Issue 253
Why Copyright Is So Important 10 Things To Make APPA Prints Sing Dan O’Day’s Wedding Lifestyle Epson’s SureColor P800 Printer
July 2017
JOURNAL
Cover
D a n O ’D ay APP M.Photo g. II 2016 AIPP AUSTRALIAN PROFESSIONAL
CONTENTS 4
Educated Clients Pay Higher Prices
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AIPP Board: Louise Bagger
Do you need to charge more for your photography? If so, how do you justify your price? AIPP National President Vittorio Natoli explains why educating your clients is the only way they will correctly understand your value.
With a background in the navy and a passion for photography, Louise Bagger APP AAIPP hopes to represent the large influx of new photographers with her position on the AIPP National Board.
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We Must Fight For Our Copyright!
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
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Do we now need to question Wikipedia for fake news? Its recent campaign to change copyright law in Australia is ‘not fair’ and will be to the detriment of professional photographers.
Why Photographers Need Copyright
AIPP JOURNAL is the official newsletter of The Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP). Editor Peter Eastway APP.L, FNZIPP, Hon. FNZIPP, G.M. Photog., Hon. FAIPP, FAIPP Disclaimer The information provided in the AIPP JOURNAL and associated publications is made in good faith, but is general in nature. Neither the editor, the publisher or the AIPP accept responsibility for or will be under any liability for any recommendations, representations or information provided herein. The AIPP JOURNAL presents information, opinions and suggestions for subscribers to evaluate in coming to their own decisions in the light of their own individual circumstances. The information should not be relied upon without readers first obtaining independent advice from their own financial and legal advisers. Unless otherwise noted, all articles are written by Peter Eastway. Publication The newsletter is published 10 times a year – monthly with November/ December and January/February being combined. The AIPP JOURNAL newsletter is published by Pt 78 Pty Ltd, ABN 75 003 152 136, PO Box 351, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097, Australia. Phone: (02) 9971 6857; Fax (02) 9971 6641. E-mail eastway@betterphotography.com Quietly celebrating 25 years of publication.
AIPP Membership Contacts Suite G.03, 171 Union Road, Surrey Hills, Victoria 3127 Phone: 03 9888 4111 E-mail: admin@aipp.com.au
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We need to own copyright even if it is just so we can show our own photographs on websites or Facebook. Without copyright, everything we do falls apart. It is fundamental to what we do. Here’s why.
ISSUE 253 / JULY 2017 18
How To Make Insurance Work For You! The AIPP Journal talks to Jacqui Thomson of PPIB (Professional Photographers Insurance Brokers) about some of the essential issues you need to understand about insurance.
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Kelly Champion - 2017 SA Epson PPY More great documentary photography picks up the top prize for Kelly Champion APP in the 2017 AIPP SA Epson Professional Photographer of the Year (and it’s two in a row as well)!
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10 Things To Make Your APPA Prints Sing
How Do We Judge Photo Illustration? The Awards are unfairly criticised for being ‘Photoshop’ awards, but is this a problem with the system, the judges or the entrants? Or are the Awards just reflecting the commercial reality of photography today?
Peter Eastway offers a series of short, pithy and succinct suggestions for dealing with the upcoming Australian Professional Photography Awards. Are you going to enter this year?
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Hilary Wardhaugh - 2017 ACT Epson PPY The poigant images by Hilary Wardhaugh APP.L M.Photog. III not only took out the documentary category, but the overall 2017 AIPP ACT Epson Professional Photographer of the Year.
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How Do You Organise Yourself? All successful photographers have strategies and techniques that make them more effective. For AIPP Board member Louise Bagger, she has a ‘clear desk routine’ and ‘to-do’ lists.
Dan O’Day: Wedding Lifestyle
Adam Williams - 2017 NSW Epson PPY A striking portfolio of landscape images has seen Adam WIlliams APP AAIPP awarded the 2017 AIPP NSW Epson Professional Photographer of the Year.
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The 2016 AIPP Australian Professional Wedding Photographer of the Year, Dan O’Day APP M.Photog. II travels the world for an elite clientele, so how does he work and what equipment does he use?
Epson SureColor P800 Are you getting your award prints ready for APPA? Have you thought about printing them yourself? Not only is an Epson SureColor P800 easy to use, it’s less than $1700 for quality that is every bit as good as the large format models used by pro-labs.
2 5 TH- 2 7 TH A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 MELBOURNE PARK FUNCTION CENTRE
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NEWS
Educated Clients Pay Higher Prices Do you need to charge more for your photography? If so, how do you justify your price? AIPP National President Vittorio Natoli explains why educating your clients is the only way they will correctly understand your value. What determines the price we can charge for
our photography? What makes the price of a
know this? They don’t. So we must tell them.
day shoot or a wall print?
as professionals is to ensure our customers’
In addition to the cost of time and materials,
From a customer’s viewpoint, how do they The most important thing we can do
there’s our education.
expectations are being met and exceeded. To
What we know about photography has a
do this, we need to know what our customers
value. The fact that we have spent x-number of
require and if we know that, we can explain to
years learning our craft and skill, x-number of
our customers why what we are providing is
years refining our ability to see and deal with
valuable for them.
people, allows us to produce a higher quality
We can educate them.
result.
And while our price might be more
THE HEAD SHOT
expensive, in the long run, we are actually
Let’s look at a simple example: a head shot.
cheaper because of what we produce.
Most of us are asked to shoot head shots
from time to time and over the years, we have
TAGS Busine s s Pro fes s i o n a l i s m
4
CUSTOMERS POINT OF VIEW
built up a lot of experience.
A customer can hire a photographer with little
or no experience who can take a long time
to look different than an insurance agent or a
to produce a result, or he might not produce
board member.
a result at all. Optionally, the customer can
come to us and, because of our experience,
depending on the industry they are in and what
we can produce the result more quickly and,
they are trying to sell. In fact, knowing what
importantly, because of our experience it will be
their customers expect allows us to produce a
better.
better head shot.
We know that a real estate agent needs
Every executive is slightly different
AIPP PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY CONFERENCE
We've set the scene at Sea World Resort & Water Park, Gold Coast, Queensland within the new multi-million dollar stateof-the-art conference centre that's recently opened. Nestled in tropical gardens with sparkling water and mountain views. This is going to be an event you won't forget. Our two-day professional photography conference has been created to suit the budding photographer, the experienced entrepreneur and social bunnies alike over two days Saturday, May 5th and Sunday, May 6th, 2018. At Lenscape we will have the pleasure of hosting the World Photographic Cup Awards Ceremony. Welcoming the finalists and announcing the winners for 2018. We'll be announcing our tradeshow, schedules, pricing and speakers before you know it, so take a mental note that next May you're locked in with us. Of course, we'll top it all off with the best kick off and wrap up parties too!
Stay tuned. #lenscape18 5
NEWS
We know how important different looks
educate them, they will have a different view of
and expressions can be. It’s not just a matter of
what being a professional photographer is all
smiling or not smiling, it’s also about pushing
about.
the face slightly forward or slightly back, having
an open collar or a tie, a coat or a shirt, sitting or
they can take a photo. And sure, on occasion
standing, hard light or softer.
these people will fluke a good one.
All these subtleties produce a big difference
Everyone has a camera and they all think
But we can do it ten times a day and nail it
in the final portrait, so understanding our
every time.
customer and our customer’s customer means
we will take a head shot that is far superior to
taking snaps and letting the customer choose
someone else.
the best one.
What we do is very different to someone just
We’re offering a blue ribbon service and
WE HAVE TO TELL THEM
that’s how we should position ourselves.
But how do our clients know what we are
doing if we don’t tell them, if we don’t discuss
head shot is a visual representation of their
their requirements, if we don’t ask questions?
personality. If they say they don’t care how they
They won’t, so it is up to us to educate them
look, then it tells us that they don’t yet value the
and explain all the issues we are dealing with
importance of good photography – and so they
as we create what appears to them to be a
won’t want to pay much for it.
straightforward head shot.
good head shot is, how strongly their customers
And while some people might just take a
Customers don’t always realise that a
However, if we can explain how important a
single head shot, we could provide three or
will relate to a good portrait, suddenly the value
four variations, depending on the message our
of what we do increases.
customer wants to give his or her customer
base in different situations. A customer might
of your prices.
Educate your clients to show them the value
need a different head shot for a LinkedIn account than for a company brochure or a Christmas greeting.
Once you understand this about what you
do, and once your client understands what you
vittorio.natoli@aipp.com.au
are doing, they will be far more comfortable
0400 418 888
paying you $500 instead of $100. Once you
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ENTRIES
CLOSE AUGUST 29TH
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Platinum Sponsor 7
NEWS
AIPP Board: Louise Bagger With a background in the navy and a passion for photography, Louise Bagger APP AAIPP hopes to represent the large influx of new photographers with her position on the AIPP National Board.
TAGS AIPP B o a rd Direc to r s
Louise Bagger says she’s a grassroots kind of
customers. It goes much deeper than that.
person. “I like to know what’s going on, how it
works and if I can contribute, all the better.
Community Facebook page ask for advice and
then come back a couple of days later to thank
“Over the past few years, especially through
the AIPP Reflections project, I have connected
those who contributed to facilitate a positive
with many new members. They are bringing a
outcome, I realise this is what the AIPP is all
new community into the AIPP and I’m hoping
about. And why it is important we all work
to help give them a voice.”
together.
Louise was in the Royal Australian Navy for
“I think the profession could benefit if it were
15 years before looking for a new career. She
regulated. To become a recognised professional
was encouraged by an appreciative friend to
photographer, you would need to be
turn her photography into a profession.
accredited with the AIPP and display the logo.
We want government and business to look for
Louise studied photography under Norman
Weedall at the Gainsborough School of
an AIPP member when they are thinking about
Professional Photography in Adelaide.
photography.
“Coming from a structured background
“But of course, it’s more than the logo. It’s
in the navy, I like a method or a system for
the community and resources we have access
everything I do. I think this is why Norm’s
to within the AIPP that makes it all work –
teaching suited me perfectly.”
the access to experienced members, sample
contracts and video seminars on demand.”
Louise started her studies in 2010 and
following a challenge from Norman, earned
enough money from photography to pay for
photographer, but finds herself shooting more
her course before the end of the year.
corporate and event photography these days.
Her portfolio on the Board will be commercial
“Joining the AIPP is much more than paying
your fees and hoping the phone will ring with
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“When I see someone on the AIPP
Louise considers herself a generalist
photography.
Photography by Louise Bagger APP AAIPP
9
NEWS
©
We Must Fight For Our Copyright! Do we now need to question Wikipedia for fake news? Its recent campaign to change copyright law in Australia is ‘not fair’ and will be to the detriment of professional photographers. Let me summarise and simplify the situation.
determined on a case by case basis.
There’s a photograph (logo, drawing, song) on
The statute does not define what is fair.”
the internet. You like to use it and you can think
up lots of reasons why that’s fair. If there’s a
Council website, “‘Fair use’ is an American legal
problem, you’ll fix it when someone complains.
principle that has enabled large enterprises in
And if someone complains, there’s nothing
the US to use copyright material for free. Under
much they can do anyway (too complex and
Australian law, enterprises pay Australian writers,
expensive), so it’s a no risk situation.
artists, creators, photographers and publishers
And disaster for photographers.
to use their work, unless it’s for public interest
I think it’s time to become a little more
purposes outlined in the legislation, such as
alarmist in our coverage of proposed changes
reporting news or parody.
to copyright law. The experts who represent
creators (including photographers and video
change that, and the Productivity Commission
producers) do not recommend adopting the
in Canberra recently made recommendations
proposed ‘Fair Use’ changes.
to introduce fair use in Australia.”
TAGS Co pyr i g h t
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According to the Australian Copyright
“A minority of industry players want to
The problem with fair use is that people
WHAT IS FAIR USE?
would take advantage of it in ways that are
In the situation above, Fair Use provisions could
economically unfair to us. Already there are
give everyone an argument that says, use the
examples of newspapers taking photographs
photos and worry about the consequences
from Instagram or Facebook and using them
later.
in print and on their websites, without the
permission of the photographer.
The Australian Law Reform Commission
states, “Fair use is a defence to copyright
In comparison, if I were to reproduce one
infringement. It essentially asks of
of their articles in this Journal without the
any particular use, ‘is this fair?’ This is
publisher’s permission, you can be sure their
S W E
N E K A F
11
NEWS
©
legal team would be after me.
that allow copyright material to be used, such
as for review and critique.
What is being proposed is a one way street.
Wikipedia used the example of not having
VIDEO EXAMPLE MISLEADING
the right to put the ABC logo on its page about
Wikipedia stated, “Using a VCR to tape TV shows
the ABC. This example is factually wrong.
only became legal in Australia in 2006. Don’t
let Australia get further behind technology.
Council and Partner, Banki Haddock Fiora,
Support Fair Use.”
writes that most first-year law students would
know that Wikipedia could do the same here in
This is completely different to a newspaper
Kate Haddock, Chair, Australian Copyright
editor finding a photograph and relying on the
Australia under the existing law.
Fair Use provisions so he doesn’t have to pay for
the use.
faith can I have in you in the future?
Promoters of Fair Use say that safeguards
So, Wikipedia, is this fake news? How much Continued Kate, “Australian laws already
need to be put in place, but the experience for
allow extracts of copyrighted work to be
many photographers in the USA has not been
displayed without permission in circumstances
positive. Their photographs have been used
that are truly fair. But the so-called “fair use”
because the market feels that Fair Use means
exception would allow much more. The reason
Free Use - and given how expensive it is to
this is causing so much consternation within
sue anyone for breaches of copyright, Fair Use
the artistic community in Australia is that its
effectively is free use.
introduction could potentially allow massive
In some ways, photographers and video
users of copyright material to reduce or stop
producers are no worse off because already it
paying licence fees to creators, including for
is impractical to sue someone for breaches of
commercial uses of their work.”
copyright. The cost and time involved for what
are already small amounts makes individual
parts of our government are trying to do to us.
cases untenable, but when you add up the
hundreds of thousands of breaches, it’s a huge
apply to them, or they already give away their
loss of revenue for photographs.
copyright. However, if this were the best photo
And that’s why we need to be aware of what Many members might think this doesn’t
you had ever taken and a publisher was using it
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NOT THIS WAY
for free, how would you feel?
There is a place for fair use of copyright material.
Australia already has a number of provisions
this link and visit https://freeisnotfair.org/
Act now - make a statement by clicking on
#FREEISNOTFAIR visit https://freeisnotfair.org and use the online form to send your Member of Parliament a message!
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EDUCATION
©
Why Photographers Need Copyright We need to own copyright even if it is just so we can show our own photographs on websites or Facebook. Without copyright, everything we do falls apart. It is fundamental to what we do. Here’s why. Professional photographers should own the
an advertisement. Although you own copyright,
copyright in their photographs.
this doesn’t let you ignore other laws which may
override copyright.
This is a bold statement and a good starting
position. There are always exceptions to any rule, but let’s begin with the premise that
WHO OWNS COPYRIGHT?
professional photographers are better off if they
In the first instance, the person who takes the
own copyright.
photograph owns copyright. This is great for professional photographers working for clients,
TAGS M a r k eti n g
WHAT IS COPYRIGHT?
with one major exception.
For photographers, copyright is the ownership
of our photographs. If you own the copyright,
domestically (family portraiture and weddings,
you can do things with your photographs, such
for example), then the customer owns the
as sell them.
copyright in the first instance. However, if we
ask our clients to sign over copyright to us
If you don’t own the copyright in a
When we are taking photographs
photograph, you can’t use it without the
before we take the photographs, then we can
permission of the copyright owner.
still own copyright. This is why it is so important
to use contracts and agreements for everything
And even if you sell a photograph to
someone, you can still own the copyright in the
we do.
photo. This could stop the person you sold the
photo to from on-selling the photo to someone
photographer owns the copyright for
else.
photographs taken for a business client
or herself. However, if the client is a family
So, copyright is the legal control over how
So, with or without a contract, a professional
your photographs are used. Don’t get copyright
purchasing privately, then you need a contract
confused with having the right to publish a
or agreement that states you will own the
photograph or use a photograph of a person in
copyright. If they don’t agree, then they own
This is general information only. We do not know your specific financial or legal situation and we are not providing you with advice. As such, this article should not be relied upon as legal, financial or accounting advice. Please use this article as a conversation starter with your own adviser.
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Dean Mansbridge APP M.Photog.
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Karl Monaghan APP M.Photog.
16
EDUCATION
the copyright. So, is this a problem?
Many clients don’t or won’t understand how
copyright works. They think that because they
WHY WE NEED COPYRIGHT?
paid you, they can do what they like.
If your client owns the copyright in photographs you have taken for them, then you
SWIMMING POOL EXAMPLE
cannot use those photographs on your website
A good example is a photographer who took
or social media, or sell them to other people,
photos of a swimming pool for a builder.
without the client’s permission.
The builder said he didn’t have much money
and just wanted them for a website, so the
If they own the copyright in your
photographs, they control how the
photographer did the job for a small fee and
photographs are used.
included the copyright with the deal.
For instance, a wedding couple could
The tile company and architect who worked
prevent you from showing photographs you
with the builder loved the photos so much,
took at their wedding on your website or
they bought them from the builder for twice
Facebook page – if they are the copyright
what the builder paid the photographer. The
owner.
builder also used the photos on a billboard, not
just a website. Had the photographer retained
(Of course, they could also stop you by
asking you to agree to this condition as part of
ownership of the copyright, he could have
your contract with them. There are often several
sold the photos to the tile company and the
different ways the use of photographs can be
architect, and charged the builder extra to use
controlled, in addition to copyright.)
the photo on a billboard
So, even if you created the photographs,
©
This is the difference between scraping
you might not be able to use them. Meanwhile,
together a living as a photographer and
your client can take the files you produced to
being paid a reasonable fee for your skill and
a local printer or have them designed into an
experience.
album by other people. You can be completely
cut out of the process. Sometimes you’re quite
years in photography, understanding copyright
happy for this to happen, of course, but then
and contracts can be the difference between
it’s a choice. Unless you own copyright, you
success and failure.
have no choice. You are reliant on the copyright
owners granting you permission to use your
becoming very concerned about changes to
own photos.
the copyright legislation, it is with good reason.
If you plan to spend the next five to 25
So, when you see the AIPP and Chris Shain
17
EDUCATION
How To Make Insurance Work For You! The AIPP Journal talks to Jacqui Thomson of PPIB (Professional Photographers Insurance Brokers) about some of the essential issues you need to understand about insurance. There’s not much point having insurance if it
covered by other insurances they have, but
doesn’t work – meaning the insurance you take
photographic equipment may not be covered
out needs to cover you for the kinds of risks you
under a standard home contents policy and
face.
there can also be limits to the amount of
equipment you can insure under a travel
For instance, many years ago there was a
photographer who had his equipment stolen
insurance policy. As a professional, you need
from his car. His insurance policy excluded
specific insurance for your equipment.
theft of equipment from his car, so the
insurance company paid him nothing. Had
most professionals would need public liability
the photographer read the insurance policy,
insurance (which covers injury and damage
it was clearly stated that theft from a car was
to other people and property), and potentially
not covered, so the photographer should have
professional indemnity cover (where your
looked around for a better policy.
negligence, error or non-completion of a job
may cause a financial loss to your client). And
Of course, too few people read the fine
In addition to insuring your equipment,
print on insurance contracts, so it’s stories
then there’s the insurance of the studio itself,
and experiences like this that started PPIB –
although fewer professionals have separate
Professional Photographers Insurance Brokers.
studio premises these days.
Stewart Maher and Jacqui Thomson decided TAGS I n sura n c e
they needed to develop an insurance policy
CHANGING TECHNOLOGIES
that took into account how professional
Jacqui Thomson said one of the most
photographers really work, so there would be no
common issues photographers need to deal
awkward surprises – and just in case you were
with is changing technology. “We’re dealing
wondering, theft of camera equipment from a
with a lot of claims for drones right now, but
locked vehicle is covered under a PPIB policy.
photographers shouldn’t automatically assume
that their drones are covered by their insurance
A lot of photographers think that they are
This is general information only. We do not know your specific financial or legal situation and we are not providing you with advice. As such, this article should not be relied upon as legal, financial or accounting advice. Please use this article as a conversation starter with your own adviser.
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hair dog of the
2015
BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY
AIPP MEMBERSHIP
BENEFITS
AIPP MENTORING
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS
AIPP USE OF
ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY
SOCIAL MEDIA
& COMMUNICATIONS
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS WORKING WITH
WEDDING
the ATO
PHOTOGRAPHY
(AUSTRALIAN TAX OFFICE)
2017/18 AIPP SIG
AIPP WORKSHOP
MOTHER & BABY
PRESENTERS
PHOTOGRAPHY
& SPEAKERS
WORKSHOPS & PRESENTERS
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
A C C R E D I TAT I O N
FOR VIDEO
PRODUCERS
DRONES & DRONE USE PARLIAMENTARY SUBMISSION
Explanation: This SIG is designed to create an AIPP "Position" on the usage of Drones with the objective of creating a written submission to the current (2017) Parliamentary Inquiry. This SIG requires members who can work together to create an AIPP position and work with the National Office to create a final submission. Members already on this SIG include: Col Boyd, Peter Barnes, Brian Randall, Kevin O Daly, Robert Horton, If you would like to contribute to this SIG and help shape AIPP policies and direction please email us at admin@aipp.com.au. This is your chance to get involved without committing to a formal council or committee structure.
We would love your help.
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B r u c e P o t t i n g e r A P P. L M . P h o t o g . I H o n . F A I P P
20
EDUCATION
policy.”
surrounding the case, but at the end of the day,
Restrictions on the use of drones under two
Jacqui explained there were lots of issues
kilograms were relaxed last year by CASA, but
it was an $800 job and the easiest approach for
the results from an insurance perspective are
the photographer was to refund the client.
more accidents and more claims because there
are more people working with drones.
and professional indemnity policies is that they
include legal defence costs. Photographers
“You can’t just assume your current public
“One of the benefits of both public liability
liability insurance covers you – what happens
who don’t think they need this cover should
if a drone crashes into someone at a wedding
ask themselves if they can afford to defend an
or hits a window? We can certainly arrange
action brought against them.
insurance cover for drones, but you need to
inform your broker.”
insurance because they’ll never do anything
wrong, but that’s irrelevant because anyone
Jacqui said many professional
“Many people think they don’t need this
photographers are leading workshops, so they
can choose to sue you. If you find yourself in
should check their public liability insurance
this position, can you afford the legal costs to
still covers them. “You can’t just assume that
defend yourself?
an insurer will be happy if you start taking ten
people to Antarctica on a field trip. That’s a big
standard insurance broker because, for our
difference between giving a little educational
photographers’ packages, we’re actually acting
shoot in a local park. There is a duty of
as the insurer. We have facilities with CGU, NTI
disclosure with all insurance policies”, meaning
and Zurich for the policies we offer, so in turn
it’s up to us to tell our insurers what we’re doing
we’re able to offer our clients better rates.
so they can agree to cover us.
“Every photographer is different. Not all
dealing with us from start to finish. If I have you
will need professional indemnity cover, but
as a client, I look after your insurance premiums
anyone operating a business should have public
and then, if you make a claim, I look after the
liability insurance. People are far more litigious
claim as well. We like to treat our clients as
these days. They are more aware of what their
people, not numbers.”
Proudly su the AI
“We’re a little different than your
“The benefit of working with us is that you’re
entitlements are and what they can challenge.
“For instance, we had a recent query from a
PPIB has been covering professional photographers
photographer whose client was threatening to
for over 10 years and you can find them at http://
sue her because she didn’t like the photos.”
www.photoinsurance.com.au/
21
AWARDS 2 5 TH- 2 7 TH A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 MELBOURNE PARK FUNCTION CENTRE
10 Things To Make Your APPA Prints Sing Peter Eastway offers a series of short, pithy and succinct suggestions for dealing with the upcoming Australian Professional Photography Awards. Are you going to enter this year? The people who get the most out of APPA are
then you’re looking for silver awards and points
the people who put the most in. APPA has
towards your Associateship. And if you’re a
defined my career, not because of the awards it
regular entrant, then you understand the
has given me, but because of the work I did in
system by now and the aim is for four Golds
creating my entries.
with Distinction.
In other words, whether you win an award
I certainly enter four Golds every year,
or not, your photography will improve by going
but unfortunately, they usually come back a
through the process.
different colour!
But of course it is even better if you win an
award or two. Here are some suggestions to ensure your APPA experience is a happy one!
2. PROFESSIONAL WORK OR PERSONAL WORK? New entrants wishing to benchmark
TAGS APPA Awa rd s Rules
22
1. DETERMINE WHAT YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE THIS YEAR
themselves should enter examples of their very
APPA is designed to provide a range of
score 70 or above, you can gauge how your
outcomes, from establishing a professional
work stands within the profession.
standard of work (a score of 70 to 79) to the
more challenging silver and gold awards with
consistently, we all aim to get a silver award or
scores of 80+ or 90+.
higher.
So what do you want to achieve? If this
best day-to-day professional work, so if you
However, once you’re scoring +70s
The judges are experienced photographers
is your first time entering APPA, aiming for
and most of them have seen and judged
four scores of 78 to 79 (or higher) is a worthy
thousands of images. They also shoot a
goal – it means you are producing a very high
professional standard for their own clients on
standard of professional work.
a daily basis, so if you’re looking for a silver
award or higher, you need to excite them. Many
If you’ve entered APPA once or twice before,
Lori Cicchini APP AAIPP
ENTRIES
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entrants to APPA enter personal work because
interest the judges?
it allows them to show images that are a little paid to do, and this certainly improves our
4. HIGH QUALITY POST PRODUCTION IS EXPECTED
chances of earning an award.
Check the quality of your post-production.
And if you learn how to produce a high
Today, professional photographers are expected
quality of personal work for APPA, these skills
to produce images of exemplary quality. Even if
will flow through to the professional work you
your technique is to shoot as much as you can
shoot as well. In a nutshell, this is the overall aim
‘in camera’, your post-production techniques
of APPA.
must still produce a high-quality print.
different from the day-to-day work we are all
3. HOW IS YOUR PHOTOGRAPH DIFFERENT?
production of composite images to win silver
Most photography we see is derivative,
the approximately 1200 prints that earn silver
meaning that someone, somewhere has
and gold awards, over 75% were single capture
probably taken a photograph just like yours.
images. Composite digital files are not needed
No trouble – as long as your photo isn’t a direct
to win awards, but all entries need to have high
copy of someone else’s (which is not permitted).
quality post-production.
or gold awards. At the past couple of APPAs, of
However, to impress the judges into
something that is different from what they
5. WHAT IS HIGH-QUALITY POST-PRODUCTION?
expect generally – meaning a different
The easiest way to appreciate high-quality post-
camera angle, an unusual juxtaposition or an
production is to compare a good print with a
appropriate post-production technique.
bad print. Some examples are provided here.
the award range, you need to show them
24
And no, you don’t need to do ‘tricky’ post-
There are billions of photos taken every day,
Good quality post-production means that
but most of these are ‘snaps’ with nothing of
there is an appropriate range of tones (usually
great interest to anyone except the snapper.
from black to white), that there is detail in the
shadows and highlights (unless excluded for
As professional photographers, we should
be creating photographs that are different,
creative effect), the colour balance is correct
so when you are looking through your
(there isn’t an awkward colour cast over the
photographs for possible entries, ask yourself
image), and that colours are in gamut (you don’t
how is this image different – will it excite and
have areas of super saturated colour which
Ensur e you r entr have ies correc (expo t den sity sure) and c balan olour ce. Ch eck u appro nder priate lighti ng.
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AWARDS 2 5 TH- 2 7 TH A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 MELBOURNE PARK FUNCTION CENTRE
look garish). The image should also be free of
edge, but this is a poor example of vignetting.
sensor spots, dust marks and other blemishes
(and in the case of portraiture, you may wish
superimposed over an image; good vignetting
to re-touch your subjects as well) and the print
is invisible to the eye, using lines and shapes
should be appropriately sharpened (over-
already in the composition to darken down the
sharpening is an award killer).
edges of the frame, thus keeping the focus of
Bad vignetting is a geometric shape
attention inside the frame.
6. CROPPING AND FRAMING
Social media can fool us into thinking our
of your frame, consider darkening them
photography is better than it really is. While
down – it’s not quite the same as a vignette,
it’s wonderful to receive likes and hearts, we
but it makes them less distracting from a
are not necessarily being assessed by other
compositional viewpoint.
If you have bright areas that cut the edges
professional photographers. consider how they are cropped. Just because
8. IS YOUR PRINT TOO LIGHT OR TOO DARK?
your camera produces a 3:2 ratio frame, doesn’t
In the APPA Rules you will find the lighting
mean you have to keep it. Look at your image
specifications for the judging environment. It
and consider whether the composition could
is useful to view your own entries, before you
be strengthened or the communication
have them mounted and matted, under similar
improved if you cropped it: is there too much
lighting conditions.
sky or too much foreground; are there awkward
shapes or tones around the edges that are
too light or too dark, simply because the
better removed?
photographer did not use a colour-managed
monitor, or did not check that the print had the
26
When it comes to your APPA entries,
Don’t read this suggestion as having to
It is not uncommon for entries to be
tightly frame every shot – there is certainly
correct density.
room for creative negative space. However,
you’ll often see judges putting a hand or a card
balance – if you’re checking your prints indoors
up to their eye as they crop an entry in their
at night with standard household lighting, this
mind – you should do this yourself first.
is a completely different colour to the lights that
7. DOES VIGNETTING HELP?
your prints will be viewed under at APPA.
When you mention vignetting, many people
imagine a clearly visible oval shape with a blurry
of light does to your prints is important, but
A similar criticism can be applied to colour
Understanding what the colour and intensity
Proudly supporting the AIPP
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the takeaway is to view them under the same
found at APPA!
conditions as they will be judged. If you can’t
do that, look at them in daylight, but in shadow,
great education, but when you attend APPA in
not direct sunlight. This is better than under
person, you get to see the prints up close (and
tungsten lights indoors.
they can be totally different to the digital files
You can watch online and that gives you a
you see on screen), plus you get to talk and mix
9. MOUNTING AND MATTING
with other entrants and photographers.
One way to really kill a print’s chance of success
is to mount it poorly (with bubbles or creases),
silver or gold award, and the audience applauds,
or to submit it with a damaged or scuffed
you’ll be on cloud nine for months.
matte.
Some photographers with negative
experiences at APPA never enter again because
As professionals, we should never submit
If you’re in the judging room when you win a
our work to clients in this way, so we certainly
they don’t manage their expectations correctly.
shouldn’t do it in the Awards.
gold at APPA, which means 60 per cent do not.
There can also be a temptation to use
Around 40 per cent of entries earn a silver or
coloured mattes around your prints, with
colours that match the hues in the image.
Master of Photography who hasn’t bombed
Don’t!
out completely at APPA at least one year – it
happens to everyone, so suck it up and try to
While a colour matte can work, in 99/100
I don’t know a single Grand Master or
examples I have seen, they do not! Stick with
win the game next year.
a plain white matte. Some photographers like
black mattes, but if this is you, make sure the
important game. It’s a very productive game. It’s
matte you select really is black. Many black
educational. But no one died because they got
mattes just look dark grey when viewed under
a low score at APPA and there’s always next year
the strong APPA lighting.
to do better.
But nothing is quite as bad as a coloured
If the judges don’t ‘get it’, don’t worry.
matte. (Please send all complaints about this
You will have many clients over the years
comment to colourprejudice@aipp.com.au.)
who don’t get it either, so learning to deal with
Yes, in many ways, APPA is just a game. It’s an
success and failure at APPA is a great way to set
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10. ENTER AND ATTEND APPA
you up for a satisfying career.
All the most educational, uplifting and
demoralising experiences you can have will be
mine?
Now, where are those four gold prints of
X
X
k c la b r o e it h w y s a Make your life e . 0 0 1 f o t u o s e im t 9 9 mattes are best
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AWARDS
Hilary Wardhaugh - 2017 ACT Epson PPY The poigant images by Hilary Wardhaugh APP.L M.Photog. III not only took out the documentary category, but the overall 2017 AIPP ACT Epson Professional Photographer of the Year.
Portrait by Lindi Heap
TAGS AIPP E ps o n S ta te Pr in t Awa rd s
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Hilary is well known both in her home town
just captured moments, with no Photoshop
of Canberra and around the country as an
manipulation.
accomplished photographer, judge and entrant.
A generalist photographer like so many of us,
year. They have a somber mood and they make
her business includes everything from head
mention of topical issues which highlight
shots (including the well-known faces of many
human frailty. They are images that don’t
parliamentarians), weddings, events and public
necessarily have a wow impact, but sneak up on
relations.
you. They are real images, with heart.
However, if you get to meet Hilary, you’ll
“My images are also a reflection of my last
“So I am exceedingly grateful for the
learn first and foremost that she is passionate
recognition and for the fact that the craft of
about photography.
capturing an image has been recognised.”
For the AIPP ACT Epson State Awards, Hilary
Hilary’s four documentary images cover a
entered four prints into the documentary
range of topics and issues, from highly personal
photography category. This was an intentional
photographs of her family to commentary on
decision because Hilary likes the fact that no
the world at large.
composites are allowed and that only minimal
post-production is permitted. The integrity of
who lives with cerebral palsy, seemingly defies
the capture must be respected.
gravity in his weekly swimming lesson in a
warm water hydrotherapy pool.
“There was much criticism of the AIPP
The striking water portrait of Dylan (top left),
Australian Professional Photography Awards
in 2016, saying it was more like the Photoshop
with his condition by helping his body relax, a
awards.
welcome relief from his daily life.”
“My award is not a told-you-so moment.
Explained Hilary, “The warm water helps
With another image, Hilary also won the ACT
I am absolutely shocked that I won, but also
AIPP Epson Highest Scoring Print, an honour
extremely happy because my images were
she shared with Kelly Tunney.
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AWARDS
Adam Williams - 2017 NSW Epson PPY A striking portfolio of landscape images has seen Adam WIlliams APP AAIPP awarded the 2017 AIPP NSW Epson Professional Photographer of the Year.
TAGS AIPP E ps o n S ta te Pr in t Awa rd s
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To say Adam Williams is addicted to the AIPP’s
forever.”
award system is possibly an understatement!
the initial judging results.
The dedicated landscape photographer
Adam says he was initially disappointed with
current generates most of his photography
income from teaching others how to get more
into the Awards I thought I had four images that
out of their own photography.
would connect with the judges on an emotive
level. Then when they didn’t connect, I started
“I joined the AIPP because that’s what
“I’m sure that sounds a little odd, but going
professional photographers do and that’s what I
to doubt my ability as a visual communicator.
wanted to be.
“I have entered the awards for the last
roughly. It’s not so much the score, rather that
four years and can honestly say that it alone
my last two photos failed to draw a passionate
has been the single biggest factor in my
response that disappointed me.
photography progress.
board and use the infomation to improve.
“The Epson State Awards and APPA are
“I think my scores were 92, 86, 82 and 80
“However, I always take all the comments on
the two ‘must-enter’ awards for me each year.
There’s nothing better than bringing my
heading down a very personal pathway, chasing
visions to life in print and then having the best
a passion inspired by the romantic painters of
photographers in the country judge them live.
the mid 1800’s. There is a certain satisfaction in
What a rush!
having this work awarded at the highest level.
“Every now and then you get lucky and one
“Over the last 12-18 months, I have been
“Winning prestigious awards like this can
of your idols not only judges your photo, but
really give my profile as an educator a lift. I
goes on to challenge for it. Hearing that one of
recently launched an education site www.
your photos has emotionally moved one of the
easywayphotography.com.au, so it certainly
photographers you have looked up to for years,
adds a lot of credibility to have the AIPP APP
wow!!!! Those moments will stick in my memory
certification and the associated awards.
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AWARDS
Kelly Champion - 2017 SA Epson PPY More great documentary photography picks up the top prize for Kelly Champion APP in the 2017 AIPP SA Epson Professional Photographer of the Year (and it’s two in a row as well)!
TAGS AIPP E ps o n S ta te Pr in t Awa rd s
Perhaps there is a movement in the air as yet
moment” being announced as the 2017 AIPP SA
another set of documentary photographs takes
Epson PPY.
out a major prize.
were all amazing moments which I was privy to
The winner of the 2017 AIPP SA Epson
“I felt I had a strong portfolio and the images
Professional Photographer of the Year award is
– they are all very special to me.
Kelly Champion - and she’s developing quite a
reputation in our awards system.
cloud your judgment”, acknowledged Kelly,
referring to the common experience of entering
“In 2015, I joined the AIPP as an emerging
“However, sometimes this attachment can
member and won the SA AIPP Emerging
personal work that the judges don’t always see
Photographer of the Year, which was a huge
quite the same way as the entrant!
honour. “
Then in 2016, Kelly became a fully accredited
the other finalists and entrants are highly skilled
member of the AIPP (APP) and entered the AIPP
professionals with such high standards of work.”
Epson State Awards in two categories.
Kelly has a Bachelor of Visual Arts from
the University of South Australia and says her
“That year, I was a finalist in the portrait
“Winning is such an honour, especially as
category, I was awarded the AIPP SA Epson
“number one favourite subjects to photograph”
Documentary Photographer of the Year
are her daughters. Her studio, Kelly Champion
and the overall AIPP SA Epson Professional
Photography, specialises in wedding, family and
Photographer of the Year. “
portrait photography.
And this year she’s done it again! She
“I approach all three with my documentary
entered three categories, was a finalist in the
style. I love to find humour in a situation and I
family category, won the documentary category
always try to view a scene differently.
and is the 2017 AIPP SA Epson Professional
Photographer of the Year.
work professionally and my dream job is
shooting for National Geographic!”
Kelly says it was a “surreal but wonderful
“My ambition is to follow my documentary
NB - Tasmanian and Northern Territory winners will be published next month!
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AWARDS 2 5 TH- 2 7 TH A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 MELBOURNE PARK FUNCTION CENTRE
How Do We Judge Photo Illustration? The Awards are unfairly criticised for being ‘Photoshop’ awards, but is this a problem with the system, the judges or the entrants? Or are the Awards just reflecting the commercial reality of photography today? Do you have to be good at Photoshop to win
this makes our work more valuable or ‘pure’?
an award in the Epson State Awards or at APPA?
Some post-production for exposure, contrast and colour is required – even in the days of film
STATISTICS SPEAK
we would make these adjustments as a bare
Sometimes people look at the winning
minimum. That’s what professionals do!
portfolios and make the assumption that all the
And these are professional awards.
winning entries are the same.
36
So, when we see some highly illustrative
ILLUSTRATIVE COMPARISONS
images like those submitted by Lisa Saad and
So, how do we deal with composite images?
Adam Williams in the Epson State Awards this
We have to judge them because this is what is
year, there is an outcry from the ‘establishment’
happening out in the real world.
that the awards are being hijacked by
Photoshop. Poppycock!
the judges. We need the judges to compare
these ‘works of art’ not just against other
Based on the last couple of Awards books,
The problem isn’t with the entrants, but
over 75 per cent of entries awarded are single
photography, but graphic design and painting.
capture images.
is because their work satisfies the requirements
The label ‘Photoshop awards’ is being
The reason Lisa and Adam won their awards
erroneously used to describe composite
of both good photography and good design.
images. The vast majority of entries are not
composites and nor are the awarded prints.
‘composite images’ look more like a painting
than a photograph, and so the judges score it
However, every image entered into the
However, there have been occasions when
awards should be processed to some extent
very highly because it is ‘new’ and ‘different’.
by Photoshop, Lightroom or Capture One.
Hopefully we are not entering an image straight
remarked, just because something is new
out of the camera in some bizarre belief that
and different doesn’t make it good. We have
As iconic Australian painter John Olsen
•
Vanessa Mac aulay APP M.Photo g. I
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AWARDS 2 5 TH- 2 7 TH A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 MELBOURNE PARK FUNCTION CENTRE
a history of art that has established certain
standards and levels that we accept as ‘good’.
that are very like Lisa’s Anonymous Man images,
should they be rewarded with golds? My view
The problem our judges face when
So, if someone now enters photographs
handing out exceptionally high praise for
would be probably not - it would need to
some composite images is that when you
demonstrate its own level of brilliance.
compare the entry against a background of
contemporary art and graphic design over the
of something that has been entered before,
past 50 or 100 years, the entry doesn’t stack up
or work that is in the public arena, then it is
(a personal view, of course).
unlikely we can elevate it to gold. It might get
If we see work that is highly derivative
a silver with distinction because it is a brilliantly
NOT IN ISOLATION
executed example of an existing genre or
When you look at the recent work of Lisa Saad,
approach, or maybe only a score in the 70s
there is an elegance and sophistication in her
because, apart from the idea, the execution is
technique, composition and colour. Are her
what we would expect of any professional.
photographs more design than photography?
That’s not a question we even need to ask
and babies in baskets. These ‘ideas’ have been
because she has created them photographically.
around at APPA for many years now, so a score
in the high 70s might be appropriate for a
The question we should ask as judges is,
For example, there are a lot of square aerials
how does Lisa’s work fit into the scheme of
standard reproduction. A silver with distinction
photography and contemporary art. Are they
might be given to an example done very well,
strong as photographs? And if they have a con-
but the entrant really needs to take the concept
nection to art, are they also strong as examples
or quality of aerials or babies to a new level to
of graphic design? I think the answer is yes and
earn a gold. That is my subjective opinion.
they were deservedly gold.
And this is the challenge for our judges
when assessing composite images that are
38
WHAT IS A GOLD?
more like graphic design than our traditional
The idea behind a gold award is to
view of photography, such as those seen in the
acknowledge some form of brilliance. It might
illustrative and portrait categories. Our judges
be a classic subject reproduced with exquisite
need to be familiar with both graphic design
beauty, but this is rare. More likely it is because
and painting to understand where an entry sits
the image investigates a new area or takes an
within the world of art, not just the world of
existing idea further than it has been before.
photography. Let the discussion continue!
Photograph by Lisa Saad APP M.Photog. III
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EDUCATION
How Do You Organise Yourself? All successful photographers have strategies and techniques that make them more effective. For AIPP Board member Louise Bagger, she has a ‘clear desk routine’ and ‘to-do’ lists.
TAGS Admini s tr a ti o n
40
“My ‘clear desk routine’ comes for my time in the
the list. These should be done first. However,
navy when at the end of each working day, we
there are lots of other jobs and projects that are
were expected to have a clear desk.”
great ideas for the future, just not right now.
These are placed down the bottom of the list
The idea isn’t to sweep everything into a
waste paper basket on the side of the desk,
and are carried forward from list to list.
rather to use the last 10 or 20 minutes of each
day to sort through all the current jobs and
every week. The list might be on a form with a
queries that need to be attended to on the
number, a description and a column for a tick.
following day. And part of this process is to clear
I might even highlight some of the things that
up your desk and to produce a to-do list so that
should take priority. However, there are some
things are not forgotten.
jobs that will remain on the to-do list for weeks
or even months until I eventually get around
“I don’t have one big long to-do list, but
“I like to have a fresh to-do list, at least
several. Sometimes it’s just a few dot points on
to them. They are not urgent, but they are
a sticky note. And while I mightn’t forget what
important enough for me to want to remember
I have to do, writing things down lets me plan
them.
the activities for the next day, making sure the
most important things get done first.”
let my clients down by not calling them back
or not finishing a job when I said I would. That’s
Of course, Louise mightn’t finish every day
So why does Louise do it? “I don’t want to
sitting at her desk, but it’s a process she does
why spending a little time each day to plan, to
regularly. It also lets her switch off after work,
clear the desk, is so important.
comfortable she will remember what needs
doing.
telephone calls to make and one email to write.
They were priorities on my to-do list so I did
So, does Louise finish everything on her
“For instance, this morning I had two
to-do list every day? Of course not! The most
them first.
important and pressing jobs are up the top of
“It’s basically a part of my life.”
Photography by Louise Bagger APP AAIPP
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FEATURES
Dan O’Day: Wedding Lifestyle The 2016 AIPP Australian Professional Wedding Photographer of the Year, Dan O’Day APP M.Photog. II travels the world for an elite clientele, so how does he work and what equipment does he use? Many people dream of the exotic lifestyles lead
wedding photography.
by successful photographers travelling around
the globe for an international clientele. While
business in 2009, I still pinch myself that I get
the financial reality of self-employment can be
to shoot weddings all over the world and
a little more onerous, once you’ve tasted it, you
Australia-wide. I really do feel like I’m living in
can’t easily go back to a day job and the only
some sort of a dream.
option is to push on forwards.
year and 29 of them are not in my home town.
And enjoy the challenge.
“Since going full time with my wedding
“These days, I shoot around 30 weddings a
I spend a lot of time on the road, but when I
FRESH AND EMOTIVE
am home, I work from my home studio. I also
spend a couple of days a week working in my
If you get to meet Dan O’Day, you’ll have
no doubt that he is enjoying the challenge.
other company at our Braddon studio space, All
Not only is he creating wonderfully fresh and
Grown Up Weddings.”
emotive photographs, which concentrate on the ‘seeing’ rather than the ‘post-production’,
VISUAL NARRATIVE
he has managed to carve out a living in what
Dan won the 2016 AIPP Australian Professional
is a highly competitive part of the profession:
Wedding Photographer of the Year, sponsored
Photography by Dan O’Day APP M.Photog. II
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43
FEATURES
by GraphiStudio, and this was after being the
life, focusing on multiple streams of income to
category bridesmaid two years previously!
avoid the risk of having all of our eggs in one
basket before it’s hatched in glass houses (or
Explains Dan, “Documentary could be
described as the technique I use when shooting
something like that)!”
weddings. I love to tell stories through imagery
– to deliver a visual narrative. My influences in
and think isn’t that nice, while others will note
paint and contemporary art contribute to a
what is a fundamental part of all successful
smaller, but just as important part of the capture
businesses and photographers: planning.
process.
their busy schedules to plan for their future.
“I have a background in fine art painting,
A lot of photographers will just read this
Dan and Andrea are taking time out of
so I’ve always had a love for composition and
How often have you done that? And why do
colour. Painting got me into exhibiting, which
successful people spend time on business and
landed me in the art world, which eventually
personal planning? Because it works!
led a friend of mine to give me my first camera.
wedding photography, isn’t a sustainable long-
“I shot my first wedding in 2007, then left my
“Physically being out in the field, with my
9-5 job and went full time in 2009. I gradually
term retirement plan for me (I don’t think my
shot more and more, until at one point I was
back can take much more), so we’re working on
shooting 60 weddings a year!
less physical ways to channel more money into
the business.”
However, I landed in the hospital with
pneumonia a couple of times, so after that, I learned my limits and I’ve been working on
SHOOT FOR YOUR CLIENTS
establishing a more streamlined business model
Being a professional photographer is more
ever since.
than just pressing the shutter button, it’s all about marketing, sales, procurement and being
TAGS Awa rd s Po r tfo l i o O ’Day Weddi n g s
MAPPING THE FUTURE
incredibly creative with a camera.
“Today, I’m business partners in Dan O’Day
Photography with my partner Andrea, who will
this year, explaining his approach to wedding
become my wife in August (woohoo)!
photography. Of great interest was his pricing
and what he offers. His packages begin at
“We’re currently mapping out our next 5-10
years of projection in business and personal
Dan spoke at WPPI in Las Vegas earlier
around $5000 and, after his clients have
Many of Dan O’Day’s photographs exhibit a great understanding of light.
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45
FEATURES
46
Dan O’Day offers his clients a wide range of different angles, styles and compositions.
47
Photography by Dan O’Day APP M.Photog.II
48
FEATURES
selected their favourite images, he designs what
• 2x Canon EOS 5D Mark III bodies;
is essentially a final album for them.
• Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM;
“We might fatten it out with a few extra
• Canon EF 35mm f1.4 L USM;
images that we think will better tell the story,
• Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM;
but I prefer them to select the images they want
• Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM;
up front.
• 2x Speedlite 580EX II Speedlites; and
• His iPhone light!
“I hear quite a few photographers
complaining that clients don’t choose the best
shots, but I think they’re forgetting that it’s our
programs and apps as the basis of his workflow.
clients who will live with the album for the next
He begins with PhotoMechanic to ingest and
50 years. If those are the images they want, let
select the best images from each shoot.
them have them!
have to clog up my Lightroom catalogues with
And if we want to design an amazing
In terms of software, Dan lists the following
“It’s a lot faster than Lightroom and I don’t
sample album that features what we think is our
a lot of images I will never use.”
best photography, we can do that at another
time.”
select his best 500 or so photos from the
wedding and then only those best shots are
It’s an efficient business model, but it’s
Essentially, Dan uses PhotoMechanic to
presented artfully and clients are willing to
moved across to his Lightroom catalogue.
accept his design recommendations.
couple of plugins like Alien Skin.
What you’ll find when viewing Dan’s work
In Lightroom, Dan goes to work with a
is a huge variety of subjects, concepts and
“I use Alien Skin because it has a much more
compositions. Sure, all the images are based
advanced grain feature than Lightroom, plus a
around wedding photography, but it is his
few little colour curves and tones that give my
ability to create wide variations within his work
images extra punch.”
that establishes his credentials.
JPEG Mini is used to compress his files
before uploading them to his website and client
HUGE GEAR GUY (NOT)
galleries on Pixieset. Although the resulting
And while many photographers are passionate
files are smaller and faster to load, JPEG Mini
about the equipment they use, that doesn’t
achieves this without a loss of image quality.
describe Dan.
“I’m not a huge gear guy (not like that...), but
my main wedding kit consists of the following:
ONLINE To populate the blog pages on his website, Dan
49
FEATURES
uses Storyboard by Code&Hustle. “It runs out
album in less than 15 minutes and it looks
of Photoshop. You tell it what width your blog
excellent!
is and how much space you want between
photos and then Storyboard collates them into
but essentially you load your photos into the
an interesting pattern, depending on how many
program in order, and as you tell SmartAlbums
images you have and what shape they are. You
where to insert page breaks, it immediately
can also adapt the layout design manually – it’s
creates a page layout.
super easy.
‘When you’re happy, Storyboard outputs the
quite what you want, you just hit the down
photos as a series of images you simply upload
button and you can see around 30 different
to your blog!”
designs to choose from!
In terms of showing his photographs to
“It’s a little hard to explain how it works,
“Usually the layout looks great, but if it’s not
“It also works really well with Lightroom
clients, Dan uses Pixieset for his online gallery.
because any changes you make to your files in
Clients, friends and family can see all the photos
Lightroom will be automatically updated within
from the wedding and order prints if they like.
SmartAlbums.
However, before the couple sees their gallery,
Dan produces a highly emotive and impressive
like it and they must do so because we get so
slide show just for them. He uses SmartSlides by
few changes. We’re stoked!”
Pixellu.
great prints and albums, how do you get your
“The first time they see my photos is how I
“I guess the real test is whether our clients
So, with the mechanics of producing
want them to see their day. I select 250 to 300
photography to stand out?
images and add in some music for a 15 minute
presentation. The slide show is much more
explore is perspective. I’m constantly working
emotionally invested than a computer screen
on creating more exciting compositions in my
with a grid of images.”
images, looking at a common situation with a
different visual take.
Most of Dan’s clients order a wedding album,
“One of the main things I continually
so after they have seen the slide show and the online gallery, they will indicate which photos
You can see more of Dan O’Day’s work on his web-
they want in their album.
site at http://danodayphotography.com.au/. You
can also see when Dan is giving a presentation on
“I think SmartAlbums is the best album
design software out there. Not only does it include great templates, you can design an
50
this website here https://www.artandtheheart.com/
Photography by Dan O’Day APP M.Photog.II
51
NEWS
Epson SureColor P800 Are you getting your award prints ready for APPA? Have you thought about printing them yourself? Not only is an Epson SureColor P800 easy to use, it’s less than $1700 for quality that is every bit as good as the large format models used by pro-labs.
TAGS Equ ip m e n t Pr in ter Ep so n
Entry into our current awards system requires
certainly provide the quality you need.
prints. It’s one way professionals can distinguish
what they do from the millions of snapshooters
17” roll support, so you can make prints
who sometimes own cameras more advanced
17-inches by one metre or more.
than our own!
A 2.7” LCD screen offers keypad and gesture
Even if we don’t sell prints as part of what
The P800 can also be fitted with an optional
Operating the P800 is very straightforward.
we do, being able to produce print-quality files
navigation that in turn allows you to check the
is an essential skill for a professional.
printer status, ink levels and perform routine
maintenance tasks. It also includes a number
And once you can produce print-quality
files, it’s a relatively small step to produce the
of handy help screens to remind you what you
prints themselves.
need to do!
It’s true that at the heart of good printing
Inside, the 2800 x 1440 dpi printer uses
is a good quality colour management system,
Epson UltraChrome HD pigment inks, which
but this is as easy as buying two things: a good
deliver a very high black density, rich colours
quality monitor and a good quality printer.
and great contrast on a range of media types. It
Once you have these, someone can install a
produces the quality needed to win awards at
couple of profiles and you will be producing
APPA.
high quality prints in no time.
and new cartidges cost around $70 each. The
So, what printer do you purchase?
There are nine 80 ml ink cartridges on board
P800 ships with a set of 64 ml starter inks to get
EPSON SURECOLOR P800
you going.
If this is your first printer, or if you only need to
52
produce a relatively small number of prints up
PAPER OPTIONS
to A2 size, then the Epson SureColor P800 will
Most printers offer two types of black ink, which
Epson SureColor P800 with optional rollpaper support.
53
Epson’s SureColor P800 has nine bays for its inkset.
54
NEWS
produces the base tonality of most images. You
The P800 comes with Epson Print Layout
need a good strong black to produce prints
software, a plug-in for Adobe Photoshop,
with impact.
Lightroom, and Nikon ViewNX. Images can be
printed individually or several can be ganged
One black ink is designed for gloss papers
(usually called Photo Black), while the other is
up on a single sheet for economy, either
for matte papers (Matte Black). In earlier Epson
borderless or with a choice of border sizes and
printers of this size, switching between the inks
styles.
was done manually, but the service has now
been automated in the P800.
an advanced gallery wrap function which
produces output that is suitable for mounting
The P800 has several paper feeding options
The Epson Print Layout software also offers
so it can handle a range of media types and
onto a frame, and it also allows you to adjust
thicknesses.
the colour and density. However, we would
suggest that colour and tonal adjustments here
For instance, the art papers many entrants
favour for their APPA prints are put through a
are unnecessary if you are using a good paper
front feeder, which in turn allows the printer’s
profile.
footprint (desk space) in your studio to be much
smaller.
your computer, monitor and printer so they
all work together – using monitor and printer
The printer when open and operating
The way to print consistently is to set up
measures 684 mm (W) x 963 mm (D) x 550 mm
profiles.
(H) and weighs around 20 kg.
as what you see on your monitor, so if there’s a
One neat feature is a choice of connections.
This means that the print is exactly the same
You can choose USB, Ethernet or connect
problem with the print, rather than adjusting
wirelessly with an automatic Wi-Fi setup, even
the printer, you adjust your file in Photoshop or
if you’re not working in an area with an existing
Lightroom.
network. The P800 has a Wi-Fi Direct feature
which means no router is required – and no
of the P800 with similar features (but no
cables either!
roll feeder), so if space in your studio is at a
The SureColor P600 is a smaller version
premium, this model is still able to produce
EPSON PRINT LAYOUT
your award prints, with a maximum print size of
A3+.
You can also print to the P800 from your
iPad, iPhone, tablet or smartphone using Epson iPrint software or Apple AirPrint.
http://www.epson.com.au
55
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Peter Eastway’s
Online Landscape Photography MasterClass Learn the art, craft and business of landscape photography with a member-only subscription to Peter Eastway’s Landscape Photography Masterclass. The online delivery includes 18 classes (each comprising 3 movies and 3 articles), featuring equipment, techniques, inspiration and Photoshop post-production. Start at any time. Learn at your own pace. There are no exams! Replay and re-read as often as you like. And share your comments and ideas with other MasterClass members. To view, read and experience a free sample Landscape Photography MasterClass, please visit our website and follow the links ...
www.betterphotography.com Landscape Photography MasterClass - Contents FINE ART MOVIES
KNOWLEDGE
JOURNEY
ACUMEN
POST-PRODUCTION
1. Monte Fitz Roy, Patagonia 2. Mount Nemrut, Central Turkey 3. Cape Palliser, New Zealand 4. Cappella di Vitaleta, Tuscany, Italy 5. Elephant Island (Iceberg At Sea) 6. Pilbara Storm, Western Australia 7. Steeple Jason, Falkland Islands 8. Nevis Tree, South Island, New Zealand 9. Zabriskie Point, Death Valley, USA 10. Oxer Lookout, Karijini, Western Australia 11. Segovia Castle, Central Spain 12. Great Barrier Reef, Australia 13. Western Macdonnells, Central Australia 14. St Gregory’s, Ani, Eastern Turkey 15. Weano Gorge, Karijini National Park 16. Clinging Tree, Dales Gorge, Karijini 17. Ishak Pasha – The Mosque Behind 18. Stirling Ranges, South Western Australia
1. Which Cameras Are Best for Landscapes? 2. The Best Lenses For Landscapes 3. What Is The Best Aperture To Use? 4. Camera Support For Maximum Clarity 5. Camera Bags - Sensible Approaches 6. Landscape Photography Accessories 7. Colour Temperature & How It Works 8. Correct Exposure And The Histogram 9. Using The Light For Landscapes 10. How To Stitch Panoramas 11. Archival Landscape Prints 12. How To Shoot Aerial Landscapes 13. Composition Part 1: Subject Matter 14. Composition Part 2: Framing & Cropping 15. Composition Park 3: Viewpoint 16. Composition Part 4: Placing The Horizon 17. Composition Part 5: Centre of Interest 18. Composition Part 6: Rule of Thirds
1. Patagonia, South America 2. Favourite Places In Turkey 3. Favourite Places in South West USA 4. Favourite Places In Italy 5. Central Spain for Castles 6. The Pilbara, Western Australia 7. Easter Island, Pacific Ocean 8. Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan 9. Shooting The Pyramids, Egypt 10. Hamilton Island, Australia. 11. Queenstown, New Zealand 12. Ancient Ani, Eastern Turkey 13. Amazing Papua New Guinea 14. Karijini National Park, Western Australia 15. Cruising For Landscape Photographs 16. Reaching Your Destination 17. Scotland & The Isle Of Skye 18. Antarctica & The Southern Islands
1. Potential Markets for Landscape Photos 2. How To Price Your Landscape Prints 3. Creating Landscape Prints For Sale 4. Publishing A Book of Landscapes 5. Publishing A Book How Finances Work 6. Presentation: Why It’s So Important 7. Setting Up Your Own Website 8. Setting Up An Exhibition 9. Shooting For Books & Magazines 10. Limited Edition Print Sales 11. Computer Power - Do You Need More? 12. Landscape Print Sales Paperwork 13. Print Sizes And Paper Surfaces 14. Shooting Landscapes That Sell 15. Getting Photos Published With Words 16. Do You Need A Business Plan? 17. Which Photo Editing Software? 18. Where To Now That You’ve Finished?
1. RAW Conversion Technique 2. Darkening & Lightening With Soft Light 3. Multiple RAW Conversion Technique 4. Luminosity Masking Technique 5. Colour Balance – Getting It Right 6. Local Contrast – Two options in Photoshop 7. Vignetting – How It Can Improve Images 8. Lab Color - Full Control in Photoshop 9. Nik Software - Using Viveza Plug-in 10. Photomerge For Stitching 11. Channels for Hue/Saturation Adjustments 12. Making Selections In Photoshop 13. Sharpening In Photoshop 14. Black & White Conversions 15. Focus Stacking (Helicon Focus) 16. Lightroom Catalogs for Landscapes 17. Big Black & White Punchy Landscapes 18. High Pass Filter For Landscapes With Pop!