Blog

02June 2010

Photographers: Separating the Pros from the Joes

Written By: James C. Wong, Co-Founder & General Partner of Empowered Ideas Since 2004, digital photography has dominated the marketplace, from consumer electronics to retail photo and image processing labs. Digital has all but killed traditional film as the world’s premier photography medium. While the photography industry as a whole, is overly saturated with sub-par photographers, there is a sub-industry quickly gaining momentum… Virtual Labs.

Why Camera Platforms Matter

Every photographer has a preferred camera platform, whether it’s Nikon, Cannon, Sony, or one of a variety of other brands. However, all professional photographers will agree… if you’re going to shoot digital, it must be a Digital SLR (DSLR). If you’re working with a photographer with a simple $100-$300 “Point-and-Shoot” camera, you’re NOT working with a professional photographer. The easiest way to identify an DSLR from a point-and-shoot, is the simple fact that DSLR camera platforms come in two primary pieces: a camera body, and a camera lens. Different camera lenses provide different shooting capabilities, while filters added to a lens provides a level of fine-tuning to images shot through the filter.

The Digital Work-Flow

Photographers have traditionally both photographed subjects and events, while also personally handling the editing of the final photos — typically through a photo-editing software like Photoshop, or an equivalent software suite. However, due to the technical and bandwidth requirements of today’s fast-paced industry, clients are expecting faster turn-around, greater special effects and re-touching, and lower costs per project. In an effort to remain in business, Photographers are forced to accept as many projects as possible, while not having the adequate amount of time needed to edit all the media they’re generating from their various projects. Therefore, some photographers have started outsourcing their digital editing workload to virtual labs which will crop, edit, and even print the finals — leaving the photographers to do what they do best, capture memorable moments.

The Professionals Behind-the Scenes

Virtual Labs are becoming popular world-wide, as photographers and photo-production specialists begin to integrate their work-flows in an effort to increase production. While most serious photographers remain the sole individual from the photo shoot to editing to printing, a growing number of photographers have begun to opt into work-flow agreements with digital labs, also known as virtual labs. These labs are typically staffed with professional photographers who have gravitated more toward digital re-touching verses the actual taking of the photos. With their experience in the field, as well as in the lab, these individuals are the perfect creative channel to have your work processed through. However, with that being said, this type of work-flow should only be used if you trust the individuals at the digital lab you’ve chosen. Not all photo-production specialists have the same background, and each of them have different variations in creative license. The biggest draw-back with using digital or virtual labs, is the loss of creative license by the photographer. Remember, if you’re a photographer, every photo that you put your watermark on, is a direct and everlasting digital representation of your brand and your personal work. Photographers must seriously consider all of the ramifications before deciding to outsource their post-production to assistants and/or digital labs. On the bright-side, if you find a lab that provides the level of quality and production value that your clients expect, you could ultimately increase the performance of your studio exponentially.

Find the Right Pro for Your Project

If you’re a potential client looking for a photographer for your next big event, there are a few things you should ask your candidates:

What camera platform are they using? 35mm film or a Digital DSLR?
If your project requires special lighting or a studio environment, what equipment do they have available?
Do they manage their digtal post-production (photo-editing) in-house, or do they outsource?
Ask for samples of their work, either digitally or via prints (Pre and Post-Editing).

20April 2010

2010 Politics Online Conference, #POLC2010

Written By: James C. Wong, Co-Founder & General Partner of Empowered Ideas In April, I was asked to speak about Email Marketing Best Practices at the 2010 Politics Online Conference in Washington, DC. The purpose of this conference is to focus attention on emerging internet technologies that would be beneficial to politicians and political organizations seeking to spread their information across all channels. It was an honor to be at a conference with so many of the behind-the-scenes campaign managers and strategists. These are the geniuses that have driven some of the most successful political campaigns in the history of our great nation. I was asked and sponsored by AOL to speak on a panel about Optimizing Your Emails, Building Your List and Getting People to Click on Your Links, one of the largest sessions of the 2-day conference, with the exception of the keynote speakers of course. The panel discussion was moderated by Taryn Rosenkranz (DCCC), and paneled by:

Christopher Massicotte (NGP)
James Wong (iContact)
Justin Premick (Aweber)
Chris Lundberg (Salsa Labs Inc.)

@CommunityMGR‘s Tweet Stream Archive from #POLC2010

Politics Online Conference in Washington, DC for @iContactCorp & @AOL. Stay tuned 4 LIVE Conf. tweets! – Photo: http://bkite.com/4k45l #POLC
Keynote: Secrets of WhiteHouse.gov – D. Almacy (WH Internet Dir), D. Lytel (Clinton WH), & R. Klause (Bush/Obama Web Mgr). #POLC2010
While Obama can say (“as a citizen”) go to RedCross.org; using government resources to create a website link is a legal issue. #POLC2010
WhiteHouse.gov’s primary purpose is to inform, be transparent, and archive the trends, presidency, and the pulse of the US Gov. #POLC2010
Avg tape length was 20mins., therefore there’s 30-60secs missing btwn tapes. = your answer to the “missing tapes.” #Conspiracy #POLC2010
White House Web MGR @robklause had a 500GB HD w/ 8yrs of Bush WhiteHouse.gov activities; transfered to the National Archieves #POLC2010
Obama’s Social Media & Press Strategy has circumvented the Trad. Press. Press Sec works for Obama, not Press. Press must adapt! #POLC2010
Other than the PRESS, the Obama Admin. targets info to the people, & LISTENS to them. WhiteHouse.gov redesigned due to a Blogger! #POLC2010
Next Session: Track D – How Augmented Reality, GPS, & Smart Apps will be Used in 2010 Elections… #POLC2010
Aug. Reality is the transition from simple engagement to the emersion of the audience into community on and offline. #POLC2010
FYI: The Augmented Reality Session at the Politics Online Conference is being filmed by #CSPAN. Look for TV footage coming soon! #POLC2010
Augmented Reality: Politics Online Conference. Adam Blum, John Craig, Will Hurley, & Matt Lira. #POLC2010 – Photo: http://bkite.com/4k7ad
RT @jcberk: City selling bonds used augmented reality so smartphones could view artist’s rendering of future building. #POLC2010 #FTW!
“People buy the shovel, but they want the hole,” via @wHurley. Software is just part of it. Software + Content + Purpose = Value. #POLC2010
Aug. Reality has skipped over Virtual Worlds like 2ndLife. AR is about bringing Online into the Offline where the ppl are. #POLC2010
AR is about getting your MSG to the people, not getting ppl to come to you. Mobile Tech is a much better standardized medium. #POLC2010
@JustinPremick: “At the end of the day, 1K email subscribers is far more valuable than 1K Facebook fans or Twitter followers” #POLC2010
People used to create content for 1-way broadcast, but AR allows for bi-directional feedback from crowds. Optimize UR apps 4 this! #POLC2010
Trippi: Establish your community early so they’re ready to be activated when needed. #polc #polc2010
Next Session: The Parameters of Mobile Websites & Political Integration. Jed Alpert, Kevin Bertram, Vance Hedderel, & Daniel Odio. #POLC2010
“Web Traffic didn’t surpass FTP Traffic until 1995.” – I still remember the old Bulletin Board Systems, lol! #POLC2010
Mobile Pyramid: SMS-Limited by ~160 chars; MOBILE WEB-Ltd by Tech but more features; APPS-Full Features, Ltd only by SmartPhones. #POLC2010
Integration of Mobile Applications Panel Session at the Politics Online Conference. #POLC2010 – Photo: http://bkite.com/4k9yd
Establish goals and purpose for your mobile app. It’s unwise to engage blindly. Gather feedback and design accordingly. #POLC2010
Mobile Strategy & Goals are important to measure success. Use SMS, Mobile Web, & Apps by targeting specific audience segments. #POLC2010
There is not currently an International Short Code Standard. Expect to work with Aggrigators per country. Segmentation is a fact! #POLC2010
Use #DeviceAnywhere to cost-effectively test your Mobile Web and Applications on a wide range of mobile devices. #POLC2010
Speaking on a Panel about Optimizing Your Emails, Building Lists, & Getting People to Click on Your Links. #POLC2010
Great crowd at the Email Optimiziation Panel Discussion at #POLC2010. It was an honor to speak w/ such talented & knowledgable colleagues.
Now attending the panel on “Reaching & Engaging Minorities.” Panelists: Bill Meierling, Dalia Mogahed, Matt Reyes, & Navarrow. #POLC2010
Matt Reyes: Amongst Hispanic Communities, young ppl prefer English w/ only occasional & subtle hispanic content. #POLC2010
Keep one foot in the “mainstream” while maintaining a foot in their native culture. Be respectful and seek out Online Communities. #POLC2010
Engage w/ geographic awareness; both country of origin and current physical location. Diff areas will dictate preferred language. #POLC2010
Dalia Mogahed: The Muslim Community contains multiple networks: National, Informal Networks (Bloggers), and Local Community ORGs. #POLC2010
Multi-Cultural/Racial Messaging should relate; be cautious not to silo entire groups. Also consider Connected vs. Non-Connected. #POLC2010
“LoFi” still works. SMS accounts for a majority of data traffic amongst minorities. Existing lower tier technologies still work! #POLC2010
Grassroots campaigns are meant for non-connected audiences. Success requires a hybrid on and offline campaign. Get LOCAL, Be REAL! #POLC2010
Digital Literacy should be integrated into Campaigns for minorities to boost ACTION by Non-Connected Audiences. Education is KEY. #POLC2010
@MattEnergy If you or your CEO have any questions about Email Marketing Best Practices, feel free to contact me anytime! #POLC2010
Next: Tools of the Future: #Microsoft Unveils Tools for Advocacy & Campaigns. #POLC2010 | Thx again 2 @iContactCorp & @AOL 4 having me here!
Over 40 tweets, almost 9 hrs, a Panel Discussion, and 3 full iPhone battery packs later; I’m still here @POLC2010, LOL! Then dinner w/ @AOL.
Honored to meet Keynote Speaker, Brad Hunstable, Founder of Ustream at the Politics Online Conf. #POLC2010 – Photo: http://bkite.com/4klx6
Check out the Aol. Booth at the #POLC2010 Conference, and thank them for sponsoring the Coffee breaks. The Aol. coffee mugs are great!
Session: Which SM Tools & Sites Will Live and Which Will Surely Die? Panel: Microsoft, David All, BeeKeeper, Shiny Heart Ventures. #POLC2010
Mark Drapeau of Microsoft talking about Ning’s positive potential, even while ditching free sites. Thinks Vimeo is a dying tool?!?#POLC2010
What makes SM Communities Stick? Viral Loops; Games; User Experience; Integration w/ where the ppl are; Communication (esp Email!) #POLC2010
Chat Roulette being discussed as a case study of what fundamental concepts work. Imagine a C.R. discussion w/ local politicians. #POLC2010
Internet is a Social Interaction medium. Success depends on integration. YouTube allows for Social = Survival. Vimeo, not as much. #POLC2010
Early Adopters moving on from Twitter, but majority of new users are sticking around. Communication mediums are yrs long cycles. #POLC2010
#Aol. used as an example of brands that have successfully survived by EVOLVING (ie: Dialup to Communities to Advertising) #POLC2010 #FTW!
Shana Glickfield: Reach the MOST amt of people, using “LoFi” like Email & SMS, still works & penetrates every population market! #POLC2010