Archive for May, 2011
I’m A Big Boy Now
Photo of the Week 
1
Tue 05.31.2011
Is he really smoking – a cigar? That’s what everyone who sees this photograph asks me. Well, no – but he is chewing on it. A lot of good photographers depend on mad artistic skills, but what nobody tells you is that a lot of it depends on luck as well. My trip to Havana years ago was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. I wanted to do a portrait series of Cuba’s gorgeous sights and its people before it opened up to the U.S. Americans are not allowed to travel to Cuba, and I was fortunate to obtain an educational licence visa. I was also extremely lucky to chance into this boy on the streets of Havana – with a cigar. Now, that’s priceless.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Kubota Image Tools Viva La Vintage and Pow Wow! Combo Pak contest. I will announce the winner on Studio News this Wednesday, as well as on Twitter and Facebook.
Today, I am giving away 3 Triple Scoop Music Licensing Gift Certificates, each of which can be redeemed for any single song from Triple Scoop Music and includes a lifetime song license. You have more than 8,000 incredible hand-picked songs to choose from! I’ve been a loyal user of Triple Scoop and it’s a wonderful resource for photographers. It has a wide-ranging and updated music collection at a reasonable price. I used a song called “Chemistry Instrumental” from my favorite Triple Scoop Music artist, A Girl Named Jaen.
As with previous contests, all you have to do is to Follow me and Triple Scoop Music on Twitter.
Step 1:
a. Follow Catherine_Hall on Twitter
b. Follow Triple Scoop Music on Twitter
Step 2:
Post the tweet exactly as it appears below.
Enter to win @triplscoopmusic Music Licensing Gift Certificates from @catherine_hall. Pls RT. More info at http://www.catherinehall.net/blog/.
Contest rules:
You must be 18 years or older to enter.
You must follow Catherine Hall and Triple Scoop Music on Twitter.
The winner will be notified on June 15, 2011, on Twitter, Facebook and http://www.catherinehall.net/blog.
CHS is excited to be working with Triple Scoop Music to give this prize away. Look out for a new contest here on June 13, 2011. Thanks for supporting Catherine Hall Studios!
5 Patterns How Words Define Your Business
Guest Posts 1
Fri 05.27.2011
When I attended Lawrence Chan’s SEO workshop a year ago at the home of fellow photographer, Gene Higa, I was pessimistic about actually learning anything. SEO was a mind-boggling subject for me – even though it is really important, I just didn’t have the patience for it. Two hours with Lawrence, better known by his moniker “Tofurious,” revolutionized my perception of SEO and I haven’t looked back since. Lawrence’s youthful appearance belies his sharp wit and inspired intelligence. Extremely giving and generous, Lawrence is a marketing whiz who will soon become a household name. Be inspired by his musing of words in the following guest post.
Follow Lawrence Chan on Twitter.
Post By Lawrence Chan
“The pen is mightier than the sword” – term was coined by Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839 for his play Richelieu; Or the Conspiracy. If you hone your words effectively, what a sharp and clear business you will have.
My 5 patterns on how words define your business:
- Words convey ideas
- Each word is equally important in delivery
- Mismanagement of words lead to confusion
- Words have a subtle and undeniable power because of its quiet and calm approach – no visuals or audio – that allow its reach to be as far as our own fathomable imagination
- Brevity is key – brevity is not the limitation of words, it is the limitation of extraneous words.
Words are every bit of an art form as your photography. It’s not easy finding the right words to define your business. But when you do, your resolve and business direction will be ever more clear!
Less is More
This morning I sent out a mass email with nothing more than…
- Was I afraid that people would unsubscribe? Yes.
- Did it get my point across? Hopefully.
I selected a number of companies that have short and powerful mantras. If we were to examine the phrases by themselves, they seem fragmented. Yet they make perfect sense. I added my own thoughts in [brackets].
Nike
[Don't delay -] Just do it
Google
Don’t be evil [to end users]
Starbucks
Rewarding everyday moments
Target
Expect More [Design, Innovations, Experience]. Pay Less [Money].
Vons
Ingredients For Life
TBS
Very funny.
TNT
We know drama.
Intel
Sponsors of tomorrow.
Tropicana
Pure Premium [what???]
Crafting Your Brand
Pattern #4 – “…subtle and undeniable power… that allow its reach to be as far as our own fathomable imagination.” What I meant was that you get to create the remainder of the above slogans however it fits you. What I put in brackets is what fits me at the moment.
I wrote an article earlier about crafting your photography brand. It’s good, but very formulaic. Like the aforementioned, powerful brands can exclude superfluous or implied definers.
WORDS ARE POWERFUL
More accurately, the right words are powerful. They define…
- what you are
- who you are
- what you want to achieve as a business
Similarly, how I define my dragon while reading a novel will be completely different from how you perceive yours. This is why movies rarely live up to our expectations.
This is why my pen is my sword.
Finding Peace and Other News
From The Studio, Podcasts, Press 1
Wed 05.25.2011
I recently lost someone very close to me to cancer and this loss has been a lot more trying and complex than I could have ever imagined. Having to work through the grief and pain of loss has been quite trying. My achievement of the week? Starting to find relief and peace (I know its a long road) – and remembering the beauty in life and good times.
In the mean time, news from my studio:
Can You Spot Me On the Cover?
When I was asked to be a part of a photo shoot at WPPI in March, I didn’t know I would be on Rangefinder‘s cover! Michael Greenberg arranged the shoot for the Graphistudio‘s Day In The Life of WPPI 2011 book. Most of the other photographers were informed of the shoot – I did not hear of it until the night before. I was told to do something creative. Due to the late notice, I didn’t have any props and I decided to make a dress out of magazines that I have been published in. Very last minute, but a lot of fun!
Awesome Week in the Big Apple
It’s always fun to be in New York City and I wasted no time to catch up with clients, editors and friends, such as Adorama’s social media darling, Joel Meisels. Being based in the West Coast, I usually only talk to my East Coast friends online or on the phone. It was great getting facetime with people. I can’t wait to go back!
TWiP #192: On Lady Gaga & Copyright
In this episode of TWiP, Frederick Van Johnson, the “Godfather” Rick Sammon, Tyler Ginter and I discuss how Lady Gaga demands the rights to her concert photographs and copyright issues, the tragedy in Japan, and autofocus. Listen to our engaging banter and watch out for my tip on lighting and gear picks of the week: Nik Software Silver Efex Pro 2.0 & HDR Efex Pro
Recommended: Nancy Liu Chin Designs
Nancy Liu Chin is one of the forefront leaders in the wedding floral design industry. Her designs are a blend of modern chic, contemporary elegance and whimsical details. Her creations embody a flirty, yet refined charm—bursting with luxurious colors and breathtaking beauty. In a nutshell, she is brilliant. I highly recommend her premier floral and event design studio in San Francisco to any bride-to-be. I recommend other partners and friends in my For Photographers and For Brides sections. Would you like to be included in our Recommended section? Please email your request to studiomanager@catherinehall.net.
Requiem For a Fisherman
Photo of the Week 0
Tue 05.24.2011
Canon EOS 5D | 33mm | 1/50 | f/20
Living in an urban area – and being used to machination and industrial products, we can often take our wonderful natural resources for granted. When Adobe sent me and a few other photographers to Tasmania a while back, the simple ways of the people opened my eyes to a way of life that was organically integrated with its natural environment. In this photograph, Phil the fisherman sits on a plateau of rock, gazing out into the ocean with no specific goal in mind. Many Tasmanians depend on their gorgeous surroundings directly for their survival and livelihood and I wanted to capture the lifestyle of a fisherman, a simple life not distracted by noise and the palpitations of human traffic.
