Posted by TJ Dinsmoor on Tue, Sep 29, 2009 @ 09:00 AM
Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) began in the 1970s in response to an industry-wide demand for a professional organization devoted to special interests and needs of wedding photographers.
The organization serves as an important need of an often neglected segment of the industry, wedding photography. Back in the 70's, wedding photographers were referred to as "weekend warriors," or part-timers who were on the low end of the status scale working hard to improve their craft. They were a viable force in the marketplace, purchasing new equipment and consuming film and paper at increasing rates.
In association with Rangefinder magazine, WPPI saw these "weekend warriors" as a well defined niche. None of the professional photographic organizations had the wedding photographers' interest at heart.
In 1979, an advisory board comprised of the foremost names in wedding photography was organized, and at the first meeting WPPI was created to recognize the organization's many members from around the world.
WPPI provides a much needed forum for photographers who had long asked for guidance. The organization also offers training, professional competition, directory services, convention and trade shows. WPPI recently completed its 29th annual Convention and Trade Show, drawing over 12,000 attendees and 365 exhibitors to its new convention space, the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.
To become a WPPI member you have five different options to choose from. Memberships start with a student option at $25, associate option at $50, three year option at $237, two year option at $178, and $99 for a one year option. Membership fees also include a subscription to Rangefinder magazine.
By becoming a WPPI member you will have receive some nice perks. Members receive discounted registration for the WPPI Convention and Trade Show, discounted rates for print and album competitions, first opportunity to register for workshops, as well as money-saving Wells Fargo financial services that offers student loans and membership banking programs.
The next WPPI event is Special Kids Photography of America accreditation 1-day workshop which is held in Houston, Texas. The next WPPI Convention and Trade Show will be held from March 4-11 at MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.
Apollo is pleased to say that we will be at the next WPPI Convention and Trade Show in March, so be sure to stop by our booth if you will be attending.
Join WPPI on Facebook and Twitter to receive updates on upcoming events and network with photographers alike.
Posted by Cory Grassell on Sat, Sep 26, 2009 @ 03:03 PM
During October 2009, take advantage of our amazing autumn special. Receive
30% OFF some of Apollo's most popular products:
ImageWraps photo canvas wraps and
EchoMounts photo box mounts. ImageWraps are an ideal way to enhance artistic and scenic photography. EchoMounts are contemporary, one-of-a-kind creations that are flashy and sure to grab attention. Both photo products arrive ready to hang, making them perfect for placement in any gallery or home upon delivery. Don't forget that these products also make excellent holiday gifts, as the holiday shopping season fast approaches. Order before October ends to get your discount!
*To receive your discount online, enter coupon code AUTUMN 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 add-on features. This special expires October 31, 2009, and cannot be combined with any other Apollo promotion or discount. Other exclusions and limitations may apply.
Posted by TJ Dinsmoor on Thu, Sep 24, 2009 @ 11:33 AM
Fall brings out some of the most vibrant colors of all the season. The red and golden color of leaves on a lush green grass background and a beautiful blue sky is really what fall is all about.
But, how do you capture all of these colors to make a great image?
Here are a few starting points that will help you this fall.
Shoot during the golden hours. Autumn colors really pop at the end of the day right before sunset when the light is golden. The sunset accentuates the reds and golds in the leaves.
Use a polarizing filter. The filter does a fantastic job with the saturation of colors. It is also useful when capturing a true blue sky. The filter will also decrease fog that you often get this time of the year as well as decreasing the glare you get when the sun shines on leaves.
Photograph on overcast days. Most people keep inside during a gloomy fall day, but gloomy days can actually be the best days to photograph during the fall. Overcast days create a mood that is different than sunny days and the vibrant colors pop on a neutral background.
Look for contrasts. Think about how to frame your shots in a way that colors contrast with one another. Imagine red leaves on green grass or golden leaves on a blue sky, even water.
Adjust your white balance. Take your settings off Auto mode and make your colors warm up by increasing the color temperature a bit. You can also select a ‘cloudy' setting on your camera if it has the option.
Turn down the exposure. If you slightly underexpose your shots slightly you'll get deeper saturation. However, keep in mind much of your digital shots can always be tweaked on your computer afterward.
Posted by Cory Grassell on Mon, Sep 21, 2009 @ 08:12 AM
I recently picked up the latest edition of Outside magazine (September 2009), which was an entire publication dedicated to photography. As an avid reader of the magazine, I always seem to get inspired when reading the various articles and viewing the numerous photos from adventurists around the world. Each article makes me feel like I have much living to do, that my life hasn't been filled to its fullest. After all, how can this be possible when outdoor enthusiasts are scaling rock walls, taking on high surfs, or backpacking rugged terrain? I thought I'd share a few of the magazine's suggested locations for the best outdoor-advenuture photo shots, so you can get inspired and possibly book your next getaway:
1. Best Top-of-the-World Shot: Mount Everest Base Camp, Nepal - Ideal for capturing the Himalayan peaks and Sherpa smiles.
2. Best Rock-and-Ice Shot: Ouray, Colorado - Great for frozen waterfalls, red noses and dangling climbers.
3. Best Bird Land: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico - Catch sandhill cranes, snow geese, flycatchers and tanagers.
4. Best Whiteout: Antarctica - Your photo list will include icy sunsets, penguin close-up shots and Shackleton's grave.
5. Best Monster Waves: Pillar Point Harbor, California - Get close to the action of epic wipeouts, as surfers take on some of the biggest and best ocean surf.
6. Best Tornado Watch: Great Plains, U.S.A. - Be sure to visit Oklahoma, Kansas (especially Wichita) and Nebraska during late March through early July to become your own storm chaser.
7. Best Bear Market: Yellowstone National Park, Montana/Wyoming/Idaho - Perfect spot for seeing bison, bears and RVs.
8. Best Pony Up: Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland/Virginia - Get your camera ready for wild horses and empty beaches.
9. Best Reef Spot: Great Barrier Reef, Australia - You'll get in front of minke whales, hammerheads and giant cod.
10. Best Ansel Adams' Spots: Snake River Overlook in Grand Teton National Park, Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park and Wonder Lake/Mount McKinley in Denali National Park.
For more tips about action or adventure photography, attend the Outside magazine workshop in Santa Fe and hear photo secrets of world-renowned Paolo Machesi, Jake Chessum an Jeff Lipsky. Visit outsideonline.com/workshops. Or hear about adventure filmmaking with award-winning director Michael Brown of Serac Adventure Films. Visit outsideonline.com/adventurefilmschool to learn how to capture the perfect shot, October 11-17.
Posted by TJ Dinsmoor on Tue, Sep 15, 2009 @ 09:46 AM
![[b] School website homepage](/Portals/1436/images//blog_bschool.jpg)
The [b] School is an online community where professional photographers can share images, inspire others, network, and shop online.
It's like Facebook for photographers, but with [b] School you can help build your business, share referrals, learn, and teach.
Membership requirements must meet four simple rules:
1. Must be a professional photographer. Or at least an aspiring one.
2. Use your real name or business name.
3. You must have a web presence. Every member will need a website or at least a blog related to their photo business.
4. Don't be a prick! The [b] School is trying to build a new kind of community of photographers who encourage each other to succeed. They do not need bad attitude bringing others down.
Pricing information for memberships is structured in two forms. You can pay a monthly fee of $10 with an auto rebill option or you can pay $100 a year and save $20.
Another online photography community that is worth checking
into is PictureSocial. PictureSocial
is free to join and allows members to display and critique photos, blog,
ask/answer questions, discuss equipment, and more. The community offers its
members unlimited photo storage space and users who are on Flickr can copy
their images to PictureSocial.
PicutreSocial is a big photography community, boasting
almost 15,000 users alike.
Posted by Cory Grassell on Mon, Sep 14, 2009 @ 09:18 PM
The new Canon EOS 7D, which will be available at the end of September, will cost you about $1,699 (body only). This new model comes with an 18 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and dual DIGIC four processors. This allows photographers to shoot 8 frames-per-second. Additional, stand-out features includes full-HD video with a 24 frames-per-second mode, creating the effect that your footage was shot with an actual movie camera.
Before purchasing, consider these other product specifications, as indicated on PopPhoto.com:
- 100% viewfinder with 1x magnification
- 3-inch LCD with 920k dot resolution
- 19-point cross-type AF sensor
- Dual DIGIC four processors for eight frames-per-second shooting in all formats
- Focus Colour Luminance metering system (iFCL) measures focus, color and luminance across 63 zones
- Dual-Axis Electronic Level to ensure level shooting
- Built-in flash has manual controls and covers focal lengths as wide as 15mm
- ISO range of 100-6,400, expandable to 12,800
- Redesigned magnesium alloy
- Video frame rates 30 (29.97), 25 and 24 (23.976), with 60 (59.94) and 50 available at 720p
- Full, manual control in movie mode
-Cory Grassell
Marketing & SEO Specialist
Posted by Cory Grassell on Wed, Sep 09, 2009 @ 09:17 PM
Every month, the marketing team at Apollo searches the latest industry and product news to bring you an e-mail newsletter. Each issue is filled with how-to tips, a featured photographer spotlight, monthly savings on Apollo Photo products, new product reviews or other photo-enriching features. You can
register to become an Apollo Photo customer and automatically receive this newsletter each month. Or, for your convenience, download the
September eFlash here.
This month, take advantage of 30% off our popular press-printed photo memory books. Apollo Photo Imagizing also interviewed an emerging freelance photographer specializing in lifestyle and environmental portraits. Corey Hengen, owner of Corey Hengen Photography, reveals what sets a quality portrait from a lackluster one. In this interview, Hengen also demonstrates why personality through photography is his ongoing goal. Read the full story here.
If you have an interesting story you'd like featured in our monthly e-newsletter, contact us today!
-Cory Grassell
Marketing & SEO Specialist
Posted by TJ Dinsmoor on Tue, Sep 08, 2009 @ 09:06 PM
This month, Apollo Photo Imagizing interviewed an emerging freelance photographer specializing in lifestyle and environmental portraits. Corey Hengen, owner of Corey Hengen Photography, reveals what sets a quality portrait from a lackluster one. In this interview, Hengen also demonstrates why personality through photography is his ongoing goal. Read the full story here.
Posted by TJ Dinsmoor on Tue, Sep 08, 2009 @ 09:04 PM
Every camera bag should be able to contain all the necessities for photography, whether you are shooting a sporting event or a wedding. Photographers are constantly on the go and need their equipment and supporting accessories readily available; therefore, choosing the right camera bag is essential. Here are some tips on what to look for when shopping the right camera bag.
Digital Cameras
Digital cameras come in all shapes and sizes. Make sure you choose a bag that will contain your camera. If you are purchasing a new camera, consider the type and size of camera before purchasing a bag.
Lenses
Another critical component in choosing the right camera bag is what types of lenses you are going to use. The size and amount of lenses you wish to carry is another important factor in choosing the right size bag. If you plan on carrying multiple lenses, make sure the bag is secure enough to protect them from damage and that it has special lens compartments.
Memory Holder
It is now possible to store hundreds of photos on memory sticks. When you are shopping for a camera bag, a memory-holder compartment is nice to have to protect your memory devices.
Batteries
When shooting for long periods of time, not only will you need to bring a battery charger but also multiple batteries. Most camera bags will have compartments for battery storage, but if you are shooting for longer periods of time make sure you have extra room for backup batteries and a charger.
Tripod
A medium- to large-size camera bag will hold most tripods. If you are shooting at night or need a tripod to ensure a steady picture, plan on purchasing a larger bag to hold your tripod.
Choosing the right camera bag is essential for professional photographers. Some will carry different styles of bags depending on the type of project they're involved with and the equipment they wish to use. When shopping for a camera bag, make certain your selection can contain all the accessories you will need to take great photos. You would hate to be cut short on a project because you ran out of battery life and your bag does not fit extra batteries. Or imagine experiencing a damaged lens because your bag is not durable enough.
-TJ Dinsmoor
Media Manager
