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Key words in this issue: PhotoSourceBOOK 2003 | Yellow Pages | Switch-Hitting | Flip Album | Signature File | Permissions | IPhoto | Stock Photo |

NEWSWORDS: Police Photos | Genius Grants | Kodak Earnings | Leonard Nimoy Photobook | On the Road Original | Imaging Resource | Children Photographing | Olympus Digital Camera | On-Line Video |

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## PhotoAIM weekly newsletter for 09/28/02 ## 384d

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PhotoAIM, the weekly newsletter from PhotoSource

ISSN 1530-0511

If you no longer wish to receive PhotoAIM, see the instructions at the end of this newsletter.

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OUT OF THE YELLOW PAGES AND INTO THE CHECK BOOK

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Ever look at the category, "Photographers" in the Yellow Pages of your local telephone directory? A lot of competition, isn't there? What makes the difference then, between a "successful" photographer, and a mediocre photographer? Talent is certainly necessary, so is energy, action, and desire. If we can assume that every photographer listed in the Yellow Pages possesses all these attributes -- doesn't this even out their chances for "success?" Yes, it does. What, then, can make the difference? At the risk of sounding simplistic, the answer lies in how well you promote yourself.

Without promotion, you leave yourself to the mercy of chance. Sure, a few photographers are going to "make it" by sheer luck -- the old "at the right place at the right time" to get launched with the right clients. But the majority of photographers we have seen who are successful have become that way because they figured out effective ways to promote themselves and their photography.

Here's a simple way to promote yourself, and it doesn't cost you anything: You probably enjoy talking about what interests you most -- your particular aspects and approaches to photography. Put that to effective use in getting yourself exposure and visibility. Become a speaker.

In the same Yellow Pages that lists photographers, you'll find a listing of organizations, clubs, and associations. Each is always on the look-out for a program speaker. Let the "program chairman" know that you are available. In most cases they'll be happy to book you.

How do you get started? What should you speak about? As a photographer, you have a wealth of subject material available to you -- since 90% of your audience fashions himself or herself as a photographer, too. Your topics will revolve around what your main interests and experiences are, plus what you discern would be of interest and appropriate to your various audiences.

THE "HOW-TO" APPROACH

Basically you can build your "speech" around a How-To subject. Example: "How to Take Pictures of Your Family," "How to Take Indoor Pictures," "How to Take Nature Pictures," "How to Take Exciting Vacation Pictures." Give your speech title this test: Does my speech apply to my listeners? In other words, "Am I speaking about something that applies directly to them?"

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This week's featured photographer on PhotoSourceFolio: Stock Line Stock Photography Group:

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Free Autographed copy of the new Sell and Re-Sell Your Photos! For those of you that are signing up for our annual Photographer directory, PhotoSourceBOOK 2003, there's now the opportunity for getting a FREE autographed copy of the brand new revised and updated best seller Sell and Re-Sell Your Photos by Rohn Engh. It'll be off the presses in late November.

PS: If you’ve already signed up, let us know and we’ll send the new book when it comes off the presses in late November, 2002. September 30<sup>th</sup> is the deadline for this offer. --RE

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ADS WE’VE READ

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Video Photo Memories Unlimited

info@vpmu.com

THE WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER

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Switch-hitting

Several columns ago we talked about the benefits of being a switch-hitter — someone who takes the pictures and writes the article. It means you can tailor your own unique photos to your words — something that always pleases editors. You don’t have to rely on often inadequate shots supplied by tourism bureaus. And best of all, by supplying photos and words, you can often double the money you make.

But being a switch-hitter requires some extra planning. If you’re on a tightly scheduled fam tour (and most are because your host always wants you to see everything), you may need to get up before the rest of the group to catch early morning shots. Or shoot through evening dinners because you got the story earlier, but you didn’t get the photos.

You may need to part company from the rest of the group to get your shots or schedule extra talking time with your host because you missed some information she was giving when you ducked off to photograph the parade as it passed.

And since you’ll need to travel with camera and computer, you’ll want to figure out the lightest way to haul heavy tools.

Switch-hitting is more work, but when the editor gushes over your package of words and photos, and, later, when you get your check in the mail, it will be worth it.

BUSINESS NOTEPAD

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FLIP ALBUM is a method of displaying your portfolio via computer. The images turn on the screen in notebook fashion. The viewer needs only to install the (free) "viewer" which is now available on all Yahoo! Photos, English language sites. Log on to http://photos.yahoo.com or to http://www.flipviewer.com for a free copy of FlipViewer.

SIDEBAR

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Permissions

Do you need permission to photograph in public situations?

For an editional stock photographer, the answer is yes and no. No for the majority of circumstances, if your photos are not to be used for advertising or promotion, and will be used for educating, informing or entertaining the public.

However, sometimes, for most stock photographers, the need to ask someone for permission to photograph arises. I'm talking about situations where you want to photograph the interior of a store, a pharmacist dispensing pills, a shopping mall, kids in a classroom, and so on.

It can be to your benefit to seek out the source of permission. As an editorial photographer, you probably specialize. By following the proper channels and working under the guidelines of the property owner, or person in charge of an area, you assure yourself the authorization to return for more photographing of this specialized subject matter at future times.

There will be circumstances, of course, when you’re unable to find or contact the person who would give permission. If you do proceed with your photographing, without the permission, a courteous file photo or tear sheet sent to the property owner or person in authority later will often assure an invitation to photograph again.

THE RIGHT WAY

So, when the moment arises and you need to ask someone for permission to photograph, how should you do it?

Stock photographers have two ways to go about obtaining permission to photograph. One way is right and one way is wrong. Citing your First Amendment Rights, you can try to demand permission to photograph. This seldom ends with success, and certainly no cooperation or invitations for return visits.

The other way is to ask nicely. Be polite, explain why you would like to photograph inside the store, school, shopping mall, etc.

GOOD STUFF

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PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY, Techniques for Lighting, Shooting and Image Editing, by Dave Montizambert. This book includes a thorough review of types of digital cameras and their advantages for professionals; tips for supplying your images to clients; ideas for artistic digital imaging; how to preview images accurately on your monitor; how to use a digital densitometer; techniques for removing color casts; digital light painting; and much more. ($29.95; 120 full-color photos; 128 pages; ISBN: 1-58428-081-6) Contact: Amherst Media, 155 Rano St, Ste 300, Buffalo NY 14207. Phone: 1 800 622-3278. Fax: 1 800 622-3298.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

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Committee--a group of men who individually can do nothing but as a group decide that nothing can be done.

–Fred Allen

FREE THIS WEEK

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FREE SCREENSAVER AND ANIMATED WALLPAPER

Freeware "desktop enhancer" that transforms your static Windows background into animated, swirling patterns that resemble a hurricane or tornado. You can also run it as a unique, eye-catching screen saver.

THIS WEEK'S WEB FEATURE

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Got a question about legal issues for photographers? Click here

Watch for developments in the field of stock photography in PhotoAIM's

PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE NEWS

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You'll be the first to know…

Note: If the URL is long, it may extend to two lines. In that case - clicking on it won't work. Instead, "copy and paste" the URL.

City officials defend the police practice of snapping photos of citizens as a legal and effective part of fighting drug dealing and street crime. Critics say it violates the constitutional rights of innocent people.

The MacArthur Foundation unveiled on Tuesday the 24 recipients of its $500,000 "genius" grants, which annually surprise scholars, artists and activists with a no-strings-attached cash gift.

Photography giant Eastman Kodak Co. on Wednesday affirmed its earnings forecasts for the second half of 2002, citing benefits from cost cuts and other productivity improvements.

A shutterbug since his teens, Nimoy has produced his first book of photographs, titled: "Shekhina: Photographs by Leonard Nimoy."

The original draft of Jack Kerouac's novel "On the Road" will be displayed with a traveling exhibit of '50s photography at the Skidmore College gallery this fall.

The IMAGING RESOURCE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHYNEWSLETTER.

Kids get to focus on photography, responsibility - "Can I take your picture, please?" 10 year old Jessica Lawrence asks. The woman looks from side to side, and smiles in faint embarrassment. A week later the two dozen photographs she took that day are spread on a table along with those of her classmates.

Olympus Announces The C-5050 Zoom Digital Camera for Advanced Photographers

Print with inkjets - Today, you can get a personal inkjet that creates beautiful color documents and offers nearly laser-quality prints at a fraction of the cost. But why stop there?

Online Video Seen as the Next Big Thing for Agencies - Fifty-eight percent of Internet-active ad and PR agencies see streaming video as the most important Internet change in the next two years.

Vietnam Vet's Photos Depict Peace - Clifford, who served in Da Nang as a first lieutenant in 1971, came home after he was discharged to study photography and filmmaking. In 1985, what he considered a "huge career opportunity" to return became a chance to capture the culture, beauty and people of a Vietnam he never met - a Vietnam at peace.

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384d

Next Week: Freelance Benefits

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- Henry Westheim, Photographer, Taichung, Taiwan