Chairman of the Board
Doug Peninger dpeninger@SEPPAonline.com
President
George Singleton gsingleton@SEPPAonline.com
1st Vice-President 2nd Vice-President Secretary-Treasurer Salon Exhibition Chair
Kevin Jiminez kjiminez@SEPPAonline.com Mary Fisk-Taylor mfisktaylor@SEPPAonline.com
Delaware
District of Columbia
***Anthony Maril Joe Tessmer
Florida
*** Sandra Pearce Kaye Newsome
Georgia
*** Spencer Smith Jason White
Janet Boschker jboschker@SEPPAonline.com Jessica Vogel jvogel@SEPPAonline.com
*** Paula Mignagna
Interim Executive Director Rick Gibbons ExecutiveDirector@SEPPAonline.com
S o uther n E x posu r e
Souther n Exposure magazine is an online publication of SEPPA and is published monthly. Editor V ictoria Kelly vkelly@SEPPAonline.com 919.480.7110 Ad Sales & Business Manager Rick Gibbons ExecutiveDirector@SEPPAonline.com 866.982.4856
Maryland
Mississippi/Alabama
*** Michael Busada David Corry
*** Andrew Lamb Gil Brady
North Carolina
*** Bruce Williamson Janet Boschker
South Carolina
*** Patty Hallman Gregg Martin
Article & Ad Submissions 5th of every month OnLine Publication 20th of each month SEPPA 3710 North Main Street High Point, NC 27265 336.687.1943 Acceptance o f a d v e r t i si n g d oe s n ot c a r r y w i th i t en do rse m e n t b y t h e p ub l i sh e r. O pi ni o ns expres se d b y Sout h e r n Exp osure or any o f i ts aut h or s d oe s n ot n e c e ssa r i l y refl ect the p osi t i on s of t h e Sou theaster n Pro fessi on a l P h ot ogr a p h e r s A ssoc i a t io n .
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Tennessee
*** Kristi Thomas Barbara White
Virginia
*** Kevin Hurley Robert Holman
West Virginia
*** Pat Dodd Brentv Kepner
*** state president SEPPA representative
Delaware
Mississippi/Alabama
District of Columbia
North Carolina
www.ppsgw.org
www.ppofnc.com
Florida
South Carolina
www.fpponline.org
www.ppofsc.com
Georgia
Tennessee
www.gppa.com
www.tnppa.com
Maryland
Virginia
www.delawarephotographers.com
www.marylandppa.com
SEPPA is a regional affiliate of the Professional Photographers of America and hosts an annual District Image Judging. To learn more about PPA, click HERE.
www.ppma.net
www.vppa.org
West Virginia www.ppwv.org
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West Virginia is also home to the SEPPA traveling Trophy, awarded this past April in Athens, Georgia
This month it’s “westward ho” as we travel to West Virginia...home of Jennifer Garner (married to Ben Affleck), Beth Forester (creator of PhotoDuds) and Lora Yeater (cover image, May, “Spirit of the Wolf”). You’ll recall from your grade school social studies that West Virginia was originally composed of 10 counties that acquired sovreignty by proclamation of the President of the United States. WV is also considered the southern most northern state and the northern most southern state. West Virginia is also a top producer of coal: 15% of the nation’s total coal production comes from the state. And, just in case you were wondering... WV was the first state to have a sales tax...it became effective on July 1, 1921. Outdoor advertising had its origin in Wheeling about 1908 when the Block Brothers Tobacco Company painted bridges and barns. The first spa open to the public was at Berkeley Springs, WV in 1756, although at that time it was known as Bath, Virginia.
Photographically speaking, WV is home to 14 Master Photographers and 9 Craftsman Photographers. It’s also home to the SEPPA traveling trophy, awarded this past April in Athens, Georgia. Lest I forget--WV is also home to Mary Lou Retton (Olympic gold medalist), Don Knotts (who could forget Barney Fife!) and Peter Marshall (television game show host). For all of you photogs who do Mother’s Day promotions...this holiday was first celebrated at Andrews Church in Grafton on May 10, 1908. If outdoor photography is your thing--be aware that WV is nearly 75% covered by forests. If you’re looking for a safe place to live, consider WV: according to the crime index for 1997, this state had the lowest crime rate in the country. (Who knew?) If you’re missing your Saturday mail delivery you’ll be interested to know that the first rural free mail delivery was started in Charles Town on October 6, 1896 and then spread thru the US. We’re heading back to home base for now...join us in October! Page 7
Lew Everling Cr. Photog., CPP www.leweverling.com
The fact that you shot film, used an enlarger and had fixer stains on your clothes is all well and good, but, really, who cares?
I just want to preface this article with the fact that I’m not trying to make anyone mad, but just make some think. As a great friend of mine once said-if you look around the room trying to figure out who that person is and you can’t...it just might be you! So don’t take offense, just wake up. The BOPs {Bitter Old Pros} really need a wake up call--really, who has time for complaining. The fact that you shot film, or used an enlarger, had fixer stains on your clothes is all well and good but in today’s world--who cares? Now, just so you know, I started in the darkroom in 1980 and went into a studio in 1984 so I’ve seen all the trends. While it’s a great bit of history new clients aren’t concerned so LET IT GO. I see the ramblings and rants on Facebook posts, forums, blogs and general conversation everyday. It’s truly a big Page 10
time waster, this complaining thing. The fact is nothing will change because your negativity meter is going through the roof...you can’t change the past, you can only learn from it and now it’s time to move on. If you’re having trouble moving on, let me urge you to spend just a half day at a local children’s hospital. Recently, while spending the morning at Iowa Children’s Hospital with my stepson Josh for a yearly checkup, I had the opportunity to talk with the parents of a 21-month old leukemia patient. I also got to see a 3-year old brain tumor patient sporting a Superman shirt come into the hall where my 8-month old son was crying. “Don’t worry, Superman is here, see my shoes light up” and suddenly this little blonde-haired, glasses toting guy soothed the baby and brought laughs and giggles all around.
When I had a few moments to think about some of the things I’d witnessed-these kids are just grateful for one more day, they didn’t ask to be ill, they surely don’t deserve any of the struggles they’ve faced or WILL face, yet they don’t complain. They look forward to and live for the next comforting moment. And they’re usually looking for a way to help those around them. Josh is 8, a brain tumor survivor, whose biggest recollection of his experience was the hunger from the steroids during his treatments. Three years have passed since his ordeal but he’s still packing rat snacks because he never wants to be that hungry again. Amazingly, it isn’t the needles, IVs, pokes, prods and surgeries that stand out for him, it’s all the waffles, PB and Js, cookies and milk he ate before the morning visit of his doctor. What we can learn from these amazing young survivsors is that they don’t focus on the bad times, but merely turn their attention to what makes them feel good and are looking ahead to the future. They don’t blame anyone, they live for the “now” and let the rest become history. By living in the present, they prepare for the future and let the rest go. So be mindful the next time you find yourself complaining about your business. Take a moment to apply the lessons of these young survivors instead of blaming the competition, technology or anyone else for your complacency. Page 13
Al Audleman M.Photog.Cr., CPP, API, FDPE, FSA, FED, GFD
the advent of affordable, high-end digital cameras has given rise to thousands of new photographers who have the same goals that most of us had when we first started.
In today’s world of professional photography, there is a tremendous number of new faces. The advent of affordable, high-end digital cameras has given rise to thousands of new photographers who have the same goals that most of us had when we first started. But there were a lot less of us starting on our journey to becoming a good, professional photographer. If you are serious about becoming a qualified professional photographer in today’s market with the credentials to prove it, then consider becoming a Certified Professional Photographer. Certification is the first serious destination on a journey to excellence. Being certified is a great step in becoming a good photographer … stepping out to separate yourself from the plethora of “MWACs and soccer moms.” The process is daunting to some but with good Page 14
instruction and someone to help you through it, it is not nearly as hard as some believe. Having the credentials will give you a sense of credibility and will seriously give you the education in the technical aspects of our profession that will get you though some potentially difficult situations. So the question is,how do I learn what I need to know? Try YouTube! :) You can gets LOTS of information, and for the most part you can not tell the difference between good information and bad. Everyone is an expert until they are put in the position of having to prove what they say is actually correct. Completing the process of becoming a Certified Professional Photographer can assure you that the information you are provided and taught is correct with reproducible results. Your images will be
judged by competent, qualified judges who are trying hard to bring you up to speed by giving you a benchmark of professionalism. While certification is not “necessary” for anyone, it does provide proof of competence and a degree if professionalism not attainable any other way. Some say that becoming a PPA Master of Photography does that. No, it only proves that you can create nice images without pressure. Certification requires that you demonstrate your ability to provide good quality images everyday for normal clients using professionally accepted techniques and lighting. Plus being “Certified” is a recognized credential in many other professions. You have several paths to choose from in your journey. You can study on your own using the source material found at www. certifiedphotographer.com or participate in a local study group. Or you can take a class from a qualified and recognized instructor at an affiliated school or the international IUSA convention. Statistics say that less than 40% pass the exam using self-study or study groups while 70% of those that attend a class will pass the exam. SEPPA Affiliate States that offer schools include East Coast School in Raleigh, NC (March 2014), Florida School of Photography in Daytona Beach, FL (June 2014) and Georgia School of Professional Photography in Clarkesville, GA (August 2014). I have had the privilege of teaching at all of these schools and will be at East Coast School in March. I will also be teaching a pre-convention class scheduled for January at IUSA in Phoenix. In all
instances, the exam will be given at the end of the class while things are still fresh in your mind. The process is in two parts, the exam first and then an image submission review. The test is 100 questions of a technical nature. You must score 70 or higher to pass. The image submission is 15 images, mostly client work. There are six compulsory images that meet specific requirements and the remaining nine must be client work. After you declare your candidacy with PPA, join the Facebook pages associated with the CPP Program. While preparing for the exam, join the CPP Exam Study Group. After passing the exam and preparing for your image submission, join the CPP Image Review group. So consider taking the journey and I promise you that you will not regret it. Your work will improve greatly and you will set yourself aside from the pack. (About the Author: In addition to holding the credentials shown at the top of this article, Al Audleman has been certified for more than 25 years and teaching Exam Prep Classes for 16 years. He has recently released a comprehensive Study Guide “The Road to Certification” that is available by contacting him at al@asaphoto. com.)
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“ The Dury’s staff consists of actual photographers... ” Ever since I bought my first item from Dury’s almost 4 years ago, I have trusted no one else with all of my equipment needs. The Dury’s staff consists of actual photographers with a vast array of technical as well as performance knowledge and they are quick to help me find the right solutions for all of my shooting needs. A few months ago, it was time for me to upgrade cameras and the staff at Dury’s showed me the new Canon 5D Mark III. Simply put, the new Canon 5D Mark III is the best camera that I have shot with to date. I now have the capability to shoot at extremely high ISO’s with little or no noise as well as up to 6 frames per second with a very quiet shutter. Not to mention, the new autofocus system works flawlessly even in the most trying situations! This camera will make even the most discerning photographer very happy as the files that come out of the camera are simply breathtaking.
Jairaj - Kevin KJImages.com
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www.durys.com
Call Us
1-800-824-2379
701 Ewing Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203 615-255-3456 • Toll Free: 800-824-2379 www.durys.com M-F: 9:00-5:30; Saturday: 10:00-3:00
Victoria Kelly Cr. Photog., CPP, F.Ph.
Android is the world’s most widely used smartphone platform We live in a binary world: you either like WalMart or Target, shop at Lowe’s or Home Depot and chances are your smartphone is either Android or Apple.
You’ll also want to note that Android is the most popular platform for developers used by approximately 71% of the developer population.
Last month I shared with you that I had a new shiny thing--a Samsung Galaxy S4 running on the Android operating system.
All of these factors have combined towards making Android the world’s most widely used smartphone platform and the software of choice for many technology companies.
This month we’re going under the covers, so to speak, to note a few of the differences between the Android and Apple operating systems. The Android OS was designed primarily for touchscreen devices such as smartphones and tablets. It was intially developed by Android, Inc., backed financially by Google and purchased by the big G in 2005. You might be interested to know that the first Android powered phone was sold in 2008. Android is consiered “open source” which means that the software can be freely modified and distributed by device manufacturers, wireless carriers and hobbyist developers. It’s also important to know that the Android OS has apps written mostly in a customized version of the Java programming language. Page 30
Now...here’s where the metal meets the road: Android’s share of the global smartphone market, most notably led by Samsung products, was 64% as recently as March of this year. In July, there were about 11,000 different models of Android devices and eight different versions of the OS simultaneously in use. Android’s success and open source has made it a target for patent litigation between technology companies. (Who could forget the HUGE litigation between Samsung and Apple earlier this year?) You’ll be interested to know that as of September there have been about 1
billion Android devices activated.
to users.
Now...here’s where things get really interesting: If, like me, you own a fairly new Apple gadget, you may have already downloaded the new iOS7 operating system.
Whew.
What you should note about this is that the Apple OS is one system...i.e., if you own an Apple gadget your operating system will be the same as your neighbor’s, your cousin’s and the guy down the street. (For the purpose of this article I’m making the assumption that you have not “jailbroke” your phone and that it’s a current version, compatible with the new OS.) In contrast, Google provides major updates, always incremental in nature, to Android every 6-9 months. Most devices are capable of receiving these updates over the air. (The latest Android OS is called “Jelly Bean”.) Compared to Apple, Android updates are typically extremely slow to reach actual devices. Updates often arrive months from the time the given version is actually released. (At this point you should be asking “why”?) This is due, in large part, to the proliferation of Android devices available...each update must be specifically tailored which means companies must port the OS to a specific device and then each CARRIER usually wraps additional content to meet their needs and of course let’s not forget the extensive testing that must take place on each carrier’s network before sending the update out
If you’re in the market for a new smartphone or tablet you’ll surely want to take into consideration the connectivity of all your devices. When I made the switch to Apple several years ago it didn’t take me long to discover that getting all my gadgets to talk to each other was not always graceful. You’ll also note that when large companies roll out devices to employees they’re usually ONE BRAND just so that everything connects and life is easier for the IT people that must maintain the integrity of their systems. So...do I have a preference for an operating system? I’ll admit there are things about my Galaxy S4 that I really like...it does occasionally freeze up when I run a carrier-specific app and a reboot is necessary, but overall it works and that’s what I’m interested in. On the other hand...my iPhone works and Apple has designed a beautiful interface that make the “Apple ecosystem” a thing of joy to behold. If you’re in the smartphone/tablet market...do your research...consider your uses...and make your decision based on valid data. You’ll be really glad you did!