Wednesday 24 April 2013

Finding and Wooing Your Photography Audience

Finding and Wooing Your Photography Audience

Link to PictureCorrect Photography Tips

Finding and Wooing Your Photography Audience

Posted: 23 Apr 2013 05:23 PM PDT

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, an audience can be “an opportunity of being heard” or “a group of listeners or spectators.” If you are developing a new photography project, it can only prosper if you have an audience, followers, and customers. You have to find the right buttons to push. Obviously you need a viable product to sell or you won’t be able to keep your audience’s attention.

"Untitled" captured by Ray Phung. (Click image to see more from Ray Phung.)

“Untitled” captured by Ray Phung. (Click image to see more from Ray Phung.)

A comedian would not derive great satisfaction from an empty room. If you’ve finally sat down to write that book, you have to know who your audience is going to be and how to approach them. And, in particular, once that book is in print, you will have to find a way to sell it. If you’re into photography and everyone keeps telling you that your work is terrific, find a way to share it outside your intimate group of friends. Begin by posting your images on the many photo sharing websites, i.e., Flickr, PictureSocial, 500pxSmugMug etc.; create an interest and a following. You may not be ready for the National Gallery, but your work may appeal to the discerning private art collector.

In today’s world where the internet and social media play a major role in how we do business, I’d venture to say that connecting with the right people, websites, and businesses online is of absolute importance. I’d even go as far as saying it’s the first step toward getting your voice heard. Create Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest pages that show off your artwork. Check in with them regularly and rotate your text or images frequently in order to keep your visitors interested.

Building your own website is also essential. There are an infinite number of website creators, varying in price and market. Approach friends or colleagues in your field who already have an up and running website, and find out who they used and if they are pleased. If you’re not an expert at website creation, find a provider who will offer you a selection of templates to choose from, and if you need help, will answer your cries. Of course, an obvious, but possibly pricey option: hire someone to create your website to your specifications.

Dedicate as much time as necessary to generate something suitable for your needs. Make it worthwhile. It must be visually and textually appealing. With respect to photography websites, less is best. Too much information will confuse the visitor. Divide your images into categories and give each category its own page. I’d go for about 10 photographs per category–not more. Once you have it up and running, tell the world you are there and waiting for them to drop by. Start by linking your website to the Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Flickr, and Pinterest accounts you already created. And don’t forget verbal publicity; tell your friends to tell their friends. Take out ads on Google and Facebook, or even the classifieds.

"Cornwallis Wharf" captured by Al Michael Genabe. (Click image to see more from Al Michael Genabe.)

“Cornwallis Wharf” captured by Al Michael Genabe. (Click image to see more from Al Michael Genabe.)

Make business cards with all of the necessary info, including your new URL. At the same time, create a virtual business card and include it with your signature whenever you send out an email, even if it is unrelated to your business; instant free publicity!

Make labels and stickers to put on your products, i.e., on the back of one of your framed photos, on the box of your new notecards, etc. Have the same information and style on your stickers as you have on your business cards.

Join an art cooperative and have your work displayed on a regular basis. Make donations of your art to fundraising events, libraries, schools, etc. Provide them with a handful of your business cards to display with your product. Enter as many competitions as financially sustainable. Ask the corner café if you can hang your artwork on their walls and offer them a percentage. And, of course, join a few local photography clubs. Participate in their competitions, make contacts, and share tips.

"Green Ocean - Pitstone Windmill" captured by Radoslav Toth. (Click image to see more from Radoslav Toth.)

“Green Ocean – Pitstone Windmill” captured by Radoslav Toth. (Click image to see more from Radoslav Toth.)

It’s an enormous task, but in the end it could and should prove beneficial. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. The chances of you turning into an overnight success are slim, but by approaching your task with enthusiasm and credibility, you are taking the first step toward recognition.

It’s all about visibility. Go out and woo them!

 About the Author:
Irene Martinelli is a digital photographer who expresses herself with simple lines, bold colors and free flowing forms (www.fotographicallyyours.com). ”Through the art of photography I feel at peace with myself, expressing my emotions without the deception of words.”


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Interesting Photo of the Day: Concerned Puffin Eating a Mouthful of Sand Eels

Posted: 23 Apr 2013 01:56 PM PDT

It’s that time of year for many us when we start to break free of cabin fever and go outdoors to photograph our local wildlife. While most of us won’t find puffins congregating near our homes, the picture below can still serve as a bit of inspiration. The bird is an Atlantic Puffin and the colorful beak you see is, sadly, only temporary. Male Atlantic puffins use the bright beak as means of attracting a mate, but will actually shed the beak once mating season has commenced:

The puffin sheds his colorful beak during non-mating seasons (imgur)

The puffin is able to hold so many fish in it’s mouth at one time because it’s tongue has a serrated edge that serves as a gripping tool. Knowing a little background information on birds, such as what season they are at their most colorful, is an essential tool to bird photographers. To learn more about taking better photographs of wild birds, be sure to check out the informative post on wild bird photo tips right here on PictureCorrect.


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Stunning San Diego Timelapse Photography

Posted: 23 Apr 2013 10:56 AM PDT

In Welcome Home, San Diego native Michael Shainblum gives us a glimpse of his hometown through a stunning timelapse video which shows that one does not always need to travel to exotic locations to create a photo/video masterpiece. Breathtaking images worthy of anyone’s personal project can be found just as easily at home (for those of you reading this by email, the timelapse can be seen here):

In an undertaking that took 4 months and several thousand shots to complete, for the moving sequences the camera was mounted to a Dynamic Perception rig that moved very slowly as each individual photograph was taken. Shainblum shows us multiple facets of his beloved city and the end result is a kaleidoscope of colors and motion — seascapes, landscapes, cityscapes, nightscapes — that puts the spotlight on the everyday sights of San Diego in a wonderful 4-minute showcase.

San Diego timelapse photography

For Further Training on Time-lapse Photography:

There is a popular COMPLETE guide (146 pages) to shooting, processing and rendering time-lapses using a dslr camera. It can be found here: Time-lapse Photography Guide


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Article from: PictureCorrect Photography Tips

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