I have a single track mind. I work on an idea for a long time.
It's like getting acquainted with a person. And I don't get acquainted easily.
Georgia O'Keefe

by Skip Cohen

I'm not sure when multi-tasking became a lifestyle, but we all do it, some better than others. At the same time, there's something to be said for people who can appreciate each moment and each project. At the very least, I admire people who can identify those times that deserve to be savored, and NOT thrown into the urgency of the multi-tasking heap!

Sheila brought Melody Beattie into my life, and each morning it's another passage to think about. Yesterday's was below, and the beauty of its simplicity makes so much sense.

Letting Go of Urgency by Melody Beattie

     One thing at a time.
     That's all we have to do. Not two things at once, but one thing done in peace.
     One task at a time. One feeling at a time. One day at a time. One problem at a time. One step at a time.
     One pleasure at a time.
     Relax. Let go of urgency. Begin calmly now. Take one thing at a time.
     See how everything works out?

Note: The image is the view from Georgia O'Keefe's office window from her house in Abiquiu, New Mexico. It's no wonder she loved it so much.

by Skip Cohen

There are two primary common-denominators between all the chefs who have joined us in the Tamron Kitchen. First, is they obviously love working with Tamron gear. However, the relationship with Tamron USA started for each of them; it's in full swing because of the quality of their lenses and the members of the Tamron team. Second is their love for the craft. There's nothing they'd rather be doing than be out with a camera in their hands.

Ian Jones joins us in this new episode, and his love for the craft is right up there with the most recognized artists. And, along with his passion for the craft comes his trademark of listening to his clients and then working hard to exceed their expectations. He's also a DIY guy, preferring to experiment, practice, and then experiment and practice some more. He's not a fan of structured education but instead likes to learn things on his own.

Chef Ian's recipe is a click away if you missed it when it was posted last week. And for more information on Tamron's 17-28 mm F/2.8 lens, click on the banner below. You can also see more of Ian's work on his website, rr click on any of his images in this post.
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We all share many of the same frustrations today, dealing with downtime and the challenges of the pandemic. So, as you're hunkered down, spend some time thinking about your skill set and your portfolio. Things are starting to open up a little as business slowly improves, and you want your skills to be as strong and diverse as possible. Just remember that being hunkered down doesn't mean from your business or your clients.

This is the perfect time to follow Ian's lead and make it a point to be out regularly with your camera. Work on expanding your skill set and building new relationships while reinforcing older ones. When the pandemic is behind us, your clients will know just who to call when they think about photography! Ian's not slowing down in continuing to grow as an artist, and neither should you.
 
Tamron's support team doesn't slow down either - they've just moved to cyberspace. Check out Tamron's programs for rebates, online education, and even some terrific contests to share your work.  ​

by Skip Cohen

When I share some of these videos from Panasonic, it's not just to demonstrate the incredible quality and features of the LUMIX line, but also to help you with ideas on how to tell your own story.  

This video, "A Drummer's Treasure," was posted on the LUMIX channel on YouTube a month ago. It's got a great script, beautiful music, and outstanding cinematography. It also demonstrated the capability of the full-frame S1H. But I also love how the story's told, as the narrator talks to the drum.

​This is storytelling at its best. It led me to think about the elements that might go into a photographer talking about a favorite image or, more generally, why they became an artist.

The text that goes along with the video tells the backstory:

Shot in Apple ProRes RAW using an early version of FW 2.1, “A Drummer’s Treasure” tells the story of musician restoring a vintage drum set. Portrayed as a visual journey narrating his passion towards the craft of bringing life back to the old and forgotten musical instrument.

Shot and Directed by cinematographer and filmmaker Sherif Mokbel, using the 24-70mm f/2.8 and the 50mm f/1.4 LUMIX S Pro lenses. The scenes were mostly captured in a dark setting to deliver a low key mood, exhibiting the S1H’s Dual ISO feature ability to handle low light situation without compromising the dynamic range.

​One other reason it hit home is a backstory of my own.

When I was a kid, my Dad and I collected musical instruments. We'd then refurbish them and give my grandmother the challenge of writing to the manufacturer for any original sale information. Dad and I would talk about each instrument and speculate who had originally owned it, played it, and the level of musician they were.

One of my favorites was the string valve cornet captured with a LUMIX G9 and the LUMIX G Vario 14-140mm f3.5-5.6 lens.  It was shot at f4.0 @ 1/4 sec, ISO 200 at 24mm.

We had instruments we carried out of antique stores with pieces in shopping bags over the years, but this gem even had the original case. So, when watching "A Drummer's Treasure," it took me right back to my days with my Dad.


If you haven't checked out Panasonic's lineup recently, it's time! Click on any of the thumbnails below for more information about S1H and the two lenses used in the video.

by Skip Cohen

In doing website reviews recently, I stumbled on a common occurrence with too many photographers: When they described their products/services, what they wrote could put a rock to sleep!

I'm convinced the problem goes back years with too many of them cutting English class on the day they talked about adjectives and creative writing!

For example, you're not selling a wedding album, but the first family heirloom of a new family. A wedding album isn't full of pages, but memories of intangible moments to be cherished for a lifetime. And for those of you who just rolled your eyes thinking, that's a little over the top - think about the products you buy and ads/commercials you've watched.

When it comes to pricing on various services, once again, most descriptions are like a can of soda that's been left open all night...they've got color, flavor but no fizz! Add words to describe your packages that tell people more than good, better, and best. 

​Years ago, I had a section in my marketing program about better descriptions. While it's a little dated in content, it still makes a point about wedding coverage. ​

​In the first section, I wanted to hit the assurance that the photographer worked quickly. One of the top "urban myths" with brides at the time was missing part of the wedding because they were tied up with the photographer. Every bride seemed to know someone it happened to, even though I'm betting it was rare.

​And the close of "deluxe first edition prints" were just the proofs. While most photographers today don't do proofs, there are a few who have kept them in the lineup. Again, it's about creating value, and today could just as easily be a "stunning custom-designed web page."

I get that you didn't sign up to be a writer, but if you don't make your own business sound exciting, nobody else will! Two suggestions to help: Use grammarly.com to raise the bar on the quality of what you write and to get more into improving your writing skills; and wandering through cyberspace, I found this article on the wordstream.com site. 
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​You've got to put your heart into your business, as well as everything you write about. You can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't totally committed! And the same goes for describing everything you sell.

"Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader - not the fact that it is raining,
but the feeling of being rained upon."
E.L. Doctorow

 ​by Skip Cohen

If you're new to the SCU blog, here's a disclaimer for Sunday mornings - I ALWAYS go off track from the photography business and marketing. I consider it therapeutic to take a break from writing about the challenges we're all facing in business today.

These days, it's not hard to find something else to talk about. Just the pandemic and the election leave me with no shortage of topics. However, it's tough to not sound like a rant!

A few weeks ago, I was waiting for a prescription to be refilled and wandering around the pharmacy. I picked up a brochure about aromatherapy. I've never believed in it, except for recognizing that Sheila's Mexican casserole smells great! Well, the more I read, the more I wanted to try it out. 

I chose two oils from a possible dozen, "Happiness" and "Mental Clarity" seemed to be the two most necessary to boost. Loaded with curiosity, I cranked up the aromas in my office the minute I got home.

Whether it's psychosomatic or it really does work, I don't care. I'm delighted with the results. I feel differently when I'm working, and the aromas are running at full speed.

Well, that got me thinking about a few new "scents" we could all use right now:

• Optimism: Essentially, an aroma that blocks all the negativity around us, regardless of the source. 
• Political Bullsh*t Filter: It would be quite a feat, but if it worked, the world would be silent!
• Telemarketing Block: Star Trek already had it - just beam them off to another planet!
• No-Mo-Worry: This is already available in dispensaries in Colorado, but not in aromatherapy. It's essentially vaporized Xanax and perfect for the frustrations we're all feeling with the pandemic.

Meanwhile, just before writing this, I put in four drops of happiness oil, and it's working. Does it really work? Who cares? I know there are people who swear by it, and for now, it keeps me mellow, but so would a glass of wine. However, these days I need all the help I can get!

Wishing everybody a day filled with nothing but peace, along with people and things that make you smile. For me, it's Sheila and the two pups who typically outperform my happiness oil. But being hunkered down for over six months, it's nice to have a backup plan.
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​Happy Sunday, everybody!

Let's call "losing" what we're all feeling with today's challenges and everything outside our control. Although I'm hearing some excellent stories about things coming back, business pretty much disappeared for the last few months. 

All of us went into the new year with the usual optimism, anticipating a year of growth for the business, new friendships, and opportunities to expand our networks. WPPI in February was the last live conference any of us would attend for a long time. Like deer caught in your headlights, we simply didn't know what to do!

Here's the critical issue - it's entirely appropriate to be frustrated over everything that's happened. It's been a constant emotional energy drain, but what's wrong is giving up. It's mid-September, and we're about to go into the seasonality of the fourth quarter. You don't have time to be gun shy in today's environment.

Here's are some ideas to start thinking about:

• Call your lab - It's an easy question - just ask, "What's new?" Think about products that are unique for your clients.
• Use your blog - Without being over the top hard-sell, start writing about gift ideas for this holiday season. Obviously, you're going to talk about different things you can do with photographs.
• More than a portrait - Everyone is online these days because it's the best way to keep in touch. It's the perfect time to suggest video holiday cards, combining video, still images, and great music. All of you have the skill set to offer a product/service like this to your clients.
• Stay in touch - We're all hunkered down, but that doesn't mean you can't pick up the phone and talk to your clients. Use the phone, email, and Facebook to keep in touch. You've got to maintain top-of-mind awareness with your customers.
• Grow your skill set - now is the time to expand your skills into new areas to create new products and services to offer your target audience.
• The kids haven't stopped growing - just because everyone is exercising physical distancing and wearing a mask doesn't mean the kids have stopped growing. Remind Mom that it's time for a new family portrait, and you're capable of doing whatever people are comfortable with in terms of their safety and yours.

Last but not least, do what you need to feed your own heart and soul. Take this weekend and be a slug, if that's what you need. Build up a little energy to tackle a more positive attitude. Pick up the phone and call a good buddy. Get involved in your favorite forum on Facebook with other photographers. Look for partnerships to promote multiple products, like a photographer and florist working together this holiday season. 

I'm not suggesting it's going to be easy, and this isn't about me being one of the industry cheerleaders. Business will come back, and as long as it might take, people are still in need of your help in capturing memories and sharing them!
​

Good things come to those who believe.
Better things come to those who are patient,
and the best things come to those who don't give up.
Author Unknown

by Skip Cohen

Not to suggest my usual throwbacks aren't qualified, but there's a difference when you're turning back the clock in your life versus 150 years ago!  

This print is from some time around 1870. It's my wife's great grandparents. Sheila's grandmother was a full-blooded Cherokee, and I shared her portrait in a blog post several years ago. What's interesting about this image is what was printed on the back:

"Milton Baker & Indian wife - Martha Tredway father."

The Indian wife's name was Kitty Gentry, and Martha Tredway was her daughter and Sheila's grandmother. Whoever wrote on the back of the print chose not to even mention Kitty's name! But there's more to the backstory.  In later years, there was a fight between family members over how to spell "Tredway" or "Treadway." As the story goes, "Supposedly Grandma Martha has no headstone because the family couldn't agree on spelling their last name. But I'm guessing it was because they were too cheap!" 

​The print we have is about two inches square and was probably copied from the original, but technology is a kick. The scan came out exceptionally good with a minor tweak for sharpness in Luminar.

I've always been a fan of Throwback Thursday, but these days, looking at old photographs has become even more important to me because of the pandemic. Old photos underscore the importance of telling stories and being able to appreciate that occasional look in your rearview mirror. 

It also hits hard on the responsibility you have to your clients to never compromise on an image's quality. Think about your work today and how it's going to be shared years after you're gone, or for that matter, the subject you photographed is gone. For example, Tim and Beverly Walden don't just create stunning portraits, but family heirlooms that right from the beginning are meant to be so outstanding that they're handed down from generation to generation.

Quality in a service or product is not what you put into it.
It's what a customer gets out of it.
Peter Drucker

Take the time today and wander through your old photographs. Then share them on your blog. They're the perfect marketing tool to remind your audience that it's time for a new family portrait! Just because they're hunkered down, doesn't mean the kids have stopped growing!

​Happy Throwback Thursday!

by Skip Cohen

Each month, thanks to support from Tamron USA, Chamira Young and I have introduced you to another great "chef" from the Tamron kitchen. The idea started as a way to share images, insight into creativity, all while using some of the finest lenses in imaging. Well, the photographs have been outstanding, but even more impressive has been the conversations with the artists themselves - how they got started, their challenges, and especially relevant today: how they're keeping their passion alive through the restrictions of the pandemic.

Just for a second, think about your most favorite restaurants from where you order a pizza to the most sophisticated place you might dine for a special occasion. Each one has a kitchen with a head chef, and each chef has something they've become known for in the flavors and selections offered on the menu.

Now think about the role the artist plays in capturing and creating each image you enjoy. Each artist is a chef.  Their style is a combination of how well they've learned the basics combined with their interpretation of the scene they're about to capture. 
 
Ian Jones joins us in the Tamron Kitchen this month, and he's a chef with a focus on lifestyle, family, and whatever his client's need. He's a listener, working hard to meet their mindset.  

I've had a lot of fun in the Tamron Recipes series finding quotes that seem to match some aspect of each guest chef's personality. Ian's quote is based on conversations from our phone conversations and his podcast airing next Tuesday. 

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel."
Maya Angelou

About "Chef" Ian:  There's a line from his About page that pretty much says it all, "I love creating powerful imagery, using relentless dedication and passion to bring your ideas to life."  

The key words there are relentless dedication and passion. Ian's a DIY guy, and although I'm sure he's followed a few of his favorite icons, he's stayed true to practicing his craft, his own way, until he gets the results he wants. It seems like a bad pun to use the word "focus," but there isn't a better one to describe his ability to hone in on a way he wants an image to tell a specific story.

Take the time to visit Chef Ian's website. Right from the beginning, you'll notice a lot of diversity - from food to cars, and even people on the street. And you'll find him on Instagram with even more variety to where he's focused his camera.
 
About the Image: When we first picked this image of Ian's, I thought it was captured from behind a window pane. I was surprised to hear he got right into interacting with the kids on this family shoot.

Ian wrote: This was one of my favorite images at the time. It was right after doing a family shoot and the kids were starting to get restless and they had all been waiting to jump into the pool. I figured they would be jumping and having a blast after being told to "smile!" and "look over here!" for an hour, haha.

I quickly changed from the Tamron 28-75 to the 17-28. I got down really close to the pool and had the kids jump in. The girl you see in the photo was having a ton of fun trying to get me wet. This made for a handful of great images. I usually put my camera places that put it in danger, but if i end up getting a shot, to me it's worth it. 

Note: No gear, Sony or Tamron were harmed during the capture of this image! LOL - Ian dried everything off immediately.

As one of Imaging's finest manufacturers, ​Tamron never slows down on raising the bar on the quality of their optics. Quite simply, they make outstanding glass! But their reputation goes a lot deeper than just technology. They're a leader in supporting the photographic community and one of the industry's most favorite suppliers. 

The pandemic has created plenty of challenges when it comes to workshops and conventions, but that hasn't stopped Tamron from maintaining support for artists in cyberspace! Plus, check out their listing of local events being held this fall, all within the guidelines of safety and physical distancing.

​Tamron's website is loaded with outstanding content, as well as their YouTube channel. And their tech team is regularly teaching online with workshops supported by Tamron retailers all over the country. 
 
Click on the banner below for information on their current promotion. It features eleven different outstanding focal lengths to help you expand your creativity. In the almost 200-year history of photography, you've never had more creative tools to work with, and Tamron's been a significant contributor.
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The pandemic has slowed down everyone's business, but not your ability to keep growing as an artist. This is a great time to expand your gear, and take full advantage of the downtime getting to know a new lens, and boost your skill set.

by Skip Cohen

Before you read about Mark Toal's image above, click on it, and view it in the SCU lightbox. It really is a stunning image. 

What I love most about it is the different perspective he's added by shooting at a low angle using a LUMIX S5 mounted on a Platypod. I've shared several images over the last few months, all going back to a low angle and shooting in a way that's different from how most photographers might view the scene.

​Mark sent me these two images and wrote:​

I've attached a photo of the new Lumix S5 with the Lumix S 16-35mm lens on the Platypod and the final image from the S5. I shot it at a shutter speed of 3.2 seconds at f/22, ISO 100. 

I wanted the low angle so I could get the rocks and the Platypod worked perfectly and adjusted to the uneven surface perfectly. 

The image was taken at Trillium Lake with Mt Hood in the distance. ​

A big thanks to Mark for always sharing great content. He should be on your radar. Here's the link to his website and blog. 

And take the time to get to know the LUMIX Ambassador team too. This group is one of the most diverse and creative teams in photo, and all the ambassadors should be on your radar. Looking for more great content? Check out the LUMIX Photographers Facebook page - there are always great conversations and images shared by LUMIX artists from around the world.

Looking for information about the new full-frame LUMIX S5 - click on the thumbnail below. And watch the short video featuring LUMIX Ambassador Todd White out and about with the S5 as well. This is great stuff!

by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday morning, and I'm into my typical routine. I always go off-topic from photography, business, and marketing on Sundays, and I was thinking about different places I travel these days because of the pandemic.

​For example, on land - Because I have fewer respiratory issues than Sheila, I want to do the food shopping. I typically hit the market at 7:00 am on Sundays for the weekly shopping list. The store's always pretty empty, and the idiots who still think this is all a hoax aren't up yet.

​In Cyberspace, there are all kinds of new places.

• I follow the Florida.gov site for the update on the virus, but not the state numbers, just our zip code, and county. I don't put a lot of faith in any of the numbers, but at least I can get a sense of the trend.
• On Facebook, I discovered a group from my hometown, "If You Grew Up in ______...You Remember." It's a private group but 12,000 people strong, and it's been a kick connecting with old friends, neighbors and enjoying the nostalgia of growing up in Ohio. Interestingly, there aren't any trolls - at least not like the photo trolls, and I know it's because everyone knows each other or, at the very least, is linked by no more than three degrees of separation. Nobody's hiding behind the anonymity of their computer.
• Facebook and Friends: Yesterday was Terry Clark's birthday. Terry and I go back to 2010 when he bought a couple of hours of my time to review his marketing plans. It was through a charity auction, and since I was living in Ohio and he was just two hours away in Pittsburgh, I drove over for the day. Well, that kicked off a great friendship, but I hadn't caught up to him in at least a year. Facebook birthdays are a stop every morning, and it's allowed me to stay connected with people I've lost touch with.
• Entertainment: From Netflix to Amazon Prime to YouTube, we're regularly searching for movies and shows we enjoy. For nostalgia, I found "The Rebel" the other day and then more contemporary "Chicago PD" from the first episode in the series. With Amazon Prime, each show is presented without any commercials!
• Zoom: Even on the weekends we've found Zoom is great for connecting with friends, and for business, it's essential. And, if you're in the industry, not being set up right on a video call is the equivalent of a bad headshot on your website. Jay P. Morgan did a great video tying in Platypods. Regardless of what you use for your setup, it's worth checking out. 

Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.
Joyce Meyer

.​And there you have it - we're staying safe and living what many would consider a pretty dull existence, but I still jump out of bed every morning. I'm amazed at so many new things happening as biz slowly inches it's way back on the business front. It's a snail's pace, but it's going in the right direction, and it's steady.

We're all dealing with a new norm. There are no words to describe how much we miss in-person contact with friends. We've got no choice but to stay the course. But think about what that first convention is going to be like when we all feel safe. Plus, we can stay connected with ClickCon Nation programs, going on all day today and one day each month through March of next year. 

So, make it a great Sunday for connecting with friends and family. Just because you're hunkered down doesn't mean you're isolated from talking with people and plenty of virtual hugs. Most importantly, don't lose sight of your dreams - they're still out there, still alive, and still potential in your future - just a slower pace to get there!

Happy Sunday, everybody!

by Skip Cohen

Maybe it's the pandemic or just aging, but there are times when NOTHING beats looking at old photographs. It doesn't get any better than the walk I'm taking down Memory Lane right now.

I recently found the proof-print above, and I have no idea where we were or why, but it redefines friendship, love, and support - Four best friends, Terry Deglau, Tony Corbell, me and Don Blair. I've looked at it so often since finding it that I think I might have shared it many years ago in another blog post. 

They were the three musketeers, and then I came along in 1987 when I joined Hasselblad. It was shot in 1994, although I don't know who the photographer was. I'm guessing it was Don's son Gary or one his other "Numbs." Don used to refer to all of us as "Numb Nuts," and I still have a polo shirt embroidered with "Numb 1," I wear with great pride.

I remember a bunch of us at Don's wife Donna's funeral. We had all gone back to the church, where lunch was served to at least 200 people. Six of us were sitting with Don when a buddy of his walked by, and he yelled, "Hey, Numb Nuts!" In unison, we all turned and said, "What!"
 
Don passed away in 2004 and Terry last year, and it's hard to find the words to explain how much I miss them both. But here's the most wonderful thing about the business we're in - we give people, including ourselves, the ability to take intangible moments and turn them into memories we can hold in our hands and cherish for a lifetime.

I've often referred to myself as one of the luckiest guys in this industry...those three knuckleheads above are a big part of why I feel so blessed. Between Tony and me, I'm betting we could do a Don Blair and Terry Deglau story marathon that would go on for days!

Take the time today and go off in search of a few old photographs. You'll be amazed at how uplifting, even though sometimes bittersweet, those memories will be.

​Happy Throwback Thursday!

Intro by Chamira Young

​Today we bring you beautiful work of Memphis-based photographer and foodie Michael Butler. Last year he had the chance to travel to the Virgin Islands on assignment for a client. Not only did he work hard, but he played hard as well. He had extra time to see the sights, explore the area, and create some amazing images for himself. In the post below, we love how he emphasizes the element of play and fun as he experimented with a couple of new Tamron lenses while out in the field. Photography is an adventure, and it's clear Michael is enjoying every moment of it.

Read the post excerpt below, as well as a sample of the images he took. Also, be sure to check out the specific lenses Michael used while on the trip: the  28-75mm F/2.8 and 17-28mm F/2.8 lenses, featured below!
​​

by Skip Cohen

​"Mirrorless Monday" went right on by as Labor Day, but who cares? It's Tuesday, and this short piece by my buddy and member of the LUMIX team, Mark Toal, is too much fun not to share on any day of the week. 

We're all dealing with downtime, and even though business is starting to open up a little, being a photographer and artist is still a challenge. Time lapse is a whole new adventure, and if you think about things you're doing around the house, family time, etc. there are so many opportunities to have fun capturing a variety of events.  

I'm also convinced that it's a great way to do your own video holiday card this year. Better yet, offer it as a product to your clients. It's not a new concept to any of us, but just like canvas prints - it's new to most of your clients, and something they'd get excited about!

Mark's description of how he captured refinishing his deck is below. There was one accessory to the capture that I couldn't be more proud to talk about, the link to the complete Platypod ecosystem.

Platypod products offer unlimited combinations of creative tools. They form an ecosystem of inspiration for photographers in macro, architecture, landscape, hiking, and traveling situations where tripods dare not go. 

A big thanks to Mark for sharing one of his time-lapse adventures. Here's the link to Mark's website and blog. He's always sharing great content.

And take the time to get to know the LUMIX Ambassador team too. This group is one of the most diverse and creative teams in photo, and all the ambassadors should be on your radar. Looking for more great content? Check out the LUMIX Photographers Facebook page - there are always great conversations and images shared by LUMIX artists from around the world.

By Mark Toal
​
​I've recently been refinishing the deck on my house and wanted to record the final step of staining the newly sanded wood.

I needed a way to set up the camera without a tripod since I didn't have space for one. I used a bungee cord to secure the Platypod to the deck railing, set my Lumix G9 with the 7-14mm lens to Time Lapse mode and shot a photo every 5 seconds until I was finished.

​The camera created the video internally. I then used WiFi to transfer the video to my phone and uploaded it to Facebook and my Vimeo.com account. 

Panasonic's tagline from the start of the LUMIX family has been "Changing Photography." Well, they've stayed true to that goal. I've been shooting with the G9 for over a year and love this camera. For more information, click on either of the thumbnails below.

by Skip Cohen

I started today deciding I wasn't going to do Reflections post, but as the day's gone on, I realized I missed writing one. I started thinking about how I wanted today and the holiday tomorrow to go and in the process, stumbled on a quote:

"Seize the moments of happiness, love and be loved!
​That is the only reality in the world, all else is folly.
It is the one thing we are interested in here."
Leo Tolstoy

​And there you have what might be headed to one of the shortest Sunday posts I've ever written!  

Just enjoy life! Ignore the politicians; give the news a rest; maintain physical distancing, and do what's necessary for your health and safety. Ignore the negators trying to squeeze their way into your life, heart, and mindset - just be dumb and happy!

Wishing all of you a Sunday and Monday holiday filled with peace, laughter, and time with the people you care most about, even if it's only on Facebook, Skype, or a phone call. Make time for people you love.

Happy Sunday...Happy Labor Day...and if you're outside the US, the sentiment is still the same!

This is very important - to take leisure time. Pace is the essence.
Without stopping entirely and doing nothing at all for great periods, you're gonna lose everything...great pauses between highs, where you do nothing at all.
​You just lay on a bed and stare at the ceiling.
This is very, very important...just to do nothing at all. 
Charles Bukowski

 by Skip Cohen

Even being hunkered down for the last six months, it's hard for me to believe it's Labor Day weekend. The last six months have been tough on everybody, and I'm going to make a suggestion that will be considered by some to be a waste of a blog post...take the weekend off!

Most of you have seen a dramatic drop in business, with an almost constant level of stress trying to think of how to rebuild and get things back on track. My suggestion is - take a break from it all. Use the next three days to clear your head; spend time with your family; chill - in other words - make it a slug weekend!

Sheila introduced me to the concept years ago, and it works. Sometimes you need to walk away from everything and simply relax - be a slug. The pandemic challenges aren't going away, but you need to be fresh to find the creativity necessary to get back on track.

Two nights ago, I needed a break. I had forgotten about the crystal focus ball I bought a year ago. So, I headed to the beach with a LUMIX G9, the 14-140mm lens, and a Platypod. Lying on the beach and watching the sun go down, I realized just how much I needed to step away from work. 

Take this weekend to wipe the slate clean. Spend as much time as you can finding things to laugh about, and come back on Tuesday ready to fire up ideas for the fall seasonality and the holidays. The pandemic isn't going away as quickly as any of us would like, but that doesn't change the importance of clients who still have memories to capture, kids growing up, and families in need of a new portrait. 

Chill over the weekend - join Sheila and me for a slug weekend and come back fired up on Tuesday morning. This is a time when wasting time couldn't be more valuable to help you get your head back in the game and energize.

Wishing everybody a safe and healthy Labor Day weekend!  

by Skip Cohen

​Even with business starting to pick up a little, we're all going to have a little downtime still, here and there. Well, it's Throwback Thursday, and part of the fun of the concept is the hunt for old images. It's the perfect way to remind yourself how much photography means and use a little of that downtime.

I found this shot of my grandfather in a batch of old photographs from around 1910-1920. And while it's at least a hundred years old, check out everything from his tweed suit, complete with vest and skinny pants, to the cigar in his hand and the pose.

There's that expression, what goes around comes around. He'd be in perfect style today - just take off the straw hat. 

My grandfather smoked cigars most of his life, and one day decided to quit - cold turkey around 1959. He continued to put the money away he'd typically spend on a box of cigars and a few years later took my grandmother on vacation to Mexico!

It's so easy to let the stress of the pandemic grind you down, but stay focused on the career path you chose to be a photographer. You're magicians who turn intangible moments into tangible memories your clients can hold in their hands and cherish forever!

Physical distancing makes it tougher right now to work with the same creative freedom you have in the past, but that doesn't mean people don't still have memories to capture!

by Skip Cohen

Lately, it seems like every post I write starts out referencing something different in our lives because of the pandemic. Like you, I'm taking a look in the rearview mirror more often than in the past, and it's become part of my daily routine. 

I miss the total freedom all of us took for granted. I miss friends, planning for the next convention, and thinking about where Sheila and I might go for a long weekend. Everything has changed, but here's a good thing I'm learning to appreciate, my photographs.  

I'm spending more time looking at past files and immensely enjoying Skylum's Luminar. They do not pay me, and I'm not an active affiliate, but I appreciate the simplicity of understanding how to adjust an image and make it a little better.

I also enjoy getting to know the various filters as I adjust an image to my taste. And for those of you who want to criticize what I did in the above photo, remember, "Beauty is in the eyes of the checkbook holder," and in this case, I'm my own client, and the checkbook holder.

In May of 2019, Sheila and I spent ten days in New Mexico and fell in love with so many different areas. We started in Albuquerque, then drove to Santa Fe and finished in Taos, making stops all along the way. One of the most interesting and poignant was Taos Pueblo. Acting like total tourists, we took the reservation tour, at that time still inhabited by a half dozen full-time residents.

There's a story behind the graveyard and church above:

From Craig K. Gowens page on Flickr in 2009

The original San Geronimo Church was built in 1619 when the Spanish settled the area and began forcibly converting the Tiwa people of the Taos Pueblo to Christianity. The Church was destroyed in the 1680 revolt that drove the Spanish from New Mexico, but rebuilt after their return a decade later. The second destruction of the church occurred at the hands of the U.S. Army in 1847.

During the American military occupation, the native Americans again made a bid for their own freedom, rejecting the authority of the new American territorial governor of New Mexico, Charles Bent, assassinating him in his home in Taos. The U.S. Army retaliated against the Taos Pueblo as one of the leaders of the revolt was a Tiwa native. Hundreds of Tiwa, mostly women and children, had taken refuge in the church during the attack and were killed when the Army bombarded the church with artillery. The bell tower of the church has been restored and serves as a remainder of lives lost in the attack.

One of the features I enjoy most with Luminar is my ability to see the before and after as I'm working on an image. I grabbed a screenshot of one small section of the picture. That bar down the middle slides left and right, allowing you to see each part of the image and the impact the changes you're making have on the finished product.

In this case, I used the one-touch clarity booster, gave the saturation a slight tweak, and then used the structure filter, which enhances clarity and micro-contrast in surface area between edges detected in an image, improving perceived detail and making photos stand out. 

Besides sharing a small history lesson from New Mexico, and intro to Luminar, if you haven't used it - there's an even better bottom line. 

​The need to hunker down is wearing on all of us. Don't let the pandemic's challenges get in the way of the love you have as an artist and business owner. Business is out there, and it will come back - but in the meantime, keep working on your skill set. 

Wander through your files and appreciate where you were a year ago. Use your photographs to keep your creative juices flowing, and that passion you have for imaging alive. Keep in touch with friends, stay active in social media, and keep your eye out for moments of inspiration from the people you respect most. Most important of all, don't let go of your dreams.

And one more thing to think about - It's that first convention we're all going to attend LIVE. What a celebration that's going to be. I'll meet all of you in the bar of the host hotel that first night in town...wherever that might be!

by Skip Cohen

To start this post, click on the image above to view it enlarged in the SCU Lightbox. It was captured/created by my good buddy, Shiv Verma. He's no stranger to SCU, but of all the images we've shared of Shiv's, it's one of my favorites.

To start, I love black and white. We don't need to see color in every image, and I love it when Shiv adds something more to an image, just by keeping it simple. He shared this image on Facebook two days ago, and it deserves to be seen more! With the photo, he wrote:

Shiv Verma should be on your radar. He's always sharing great content with a lot of "how-to" information. You'll also find he's a regular contributor on the Platypod.com blog and their Instagram page. His website is only a click away.

​Shive is also a LUMIX Ambassador, one of the most creative groups in imaging. Follow Shiv and the other LUMIX Ambassadors for great content and a lot of terrific diversity. Each Ambassador has a unique skill set, but the common denominators are their love for the craft and respect for quality and creativity.

For information on some of Shiv's favorite gear, click on either thumbnail below. Panasonic never slows down on developing incredible tools to help artist expand their skill sets and creativity.

Intro by Skip Cohen
 
Time is our most valuable commodity, but so often we throw it away worrying about what other people will think. Even when we've done our very best, we worry about criticism and outside opinions.

Well, it's Sunday morning and if you've followed me for even a short amount of time, you know I love to go off-topic from the business and marketing of photography once a week. Before I even thought about what I wanted to write about today, I got side-tracked with the post below from my good buddy, Scott Bourne.  

It's too good not to share beyond his Facebook page. The best things about great friendships are what you learn from each other. Over the years he's been my sounding board on so many different ideas, and what he wrote this morning, once again hit home.

It also reminded me of one of my favorite quotes from Dean Collins:

Remember that often, especially when you're creating for your own enjoyment, you're the checkbook holder!

by Scott Bourne

People ask me how/why I produce so much content. It doesn't matter whether it's photography, painting, writing, music, etc. It's always the same simple answer.

I've come to realize that my own effort is the only thing I can control in this life. Period.

I can't control what people think of my effort or of me for that matter. I can't control what others say about my effort or about me for that matter. So why worry about it?

I spend 100% of my time on that which I CAN control. My own effort. I do everything I do with gusto. I don't ever go half way. I don't ever ask for permission. I just go for it. For me it's always pedal to the metal, from sun-up to sun-down, seven days a week. And that's the way I like it.

As artists, it's none of our business what others think of our art. That's a rabbit hole and if you go down it, you'll never know how much work product you lost and time you wasted searching for empty compliments and dealing with vapid trolls.

So my advice is direct and to the point. Just do the work. Throw yourself into it 100%. Express yourself. Give the world your point of view without fear. Don't look back. When others hate. We create.

​That simple philosophy has served me very, very well for more than six and a half decades. I hope it will serve you too.

Scott should be on your radar. His blog is just a click away, and you'll never be disappointed in the content he shares.

Wishing everybody a terrific Sunday - a day filled with peace, minimal frustration with the pandemic, politics or anything that interrupts your ability to be creative. Smile more, bitch less and appreciate everything that's working right in your life, even though these days it's sometimes tough to recognize!

And to my pal Scott - thanks buddy. I needed this!

​Happy Sunday everybody!