Ian Plant Publishes New eBook: Visual Flow

Ian Plant just released his new eBook: Visual Flow: Mastering the Art of Composition. This is the next eBook in a series Ian has written and photographed for the last several years. Teaming up with fellow photographer; George Stocking (Arizona Highways), this book is quite in-depth and lengthy for an eBook at 128 pages, which of course is good.

It’s loaded information, thoughts on creativity, and great quotes. My favorite: “You are remembered for the rules you break.”- Douglas MacArthur.

When learning photography, most aspiring students learn about the rules of composition and all their offshoot descriptions before learning there are no rules. What Ian does in Visual Flow is discuss these rules before quickly moving on to what seems more important: The Tools for Composition.

“Composition is much more than just visual structure. It is how you tell your subject’s story to your viewers…..” – Ian Plant

The book contains wonderful photography from known and unknown locations in North America and beyond. I have a copy and I can recommend this one to you.

… Continue Reading

Review: Outdoor Digital Photography

I have been not only a nature photographer during my career but also have had a passion for shooting recreation and adventure activities outdoors.

I believe that nature photographers who find themselves challenged in today’s markets would do well to shoot people outdoors as well. Not many do, but the expanded markets for people outdoor images would be welcome to most photographers I think.

One nature photographer who does both landscape and adventure photography is Jerry Monkman and it was nice to see that Jerry’s latest book addressed not only nature photography, but adventure and recreation photography as well. … Continue Reading

5 Excellent Books on the Business of Photography

Are you just getting started in professional outdoor photography and wondering a lot of things like how to get started or what should you charge?

Are you well established as a photographer and wonder how to increase business or how to price imagery in the new markets?

There is information everywhere on the internet to aid in most areas related to the business of photography and some of it is helpful while some is the same old rehash.

It is a challenging time and a time where photographers need to spend more and more of their time developing business which means less time doing what we all love to do: shoot!

While I find a lot of good info on the net is really scattered and I often find myself instead referencing a small collection of books in my library that are very good in regards to the business of photography.

So I thought I would share them with you: … Continue Reading

Chris Gomersall Releases New Book on Wildlife Photography

European Wildlife Photographer of the Year Chris Gomersall’s new book: Wildlife Photographer: A Course in Creative Photography is officially released today.  His book addresses the creative aspects of nature photography in this fresh and accessible guide, taking account of developments in photography without dwelling on technical details.

As nature photography has shifted decisively towards digital in recent years, much has been written offering guidance and tips on technical matters, but there has been little published on the creative aspects. In Wildlife Photographer, ten thematic chapters on subjects such as Space, Light, Time and Developing a Narrative are generously packed with examples, advice and suggestions for projects and exercises. The second part of this book features sixteen case studies, where Gomersall describes how he achieved some of his most outstanding images. … Continue Reading

Photoshelter Releases New eBook: Selling Stock Photography

Another excellent ‘freebie’ from Photoshelter titled ‘Selling Stock Photography‘ is now available for download. As with all of PS’s eBooks this one is also packed full of great information.

The eBook covers the usual info about stock and marketing, but gives a pretty good amount of space to Photo Buyers: what they want, what they prefer, and generally how they like to do business.

It also includes a chapter on pricing and how buyers like to work. PS has done a great job in the past surveying buyers about their preferences and a lot of that is provided here. And that is very helpful to photographers selling their work.

The price is just right as well! … Continue Reading

An Excellent Book on Marketing Art (and Photography)

Photographers never have enough clients or even leads on potential markets and clients.

This book, Art Marketing 101 is an excellent book. Don’t be fooled by the name: Art Marketing. Many nature photographers shoot fine art photography and this book would apply to them.

It covers everything and I mean everything. From setting up your business to taxes, copyright and model releases, understanding the art markets, and self promotion, it’s all covered.

There are sections on advertising and press releases, galleries exhibitions, art and craft shows, licensing images, and even getting grants.

And this author’s website sells mail lists such as 600+ greeting card companies, 5000+ galleries, 100 calendar companies, and a lot more.

A great book I feel obligated to tell you about so check it out. … Continue Reading

Photoshelter Releases New eBook: Selling Fine Art Photography

If you are in the business of fine art photography then you will most likely enjoy this latest free eBook from the gang at Photoshelter.

Selling Fine Art Photography features some successful and well known fine art photographers who each describe their business and how they succeed in the profession.

There is some very useful information here and insights into this aspect of photography. You can download it here and the price is just right-FREE.

Free eBook from Photoshelter: Crowdfunding Your Photography Project

I have every eBook from Photoshelter and each one is a wealth of good business information for professional photographers.

Today they released: Crowdfunding Your Photography Project.

This eBook describes how to determine whether you photography project is fundable, where to pursue funding, and it showcases some profiles of funded projects from other photographers.

And the price is right: FREE!

Click here for the eBook and all the other great eBooks on the business of photography from Photoshelter.

Book Review – Marketing Fine Art Photography

Review by Drake Fleege

What if you had the opportunity to sit down for lunch with a successful fine art landscape photographer, and for one hour, he or she would share their knowledge with you on any one subject of photography you selected. What might be your area of focus?  Would you concentrate on equipment?  How about favorite locations?  Or perhaps technique or image processing may be your most pressing concern.

Though the opportunity for lunch has yet to materialize, I do find reading the books of photographers a valuable alternative.  If I can get one idea from a book, it is worth the investment of both time and money.  And if I can get a watershed of ideas from a book, then it clearly was worth the price of admission. Most recently I read just such a book.

Alain Briot is a very successful landscape fine art photographer, trainer, and author.  Having read his two previous books, “Mastering Landscape Photography” and “Mastering Photographic Composition, Creativity & Personal Style”, I was most interested in his latest book “Marketing Fine Art Photography”.  This title fit right with what I would ask at lunch, and couldn’t wait until the Amazon order arrived.  I was not disappointed.  … Continue Reading

Michael Frye on Digital Landscape Photography and Lightroom

Nature photographer Michael Frye has had a long career in photography. He is photographer, educator, and a writer who has contributed to numerous magazines and books. His work has appeared in National Wildlife, Outdoor Photographer, American Photo, Sunset, Texas Highways, and Britain’s Professional Photographer.

Last year he published his second book: Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and the Great Masters. And shortly thereafter he published a popular eBook: Light & Land: Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom.

I have had the opportunity to review both books by Michael and I have also met and I visited with him. He is great photographer, a brilliant visual artist, a writer, and genuinely nice guy. His books reflect his experience and expertise.

Like myself, Michael was around and shooting in the pre-digital days when some of these great masters, which he describes in the book, were still working. His approach to this new book on Digital Photography is unique as he compares the way the old masters worked. … Continue Reading