A couple of weeks ago, I saw this post and it got me thinking about why I (we?) hang on to every image we take. Perhaps as the title suggests, we should ‘keep the best, delete the rest’.

Blake Bodycote asked about backup solutions for his laptop-based Lightroom catalogue.
My suggestions included:

Backup online using any one of a multitude of free ‘drive’ sites like:

• google drive,
• dropbox,
• skydrive, or
• iCloud.

Use a paid online backup service like:

• carbonite,
• crashplan,
• jungle disk, or
• mozy.

And if nothing else, maybe save jpeg copies to an online site?

I mention the absolutely crap-o-matic quality of film scanning at Big W,

plus, spending a day at a Joe McNally workshop.

Links:

• lastolite ezybox
• honlphoto 8″ traveller
• home made softbox options.

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:09 — 27.4MB)

Well, for one thing, I’m about to launch a new audio-related podcast called “Nothing to Fear“, which will be a tutorial-type podcast based on the digital audio workstation known as Reaper.

I know this audience is not really interested in that, but I’m just trying to generate a few links into the site, so the google bots will think it’s a page worth indexing. Method to my madness, see?

But while I’m here, I’ll mention that there won’t be an episode of Shutters Inc this week. I DID actually record one, but after I’d finished it, I had to admit to myself that there really wasn’t anything incredibly informative about it. Back in the final days when I was doing Sine Language, I said to myself that I wouldn’t release a podcast just for the sake of releasing something. And it makes sense to continue adopting that attitude to this podcast as well. If there’s nothing to say, then don’t let people download a whole crapload of nothing.

Don’t worry, just because I’m mentioning this now, in the same post as announcing a new audio-related podcast, don’t think I’m going cold on SI. That is most definitely NOT the case, ok? I will definitely be recording an ep next week, as I will have had the pleasure of a day with Joe McNally on Monday (so pumped about that!). Got any questions for Joe? Can’t promise to remember them on the day, but sing out if you have!

Alright, onward and upward….

Wow, 200 episodes!
This week, a great post on being true to your own vision, and why the journey of your photography career is a lot like a bus route,
(unfortunately, it appears that this link is already broken, even before I get this episode up, so it’s a good thing I summarised the theory in the podcast!),
Susan Menis wrote in to congratulate me on the milestone (thanks, Susan),
Kain Tietzel is moving from iPhoto to LR and now has to tackle the daunting task of setting up good workflow practices for 12,000+ images (good luck with that, mate!).
So, I look at some basics of database management within Lightroom, including
* where to set up your catalogues,
* whether to use one or multiple catalogues,
* and heirachial keyword topographies.
Nathan Chilton also gave us another Lightroom tip, in the form of how to sync the images from a ‘one shoot, multiple cameras’ scenario AFTER the fact. His description of the process is here.
Which led me to share an idea I’d had on how to make sure you COULD get all photos in sync later on.
A quick note that I’ll be away on holidays next week, so there won’t be a podcast next week.
Cheers!

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:26 — 59.8MB)

This week, an apology for my ‘facebook fail’.
The reason there’s been no podcast for the last 3 weeks is because I was once again involved in photographing and videoing Sound Business Plan for ARN up at Hayman Island.
Sounds cushy, I know, but it was intense work.
The nest Sydney Meetup (#23 – Black Friday) will have already happened by the time you read this. We’re shooting a ‘European gypsy/fortune teller’-themed shoot.
And just because I don’t cram enough stuff (and stress) into my life, I’ve been out and bought a roll of 200iso Kodak film and a battery for my old Minolta 700si. At this meetup, I will be (or ‘was’?) shooting digital AND film simultaneously. Can’t wait to see if the difference is as noticable as everyone suggests.
Carl Hemmings sent me a link to a Peter Hurley video, where he discusses posing techniques, specifically for the head. I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS VIDEO ENOUGH! Allocate 15mins of your day and watch this (if, like me, you need help with posing your subjects). Awesome tips.
Adobe Reader 10.2 for Android and iOS is out now and allows for text markup and signing of pdf’s directly on your tablet/phablet/phone. Very excited about this. Custom digital model release forms, here we come!
Also, I’m hoping to get hold of Shelton for ep #200. Watch this space.
And speaking of Shelton, he and Glynn have just passed the 20,000 fans/friends mark on Facebook for Creative Photo Workshops! Well done, fellas!

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:32 — 23.9MB)

This week, a little tip courtesy of Nathan Chilton on Facebook:
Don’t forget to change the clock in your camera when daylight saving starts/ends!!
Nice one, Nathan. Thanks!
Then, I talk with multiple award-winning Australian wedding photographer, Jerry Ghionis (Facebook, Twitter) about his recent collaboration with Westcott Lighting.
Together, they have come up with the Ice Light.
Jerry is also building a community around the Icelight at IceSociety.
If you’re interested in joining, Shutters Inc listeners can get a $100 discount on membership by using the promo code “icesale”.

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:20 — 52.4MB)

This week, an e-mail from Landon Michaelson regarding panoramic heads. Landon likes his Nodal Ninja 5.
Also, an e-mail from Ernie Barrett asking about dead and/or stuck pixels, and about cleaning options for lenses. I personally love my LensPen Sensorklear Loupe Kit.

A post-shoot conversation with Chris led to the question “should models get hi-res images if they’ve been paid for the shoot”. Isn’t that like double-dipping?

Sydney Photographer’s Meetup #22 went off without a hitch…. once we moved it to an indoor shoot! The theme was Bonnie and Clyde.
Meetup #23 is in the planning stages right now. It’s going to be a Black Friday shoot (13th April @ Dragon Image in Artarmon, for anyone who’d like to join us), with a theme along the lines of “Fortune Teller/European Gypsy”. Should be fun! If you’d like to be part of it, join the group on Facebook.

The next Focus on Business will also be held at Dragon Image this Tuesday (13th March) between 18:00-21:00.
This month, Lorna is addressing “online and social media marketing”. This will be interesting indeed!
If you are interested in attending, head over to Instinctive Desires and book yourself a place!

In case you’ve been living under a rock this week, Adobe’s Lightroom 4 is now out!
You can try it out, fully featured, for 30 days before you buy.

And if you need a little bit of help with your newly downloaded Lightroom 4, why not check out Chris Orwig’s “Lightroom 4 New Features” course over at lynda.com?
Or for those of you who prefer Capture NX2 (over Adobe Camera Raw) for your RAW conversions, lynda.com has just released a new course from Ben Long: “Capture NX2 Essential Training“.

And if all that wasn’t enough… a tease for next week!

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:10 — 35.6MB)

This week, we learn that Joe McNally is set to tour to Australia and New Zealand this year!
Let me know if you’re interested in attending the Sydney workshop, as I’m hoping to be able to secure a group discount. No guarantees of course, but let me know if you’re up for it!

Two weeks ago, Chris Belyea and myself, along with model Desiree (of Meetup #15 fame) hired Think Studio for 4 hours to do a glamour shoot.
It was great to be able to take the time to finesse a shot, and experiment with light.
Some of my shots from the shoot can be seen here.
Personally, I really like the last one!

“Slow Bruce” finally discovers something that should have come to him long ago, regarding panoramas, pivot points, and paralax errors.
For the technophiles, read the wikipedia article on parallax errors.
Or for the lounge lizards, check out some youtube vids on same!

Next Friday is Meetup #22 – ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ here in Sydney.
Still looking for a couple more photographers …and a venue!
Sing out if you would like to be involved in any way.

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:39 — 22.5MB)

This week, I speak with Gavin Blue from Heartfelt.
Gavin talks about what the service does, and how the biggest challenge they face is spreading the word so that people actually know that Heartfelt exists!
I highly commend them for their work and urge everyone to  do their own little bit to help spread the word.
Stick up a status message on Facebook for a couple of hours, tweet about it, whatever works for you.

I also received an e-mail from Blake who made use of the black card technique, along with using a couple of ND filters so he could shoot 30 seconds directly into the sun!
Check out his image here.

Lorna’s next “Focus on Business” meeting (the first for 2012) is on this coming Tuesday at Dragon Image in Artarmon. If you are a Sydney-based photographer wanting to get the business side of your photography business on track, this is a must-attend event!

And the next Sydney Photographer’s meetup is to be held on Friday March 2nd. This month’s theme is Bonnie and Clyde. Venue still to be announced. Details on the Facebook event page.

Thanks in advance!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:51 — 27.4MB)

This week, I discuss the “black card technique”.

Also, Rod Thomas is looking to sell off his last few remaining f-Stop bags at better-than-retail prices. Give him a call before he runs out!
His mobile # is  041 767 7966, or drop him a line via his website.

If you aren’t familiar with f-Stop bags, check ‘em out here. They are beautiful pieces of gear.

And I’d like to hear from you guys some more! Drop me an e-mail to let me know what you’ve been up to. I mention the e-mail address in the podcast. Let’s see the spammers work out how to scrape THAT! Mwahahaha!

** ADDENDUM **

Lee Gatland just sent me a link to a blog, where Tony has been hard at work perfecting this very technique (the black card, or in his case, the magic cloth technique).
Check it out.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:50 — 24.7MB)

What a way to bring in the new year!
Last week, Adobe announced the public beta of Lightroom v4.
Grab it here!
Plus, we are joined by Australian Portrait Photographer of the Year, Sue Bryce.
Sue shares some valuable insights on how she approaches portrait photography.
Check out her blog or her website.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:13 — 46.2MB)

This week, I caught up with Lorna after the final Sydney ‘Focus on Business’ meeting for 2011.
We discussed break-ins,
insurance,
the FOB series of meetings moving into the Adelaide (South Australia) and Newcastle (New South Wales) markets in 2012 (!),
the New Zealand holiday,
lens lust,
the January Sydney group shoot,
BWP calendars,
and the Barrington Tops meetup in November.
Have a merry Christmas one and all!
Talk to you in the new year!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:36 — 13.4MB)

This week, I caught up with Lorna Andrikopoulos from Instinctive Desires for a chat about what she’s been up to in the last month…
which has included the Nikon AIPP event in Adelaide,
plus a double-nighter of the Focus on Business series in Melbourne the week before last,
and the same double-nighter in Sydney last week!
Topics covered were marketing (first night) and the introduction to the Emotional Sale (second night).
I would suggest that if you are looking to further your photographic sales in a retail environment (weddings, portraiture, etc), then you should definitely check out the DVD and audio CD, both available from Instinctive Desires.
Also, Elsie (aka Amberglass) sent me a message for Neil who wrote in last week asking about how to cope with hot pixels on his camera.
Elsie found Pixel Fixer (some donationware targeted at fixing images suffering due to dead or hot pixels), as well as this article on dpmag.com.
Good luck, Neil!

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This week, a quick chat about why I have decided to NOT shoot with auto white balance from here on out.
All of which leads perfectly into our interview with this week’s special guest, Les Walkling.
Les is Australia’s most highly respected authority on colour managed workflow.
Check out the Theory of Practise page on Les’ site for those pdf files he mentioned.
Also, some listener email from Neil regarding hot pixels, and this link to the camera simulator from Ron,
plus an inspirational quote from Ira Glass.
And keep those emails coming in!

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This week, I caught up with Lorna Andrikopoulos from Instinctive Desires after the third Sydney “Focus on Business” meeting.
I’m off on holiday for a couple of weeks, so there definitely won’t be any podcasts for the next three weeks.
Plus, a quick chat about the status (current, and future) of Shutters Inc.

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This week, Lorna Andrikopoulos pops in for a quick chat about the ‘Focus on Business’ series,
what photographic projects Bruce has been involved with recently (and in the near future),
plus the importance of setting goals.

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