Joining the Digital Club

So, you just got your first digital camera for Christmas and are now asking yourself,"What's a pixel?" Don't feel bad. For most folks, there is a learning curve when it comes to digital capture, especially if you are over 50 and have only known film cameras.

I, however, have good news for you. Everything you ever wanted to know about digital photography--from getting up and running to sharing on the web--has been addressed in the book In Easy Steps: Digital Photography for Seniors by Nick Vandome. Don't be fooled by the title though, this book actually is a must read for anyone just joining the digital club. I especially like the "Hot Tips" featured throughout. What's more, the size, illustrations and layout of the paperback make it a handy desk resource.

As a professional photographer, I am frequently asked for tips on common issues that beguile novices from brightening dull photos to making photos crisper. And these, too, are covered in this book using Photoshop Elements. As a bonus, Digital Photography for Seniors (for over 50s) also discusses sharing photos on the web using online sites such as Facebook.

All in all, this book makes the perfect companion to your first digital camera. And with a list price of just $14.99, it's cheaper than the batteries you just purchased!

Facebook Fridays

With the start of a new year and new decade here, it's time to update your image. And, what better way to do so than with a new portrait?

Yes, you can attract new "friends" and impress old ones with a professional image by yours truly. Even better, throughout the month of January you and a friend may enjoy one of my Facebook Friday sessions (not limited to Fridays) at TRR Photography for the price of one!

This special session comes with two enhanced images--each specifically formatted in the square crop for use on Facebook--for you and a friend for only $79.

So, bring a friend and plan to have some fun! To book your session, just drop me a line at trrphotography@intermind.net, subject line: Facebook Fridays.

The 2010 Calendars are HIP!

Once again Marathon Press has come through for me. My 2010 calendar is a winner, and I hope that you will agree.

Featuring both personal and professional work as usual, the 2010 calendar is nonetheless unique. Having become bored with the more traditional format, I thought it would be fun to be square this year. As Huey Lewis once chanted, "It's hip to be square." At least, I think it works for the calendar. The major challenge was deciding how to crop and present the 14 images which resulted in some pleasant surprises! You, however, may be the final judge by letting me know which format you like best.

The calendar will be mailed out next week to existing clients and Facebook Fans of TRR Photography with our compliments. To confirm that you are on the Nice List, please drop me a line, along with your current mailing address, at trrphotography@intermind.net. While the supply lasts, additional copies may be purchased for $20 each.

It's Family Portrait Season!

It's family portrait season! With cooler days here and the holidays just around the corner, Fall is the perfect time of year to update your family portraits. Whether it be just the kids or the whole clan, TRR Photography is here for you to create your most cherished art for your home or office as well as gifts for your circle of family and friends.

And as if that were not reason enough to book a session, I will personally create a custom holiday card using your favorite image and give you a box of 25 cards as my gift to you. To receive this session bonus, you only need to book your session between now and November 15th.

There is no time like the present, so call me at 702-889-4011 to schedule your complimentary portrait consultation before Fall, like the wind, comes and goes.

Photoshop World Conference & Expo

Starting October 1st, you will find me at Mandalay Bay for three days of Photoshop, Photoshop and more Photoshop with the gods of the medium at Photoshop World. And with over 100 classes to choose from, it doesn't get any better than this!

Catering to professional photographers and graphic artists worldwide, this live learning experience is a must for anyone who uses Photoshop and wants to stay on the cutting-edge of the his/her craft. I only attended the expo last year, but vowed then not to make that same mistake twice. Don't get me wrong, there is something for every enthusiast at the tradeshow.

For those of you who are interested in attending the tradeshow, I'd be happy to get you a pass. Hobby photographers, in particular, will enjoy the show demos conducted on the floor each day of the conference.

With so many great classes offered, it may take me a couple days just to come up with a game plan for myself. Although, even for this task, the NAPP team has created a PDF to make the job easier--they think of everything. Now, if I could just find my "Gone Fishing" sign for the studio door...

It Starts - The CPP Process

Thinking that the portfolio review would be the easier of the two main components in the process for certification as a professional photographer, naturally, I started there. Boy, did I underestimate the hours that would go into preparing my 20 images for judging!

The image selections as I learned must reflect, in proportion, the types of photography the candidate shoots. So, first I had to figure out what it is that I do. My breakdown worked out as follows: 10% Advertising/Commercial, 20% Corporate/Industrial, and 70% Portrait. Crunching the numbers, however, was not the real challenge. It's what followed that had me pulling out my hair! The images to be submitted cannot include personal work which eliminated a boat load from being considered, including all my Kauai images. Further, the select images must be from 20 different job assignments and no two images may contain any of the same folks--even if they are repeat clients. And, here's the kicker: all work must have been completed within the last 24 months!

Thanks to the input of my PPA liaison, Master Photographer Sue Altenburg, I was able to take the next step and narrow down the remaining field of images. I also learned a few things along the way. Moreover, I was reminded of what makes a good image. This panel, after all, will not be judging my Photoshop skills, but what I can do with a camera and light.

Upon sizing the images as required and writing a Statement of Purpose for each, I finally was ready to upload the portfolio for review. The images are judged as a body of work. So, it's either sink or swim. I expect to learn how I fared by the end of next month. Now the hardest part of the image review phase begins--the waiting. If I'm smart, I'll make good use of the time and start studying for the 100 question written exam now!

And the Winners Are...

The results are IN! Enlisting the assistance of those present on Saturday afternoon at South Valley Animal Hospital , TRR Photography announced the winners of our drawing in celebration of the Dog Days of Summer, including the Grand Prize for a pet portrait session and 11x14 print as follows:

GRAND PRIZE
Meghan Minor
Winner of a $175 Gift Certificate

SECOND PRIZE
Chloe Wood
Winner of a $100 Gift Certificate

THIRD PRIZE
Casey Kamen
Winner of a $75 Gift Certificate

All three of our lucky winners also won a copy of the hardcover book: Dirty Bow Wow. Congratulations to all of you. We look forward to photographing your best friend. To book your session, or for more information on pet portraiture by TRR Photography, please call 889-4011.

Thank you everyone who entered the drawing. We appreciate and share your love of animals and hope to hear from you in the future.