Photography lessons

In case you're looking for some lessons on how to use your digital or film camera, I've set up a site called BestPhotoLessons.com There are lots of free tutorials, tips and techniques to learn the basics of photography.

Left handed coffee pot

Yes its true. If you have a coffee pot that continually spills when you pour your fresh cup, try pouring with your left hand. It just seems the way some pots are made, they have a slight lean to the lip and/or the handle is just off. Using the left hand just works a bit better.

File this under odd but true - this is the second coffee pot I've had that seems to prefer left handed use.

No, I don't really think there's a conspiracy by left handers to drive the rest of us nuts with things like this.

Her real meaning

Today's Dilbert cartoon is a great - showing how body language can be totally opposite to the message being communicated. Something I often tell people about my photography is that I do pay attention to body language, I want to make sure the marketing message your company has is communicated at all levels, including how staff and management appears in a photo.

If you're supposed to be a strong leader who is open to your customers and staff, then why would you stand with your arms crossed which is a closed and defensive pose. By crossing your arms you're protecting your heart - something a person who is afraid would do. There are other things to watch out for when posing for photos as well. Take the popular "cup your parts" pose - holding your hands together in front of your crotch, protecting your genitals. What do you suppose that communicates?

If a picture is worth 1000 words, then you need to make sure they are the right 1000 words.

British study on design for increased profits

The British Design Council has a post on their site regarding design and marketing. Companies investing in design (beyond basic slapped together ads) are twice as likely to see its turnover grow compared to companies that don't. As well, a £100 investment in design saw a return of £225. The studio also shows a marked improvement on their performance in the markets in bull and bear times as well as having an 83 per cent increase in their market share compared to the British average of 46 per cent. I'm sure the figures for north America would be similar. You can read more here.

The "Bad Guys" seem to have won.

A Patt Morrison LA Times opinion piece is just one more example of how terrorists seem to have won the battle in the USA. Photographers all over the US - and sometimes in Canada too - are getting harassed for taking pictures in public places. This harassment is against both the claim of being "the home of the brave and the free" as well as several portions of the bill of rights. No matter, "since 9/11" is the refrain of police, security guards and general citizens all over that "great land."

So, forget the fact a terrorist would use a hidden camera or shoot from inside another building or car - someone taking a picture out in the open "must be dangerous."

So obviously the US would be more secure if everyone had to stay in their homes, except to go to work, be at work or come home from work. Possibly to go shopping - although that can be done online now so its not as necessary. Anyone just "out" must be dangerous.

Another one (Search engine that is)

You'd think most people would believe Google is the top dog and its not worth trying to compete. And then you get an email inviting you to list your web site on something like theGokodo Web directory. They have a couple of features other that straight web directory; and it is a directory - not a crawling search engine, at least right now. There's a dating component, travel and social bookmarking - which lets you log in and let others know about interesting sites you seen lately. This feature almost takes one back to the early days of surfing where you just follow links around the web and find all kinds of interesting ideas. Well, good luck to the Gokodo team.

Joining the Startup Nation

If you're just starting up your business or looking to expand it and you don't already know about StartupNation.com, I'd suggest going there and finding out more. They offer podcasts, resources, lists of ways to improve your business, and a forum for like minded entrepreneurs to ask questions and give feedback. Great place to go.

Image and branding

I've been working like mad to rebrand my photography site and have spent a lot of time considering the subject of image (instead of my usual contemplation of images). I gave a speach at a business club the other day that likened how the look of your marketing – such as you ads, web site, logo, etc. – is much like your body language when you're doing a presentation.

When you're talking face to face, the words you use are only seven per cent of the communciation the other person recieves. Thirty eight per cent is the tone of your voice. The remaining 55 per cent of the communication you project is your body language.

So obviously visual clues make a huge difference to the person you're communicating with. The message: make sure your marketing is not like wearing jeans to a black tie dinner (or a three-piece suit to a rodeo.)

Great quote

Read a great quote last night -
"Branding is all about presnting yourself to the world in a way that makes it easy for people to know who you are, what you stand for and why they should care." Bob Barker - author of Branding Yourself Online.

This is a subject I've been thinking about as I rebrand my photography company to do commercial, industrial, advertising and corporate photography.

More changes

Well, like I don't tinker enough, my commercial, industrial and editorial photography site speersphoto.com has been through a major rebuild and I've been getting some really nice responses from people about it. Loaded lots and lots of image and I think its a really good improvement.