Wednesday
03Feb2010

Photo Release Form - Recommendations?

I am in need of a photo release form. I need something fairly generic for a few individuals to sign so i can use the images on a company website.

I have found a few online but wondering if anyone has one they are willing to share or can recommend?

Monday
11Jan2010

Going Pro - Seeking Guidance

One of my resolutions for the coming year was "Going Pro".  At the time, I didn't really state what that meant.  I wanted to explain that in another post.   Going Pro is my way of saying that I want to "go pro" with my hobby.  Make it legit. 

Just before Christmas I sent a modified version of this image out to some friends and bike industry contacts.   Minutes after I sent this image out, one of the folks responded and asked if they could buy this image.    I gotta say it was a nice way to start the holiday and a nice way to get me fired up to pursue my hobby in a new way.    However, I couldn't really sell it YET as I don't have things set up yet.  

So...Going Pro is setting up my own small hobby business around photography.  I have a vision for building this part of my hobby.  I am not looking to make it my career.  Rather, I am looking to make enough money to pay for my equipment, hardware and software.    

My first step is to set up my own business.  Anyone like to offer up advice on what type of business to set up?  I've done some research on an LLC and S-corp.   Any other options, recommendations or ideas?  

Additionally, I plan to use this part of my Gnat Likes site to share what I have learned and some of the challenges and obstacles to overcome for those other photographers out there like me.  

So...If you have any advice, comments or recommendations, please let me know either in comments or with a submission form found on my About Gnat page.    Any and all advice is appreciated.  

 

Saturday
28Nov2009

"Good Glass" - Nikon 20mm F2.8

"Save and buy good glass" is a common tip you will hear from many seasoned photographers and sales people.   As my passion for photography grows, I have heard this saying more and more.  I also find it to be true and sound advice.

Recently, I found a used 20mm Nikon F2.8 for less than 1/2 of current street/market price.  I sold some bike and camera stuff and picked it up.   I'm having so much fun with it.  On my APSC DX-Format D90, the 20mm equates to a 30mm focal length.   It's wide and bright too.   The pictures are super sharp compared to my kit lens.  There clearly is a difference.  The color and contrast are fantastic too.  

Shooting with a single focal length lens has some great benefits. 

- I think it helps you become a better photographer because you spend more time thinking about the framing.  Your feet are the zoom.   

- It's lighter and smaller than a zoom, thus I think it encourages you carry your camera more.  Thus, you shoot more and learn more.  

- Single focal length lenses are typically brighter (Lower F-Stop).  This lens is a 2.8 and this gives you more options for depth of field.   In certain situations where a subject has depth,  you can choose to make a single part in focus or set it to make more or all of it in focus.  

All in all I couldn't be more pleased with this little lens.  

Monday
02Nov2009

Test

Just testing out how a Flickr based slide show appears on the Gnat Blog. Feel free to comment if you have info or suggestions.

Sunday
25Oct2009

The Pope gets a massage

This photo needs few words.  This was taken on the pedestrian bridge behind Notre Damn after dinner one evening.