MyBook Photobook Kit

I have been looking for a good quality photo book that is inexpensive enough to offer to my retail clients for a few months now, but haven't found anything until now.

MyBook Photobook Kit seems to be the answer. I found them through Unibind. They both offer photo book kits and binding options.

Here is what the MyBook Photobook Kit comes in.
Available in both black & white

Kit Includes:
(1) Black 11 x 8.5 photobook - Holds 1-15 sheets
(2) Clear plastic end sheets
Layout Software

The Unibind PhotoBook

These books appear to be geared toward the professional market and offer many more styles and sizes than the MyBook PhotoBook Kit

Here are some spec on the Unibind Photobooks They range in sizes from 12" x 12" to 4" x 6", PhotoBooks Letter Size are available in 9 different colors:
black linen, white linen, metallic blue, metallic silver, metallic pink, bordo leather, blue leather, black leather, black genuine leather.

All 8.5 x 11 PhotoBooks come standard with a 5 x 3.5 photo window cut centered in the cover.

In the other formats a window cut is optional.
We have several sizes and shapes to choose from: square,rectangular, round and oval in different sizes.

We have a wide selection of materials available and can offer you personalized window cuts, hot foil stamps or printed covers.

The binding system is the key to this book. The website really doesn't give to much more detail except to the demo you can watch.

And again there are no prices so I have written both companies and ask for more information especially prices and hopefully a sample to see the quality.

I like the MyBook Photobook Kit as it allows for very simple production basically you print the pages using there software and then staple the end put the pages in the book and pull the adhesive strips and press the book closed and your done.

The Unibind Binding System requires the purchase of the binder and seems pretty straight forward, you line the pages up in the book and place it in the binder which heats the binding, sealing the book and then you let it cool.

I'll post a follow up on the prices and any other information I get as soon as I hear from them.

NOTE: I was able to find the Unibind Photobook Creator online at Adorama it's $99 there which is the cheapest I found other places like Best Buy & Target had it for $119. It appears to come with 2 to 3 binders and the binding unit.

This is defiantly on my short list of things to get as many of my clients ask for these photo books. What would make it more economical would be to get a very good photo printer. The one I have works fine but it is several years old and I think getting a photo printer with at least 6 colors is a must since I am selling them for quality prices. I could also use it to print out larger prints for matting and framing.

But first I need that new camera. :)

Links to Photography & Camera Site

Here is a list of links I thought everyone would find useful. Thanks to Fotohacker for some the inspiration of this post and for some of the links.

Educational
* Digital Photography School
* Canon Digital Learning Center
* Nikon SLR Learning Center
* Pentax: Taking Better Photos
* Olympus Learning Center
* Sony Learning Center
* Kodak Digital Learning Center
* HP Free Online Classes
* Outdoor Photography Magazine How To
* PC Photo Mag How To
* Fotohacker
* All Day I Dream About Photography
* You Tube Photoshop Lessons
* You Tube Photography

Selling Your Artwork
* Redbubble
* Fotolia

Photo Sharing Sites
* SAOPhoto
* Flickr

Prints, Albums, Gifts and Supplies
* Shutterfly
* Kodak
* PhotoWorks
* Moo Cards
* Photographers Edge
* Snapfish
* WinkFlash
* 400+ Free Photo Prints and Gifts

Photo Contests
* Saophoto
* Photo Challenge
* Your Shot National Geographic

Well these certainly aren't all the links I have but they are the best ones. If anyone knows of a site that should be added please feel free to send me the link and I'll take a look at it.

Win a New Canon or Nikon Camera or Good Old Fashioned Cash!

Just thought I would let you guys know that Outdoor Photography magazine is having a "Winter" Photo contest -
"The timing and theme of this contest is winter, but that doesn’t limit your submissions to snow and ice. Maybe winter for you is a Caribbean sunset, a marsh in Florida, a canyon in the Southwest or a market in Saigon. Whatever your take may be, now is the time to show us your coolest shots!

Winter Contest Prizes Here’s your chance to win one of the following prizes: a Canon EOS 40D camera; Nikon D300 camera; or $1,500 in cash—plus publication of your winning image in Outdoor Photographer magazine!"

Click HERE for more info. Deadline is Jan 20, 2008.

Also PCPhoto is holding a similar contest -
" It's about you and the inspiration in your photos! Here's your chance to win one of the following prizes: a Canon EOS 40D camera, Nikon D300 camera or $1,500 in cash—along with publication of your winning image!"

Deadline for this contest is the 15th of Feb. 2008
Click HERE for more info.

Make sure you read the rules carefully, for instance Outdoor Photography you can enter two photographs but they have to be very different from each other.

I hope everyone enters as it is free, so you have nothing to loose and who knows you might win! I know I could use a new camera! :)

Photo Gallery Now Up

I design websites, although not a huge amount I do consider myself pretty good. But when it comes to doing my own site I am like the mechanic who never has time to fix there own car! LOL
I just wanted simple yet professional looking web gallery and Godaddy, my hosting company offers free photo gallery with domain and hosting purchase. I tried it but it just didn't have the look I wanted not to mention it appears to allow people to purchase your photographs, although you can turn tat feature off.
So I started looking for some templates in hopes of finding a nice yet simple free template.
Eventually I found Web Gallery Wizard. The software is $24.95 and comes with a bunch of pre-installed templates and more you can download from there site.
It has some flashed base templates and they are all very nicely done. So check it out and I would appreciate any feedback on it. Keep in mind I am far from finished I still have more photo's and I have to put up the contact page but I am working on it.
Sam Lamp Photography


I took this photography in the Old First Church Cemetery at sun rise. I sat on the ground there for what seemed like forever taking photographs and waiting for this shot.

16 Unique Ideas for your Next Portrait

Yes, I know it has been a while. But with the holidays quickly approaching I haven't had much time to call my own.
However I have managed to do an interview with "PC World" Magazine and today I am having my picture taken by "Alden Pellet" for the story.
This guy has done a little bit of everything and has been published by some of the top magazines and news papers in the country. So I think it will be a bit intimidating.
So I was looking at some articles about portrait photography and came across this interesting article about some different ideas you can use to get some fantastic shots.
The site is called "Epic Edits". Todays article is 16 Inspirational Portrait Photography Techniques.

When Mr. Pellet asked about my being a photographer I said "just landscape photography" As if landscape photography wasn't "real" or good enough to be considered photography. It was like I was making excuses.
As I thought about it all weekend I soon realized that there are as many specialties in photography as there are in medicine.

realizing that I make money and I do get acclamations about my work. My photographs may not be a published in many magazines and news papers, but I am going to be published in a 4 seasons calendar in 2009! And for a photographer that is just starting out that is an awesome achievement.

So if you ever think your photography isn't good enough to be talked about in the same sentence with "famous" or well know photographers, just remember as long as someone is talking than you are a photographer with a story to tell.

I love landscape photography because I can take my time and frame a shot, and make sure I get the shot I want, where as wedding photography or portrait photography is so much harder. You have to have a real patience I don't have to work with moving subjects. I find it hard to photograph one of my 7 kats! :)alone a child.

Enjoy you holidays and stay safe on the roads!

Sparta Calendars

I have to say I was shocked when I received an email about showcasing one of my photographs in there 2009 "Four Seasons" Calendar. Misty Morning
Well as you know I have never sold my artwork in such a capacity so I had no idea how much to charge, or anything about the copyrights involved.

So I set about to do a bit of research and came across a few sites that were very helpful and useful so I thought I would pass them on to you guys.

Bergman Graphics is where I started.
Bergman lists several sites on how to set a price for your work. And here they are

Cradoc Corporation
www.fotoquote.com
PO Box 1310
Point Roberts, WA 98281
800-679-0202

Now I went to this site and it is a program you pay for you punch in the information and it will give you a price to ask for based upon your answers. Such as, commercial or private sale. Or magazine or brochure, size of picture, length of rights, world or national. Well you get the idea.

Now Photographers index is similar to the fotoquote site but it is free and it is a great place to start.

Seth Resnick offers free stock photography pricing tables.

Editorial Estimator is a bit more complex and has a lot more options. It does appear to be free however and we all know how much I like free. :)

Now you will notice there is nothing in there about calendars and most of the price vary quite a bit from each different source.

Here are some of the prices I came up with. I used Brochure/catalog, full page color, and less than 10000.

Photographers Index
Type of Use:: Advertising
Specific Use:: Brochures / Catalogs
Press Run:: 10,000 or less
Size:: Full page or Major Illustration
Low Price:: $400.00
Average Price:: $600.00
High Price:: $800.00
Survey = 168

I also ran across an article mostly written for writers but has a small piece in there about photographs sold to calendar companies.
SELLING TO THE GREETING CARD AND CALENDAR MARKETS

" Compared to greeting cards, magazines or some of the other specialty markets for photographs the calendar market isn't as big as you might think. The reason? Calendars are very seasonal and they only have one to 13 images each. So even a company that publishes 50 calendars will only need a max of 650 images.

Reality Check:
The competition is fierce because getting your photos published on a calendar is VERY GOOD for the portfolio as well as the ego. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing your photo(s) on a nice big high quality calendar.

Pay Rates:
The fees range from poor to great $50 to $1200 per photo. Some calender companies want an outright purchase of the image and transfer of copyright, while others just want exclusive rights for the year of publication.

If you have been in any of the "all calendar" specialty stores that open up in November/December ... you know that there are calendars on virtually every hobby, and interest you can think of ... cars, locomotives, cats, dogs, flowers. The biggest sellers are scenic's that show the changing seasons. If you have a photo niche, the calendar

market may be interested!

Weeding out the competition. Most calendar companies want to see medium to large format transparencies. If you are shooting digitally you should know what RAW is, and what to do with it ... because the calendar companies want the final image submissions in very high resolution files.

Did you just weed yourself out of the market because of what I just said? All is not lost, because there are some back door markets that still use 35mm transparencies. This could be your entry into the calendar market by paying for your new equipment!!"

I am basically going to let the Calendar company make the first offer. I just basically said I was new to this and had no idea how to proceed and ask them if they have a set of guidelines or a standard "offer", I figure that way we both know what the expectations are and can start negotiations from there.



PhotoSecrets This is also a great resource and it is free.

I'll keep you up to date as I learn more on this.

Books & Calendars

Well I wanted to keep everyone up on what has been going on but as usual there is always so much to do and so little time to do it in.

1st off I received some prints from winkflash.com if you will recall in my last post I told you of a lot of sites that are giving free prints away. Well I can't say they are bad, because they look pretty good. The only thing I can say is the color and the definition is different from shutterfly.com but that is only because I was comparing the too side by side.

There is a definite difference but not one that will prevent me from ordering prints from them again. Especially with there shipping prices so low. You can't beat .99 cents.

Now as i said in a previous post I am also putting together small "mini memory book" They are 5 x 7 soft cover books from Kodak. The shipping was $1.99 and it took 11 business days to get it.

However I am not entirely pleased with it. As you can see it has a window cut out in the cover to see a picture through, now the picture I chose was plenty big enough to fil the spot but it doesn't and only fills it vertically not horizontally. And some of the other photos have similar issues with white borders on some and edge to edge printing on others.

The quality is what you would expect from Kodak the pictures look great. But the presentation in the book looks really bad. And you can't give each page a title just a title for the book. And there is no choice of layout or color of the cover.

All in all though it was $6.99 + shipping making it a total of $8.98 cost, if I sell it for say 13.98 I am only making $4 a book. And a reseller would have to mark it up another 50% to 75% to make a decent profit. So it is unlikely this will be a good choice. Although the idea is great. Just have to keep looking until I find a better solution.

Unfortunately Kodak doesn't offer much in bulk discounts you have to buy over 1000 books to get a discount at all.

420 4 x 6 Prints for FREE!

Yes thats right Free. OK there is one catch you have to pay for shipping. Now I have tried a few and I will be getting more in soon so I will let you know which ones have the best quality and the shipping cost also.
This will save me around $70 for prints. I have been using Shutterfly.com but frankly there shipping is outrages. I love the quality but $10 just to ship one book, and then $13.00 for 260 prints. I placed an order the other day and it cost almost as much in shipping as it did in items.
So I am looking for a cheaper option with the best quality.

* Yorkphoto offers 50 free prints
* Snapfish offers 30 free prints
* AdoramaPix offers 25 free prints
* Kodak EasyShare Gallery offers 20 free prints
* Shutterfly offers 25 free prints
* Winkflash offers 100 free prints via coupon code "VP32WE54" Shipping .99 cents and the quality is outstanding.
* dotPhoto offers 50 free prints
* PhotoWorks offers 25 free prints
* photomax offers 20 free prints
* CVS offers 10 free prints I don't remember the shipping but the quality sucks, the colors were way off and they cropped everything way to much.
* ClarkColor offers 20 free prints
* fotomat offers 15 free prints
* MyPhotoAlbum offers 20 free prints.

I'll keep you posted

How Do You Know When Do You Become A Professional Photographer?

Is it by going to photography school for years? Checking out all the local art galleries in hopes of finding your photographic artwork displayed? Owning expensive photography equipment that most people wouldn't buy? Or maybe it is simply buying business cards with your "Name and Profession" on it.
Could it be selling one or two photographs online? Or just having fellow photographers tell you how great your work is. Maybe being offered a job on commission.

Whatever we think of our abilities to take amazing or even critically acclaimed photographic art work, it really is subjective just as being called a professional is.

No I didn't study for years, nor do I own expensive equipment. And I haven't seen my name up in lights or at any galleries.

But I can say this I feel like a Professional Photographer. The reason you ask well mostly a state of mind. And mostly because suddenly in the midst of my extremely boring week I stopped in to a shop locally and asked about putting my work on consignment, They said yes!

That in itself set me on a quest to see who else liked my work. Well it turns out lots of people like my work and are amazed I don't have a studio. No I still don't have a studio.

What I do have is a new found exuberance and drive to get my work shown and sold. I have managed to secure some financial backing from my family and I even have buyers lined up for my artwork.

Not just greeting cards, but note cards, prints, books, and well a few other things I have ideas for.

So I guess to answer the question, being a professional photographer is being able to sell your work on a regular basis, and to be able to support the business, and yourself some day soon.
So YES I am a Professional Photographer and I am proud of it! And excited and a bit scared. But I finally made it to a place that I am comfortable at, and I also know there is still so very much to learn.

And yes I plan on sharing all my ups and downs and a few sideways trips along the way.

Autumn Colors of Vermont

These are just a few of the pictures I took yesterday in Old Bennington. As you can see peak season is here and the colors this year have been exceptional! And even better is they have lasted for weeks as opposed to last year when the colors only lasted a few days. And the colors where more muted and less vibrant.

I have so much more I want o share with everyone as I have had such great feedback about my art work and selling them. But I am afraid it will have to wait just a few more days until I get it finalized. Lets just say that things are going fantastically in that area and greeting cards do pay off! :)

Famous Ghoshtly Images on Film

In honor of the Halloween spirit (sorry I couldn't resist) I found this slide show of famous ghostly pictures caught on film.
I did try to embed it in the post but it didn't work. So here is the link. And please take a second and read about each picture it really is interesting.
Ghostly Images

Wow! What a Day!

It all started innocently enough with a very early morning photography expedition. I went to one of my favorites spots over looking the Pownal valley in hopes of getting some great sun rise shots on the quickly turning all foliage.
I haven't even had a chance to check out my work from this morning as I have been so busy. Busy? You ask yes very. It seems I have managed to jump start my photography career in about two hours time!
You see on the way home there is a touristy shop called the "Apple Barn" It was open and I got to thinking since I worked there years ago I might see if the owner would be interested in having my photographs, mainly my greeting cards on consignment.
So I stopped in totally unprepared but really I just figured on making an appointment and coming back later on.
It seems a lady owns the place now and she was very keen on seeing my work. They have a small area setup for artist to sell there work and it's not for profit 80% to the artist and 20% to hospice.
She said she was leaving early today and I could bring them in before she left or come back any time.
Well I only live about 5 minutes from there, so I ran home printed a bunch of labels. I bought some clear labels to put my info on the back on the cards. You see the cards are embossed so I can't print on them.
Anyway the owner told me she loved my work and said to leave her a selection and she would set them up in the shop. She also loved the photographs I did on slate.
Well while I was out I decided I would stop at a few other places on Main street.
Well to make a long story short I sold 12 cards outright at $2.75 a piece. So I made $33.00 today in cash and I have two places in town that will be taking my cards on consignment. I also have an appointment with a lady at a gift shop here in town on Thursday and I have a call back for another shop as well.

The owner at the shop where I sold my cards is recommending me to her friend as a wedding photographer! Yikes! Never did that one before, so I don't know how that will work out.

And it has been suggested that my work be matted and framed and shown at a local gallery.

The funny thing i these are all last years photographs I am working with, this years photographs will be added for next tourist season. So I have a lot of work to do to get ready for spring!

So I guess I got what I wanted selling my work and it is sure going to be an adventure too! I can't wait, although I am a bit nervous but I think it will work out.

Coming up with the money for all the greeting cards, prints, mats, frames and everything will take some doing but I figure I got time on my side.

I'll post a few of my shots from this morning as soon as I get them done.

HP Free Online Classes Revisited

Bennington Monument in the Fall

For those of you who read the last article I wrote about HP Free Online Classes. This free service has forever made me a fan of there products, not to mention the laptop I have! :)
Anyway getting back on the subject, HP Free Online Courses they have now add 4 new classes for us photography geeks.

1. Improve and share your photos with HP Photosmart Essential 2.5
Learn how to transfer, organize, improve, and share your photos with the latest version of HP's free Photosmart Essential software.
Go
2. Touch up digital photos with Adobe Photoshop Elements
Find out for yourself how easy it is to resize, repair, and enhance your digital photos with Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0.
3. Beyond auto mode: understand and use your camera's settings
Find out how to get the great photos you want by exploring all the settings, modes, and controls included in your digital camera.
4. Creative holiday gifts from photos
Whether you've got half an hour or half a day to spare, learn how to transform your photos into creative gifts for everyone on your holiday list.

I personally am going to take the first two. I figure you can never have to many courses on touching up photographs. And secondly you never know what one thing will make any class worth while. And hey it is free after all so check it out.

PS. It is good to be back.:)

100 Things I discovered about photography.

This is such a great article with lots of common sense stuff in it that it is certainly worth the read.
100 Things I Discovered About Photography

Also you for those landscape photographers here is a great article about shooting light and not the landscape. I found it rather interesting with some great ideas.
Photograph the Light not the Land

Bother articles courtesy of Digital Photography School

Also while I am at it there is a wonderful article on the legalities of Photography Today.
Legal Expert Carolyn Wright and Ten Common Misconceptions of the Law for Photographers

This is a great read for anyone who is in to photography. It really helps answer so of the unknown what if questions about photographers rights. Very helpful in deed.

And on a final note 60 Second to Improve Your Photography Skills
Some nice fresh ideas and a few common sense ones for beginners.

I hope these articles answer some of the more burning questions.

Coming Back

Hey everyone!
Yes it is me, I know I have been away from the blog to much and for too long. The reasons are simple. Back in the spring I fell down a ravine and it started a snowball effect of some health issues that I was unaware of for a while. So I have been dealing with the recovery of my injuries from the fall along with being diagnosed with diabetes .
What a life style change. After taking several months to get my health in order I have been able to continue my love of photography. Although I am still not a 100% I am feeling a bit better than I have in a long time.
So I wanted to thank all of my well wishers and concerned friends and family that have followed my photography and my illnesses.
So please check back often as I am trying to get back to th pace I enjoyed before. And autumn seems to be the best time to get back into it more.
So please be patient and I promise to show you some wonderful things that have been in progress.
Thanks again everyone!

Albany New York PhotoTrip

OK it really wasn't a photo trip it was more a trip to Albany Medical Center for a Test and I had for hours to kill while Deb slept, lucky her. :) Don't worry her test came out great, and she is going to be fine. Me on the other hand thought walking a few blocks to Washington Park was no big deal and I think it just about killed me! I don't do a ton of walking because of my disabilities so it was a bit more than my legs and back where used to. And to top it off it was like 85 out and a bit humid! Well I did manage to get a few pictures I liked.

Patriotic

Brown Stones

I thought these came out really well.
A few days before I went out and came a across a field of Blackeyed Susan's.
And got these shots.

So Close

Twins

Blackeyed Susan's

I shot the Blackeyed Susan's and then played with them a bit in Photoshop, using the Orton technique. It really makes a slightly out of focus picture look so much better. And that day the wind was blowing and I was having a hell of a time seeing through he lens, one because of the sun, and two because it was so much lower than I can physically get to.
I am seriously thinking of getting the Olympus Evolt 510, I think because the anti shake feature is built into the camera and not the lens it might be a better camera for me. But will save that for another article.

Batch Processing Resizing Photographs

I found this neat little free utility put out by Microsoft it's called Microsoft Photo Resizer. Now this is only available for Winxp. But it works like a dream. You highlight multiple pictures (hold down the ctrl key while clicking on each photo you want to resize) then right click and click the photo resizer. Check it out it is a huge time saver if you want to email or post a bunch of pictures. And it is easy and quick. Can't beat that.

Ten Things You Should Know About Digital Cameras

Here is a great list for people who are considering buying there first digital camera.
Digital Cameras: The Top 10 Things You Need to Know

Although I already have a digital camera, I think it answers a lot of basic questions and gives some great suggestions for the beginner. I plan on pointing all my friends who are interested in photography here first just to get them started.

There you'll also find an interesting article on Camera Buying Pitfalls

Ten Most Common Photographic Mistakes

This is a great article on photographic mistakes. Andre Gunther put together a list of mistakes I know I am guilty of a few of these. Ten Most Common Photographic Mistakes
Very informative, and some great pictures too. A definite read for any amateur photographer.

Free Wallpaper For Your Computer

Well I have been a little busy with designing a website for a client and I have been trying something new. WordPress it's pretty cool and you really have thousands of themes to choose from and then you can even customize it even further.
So I was looking to ad a header photo and decided on using one of my favorite ones.

The Road Home

I liked it but I need something a bit softer and dreamer. So I "Ortonized" it.

The Road Home "Ortonized"

Cool huh! You can check out the final results for the header Here I think it turned out well. Keep in mind the page is only just been started so there isn't much there but the colors and the layout.

Now about the free wallpaper I thought I would offer the "ortonized" version as a free wallpaper to anyone who would like it. It looks fantastic on my 17" monitor. So if you would like a copy just leave a comment or drop me an email and I will send it to you.