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!

"Every lens ever made was created with a purpose in mind."
Charles Maring

by Skip Cohen

Every Monday, I share a new post with images from the world of mirrorless cameras, especially LUMIX. Today's post features the GH5 and a portrait shoot during the pandemic by my good buddy Charles Maring. But, the real stars of the video are Jessica Rose and the Leica 42.5 f/1.2 Nocticron lens. 

It's a short video, but pay attention to the way Charles is shooting - into the sun and taking full advantage of the narrow depth of field created through this amazing piece of glass. His quote above says it all, and you'll see in image after image how he takes full advantage of the creativity brought out by his vision, combined with the best characteristics of the lens.

"I'll often point this lens into the sun, because with its f1.2 aperture it gives a really soft elegant glow, and roll-off to the highlights."

Charles and Jennifer Maring need to be on your radar. Click on any of the portraits in this post to visit their website, "Together in Style." You'll never be disappointed in the content they share.  And stay tuned - they're about to make an amazing change in their lives, and all of us have been invited to share a front-row seat to their new adventures!

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 as well. Looking for more great content? Check out the LUMIX Photographers Facebook page - there are always great conversations and images being shared by LUMIX artists from around the world.

by Skip Cohen

Last year ClickCon in Chicago kicked off its first conference and became the most successful launch of a new convention in the industry. Many factors were contributing to it being a great show, from the class selections, quality of the speakers, quality and enthusiasm of models and stylists to the involvement of the "Heart of ClickCon," the people involved in the planning.

This year we were all excited for the second show in their history when the pandemic hit. But nothing stops the Heart of ClickCon, and this weekend, ClickCon Nation kicks off a nine-month series of monthly classes and support for imaging artists. 

The next ClickCon LIVE Conference is scheduled for August of 2021, but here's the best part - as part of your registration, you've got nine months of online educational programs from which to choose. Click on the thumbnail below to check out this Sunday's programming.

Everyone has different needs these days, but there are several common denominators - the need to share ideas, grow our skill sets and understand how to deal with the new norm. ClickCon Nation has five different levels of involvement - each one designed to help artists get the support they need most.

Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to catching up with many of you in cyberspace and then LIVE in Chicago next August. Registration is just a click away on the banner below!

by Skip Cohen
 
Jay P. Morgan knocks another one out of the park with this new video about raising the bar on the quality of your online presence in video. I found his video so helpful that I've duplicated Jay P's set up right down to a plexiglass stand to raise my laptop. Working closely with Platypod, I was already using the goosenecks with two LitraTorch 2.0 lights on an Ultra, but I decided it was time to upgrade everything.

The pandemic has created the new normal, and we're all on video calls more than ever before. Plus, we're part of an industry that prides itself on great visual presentations. Whether you're involved in online meetings, a presentation, or just talking with friends and family - looking good should be part of your profile. You're online live presence is no different than having a good headshot on your "About" page!

If you're looking for great educational support by one of the best educators in imaging, follow Jay P. Morgan on his YouTube channel, The Slanted Lens. There are over 500 videos, and he's always sharing terrific content with never-ending support to help artists raise the bar on the quality of their work.

And if you're looking for the latest in great gear from Platypod? Just click on the logo below to check out the current kits on sale along with the rest of the product line. Platypod also sells the LitraTorch 2.0s, but check out Litra. com for more information about their other lights and accessories too.

by Skip Cohen

It's Mirrorless Monday, and I found this image shared by my buddy Dave Stock. At first glance, it looked like a cartoon character. It's pretty remarkable. Keep in mind I'm sharing a screenshot, and it's still got incredible detail. Give it a click and view in the SCU Lightbox.

​Dave wrote:

​I'm amazed to see how well Post Focus assisted by Dual IS can do, even when hand held at 1/60th with a long lens (50-200mm at 200mm on a G9). I was in my pool and held the camera overhead, viewing on the articulated screen as this guy perched on a lounge overlooking our pool.

Click on either thumbnail below for more information about the remarkable technology of the G9 and the LUMIX G Leica 50-200mm lens.

by Skip Cohen

The pandemic has changed all the rules for so many different activities, especially public speaking. While overall things are more restricted, social media has given EVERYBODY the ability to become a presenter. At the risk of this sounding like a rant, I'm tired of people offering to help you build some aspect of your business or life who simply think they have something to say because they're online!

This isn't a new topic for me to write about. Over the years, I've probably written a half dozen posts and articles on the subject, but with so many people thinking it's time for them to teach, it's time to post a few reminders.

Whether you're online live, pre-recorded, or going back to the "old" days and presenting at a conference, NOTHING has changed in what your audience expects!

1. What's your topic? Don't bother to be a speaker if you don't have something new to share or a unique way to present the topic. It's one thing to be a great photographer, but another thing entirely to teach.
2. Truth in Advertising: Take the time to read your program description and make sure it's accurate. Your presentation need to match everyone's expectations on the topic they tuned in to hear.
3. Confidence: Do you know what you're talking about? I know you think you do, but when you have to put your heart on the line and share your thoughts, do you come across as an expert?
4. Practice, practice, practice! Nothing beats practicing! The first time out, write out everything you want to say and then practice on the delivery. Practice alone at first and then pull in some family members. The key is to be comfortable in what you're presenting. Pay attention to your timing and make sure you're not running over the allotted time for your presentation.
5. Count the "ums."  We all do it, and in the beginning, I used to "um" people to death. It's that noise we make when we're pausing to go one from one thought to another. The more nervous you are, the more the "ums" jump in. And it's even harder to avoid online because you're presenting to cyberspace. There's no one in the audience, giving you visual cues for feedback. In the first few minutes of your first online presentation you'll feel like Pink Floyd, "Is anybody out there?"  
6. Where are you looking? Remember, if you're looking at your computer screen, you're not making eye contact with your audience. You've got to be looking into the camera.
7. Relevance, humor, and balance. They all go together. If you're all work and no play, you may be perceived as wound a little tight, and your presentation is going to come off stiff. Find the balance between relevance to your topic and some fun experiences relevant to your career, and your audience. You don't need to do stand-up, just be relaxed and plug in something to laugh about here and there.
8. Always from the heart. Be honest in what you're presenting. Share your experiences in a way people can learn from your ideas.
9. Death by PowerPoint. It's an expression I heard years ago, and it's made me outrageously paranoid about some of my presentations. My challenge is the topics I speak about, which are all business/marketing related. I don't have the same visual aids, for example, as a photographer teaching lighting. I only have one way to convey my thoughts, and that's through my words. Your slides are meant to help you make a point, NOT be the point. Don't write everything you want to say on each slide. Keep the words to a minimum, but make them all keywords and concepts to things you're teaching.
10. Are you willing to commit? Becoming a great educator takes time and work. You've got a responsibility to your audience that's no different than the relationship with your clients. As a photographer, you're being trusted to listen and understand the needs of your subjects. It's no different as a speaker.
11. Be Accessible: Just like questions people have at the end of a live program at a conference, online education is no different. A great speaker needs to be available for questions outside the time for Q&A. Be accessible with your email address and encourage feedback from your audience.​

Baby steps! I've met so many artists over the years who have a great message to share, but they want to start at the top as a keynote speaker, often because they have a huge fan base in social media. Having a great fan base is terrific, but they've joined your program to hear what you have to share and learn something. 

Unlike a live audience who will stay seated through even the worst presentations, online, if your style would put a rock to sleep, people will simply leave. There are no rules for being a great audience when everyone is hidden behind the anonymity of their monitor. So, don't rush the process and start by speaking to smaller groups and then build momentum. There's nothing worse than watching a potentially great speaker crash and burn because they simply weren't prepared. ​

by Skip Cohen

Now and then, an image comes along that's just too much fun not to share. This morning while trying to get to know my way around Facebook's new format, I scrolled through my group section, and John Mitchell's post came up. The image above made me smile, and these days we all need more smiles.

I posted on my FB page to help let people know, and wasn't going to do a post here at SCU because it's already 8:00 am...that was until I dug deeper and John's based on the west coast - so it's PST. If you're dealing with a lazy Saturday, here's an event worth checking out.  It's one more great way to expand your skill set during what's become the extended "slow season" in photography!

From the registration site:

Join us for a walk through into how John Mitchell creates an image with greatly contrasting sized elements and his steps for planning, shooting and editing. He will have a few examples of steps that he discovered as well as a gallery of images with the various ideas he has come up with. 

Click on the image for registration information to this FREE event. 

by Skip Cohen

Most of you know I don't make a living as a photographer. My passion is the business and marketing side, and that's where most of my career has been spent. However, hanging out with artists like Don Komarechka and Mike Moats over the last few years, I was bound to learn something. 

Both Don and Mike have had a significant influence on the way I look at things, paying more attention to tiny details in the world around me. The little guy above was at best 3/16 of an inch and was just sitting on the pool cage's frame. We've had a lot of storms lately, and at first, I thought it was a chunk of dirt!

I missed the opportunity to get a shot to give you an idea of just how tiny this guy was. It's rare I've seen a frog this small, but here's roughly the size of the frog before the macro lens and enlargement.

The thumbnail on the right, with my new buddy next to a drop of water from the storm, shows how little he is too.

I took off this week to chill and enjoy time with Sheila and the pups. A side benefit was seeing this guy and having the time I needed to grab a camera. And while my skill set is still work in progress, having the right tools sure helps.

I should have used a tripod, but I didn't have a lot of time before "Kermit" took off.  ​So, handheld and following him (or her) everywhere for about ten minutes was all I had. 

​I love the LUMIX G9, and teaming up with the LUMIX G 30mm macro lens, a Playpod Max, the new goosenecks, and two Litra Torch 2.0s gave me what I needed. 

I also had some fun with Luminar, but only for minor tweaking. I lightened the image, sharpened slightly, cropped, enlarged, and erased a couple of distracting dirt spots. 

The short video clip below was simply for the fun of it. The LUMIX line makes it so easy to push a button and grab a few seconds of video.

Shooting macro, handheld without a tripod, and having no video skills whatsoever, made focus a challenge. A tripod would have helped a lot, but at this point in my ten-minute adventure, I was standing on a ladder as my little buddy moved up the wall!

We've all been in some form of lockdown for almost three months. That means lots of time on our hands to do something different. Playing in the macro world is a kick, and with every image I get, I start to understand Don and Mike's love for the craft just a little better. 

"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."
Steve Jobs

by Skip Cohen
 
There isn't a professional photographer on the planet who isn't struggling with what's become the new normal! Quarantines, social distancing, sheltering in place have all become a way of life, but out of chaos and the pandemic crisis have come some remarkable new extensions for business.

A month ago, I shared a short video of JP Elario at his computer doing FaceTime portraits. Channel 13 in Albany, NY, picked up the story, and I have to share it here. I wish there was a way to make every artist watch this short clip.

JP's part of a father/son business and Joe, his Dad, and I go back to my early Hasselblad days. They're both remarkable artists specializing in wedding and portraiture, and exceptional service is part of their signature. Keeping in line with their never-ending quest to meet their clients' needs, JP starting doing online headshots. 

​These are challenging times, but who knows what other new ideas will come out of the pandemic crisis?

"Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friend."
Walt Disney

by Skip Cohen

​The pandemic has changed everything in our lives, especially the way we communicate. On a fairly regular basis, many of you are appearing live on Zoom, Skype, and the list goes on and on. But, just like the rules in creating a great image for print competition, there are some definite rules you need to follow when meeting in cyberspace.  Your goal is to be just as professional in an online meeting as you would be in person at a conference or workshop.

And for those of you rolling your eyes, because you already know this stuff, just consider it a reminder. Like meeting with a new client, you've got a minimal amount of time to make a great impression. I'm not an expert in any of this stuff, but thanks to some great friends, I'm work in progress and there are a lot of you who could use a little help.

Let's start with the obvious - lighting. You don't need much. Ironically, none of you would light a basic headshot with a flashlight, but when it comes to your online presence, you do nothing. Yet, all of you understand lighting - so put a little light on the subject - YOU! While I've got a couple of softboxes in my office, my preference is thanks to Litra. I've got two LitraTorch 2.0s on goosenecks on either side of my laptop, which has become my leading computer when I've got to be on camera. When I'm on the iMac, I use the softboxes.

Here are a few more suggestions to consider:

​1. Get a location without backlighting. When you've got something bright behind you, it fools the computer or your phone into thinking the scene is brighter than it really is. I have to remember myself to close the blinds in my office behind me.

2. Remove distractions: We don't all have the advantage of a movie set background. Often, I've forgotten turn the ceiling fan off in my office and have had people bothered by the distraction over my head.

3. Camera and your face on the same plane: Get your camera (computer or phone) on about the same plane as your face. Not only does it cut out chin and nostril shots, but it gives the audience your eye contact and more facial expression. When I'm using my phone, I have a Square Jellyfish adapter on a ball head with a Platypod Ultra. While there are plenty of phone holders out there, this little adapter gives my Platypod Ultra another useful application. 

4. Make eye contact. Remember when talking, if you want to make eye contact, looking at your screen won't do it...you've got to look at the camera.

5. Cut down on the background noise. Mute your microphone when not talking. It's especially bad in a group of more than 3-4 people.

6. Earbuds or a headset cut down on feedback.  

7. Consider a better microphone! The impact of the pandemic is here to stay for a long time. While we all wish there was a switch that could be flipped to end the crisis, it's not going to happen overnight. That means we're all going to be communicating differently for some time. My personal favorite is a Rode Podcast mic, but I also have a Yeti. Both are good, but the Rode seems to give my voice more clarity.

8. Smile more! It's a great tip from a photographer, author, and my good buddy, Larry Becker. He recently joined Chamira Young and me in a Mind Your Own Business podcast, which is now online. And check out his new book: Great on Camera. Written before the pandemic when we had no idea we were going to be on camera a lot more, Larry's approach couldn't be easier to follow, with great tips to raise the bar on your skill set as a podcaster, presenter and participant online.

And that brings me full circle to where I started. We're dealing with a new normal. While we all hope the good old days of just three months ago will come back, that doesn't change the need for looking good and professional online NOW. 
​
From meetings with clients to edu-type presentations to meet-ups with other photographers, you're part of the imaging community. That means the expression "looking good" has a lot more meaning in cyberspace these days because it's often going to be all you have to start.

P.S. And if I missed any tips feel free to let me know and we'll do a post of add-ons!

Intro by Skip Cohen
 
Mark Toal's back today with a quick introduction to Snapseed, which I just downloaded a few minutes ago myself. The original title of his post was "SOOC" (Straight Out of Camera). Every photographer's goal is a clean well-exposed image right out of the can. I know I'm dating myself to film with that expression, but it's still one of my favorites.

The truth is, how much you manipulate an image is up to you, and it's all personal taste. But to add two more points to Mark's message today - if you've done things right during capture, you don't have to spend hours cleaning up files when all you need or want is a tweak to the saturation, contrast, etc.

And while Lightroom and Photoshop are incredible tools, he missed my favorite, Luminar 4 from Skylum. I've been using it for the last two years, and I love the ease of use, especially with their presets for adjustments in clarity, exposure and saturation.

Last but not least, those purists who want to argue against manipulation of an image, or people who simply criticize what they don't like in your photographs:

Beauty is in the eyes of the checkbook holder!
Dean Collins

by Mark Toal
 
After showing a few of my photos in a class I was teaching, one the students asked if I processed my images or they were straight out of the camera (SOOC). I assured them not one of my photos is straight out of the camera and that I hate the term SOOC. Once in a while I say something in a class that I immediately regret, and this was one of them. I could tell that people wanted to hear that they don’t have to do anything to their photos.
 
I see the photos from my camera as a starting point for me to create something from. I’m not talking about drastic changes as you can see in these two examples. I’m mostly just adding contrast and saturation.

by Skip Cohen

Like most of you, I'm tired of dealing with the pandemic. It's the topic everywhere. Even commercials on TV have changed to a social distancing theme. One company after another wants to assure us we're all in this together...but the reality not everybody is!

All of us as an industry might be in it together, but the number of stupid people on the planet seems to be growing. I had some fun this morning and Googled "stupid things done during the pandemic." I found a treasure chest of gems at buzzfeed.com.

They shared 19 stupid things people have done or said. Here are two more of my favorites:

I'm putting a few of my favorites below:
​

• When it comes to raising the bar on your skill set in lighting, check out this video featuring Bobbi Lane and Tony Corbell. They went through some of their favorite images and the lighting involved in each one. If you want to go straight to Bobbi and Tony's images, they start around 21:00. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcQ8ocJ8wso
• Steven Gotz shared a brilliant idea about turning images into coloring-book pages for your clients with young children. I love this one because it hits almost every specialty. https://www.skipcohenuniversity.com/scu-blog/a-great-shelter-in-place-project-for-photographers
• Just released yesterday, check out the new Tamron Recipes with Erik Valind. The link to the first part of his series is below, but in the new podcast, he talks about how he's gone back to past clients and their images. He's licensing usage rights for his commercial work, and the need for images hasn't slowed down. https://www.skipcohenuniversity.com/scu-blog/tamron-recipes-photography-with-erik-valind
• Todd White, a LUMIX Ambassador, worked with the Project Graduation in his community and put together a program to photograph seniors in their prom attire. "Porch-traits" created an opportunity to help recognize this year's graduates. https://www.skipcohenuniversity.com/scu-blog/photography-spotlight-todd-white-and-porch-traits
• J.P. Elario is doing online portraits, and the idea is brilliant. His Dad Joe and partner in Elario Photography wrote: "New twist on J.P.'s Pop up Portraits & they're waiting in (virtual) line both U.S. & Canada ." https://www.skipcohenuniversity.com/scu-blog/downtime-motivators-theres-so-much-help-available

​
With Father's Day and graduation still in the timeline, there are so many opportunities to start getting back a small piece of your business as a photographer. There's no question it won't be easy, and business has changed, but many of you just need an encouraging first step to getting back on track...and this is where we are, all in it together.

Intro by Skip Cohen

Mark Toal is no stranger to the SCU blog. We've shared a lot of posts from him, always well-seasoned with creativity and great images. Well, he's off of work this week and for the next five days he's sharing things he's doing in photography to help maintain his sanity!

Welcome to the first edition of "Mark's Corner."

The whole world is shut down and I decided to take a week off from work. Actually, I thought this was the week everything would open up again after being shut down for the past couple of months. I emailed Skip and suggested that I write a blog post everyday about how photography is keeping me sane during this time.  
 
Photography has always been my therapy in hard times from when I was a shy kid who used a camera to feel like I had a reason to be in a social situation. Luckily, I’ve been hauling all of those old black and white negatives around for decades. Scanning them on these long nights has saved me from total boredom.
 
I wrote a blog here a couple of weeks ago about using my iPhone to scan old negatives. That works great for Facebook and Instagram, but it’s pretty low resolution. I didn’t want to invest in a new dedicated scanner, so I decided to try using my Lumix S1R with a Sigma 105mm Macro lens to photograph the negatives.
 
As you can see in the photo, I place the negative on a light table, put the S1R on a tripod pointed down and take a photo of the negative. You can do this with any digital camera as long as it has a macro lens. If you’re reading Skip’s blogs, you probably have a camera and tripod, so you just need an inexpensive light table.
 
Once the negatives file is in the computer, I open it in Photoshop, invert it to a positive image, adjust the contrast and clone out any dust spots.
 
The photo of my high school friend, Walter, was shot 120 Tri-X pan film and is now a 47-megapixel file ready to be printed.

Check out more of Mark's work by stopping by his website and blogs. As a member of the LUMIX team at Panasonic, you'll find a lot of solid content on making the most of LUMIX cameras.  Follow the LUMIX Ambassador team too. The group is one of the most diverse and creative teams in photography, and all the ambassadors should be on your radar. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how much great content they're sharing all the time.

Mark's using the new LUMIX full-frame S1R. More information is just a click away on the banner below.

by Skip Cohen
 
It's our 17th episode in this series, and with each new "Chef," we're gaining more insight into not only their journey but expanding our own thoughts on creativity, technique and passion.  When we started the series, the idea was simply to have some fun and introduce you to the movers and shakers in photography. What we've actually built is an extension of everyone's imaging family.

New York and Florida based Erik Valind joins us this month. He's no stranger to SCU, where we've featured a wide variety of his work. But his skill set is only part of the fun of knowing him. The only thing more impressive than his style is his love for the industry and the craft.

Erik used Tamron's 17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di OSD lens. It's one of his favorites:

"Here's a fun lens that we can talk about. I was really excited when it came out because finally I have an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens that is also easy to use filters with! No more expensive, bulky, fragile giant filter holders required, this lens has front filter threads built in. Plus its lightweight too, which is wonderful on long hikes."

For each new Chef, I've gone off in search of a quote that seems to fit their personality. It wasn't hard to find one for Erik. This is an artist who totally loves what he's doing. ​

In the world of business,
the people who are most successful
are those who are doing what they love.
Warren Buffet

About "Chef" Erik: We've featured a lot of Erik's work over the years, and even a short podcast here and there. However, even when we've bumped into each other at various conventions, there's never time for a very long conversation. So, we're just as excited about getting quality time with him in next week's podcast as we are in you getting to know at an artist who needs to be on your radar. 

One trip to his website, and you'll start to understand how much Erik loves the craft. A short section on his about page says it all:

“I’m a Communicator... Freelance Photographer, Author & Educator. I was born on the beaches of Treasure Island. I like how it sounds storybook when I tell people that. Since then I’ve been blessed with what I call a semi-charmed life, and everything has been inspiration along the way. Now I get to create for a living. I leap at the opportunities to travel the country, to meet interesting people and to make great photographs of my journey.

There’s a tangible energy in my actions, and that energy is born from those around me. I love to teach and am always eager to learn. I claim to control light, but in reality light lends itself to us, and we just look good in it. Lets enjoy it together.”

About the Image: The image we chose for this month's feature is a six-minute exposure of the NYC skyline. Erik wanted a particular feel to the image and shared one of the main ingredients:

"For this particular photo I leveraged both of the lenses strengths (wide angle + filters) by shooting at 17mm and attaching a 15-Stop Neutral Density Filter. The combination allowed me to capture the entire NYC skyline, while blurring the busy water traffic to smooth glass, and transforming the rather unimpressive sunset into a more spectacular streaking light show of sun-rays."

Click on Erik's image to enlarge and view in the SCU Lightbox. Then visit his website and follow his event schedule too! He's one of the most approachable photographers in the industry.

by Skip Cohen

I've written a lot about the challenges for kids in the Class of 2020. Turn the clock back to your own high school graduation and think about the excitement in the air. Another chapter in your life was coming to a close, and friends, who many of you had known your entire life to that point, were also moving. It was a time of celebration.

Now fast forward to the challenges created by the pandemic, today. *POOF* Instead of celebrating, it's been a time of anxiety and loss. Moments today's seniors have looked forward to for many years became a giant question mark! But here's a small compromise solution to lessen the sting just a little.

It all starts with Todd White, his background and his skill set as a professional photographer. He specializes in fashion, commercial and portrait videography and photography. He partnered with the Project Graduation team from Georgetown High School to capture these kids' senior prom looks from their front porch.

Shooting both a vertical and horizontal image for those seniors involved in the program, Todd made sure they all had a memory-maker photograph of prom-time. Did the porch-traits replace prom? Of course not, but think about the impact Todd's having on his community as part of Project Graduation.

Todd White needs to be on your radar. His client list includes Facebook, Pinterest, The Alamo, Neiman Marcus, and various fashion designers. His commercial work has been published in Vogue, British Vogue, Elle, People, the Wall Street Journal as well as other publications. He is an Emmy award-winning Producer and Videographer for the Daytripper TV show on PBS and an instructor at Precision Camera and Video in Austin, TX.

He's also a LUMIX Ambassador. Check out Todd's website, along with the LUMIX Ambassador team. This group is one of the most diverse and creative teams in photo, and all the ambassadors should be on your radar.  Check out the LUMIX Photographers Facebook page too - there are always great conversations and imaging being shared.

Todd captured his prom porch-traits with Panasonic's LUMIX S1R and the LUMIX S PRO 50mm lens. Click on either thumbnail below for more information.

The pandemic has changed all of our lives and businesses, especially most professional photographers. But sheltering in place doesn't have to mean your business. There are still things you can do to continue to build relationships with your community and clients.

Mother's Day was yesterday, but graduation and Father's Day are still on the horizon. Don't let the seasonality slip entirely by when there are still creative ways to maintain a presence for your business.

By Skip Cohen 

As I pulled together a few images for the composite above, I couldn't help but smile after yesterday's f64 Lunch Bunch get together. The chemistry between Tony Corbell and Bobbi Lane is remarkable and a tribute to the purest definition of friendship. Then throw in our hosts yesterday with Steve Brazill, Don Komarechka, and Chamira Young, and you've got all the ingredients for great programming.

Tony and I go back over thirty years to my Hasselblad days...and although Bobbi came into my life much later, the intensity of the friendship with both of them is something I cherish. Then add in friends like Steve, Don, and Chamira, and I might have had the most fun of anybody watching. It's the friendships that make this industry so remarkable!

If you couldn't join us yesterday, the video is below and well worth your time to watch. Great images from Bobbi and then Tony, combined with lots of good solid insight into understanding and seeing the light make this video one off our best lunches to date.

Plus, a couple of great links shared yesterday:

• John Cornicello's Q&A:  https://cornicello.com/photo-qa
• Don Komarechka's Photo Geek Weekly: https://photogeekweekly.com/
• Bobbi and Lee's PhotoAdventures: https://bobbiandleesphotoadventures.com/
• Tony's Workshops and Online Edu; https://www.tonycorbell.com/

A BIG thanks to everyone who's been supporting these programs...and especially your feedback. We'll be back next Wednesday with another great program.

Who says there's no such thing as a FREE lunch?​

by Skip Cohen

JOIN US ON MAY 6 AT 2:00 PM EST FOR THE NEXT f64 LUNCH BUNCH WITH SPECIAL GUESTS BOBBI LANE AND TONY CORBELL!
 
Nobody teaches lighting better than these two. Besides being great friends, they share an incredible passion for the industry, teaching, and especially lighting! Just in case you don't know Bobbi and Tony, I pulled two older videos from both of their YouTube channels, so you get a better feel for their backgrounds and skill sets. 

​The f64 Lunch Bunch is all about downtime education, conversations with/for photographers and ideas to help you through the challenges of the pandemic. The only thing worse than the downtime and needing to hunker down, is not taking advantage of the free time to raise the bar on the quality of your work.

Bobbi and Tony will be joining our hosts with ideas on things you can practice, so you hit the ground running by having a better understanding of lighting.

We've still got too many "natural light specialists" in this industry. And we all know, while everyone loves the look and feel of natural light when somebody declares themselves a "specialist" it almost ALWAYS means they don't understand lighting!

I hope you'll join us next Wednesday for a terrific program with two great guests. And to put it in perspective on how well these two work together and love the craft, when I asked Bobbi about joining us with Tony she said,

by Skip Cohen

I don't want to start this post with a rant, but it's so hard not to react to photographers who are all doom and gloom, but unwilling to take the time to change things. This is a tough time for everyone, but there are so many opportunities for artists to expand and strengthen their skill sets.

It's the hardest it's ever been to find business. So, I get it...but I'm not giving up on spreading the word on different programs going on to help you get things back in focus.

Coming up this morning at 11:00 am EST Scott Kelby and his team:

Yesterday I shared a link to Joe Elario's Facebook post from last week and was surprised at how few people checked it out... it's only fifty-two seconds of your time.

J.P. Elario is doing online portraits, and the idea is brilliant. His Dad Joe and partner in Elario Photography wrote: "New twist on J.P.'s Pop up Portraits & they're waiting in (virtual) line both U.S. & Canada ."

I don't have a link for other smart portrait projects, but the word is that "Front Porch Portraits" are gaining momentum everywhere. While not every community has modified its shelter in place policies, many are allowing people out, but requiring that social distancing be maintained. 

Now think about the concept. Families have been in lockdown for weeks, and a "Front Porch Portrait" is a memory of a tough time, but right in line with family values. And for me personally, it would represent a memory of a time we got through it all. ​

And speaking of Bobbi Lane and Tony Corbell:

And check out the Photoshop Rant with Lee Varis:

And that brings me full circle to my point - there's a lot of help out there, and these are just the tip of the iceberg. There's support to help you with marketing, technique, business and it's all being taught by photographers who want to give back to an industry they love dearly.

But the next move is yours!

by Skip Cohen

​As a writer, there are few things more fun and rewarding than when you see that first copy of a book you've written. So, a BIG congrats to my good buddy Larry Becker!

Larry's new book, Great on Camera, launches Tuesday, April 21. And for the first 24 hours, the eBook will be $1.99, and then it goes back to the regular $9.99 price. And the paperback will be $14.99 for that same day, and then back to $19.99 after that.

Timing is everything! Based on how many of us are on camera with more than just chats with friends, a lot of us need Larry's help. 

Being an author takes a huge commitment, patience, an enormous chunk of your time, and most important of all a responsibility to your readers. Well, if you've hung out with Larry over the years on the Picture Success Podcast, or through programming at KelbyOne, or recently the f64 Lunch Bunch, you already know his passion for the craft and helping photographers. 

Like Carly Simon's old song, Nobody Does It Better - tune into Amazon next Tuesday and order this new book. Larry's skillset couldn't be better to help all of us be great on camera!

by Skip Cohen

​With everything that's changed in our lives, the lines between great images, memories, and classic skill sets are all blurred. Technically it's Throwback Thursday, and the fun of the day is typically looking back at a moment in the past captured in a photograph. Well, I'm combining a little of everything this morning.

The image above is thanks to the outrageous passion of Erik Kuna.  

It's a 9-minute long exposure streak of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launching across the sky and the booster turning back and landing on earth. It was taken from an abandon launchpad from the '60s at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, with a Lego Star Wars Millennium Falcon in the Foreground, since Elon Musk actually named the Falcon rocket after this iconic Sci-Fi Spacecraft. 

Erik captured it with his camera set up on a Platypod Max, but that's not where the story about the image ends.

Here's where the "throwback" comes in...

For so many of us, the fun of a throwback image only requires turning back the clock a few weeks!

Erik shared the image on The Grid last month. I was a guest on that show and arrived much later than usual because I was stuck in traffic. (There's a throwback all its own - traffic!)

I remember joking that it might be our last time all seated together for awhile. Even then, we didn't really understand the full impact of the "social-Tsunami" headed our way.

The image of the three of us is actually my last photograph taken while being with other people outside my home/office. Right now, it seems like it was so long ago.

But there is a brighter side to all of this, or maybe it's better described as an enduring side. Social distancing makes it tough to spend direct time with friends now, but it doesn't stop the support available or the willingness of so many people, like Erick and Scott to help us through the challenges.

Start with all the support you'll find at KelbyOne, including ongoing articles and great online educational programs. Then, tune in The Grid and catch up on past episodes. Follow Scott Kelby's blog for more good solid content.

Last but certainly not least - check out Erik's website. It's jam-packed with incredible images. And while some of you will think they're a long way from your specialty of weddings, portraits, etc. they're right in line with the passion so many of you share for having a camera in your hands!  I love the way Erik describes his passion for space: