In the video below, we want you to leave it on. View the video to find out why.

If you have questions about how Bing’s social results can help you, leave a comment below.

Thanks for viewing,
Scott

At Photocrati, we are always testing new ways to organize a tweet. Below is an Infographic that MarketingThink created to help guide for your proper Twitter etiquette.  After the Infographic, we will share some additional thoughts.

In summary:

• Keep it within 120 characters
• Include a call to action (catchy headline)
• Include 1 hashtag
• Include @mention when needed
• Include RT when needed
• Include a short link using bit.ly, goo.gl or t.co
• As for retweet
• Try to leave blank space at the end

Keeping your Tweets clean and with enough space for retweets should help improve its reach.

For example:

Targeting 1 hashtag is much better than stuffing many hashtags into a tweet. Think of it like SEO and including keywords. Too many is a turn off.  You are much better off creating multiple tweets (original) using different hashtags and sending through out at different days and times.

Write something catchy, add your personal touch to the tweet, and don’t be afraid to ask for a retweet.

GOOD info here! : How To Help Prevent Your WordPress Site From Breaking & Being Hacked bit.ly/WpGM2M #wordpress Retweet pls!

— Photocrati (@Photocrati) February 26, 2013

…and don’t forget to test. In fact, using Buffer App can help improve overall reach.

Thanks for reading,
Scott

My preference is what I have come to call “found images.” That means shooting what I see as I go out into the world, without studio setup or extra lighting. The subject matter covers a wide range of topics and perspectives including people, street photography, objects, night scenes, nature, iconic landmarks, and unusual perspectives on life and the city around us. Sometimes I do shoot in a studio, especially with nudes.

My inclination is to let each image speak for itself and ellicit in the viewer whatever it might, allowing it to stand alone in a Rorschach-like fashion. One of my joys is seeing or hearing whatever that might be as someone looks at it for the first time.

Some of my photographs have been described as “edgy” and may feel somewhat disturbing to a viewer. That tells me I’ve succeeded in evoking some emotional or psychological connection, which also happens when someone bursts out laughing. Sometimes the response is not disturbing but more curiosity or puzzlement, as someone likes a photo and asks, “What is that?” when the image presented is actually as it came out of the camera without any major Photoshop manipulation.

Story behind this image: I titled the image, “Car, Cowboy, and Astronaut.” It is one I found many years ago on the Venice boardwalk in Los Angeles, and I shot it with film, which is what I was using at the time (Nikon FG, 50mm lens, settings unrecorded). What I loved about it was seeing the juxtaposition of time periods, settings, and what was real and unreal in the image, all of which create a new reality. The car was parked in a lot, up against a mural, and the combination was just sitting there. The photograph is part of a solo exhibition running in Los Angeles.

How would you describe your style?

The style varies, depending on what I find and then what I’m after with what I’ve found. When I’m going out to shoot in the world, without any preconceived intention, which is what I love to do, it is more of a combination of street photography and photojournalism. The photographs vary in appearance between those that are traditional presentations and what I have come to call Contemporary Art Photography.

What’s your approach to post processing?

I always start out with composition. I try to get it in the camera, but I might refine it in post. Or, I might find an alternative composition in the image that’s even better than what I was originally going for. Then, I’m making overall and selective adjustments for things like tone, contrast, brightness, sharpness, and color. I might use plugins like those from NIK, Topaz, or Imagenomics to enhance the image without essentially changing it from what I see. One of the most valuable things I have found is to be working from a perspective of “What can I do with this image?” That doesn’t mean jumping to compositing but rather exploring between color options, black and white options and styles, and generally exploring all that Photoshop may offer without compositing. It’s been a part of my effort to expand my knowledge of Photoshop, which I’m still doing, and it’s often led to some of my favorite results.

Story behind this image: I titled the image, “Nun in Self Reflection.” It came from a grab while I was on the Metro in Los Angeles (Nikon, D80, with pop-up flash). There was no Photoshop manipulation in this photo. It was unposed, of a stranger, taken on the subway, and handheld. I was drawn to the contrast between her relatively calm and placid face and all of the emotional intensity in her reflected image in the window. The photograph was displayed in “Mirrors of the Mind,” an art exhibition sponsored by the Los Angeles County Psychological Association, in 2012, and it will be included in the upcoming book of images from that show.

What or who inspires you?

In the last few years, I have been most influenced by Vivian Maier. Seeing her photographs totally changed my thinking about composition. I was always very aware of lines, curves, contrasts, shapes, balance, and movement in the image, but her photographs changed my ideas of how to put them together. The images shown here were all done prior to that awakening, but they still work within it.

Story behind this image: I titled the image, “Graffiti Washroom -1.” It came from a shoot at an abandoned building in Los Angeles. The room had no color in it, and that version was “Graffiti Washroom -2.” The color here was all painted in with light, not done afterwards in Photoshop, so this is what came out of the camera, with only minor adjustments in Photoshop.

What gear do you use?

A few years ago I upgraded to a full frame camera and switched to a Canon 5D Mark II, with a full set of 2.8 Canon lenses, including a fisheye and 2x extenders. I am still exploring all that this wonderful equipment can do, and I’m loving it.

Links:

Website: http://carlshubsphotography.com

In the video below you will see 3 bookmarklets that I use on a regular basis.

To try these bookmarklets for yourself, visit the following sites and added them to your bookmark bar.

• Google Plus Ripples
• Google Rich Snippet Test
• Social Site Explorer

I hope you find them as useful as I have.

Thanks for reading,

Scott

One year after shooting a wedding, Mike posts on his Facebook page a congratulations note to his clients. In addition, he will include a photograph from their wedding or engagement session if he photographed that as well.

Check this out:

Click the image to view the Facebook post. Photo © Mike Olbinski Photography

How to go about it?

• Pick the best engagement or wedding photograph when processing the photographs for your client
• Create a folder on your computer specifically called Anniversary Letters
• Inside the folder, place the photograph inside a sub folder with the client’s name
• In a text file, write a letter to your client (it can be short) and include something personal from their wedding
• Place the letter inside the client’s sub folder
• Add the client’s anniversary to your calendar so you are alerted when it is time to post the letter and photograph

So how can you take this concept to a blogging level?

• Take the same concept that Mike has been utilizing, but in a blog article form
• Try to write a longer letter
• Include 3 of your best photographs from the wedding and/or engagement session
• Send an email to the client so there is no way they can miss it
• In the email, include a note about your referral program
• Close it with something like, “Thank you for having me photograph your amazing day”

What do you think of the concept, both Mike’s and my expanded view?

Have you done something like this?

Please comment below to share your thoughts.

Thanks for reading,

Scott

While catching up on some of the episodes, I had one of those “ah ha” moments, and thought I’d share them with you.

You see, The Walking Dead reminded me of a few photography and photography business things. So here goes.

1. The story matters, so be sure to tell stories when blogging, because stories make things happen.
2. Relationships matter, so stay in touch with them during the highs and lows.
3. Shadows can create dramatic results, so let the details go.
4. Don’t give it all away. Save some of your story, or advice for future content or campaign.
5. Have a backup plan. If you’re a wedding photographer there might be times when no one in your area is getting married. Your backup might be boudoir or portraits.
6. Talking Dead (the interview episodes after each show) is like an in-person session follow up.  Don’t be afraid to meet with your clients again after their session to upsell and build upon the relationship.

Television shows can inspire some interesting thoughts. Have you been inspired by The Walking Dead or any other show? Please comment to share.

Thanks for reading,

Scott