SilberStudios.tv

Teens against Photoshopped Magazine Models

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:01 GMT

A 14 year old teenage girl by the name of Julia Bluhm has started a petition for 17 magazine to publish one issue of the magazine which contains real models, who aren’t airbrushed to have perfect skin and res-structured in photoshop. She created an online petition which received over 50,000 signatures and she delivered the petition by hand to Seventeen’s office in Manhattan. Seventeen responded with “We’re proud of Julia for being so passionate about an issue — it’s exactly the kind of attitude we encourage in our readers — so we invited her to our office to meet with editor in chief Ann Shoket this morning. They had a great discussion, and we believe that Julia left understanding that Seventeen celebrates girls for being their authentic selves, and that’s how we present them.”

Do you think Magazines should be required to have un-edited issues?

The Power of Video and Why You Need To Be Using It

Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:01 GMT

We’re big fans of incorporating video into your website, as you’ve heard me talking about. This short infographics video from iQ interactive tells a pretty compelling story.

Let us know if you’d like to talk about how to take advantage of the power of video in your site, give us a click.

Why Photographers Should Read Guy Kawasaki’s New Book

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:01 GMT

Guy Kawasaki’s new book What the Plus! is a must-read for anyone who’s interested in how to get more out of Google+. And it’s a must-read for any photographer who’s sharing photos on the Internet.

Last night, with my dog sitting on my lap, I read What the Plus! on my iPad, from start to finish. Although it’s some 130+ pages in length I was able to enjoyably breeze through it as if it were a magazine. And guess what? At $2.99 the ebook version of What the Plus! costs less than a Grande Caffè Latte.

Photographer Dave Powell guest wrote Chapter 7 on how to share photos and it’s excellent. This is why I’m calling it a must-read for photographers. You’ll get an easy-to-understand illustrated tutorial on how to share photos using Google+. Dave walks you through exactly why and how to upload photos onto Google+. Within minutes you’ll be branching out into a whole new world of online photo sharing.

One of the things I like most about Guy’s new book is that it makes Google+ easy to understand and put to immediate use. As a photographer, I’m visually oriented and need to “see” how to do things. The chapter on photography shows me how simple it is to share photos on Google+ and how to get started with just a few clicks of the mouse.

If you’re not already familiar with Guy Kawasaki there’s no better way than to sit down with him for 15 minutes in this May 2011 interview where Guy discusses his then-new book Enchantment with Marc Silber. After watching this interview I think you’ll understand why I think Guy is an inspiring, innovative, and creative person who we can all learn from.

Photography is about a lot of things, but sharing is a huge part of it. Google+ takes photo sharing to a new, exciting, and global level. Take a look at What the Plus!, learn what’s happening with Google+, why it’s a game-changer, and in no time you’ll find yourself jumping right in.

The Nikon D3200 is announced.

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:01 GMT

The Nikon D3200 is Nikon’s newest entry level camera. Once you take a look at the spec list, it might not seem so entry-level.

Specs:

24.2 Megapixel CMOS APS-C Sensor

4 Frames per second burst mode

ISO 100-6400

1080p HD video at 24/30 fps

This is also Nikon’s first consumer DSLR that has manual exposure control for video, it also has a microphone input for better sound. For only $699.95 it’s a pretty great buy.

Even a Brilliant Idea Won’t Sell Itself

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 00:00:01 GMT

If you missed why I’m quoting excerpts from the book Damn Good Advice, by George Lois see my earlier post

“You’re looking at Ron Holland, me and Jim Callaway in 1967,

a few weeks after starting my second ad agency, Lois Holland Callaway. As you can see, we’re selling an ad campaign

to a new client (with gusto.)

“Always do three things when you present a Big Idea:

1. Tell them what they are going to see.

2. Show it to them.

3. Tell them, dramatically, what they just saw.

“To sell work I could be proud of, I’ve had to rant, rave, threaten, shove,

push, cajole, persuade, wheedle, exaggerate, flattter, manipulate,

be obnoxious, be loud, occasionally lie and always sell, passionately!

Abraham Lincoln once said” ’When I hear a man preach,

I like to see him act as if he were fighting bees.’

“To be a successfaul creative, be prepared for a lifetime

fighting bees (even if you sometimes get stung).”

“Creativity can solve almost any problem—
the creative act,
the defeat of habit by originality,
overcomes everything”
George Lois
Buy the book

“Silver & Light” – Ian Ruhter on Wet Plate Photography

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:00:01 GMT

Ian Ruhter is a photographer who decided to take his life savings and create his own wet plate camera which he calls the “Time Machine” It’s happens to be one of the world’s largest cameras because he converted his UPS sized van into a moving camera. In the video he discusses his style, technique and his motivation for it all. Most importantly he talks about how he keeps on going even after failing. It’s an incredible documentary and is extremely inspirational.

Using Angles–Two Versions of Black and White Photographs

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 00:00:01 GMT

Chairs at Peninsula School

I was going through some old negatives, rescanning them and came across this one. What a difference an angle can make. Have a look at how this shot started out, when I took it way back, of my 7th grade classroom at the Peninsula School in Menlo Park.

Angles can make quite a point in telling your story. Remember to try shooting from different angles and heights. Then when you go back and edit the images you may be surprised at what pops.

Which do you prefer and why?

What Really Happened to Jason Russell Producer of Kony 2012?

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:01 GMT

If you blinked you missed it: On March 5th, the 30 minute video “KONY 2012″ was uploaded to YouTube, instantly going hyperdrive-viral. To date is has had 83,734,012 views.

Then on March 19th, just 2 weeks later, the film’s producer Jason Russell had a very public hyperdrive-meltdown.

Let’s step back from these events and see what might be going on. And let’s leave politics out of it and simply look at this film as the filmmaking phenomena that it is.

No 30 minute film in history has gone viral. Not only that, but this film is well made and has a message, as none can deny. Keep in mind that YouTube only counts as views those that have been seen at least 8o% of the video–so you can’t argue with almost 100 million of us who were so moved to hang in there and see what the hell this was all about. Pretty damn good film making and if you doubt that, try it yourself.

Before this, we’ve had viral videos about someone’s cat singing to their dog, or their toddler getting drunk, or some guy farting a tune. Pretty meaningful stuff.

For the first time in history someone has produced a long-form video that has gone hugely viral and that moves people off the couch to do something.

Now before you go accusing me of being a supporter and blind to the holes in the KONY 2012 boat– hey I see them as well as you do. For starters, why didn’t they work with the Ugandans before releasing the video and better yet, include them in the production of it? And I really don’t get the strategy of making a very bad guy famous. But none of this is my point.

Whether you agree or not with their cause or not, we can pretty much agree that this film raised the bar and showed the world what is possible. And from here on out, we can keep raising the bar and know that video + YouTube + Social media can communicate powerful messages and motivate people to get off the couch. Which is one major purpose of the art of film.

But there still remains the mystery of what happened to Jason Russell? And as that story is yet to unfold, you can bet that there’s more to it than meets the eye.

All the tools in the world are meaningless without an essential idea

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:01 GMT

If you missed why I’m quoting excerpts from the book Damn Good Advice, by George Lois see my earlier post

An artist, or advertising man, or anyone involved in a creative industry (or even noncreative professions such as a doctor, lawyer, electrician, factory worker, or president) without an idea, is unarmed. In the graphic arts, when that original idea springs out of a creative’s head and intuitions, the mystical and artful blending (or even juxtaposition) of concept, image, words, and art can lead to magic, where one and one can indeed be three.

But creating ideas without a work ethic to follow through is inconceivable to me

If you don’t burn out at the end of each day, you’re a bum! People watching me work ask me all the time why I’m not burnt out, how (especially now at my age) I manage to keep going. The fact is, I’m totally burnt out at the end of each day because I’ve given myself totally to my work–mentally, emotionally, physically. When I head home at night I can’t see straight. But I love that feeling of utter depletion: It is an ecstatic sense of having committed myself to the absolute limit. But after recharging at night, I’m ready to go the next morning. Isn’t that what life is all about?

“Creativity can solve almost any problem—

the creative act,

the defeat of habit by originality,

overcomes everything”

George Lois

Buy the book

Photoshop your videos!

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:01 GMT

Don’t you get annoyed when you hear people say “Can’t you just photoshop that?” when you’re working on a video? Well now, you’ll be able to edit video in an upcoming version of photoshop from Adobe. We don’t know what version this will be in, but this entire video was created using photoshop for editing.

(via PetaPixel via Adobe via John Nack)

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:01 GMT

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:01 GMT

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:00:01 GMT

Unique Photography Techniques - Rock Band Photographer Michael Zagaris

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:00:01 GMT

Welcome to a new episode of the Marc Silber Show - Advancing Your Photography! We're in San Francisco with our guest Michael Zagaris, also known as "the Z-man". Michael has shot some of the most amazing rock & roll photos in his career behind the music. He became the band photographer for the Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, and the list of rock legends he captured on film goes on and on. As a rock & roll insider in those days, he took photos of what was, not what one expected to see, and as an insider today he does the same thing for 21st century bands and artists. As team photographer for the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland A's, Zagaris is sports' "inside-out shooter". Zagaris explains his approach to photography, how to "become what you shoot", and focus on your subject. His unique tips on composition will help any photographer capture more raw emotion and energy in their photos.

Chase Jarvis' 5 Secrets for Exceptional Photographs

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:00:01 GMT

In this absorbing interview Marc Silber gets an inside look at multi-award winning Chase Jarvis' photography. Follow Chase around the globe as he discusses his style, what he loves about being a photographer and his five tips for getting exceptional photos. Buy Chase Jarvis books

Marketing Strategies to Change the World, with Guy Kawasaki

Wed, 04 May 2011 00:00:01 GMT

Guy Kawasaki is a huge source of business and marketing innovation, inspiration and creativity. He is the co-founder of Alltop.com, an "online magazine rack," and a founding partner of the venture capital firm Garage Technology Ventures. He authors the hugely popular blog "How to Change the World."
Previously, he was the chief evangelist of Apple. He is the author of ten books including Reality Check, How to Drive Your Competition Crazy, The Macintosh Way and his most recent best seller, Enchantment, which we'll be discussing.
He's a serial entrepreneur, and in huge demand as a speaker and topping it all off he's a self proclaimed "Hockey Addict'" which is why we're shooting at his rink, and yes that's him in the #18 Jersey.

Grab your notepad and Join me now with Guy Kawasaki! Then watch our previous video Guy's Marketing Tips

Amazon.com Widgets

Photographer Sandy Puc at her Las Vegas Workshop

Sun, 01 May 2011 00:00:01 GMT

Behind the scenes footage of professional photographer Sandy Puc as she gets ready for her presentation "The Power of Passion." Follow her backstage as she gets ready for her tour stop in Las Vegas. Brought to you by Bay Photo Lab

Professional Wedding Photographer Kevin Kubota Prepares for his Talk at WPPI

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:01 GMT

Behind the scenes footage of professional wedding photographer Kevin Kubota as he gets ready for his presentation at WPPI. Follow him through his unique process and hear a highlight of his talk as he goes on stage at WPPI. Brought to you by Bay Photo Lab http://www.bayphoto.com.

Professional Wedding Photographer Jim Garner Prepares for his Talk at WPPI

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:00:01 GMT

Silber Studios produced behind the scenes footage of professional wedding photographer Jim Garner as he gets ready for his presentation at WPPI. Follow him through his unique process and hear a highlight of his talk as he goes on stage at WPPI.

Professional Wedding Photographer Doug Gordon Prepares for his Talk at WPPI

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:01 GMT

Behind the scenes footage of professional wedding photographer Doug Gordon as he gets ready for the opening presentation at WPPI. Follow him through his unique process and hear his tips for capturing outstanding wedding photographs and a highlight of his talk as he goes on stage for the keynote address at WPPI.