rights.
Lara was documenting a long term project focused on visual art. He explains the project involved documenting various artists of all disciplines. It just so happens that what the graffiti artists were doing was illegal.
The stakes in this case are high. If convicted, Lara will face a year in prison and he'll also be unable to pursue his MFA at the School of Visual Arts, where he is set to begin classes this September.
Lara states, "I keep reading wild allegations on the Internet where people fantasize about my part in the graffiti. For the record, I maintain neutrality in my work. I do not encourage, nor do I help plan or anything even remotely close to that. People keep asking if I know {the taggers} would be there. Of course I knew. I don't know how that translates into me being guilty of the crime of vandalism. Does a photojournalist with a magazine blindly drive around at night hoping that he stumbles on a story? No, he conducts research and receives tips on where a story might occur. The painting would have taken place regardless whether I was there or not."
If anyone is interested Lara has set up a Jonas Lara Legal Defense Fund which you can contribute to.
Jonas Lara generated the idea for the project when he was taking a cultural anthropology class during his undergraduate studies at the Art Center College of Design.
What are your thoughts on the case?
