Posted by TJ Dinsmoor on Tue, Jun 30, 2009 @ 08:15 PM
Due to the overwhelming response we received to our sports photography tips last week, we're bringing you more tips in professional photography. This time, read the latest advice on car and automobile photography.
- Correct exposure is made up of different adjustments of shutter speed and aperture. So, the faster the shutter speed, the bigger the aperture to balance out exposure.
- Larger aperture lets in more light. Speed up the shutter speed to reduce the amount of light and balance exposure.
- Adjustments in shutter speed and aperture will give varying results such as a blurred effects or sharp, focused shots. By using different apertures, you can control the focus on different parts of the shot and create depth of field, which can give emphasis to different parts of the shot.
- With modern technology, DSLRs come with sensors that give photographers the ability to shoot in low light at settings used a few years ago. If you run out of options in low light after turning down the shutter speed and opening up the aperture, you will be unable to take the desired photo. But DSLRs allow photographers to increase the ISO and shoot in low light.
- Wider apertures mean faster shutter speeds and are perfect for head-on shots of cars and creating sharp, in-focus shots with soft, out-of-focus backgrounds. Wider apertures also allow photographers to concentrate on their subjects (cars).
- Many photographers assume the need for a fast shutter speed to photograph a car. This may be true, but if the shutter is too fast, then the photo will give the impression that the car is parked. When a car is photographed with a slower shutter speed, the impression of speed is conveyed.
For more information about car photography, consult Driving Images.
-TJ Dinsmoor
Social Media Specialist
Posted by Cory Grassell on Mon, Jun 29, 2009 @ 08:14 PM
In Milwaukee, we are privileged to host the world's largest music festival in
Summerfest, which is held outdoors at the lakefront each year during the last week of June and first week of July. This 11-day festival brings in some of the biggest names in international and local music. What better way to spend a warm summer night than by the coastal shores of Lake Michigan!?
Apollo is now offering a photo discount through July 7, 2009, when you upload and order your digital images from Summerfest ‘09. Relive the fun and excitement of Summerfest all year long with your one-of-a-kind photos. To learn more about this exclusive offer, visit our Facebook page and become a fan.
-Cory Grassell
Marketing & SEO Specialist
Posted by TJ Dinsmoor on Wed, Jun 24, 2009 @ 08:12 PM
Thanks to photo journalism's active coverage of sports in recent decades, most sports enthusiasts can recall a memorable photo, whether Muhammad Ali standing over Sonny Liston, David Tyree's Super Bowl catch or Michael Jordan's signature dunk. Good action photos conger intensity and energy from the moment of victory or defeat. But many fans may not realize that producing a quality sports photo is almost as challenging as the sport itself. Take it from me, a freelance photographer covering mixed martial arts (MMA) for Wisconsin Combat Sports (click the link to view samples of my work, or simply take a look at the thumbnail images at the top of this post).
First, gaining front-row access to a sporting event poses a major obstacle. Being in the heart of the action is essential to capturing the moment.
Lighting is also critical during a sporting event, and it can mean the difference between blurry and sharp, crisp shots. Ideally, the faster the shutter speed, the less motion blur you will capture. By being present at a well lit event, photographers can use faster shutter speeds to reduce motion blur.
To excel in sports photography, one really has to know about and be immersed in the sport he or she will be photographing. Aspiring photographers need to know the ins and outs of the sport. For example, unless one knows all the techniques and forms of MMA, potentially great photographs could be missed, including submission or escape attempts.
A great attribute of sports photography is the uncertainty of what you will capture. Typically during an event, thousands of photos will be collected, and only a few will be used for front-page stories, slideshow galleries, etc. A chosen sports photograph should convey the emotion from the moment. The ability to capture this emotion is exemplified in Tiger Woods' famous fist pump; through a simple fist pump, a photographer portrayed through imagery the energy of the screaming crowd, the emotion and intensity of Tiger Woods, and the feelings of fellow golfers who witnessed another incredible putt or a comeback by one of the best golfers to ever play the game.
For aspiring sports photographers, consult the Internet for ESPN, Sports Illustrated or even Yahoo! Sports. These sites have captured some great moments in a variety of sports settings. Pay special attention to close-up photos versus whole-frame shots. If you starting out in sports photography, visit local sporting events this summer and test various techniques. Once you hone your skills, networking opportunities may be available with local newspapers or websites.
-TJ Dinsmoor
Social Media Specialist/Freelance Photographer
Posted by Cory Grassell on Mon, Jun 22, 2009 @ 08:10 PM
Be sure to highlight these dates on your calendar. This list of upcoming monthly specials will help you plan sales and promotions for your photo business or studio. Dates and promotions are subject to change without notice, so watch your monthly e-mail reminders from Apollo. Or simply keep tabs on our blog and
Facebook and
Twitter pages for updates.
And don't forget our weekly photo specials every Tuesday on Twitter! Follow our photo updates on Twitter and receive an exclusive coupon code every Tuesday, valid for one day only from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. CST. All orders must be placed through our Illuma Online Ordering System and should include the coupon code at time of ordering. A per-order minimum of $12 applies. Shipping is extra; however, free shipping is awarded to orders of $50 or more.
-Cory Grassell
Marketing & SEO Specialist
Posted by Cory Grassell on Fri, Jun 19, 2009 @ 08:08 PM
To enhance our current social media campaigns such as Facebook and Twitter, Apollo welcomes TJ Dinsmoor as social media specialist. He is also instrumental in company communications, industry research, inbound marketing and blogging for professional photographers. TJ possessses a degree in advertising and public relations and a minor in sociology with a certificate in digital arts and cultures. He looks to use his knowledge to keep Apollo abreast of changes and advancements in social media and online marketing so we can better serve our customers and keep them updated with our latest news and notes.
Posted by Cory Grassell on Wed, Jun 17, 2009 @ 08:07 PM
Do you (or your studio) have a photo blog? Blogging is fast-becoming the go-to source for user-generated content. But blogs don't have to be completely textual or informative. Consider hosting a photo blog to show samples of your work and include short captions with each image so readers know the context of the photos. Earlier today, I was quickly browsing through recent photo uploads on a wedding photographer's blog and was amazed at how he used natural sunlight on his subjects. Photo blogs can also be a way for you to network with fellow photographers by posting comments with a direct link to your website. Before you know it, you have created an online community and engaged in an online dialogue with peers in your field. Be sure to check out WordPress for customizable and ad-free blog hosting.
-Cory Grassell
Marketing & SEO Specialist
Posted by Cory Grassell on Fri, Jun 12, 2009 @ 07:59 PM
Apollo has proudly teamed with Mike McNamara, a renowned expert on digital imaging devices such as cameras, printers, and camera phones. He also possesses a wealth of knowledge about professional photography, photo products, industry trends, and various issues photographers face. His website,
The McNamara Report, hosts useful information on cameras, printing, software, and more. You can also hear and see Mike on a weekly online radio and TV segment called
Inside Digital Photo. Look for future feature spotlights from Mike McNamara here or in our
e-newsletter (
sign up for a free Apollo customer account and opt in for e-mail updates).
-Cory Grassell
Marketing & SEO Specialist
Posted by Cory Grassell on Tue, Jun 09, 2009 @ 07:40 PM
Have you visited my online articles aimed at helping you boost your pro studio marketing? Visit my author page at EZineArticles.com and read the latest post titled The 30-Second Rule: Grab Attention With Your Photo Website. This handy article is a quick overview of basic improvements you can make to your studio's website. Discover how simple enhancements will bring a major impact to your business.
-Cory Grassell, Marketing & SEO Specialist
Apollo Photo Imagizing
Posted by Cory Grassell on Fri, Jun 05, 2009 @ 06:56 PM
With the advent of the Internet, marketing your photo business took on a whole new meaning. The days of print advertising are quickly being relinquished to the past. Now, business owners need to integrate the Internet into their marketing agendas. Online marketing can incorporate many fascinating features from the Web and technology that even the smallest photo studio or independent photographer can compete. Since Web 2.0, the Internet has become more engaging and interactive, paving the way for social media networking. Social media, one of the most fascinating features on the Web today, has taken the Internet by storm and is revolutionizing the way professionals and people of similar interests can relate and network. Best of all, most social sites are free.
It seems new social sites are appearing weekly, so it's difficult to stay abreast of what's new (visit KnowEm for a long list of current social media sites). And it's impossible for busy photographers to be active on every site, although applications such as Flock allow users to update various social media accounts from one platform. As a pro photographer, you need to decide which sites hold practical value and application for your marketing objectives, but I strongly encourage looking into the "Big Four": Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and MySpace.
Since Apollo joined Twitter, a mobile-based application that is basically real-time updates, we have successfully networked with over 100 photographers. Using Facebook, we have created a fan page and an online community of photographers who need pro lab products and services. The creation of online communities also facilitates the exchange of ideas, tips, resources, and more. Facebook also allows photo sharing (up to 200 photos per album and an unlimited number of albums) and basic photo editing; in fact, this free service hosts approximately 15 billion photos each day. Since photos stored on Facebook are low resolution, I do not recommend printing these files; however, several downloadable applications exist for easy transferring photos to other social sites like Flickr, which actually tells you the kind of camera used for a particular uploaded photo (look for "Additional Information" with each uploaded image).
Since photo sharing has erupted in popularity, it's easy to see the value in this application for your studio. Social media sites allow you to publish your name and images on the Internet, where you can gain free exposure for your work and be discovered by fellow photographers. In addition to the "Big Four," consider social media sites that directly relate to photography. For example, a new site called PhotoSpace is a photo-sharing community that allows you to join specific communities and get active in discussion forums segmented by specific interests.
Let's recap the benefits of engaging in social media websites:
- Network with fellow photographers for the exchange of ideas and resources.
- Network with current and potential customers and keep them up to date with your studio's promotions, products, and services.
- Follow others and stay current with what they're doing so you can model your business accordingly.
- Gain exposure for your best work by posting your images online and inviting others to view them.
- Easy accessibility: fellow site users can contact you without major hassle.
- Engage in online conversations about photography and gain feedback from those experiencing similar issues.
- Participate in photo contests and other ways to build your reputation.
- Offer exclusive promotions for your social media followers.
- Hear about upcoming tradeshows, seminars, events, and more.
- Embark on link-building exercises between your studio and other photographers, organizations, etc.
- Discover blogs (Technorati is a great place to start getting introduced to new blogs and social media content) and widgets that give you up-to-the-minute industry news.
-Cory Grassell
Marketing & SEO Specialist
Posted by Cory Grassell on Tue, Jun 02, 2009 @ 06:54 PM
Every month, we release an e-newsletter for our current customers and e-subscribers. This e-newsletter spotlights a variety of topics, including monthly specials, product releases, industry news, featured photographers, new employees, marketing tips, social media sites and more. It's easy to subscribe; simply visit our
Customer Sign Up page. For added convenience, we will also include a
link to a PDF file of our e-newsletter each month. Read this month's issue for a wedding special, a free shipping offer, a new way to order digital prints, marketing tips, customer testimonials and more.
Posted by Cory Grassell on Mon, Jun 01, 2009 @ 06:51 PM
Ready or not, summer is upon us. So here come the brides, and here comes the wedding season. In anticipation of the busy photo months ahead, Apollo is offering 30% OFF PetitePortfolios mini photo books and RemarkAbles photo signature boards. There's no better time to create customized mini wedding photo books for parents and people special to your wedding couples or as thank-you gifts for attendants. And if the wedding is later this summer, use images from the engagement session to design a personalized photo signature board for guests to sign at the reception. These products get your work seen by more people who will remember you when they need a photographer.
And remember that we offer FREE shipping on orders of $50 or more!
To receive your discount online, enter coupon code WEDDING in the coupon-code box if using the Illuma® Online Ordering System or in the instructions if using the Remote Order Entry System (ROES); the discount will appear in your printed invoice and not onscreen. Coupon code must be applied at the time of ordering. Offer excludes optional envelope imprinting. This special expires June 30, 2009, and cannot be combined with any other Apollo promotion or discount. Other exclusions and limitations may apply. A per-order minimum of $12 applies.
