The Selfie Seen Round the World

Like many of our own best photos, Ellen DeGeneres had an idea of what she wanted to accomplish before the lights went up on the 2014 Oscars event. 

During a rehearsal, Ellen commented, "I think if I just say I'm trying to break the record of most retweeted picture, I really hope that everyone jumps in this picture," she said. "I keep thinking, I mean, that would be amazing if everyone really gets in." (source ABC News)

Ellen did a great job of putting the ball in play on live television. She didn't know exactly how many people would jump in, how the photo would turn out, or even that Bradley Cooper would take the Samsung camera from Ellen's hands and possibly become the technical copyright owner of the image.

Ellen's approach to the selfie seen round the world is a good one for our own events. Brainstorm the possibilities beforehand, get your tools together and know how to work them, put the ball in play, then let it unfold naturally.

Over 3 million people have shared that famous Oscar night image. It's a great shot.

If you didn't see it unfold live, or haven't seen a video of the famous selfie yet, I think it's worth watching.

Because in addition to everything else she did well that night, Ellen DeGeneres also provided a noteworthy tutorial for event photographers.

-Derrick

The Evolving Podcast

One of the topics during lunch Saturday with the workshop crew centered around how I assemble the TDS podcast.

If you're a regular listener, you know it's changed dramatically over the years. In the early days, I would settle upon a topic, then yammer into a mic for 30 minutes or so. In those times, podcasts were more casual. It was our version of the "early days."

As the NPR broadcasts (and those like it) grew in popularity, the medium evolved. The episodes had real structure, sponsors, and talent. Yammering was out. Segments were in.

The TDS show today has seven distinct parts: the billboard, personal introduction, Weekly Update, feature story, Screening Room, Nimbleosity Report, and Virtual Camera Club News. That's a far cry from my cobbled-together monologues.

I write the show before I record. That serves as a loose script for the discussion and is also published as the Show Notes on The Digital Story.

Originally, I spent 15-30 minutes working on the notes. Yesterday (Mondays are recording days for the show), I invested a bit over 3 hours for research and writing. Added another hour for recording, then 90 minutes for editing out any ridiculous gaffes -- there goes the first day of the work week. And that's before production and posting.

In truth, I like the current episodes much better than the original shows. I've evolved along with the medium. And I think the future is bright for podcasting.

We've come a long ways from jamming a microphone into an iPod and hitting record. I love listening to podcasts by others these days.

I like creating mine even more.

-Derrick

After It's Over

I have my first day off in two weeks.

Last night we wrapped up the Fine Art Workshop at my studio in Santa Rosa. It's been a consuming and rewarding few days.

As you can imagine, it's a lot of work conceiving, organizing, and leading a workshop. Even though I start planning months ahead of time, the few days leading up to the event are always the busiest. 

One of the big questions for the Fine Art event was weather. I had outdoor shoots planned on both Friday and Saturday. The forecast was rain for both days. Fortunately the precipitation was light for Friday, and we dodged it all together on Saturday.

I'm really happy about that because the group shot wonderfully both days. And I can't imagine  those beautiful images not being created.

Once the last participant left on Saturday night, it was just me and the cat at the studio. It seemed so quiet. I was spent. In part because workshops are demanding, but also because I was coming off a week long live-action filming with the crew at lynda.com right before the workshop.

After it's finally over, the adrenaline dissipates. I'll clean up the studio tomorrow. I have enough energy to drive home, have some dinner, and get some sleep.

It's not the easiest way to make a living. But I love it.

-Derrick

Working with Kids

I've always had good luck with kids.

Some might argue that I never really grew up myself. That could be part of it. And I've been thinking more about this over the last few days while photographing teens.

I find it interesting that we, for some reason, often separate working with children as something different than our daily interactions with those our own age. But really, my approach is basically the same. Here are a few of the keys to working with kids.

- Ask intelligent questions. If you want a reasonable response, talk straight. You wouldn't think twice about asking an adult how their day is going. Why would it be any different with a teen?

- Watch body language. If you're not hitting the mark, you can read it in their reactions. Try something else.

- Find a common ground. For boys it's often sports. For girls it may be what they're wearing. But it can be the other way around too.

- Don't talk too much. I think kids think adults go on and on about stuff. They're probably right.

And most importantly, show respect for them as a person.

I don't like all kids. I don't like all adults either. But when I approach people openly, I more often like them than not.

I find all of this helpful when it's time to photograph a teen.

But come to think of it... it works with just about anyone.

-Derrick

Day in the Park

We'll be filming outside today in Julliard Park, Santa Rosa, CA.

Based on the yearbooks I've been looking at, many high school students prefer an outdoor setting for their senior portraits. And today's segments will be on how to get great shots outside with minimum fuss.

Personally, I like to work with just reflectors and diffusers, avoiding flash if possible. But you need extra hands to manage those reflectors, so you have to be prepared for flash if necessary. That's why I'll talk about both approaches.

I'm really enjoying working with teenagers on this project. I knew it would be a bit of a wildcard, but so far the decision has really paid off. 

It's one thing to have me talking in front of the camera. It's another to have these spontaneous interactions with students. We're not really sure what's going to happen. We roll the cameras and roll the dice at the same time.

So far... we're cashing in.

-Derrick