Mobile Backup Round 2

With the demise of Everpix, I had to find a new cloud backup service for the images that run through my iPhone and iPad.

You'll notice that I write "run through" instead of "captured with." That's because even though I take a lot of pictures with my iPhone, I push many more through my mobile devices on their way to Instagram, Facebook, Flickr, and Twitter.

I need a system that captures and makes available all of that content. To be honest, those images are the best representation of my daily life.

I have a good straight backup plan now. (half of the backup/share equation) Every picture from my mobile devices goes into Photo Stream, which is then automatically archived by iPhoto.  That library of Jpegs is now up to 36 GBs. Amazing isn't it?

The reason why I need to augment that system is because Photo Stream only holds 1,000 photos. And I can't "see into" my iPhoto library when I'm away from the computer... which is a lot.

So I need a place in the cloud that holds more content, and is viewable on any device that I use from any location. That was the role of Everpix. It's now the role of Loom.

Loom has many of the key functions that I liked about Everpix, except for the daily flashback email. (I really miss those!) So far my testing has gone well.

Loom has a good interface for the Mac, and the iOS apps function well too. I like the ability to organize into Albums. Over time, this makes finding specific photos easier.

I've started out 2014 using Loom as my cloud storage for my mobile images. So far, so good.

-Derrick

Inspirational Slogan Goes Here

I saw a shirt in the Nike store that read: "Inspirational Slogan Goes Here."

How cool is that? Especially coming from the folks who created one of my favorite campaigns, Just Do It. I like that approach.

I used to spend far more time courting customers than I do now. The process, then, seemed backwards to me. I'd say what I thought I could accomplish, and they would respond with some sort of opinion. Maybe if things sounded just right, they'd hire me. But usually not.

These days, I follow my interests. If there's a product or brand that appeals to me, I learn more about it. I might publish an article or include them as a topic on the podcast. I rarely approach them beforehand. I don't ask for support or permission. I just do it.

Then one morning, I'll open my email, and there might be a note from one of these entities inquiring about collaboration. It happens all the time. Lowepro contacted me through Facebook. Apple asked for a meeting after I returned from Iceland. c't Digital Photography sent me an email. Olympus invited me to shoot at the US Open Tennis event.

In each case, we got to know each other for a bit. Then we figured out how to work together.

Social media allows for this type of business practice. Word gets around, especially if it's informative and positive.

Following my passion supplies the necessary energy.

I'm in my 50s, and I feel like I'm just getting started. Why? Because I don't waste my time trying to talk people into things. I just do what I think is right. And somehow, it all works out.

-Derrick

This Could Change Our World

I didn't think much about 3D printing when I first saw it.

I thought it was interesting, but didn't grasp the impact it's going to have. At CES, there were models selling for around $500, with very professional units just around 2 grand. I saw sculptures, representations of people, and just about anything else you could think of.

But the light didn't really go on until I returned home and read about the Lux DIY medium format camera designed by Kevin Kadooka. What Kevin has done is create a lovely, functional film camera, with its components output by a 3D printer (sans electronics and the lens). 

Kevin is making the plans available to anyone who wants them, so you can build your own Lux with the electronics and 3D files openly available.

Think about this for a minute. It's print on demand for objects. You could design anything, produce the 3D printing files, share them or sell them, and then others could create those objects at home.

I'm not sure how this is going to play out. But I think the boundaries are still beyond my view. And I'm sure that 3D printing is going to change a number of things in our world.

-Derrick

It's Still Work if You Don't Get Paid

A difficult situation that independents, such as myself, are faced with constantly is the opportunity to work for free.

The scenario is goes something like this: "We'd like you to [speak, write, review, promote] for our [web site, talk show, keynote]. In return for your efforts, we'll provide exposure for you."

Sometimes I do this. I have friends in the business who I support. For example, we're not paid to guest host on This Week in Photo, but I like Frederick Van Johnson, and I believe he respects me. And over the years, he's tried to promote me the best he can. So in that case, it's entrepreneur helping entrepreneur.

But big businesses are a different matter. They sometimes approach me because I have built a platform and a reputation, and they believe that might help them sell their product. The good ones will put their products in my hands. The cheap ones want me to promote them with nothing in return.

Wait, check that. They will provide me with exposure. Well, I have exposure already. That's why they want me.

The thing is, free work is still work. Whether I get paid or not, I still have to prepare, articulate, and spend the time to participate. Because the reality is, I always have my reputation to protect, regardless of the financial arrangement.

In the end, it comes down to respect, doesn't it? I very much appreciate those businesses that respect my work. I will do a lot for them. Because that's the attitude I want to promote as we all try to move forward.

-Derrick

The Scale

I came home from Las Vegas with a food hangover.

Seriously. I know this sounds weird, but I'm fairly certain about this. I felt like I weighed 300 pounds.

I ate things that I normally avoid. Lots of things. In part, I did this because there were limited options available. Or maybe it was just because I figured that food indulgence was the lesser of evils in Sin City.

Either way, I was reluctant to step on to the scale this morning. And my fear was well-founded. I'm up 4 pounds.

I can't blame all of this on Vegas. The CES event follows the holidays, and I had more than my share of sweets and libation. But that Southwest burger that I had at the airport, with fries, certainly didn't help my cause.

So even though my camera gear is nimble, my Nikes not so much. I have until mid-February to lose 7 pounds. That will get me to my "on-camera" weight for my next lynda.com title on shooting senior portraits.

Fortunately, I don't have any travel scheduled between now and then. And I do have a dieting companion.

Dibs went to the vet this morning for an upper respiratory infection. She tipped the scale at 12 pounds, about a pound and a half too heavy for her. So we're going to slim down together. She doesn't know this yet. 

Yeah... it's going to be a fun couple of weeks around the studio.

-Derrick