A readers question... and my answer...

I recently received a question from a reader and wanted to share it (and the answer) with you.

The question:

"Scott, have you always been so good looking?"... no wait, that wasn't it... this is...

"I actually own my own photography studio - YET - have never known how to set my D300 up to my computer so my clients can immediately see their pics (much as you did on your "Help Day"). Can you give me some tips? Or write about it?"

The Answer:

Nikon shooters can use Camera Control Pro, but it's not free (though you can download a fully functional free 30 day trial here). You can get Camera Control Pro 2 at Adorama for $145 (with free shipping) and in my humble opinion worth every single penny.

It was pretty cool the first time I used it and found out I had complete control of all of my camera settings while sitting in from of my laptop and now I can't imagine shooting products or food without Camera Control Pro.

There are other options.

StudioTether is a free application that (as the name implies) will allow you to tether your Nikon camera to your Mac (no Windows version is available)

Another free Windows option is from DiyPhotoBits.com, they offer a free tethered shooting script for Nikon Cameras (Windows only), you can get the latest version here.

Canon shooters have it MUCH easier, they can can use their FREE EOS utility for shooting tethered (Windows manual here, Mac manual here).

My friend Jason Anderson over at Canon Blogger has a well done tutorial on Shooting Tethered with Canon Gear that you should check out.

I really love shooting tethered and you can read why at a previous post "Why Shoot Tethered" and get more details and resources at "Shooting tethered with Nikon, Canon, Windows, & Mac".

In closing I want to say thank you for your comments and many emails of condolences, thank you.

My Uncle Dick...

From my earliest memories I looked up to my uncle Dick.

First, he played pro football (for the Patriots), what isn't cool about having an uncle that was a pro football player.

He always had a big new car, and the first in ground pool I ever saw was at his house.

But as I got older I began to pick up on the truly important things.

He spoke with a booming voice, had a laugh that could fill a room, and despite his impressive size it was obvious he was a kind and gentle man.

He would help you in any way he could, without you even asking, he was a "fixer".

While I was "away" in the service my grandfather was on his last days and I could not get me home to see him. Uncle Dick got wind of it and within 24 hours I was on a plane home.

Just last year I needed a new furnace, guess who got me a new top of the line furnace at wholesale cost?

It's like he knew everybody, and everybody respected him.

Regardless of how old I was he always called me "Scottie", but that was okay, I liked how it sounded when he said it.

He was a good man and the world was a better place with him in it.

I got a call early this morning from my mother, letting me know that last night my uncle Dick "went on ahead".

And I wanted people to know my uncle Dick was somebody.

The first snow storm of 2010...

Four continuous days of snow has finally come to an end.

Oh to be back in Florida!

;)

Happy New Year!...

I hope that 2010 will be your best year yet!

Love, be loved, eat life up with both hands.

Don't wonder "what if?", put it all out there.

And as often as you can, perform an act of kindness for someone that has no way of paying you back.

Happy New Year to you and yours.

2009 product of the year update!...

I just received an email from Jed Taufer and really wanted to share this phenomenal opportunity with you:

"From here on out The Evolution collection will include FLO. Beginning January 1, 2010 the entire collection will be just $499, however, today and tomorrow (December 30 & 31), we are offering it for just $299 as an end of the year special."

$299!

This is an incredible deal that I hope you take advantage of.

The Weekly Photo Tips product of the year!...

Of all the outstanding products we have had the pleasure of getting our hands on this year only one could be selected as our product of the year.

The winner, Weekly Photo Tips 2009 product of the year is "The Evolution Collection with FLO" from Jed and Vicki Taufer of V Gallery Haven.

The Evolution Collection with FLO is the most complete "studio in a box" that you can get and contains enough information (16 gigabytes of how to videos, templates, actions, presets, edges, overlays, marketing tips, workflow techniques, forms, price lists, relationship building with vendors and clients, fund raisers, and so, so much more...) that if you use the information contained on the 4 DVD's you will be assured of success.

Take a look at the results that Jed and Vicki have had in the small town of Morton Illinois (population 15,000) using the same information they've shared in their "studio in a box".

I love getting involved in fund raising events, it's a win for the studio, a win for the organization, and a win for the people they are trying to help. Jed and Vicki give you ten different plans (with action plans, ads, posters, brochures, sample images, press releases, and FAQ's) for getting involved, helping your community with the added (and secondary) benefit of helping yourself.

One of my favorites is "Dog Days of Summer". In exchange for a 25 pound bag of dog food (donated to local animal shelters) folks would receive a free mini portrait session and a free 5x7 print of their pet. The results of that day was over 125 bags (3,200 poinds) of dog food donated, cover stories in in three different newspapers, and because so many folks wanted more than the free 5x7 print they ended up with over $10,000 in sales!

So for doing something good for their community Jed and Vicki ended up with new clients, free advertising, and sales for one day of shooting that would make Donald Trump envious.

In my humble opinion, if you can't build and run a successful, profitable photography studio with The Evolution Collection with FLO chances are good you were probably meant to be do something else.

So, watch the video to get my full review, but this is not the last you will hear of it, this will be the longest review we have ever done. Once a month for the next year we'll report on how we've used The Evolution Collection, what new thing we've incorporated into our practice, and how it has improved our studio.

As usual, if you are a subscriber you'll need to return to the blog or head over to YouTube to watch the video as it does not get pushed through with your subscription.

National geographic photographer Joel Sartore...

"At Close Range with National Geographic" follows the exploits of photographer Joel Sartore.

This originally ran a couple years back and is now being shown again and if you want to see some stunning imagery, peak behind the scenes of National Geographic photography assignments, and meet a truly interesting man, you really should watch this.

At the very least it will make you want to travel to (and photograph) Nebraska. Seeing "Nebraska's Big Rodeo" has been added to my list of things to do before I die.

After watching the show I visited Joel's website, the fact that he is an outstanding photographer was reinforced and but the best part was learning more about him as a person.

You can read his essay on his wife Kathy's battle with cancer and how it changed his life, Joel's insightful words will make sit back and take pause.

"Now, forgive me for saying this, but cancer can also be a blessing. An amazing experience that forces us to make amends, to set things right, to concentrate on living. To pay attention.

Cancer made me a better father. My work had made me a stranger to my three kids. They got along just fine without me. I was so bad that I once tried to get Kathy’s midwife to induce labor to get me back out on the road the next day.

But now we’re both changed, for good."

You can read the rest here.

Ordering his book "Photographing Your Family" will help me keep one of my New Years resolutions.