An Online Only World?

I've been reading about the closing of Calumet Camera stores here in the US.

On one level, I'm not surprised. On another, I'm worried. I'm concerned that speciality stores, whether they feature cameras or candles, are struggling to adapt to our changing economy. Don't get me wrong, I'm fine with online - just not online only.

That's one of the reasons that my workshops are so important to me. They're my brick-and-mortar store where people can interact with one other, face to face. Physical experiences are important.

This approach is harder. It's more expensive and requires more energy. We all put a lot into each workshop, both facilitators and attendees. And at the same time, there's nothing in the world like it. 

Part of Calumet's problem appeared to have been keeping stock on hand. A photographer who walks into a store wants to hold the gear. Placing a "special order" isn't going to cut it. He can do that himself. It's called B&H or Amazon.

For the same reason, I don't show movies at workshops. People don't want a video on how to photograph a model. They want to take her picture.

If we're going to preserve the physical retail world, then we need to offer an experience that you can't get online. If you come to my workshop, I'm going to take you to lunch and discuss photography. Web site training can't give you that.

I feel bad for the retailers who are fading away. But I'm also disappointed in many of them. Put some energy and creativity into the experience. Make it real. 

Believe me, I'm not the only who doesn't want an online-only world.

-Derrick

Old Tech

Yesterday, I published an article about dusting off my original iPad and putting it to work as a digital picture frame.

It's positioned at the bottom of the studio stairwell, on the wall next to my iHome speaker system. Since publishing the article, I've also used the iPad as an attractive weather station and music server for the iHome.

Why didn't I think of this before?

I'm laughing at myself. This device has been in my home closet, doing nothing, for two years. Every now and then, I'd have to move it out of the way to get to something else. Finally, about a week ago, I said to myself:

"This is enough."

Either I find a use for the iPad, or I sell it to someone who can.

That sums up my general feeling about old tech, and that includes cameras. The thing is, I hate waste. I don't want to be remembered as the generation that fed landfills to over capacity leaving the problem for my children.

As a result, I sell a lot of gear. And it usually goes to someone on a tight budget for a good price. What I keep, I want to use.

And when I figure out a clever approach for an aging piece of gear, I get that same elated feeling as I do when I strike a great deal of find a bargain.

In the last month, I've pushed in to service an old slide projector and first generation iPad. My iPhone 3G is now a portable music and podcast player for the car. What will April bring?

I need to go dig around in the closet.

-Derrick

It's Not Just an Hour

We can't help but to take time for granted.

Then something happens. 

This week that something was "spring forward" for Daylight Savings. It's a fun little exercise that we engage in each Spring and Fall here in the U.S. In March we set our clocks forward one hour, and when Fall comes, we turn 'em back. 

One hour. 

And yet it creates subtle havoc in my life. I feel like I've lost half of my Sunday, my only day off. And even though I pretend to take it in stride, I find Daylight Savings annoying. Nature will make the days longer on her own. We really don't need to intervene. 

Then I realize that Daylight Savings is also a wake up call.  

I don't like losing an hour in the Spring. But how many do I piss away every month? Time is a gift. And if you're lucky enough to have health too, there really isn't anything you can't do. 

This is the way I make myself view Daylight Savings. It's my semi-annual reminder about the value of time. 

It's also a good time to relearn how to set the microwave clock.

-Derrick

Ah, the Internet

A chunk of the photography world was all a flutter this week over reports of light leaks in the new Sony a7 and a7r mirrorless cameras.

As it turns out, it seems to be much ado about nothing. And if you do need to make a 30-second exposure at ISO 25,600, you can solve the problem by stretching a hair band around the lens flange. Oh, and by the way, if you subject flagship Nikons and Cannons to high beam flashlights at the same settings, you get light leaks there too. 

What the Internet makes up for in speed, it lacks in perspective. 

Clicks are the name of the game. And if you've got a scoop, run with it. You can always apologize later if you got a few details wrong. Maybe.

With my social media clients, I often use the terms "organic" vs "paid" clicks. If you have an organic audience, they usually frequent the site regularly, participate in the conversation, and will support the site's efforts financially.  

Paid clicks, through blanket advertising of engaging in link bait posts, fly in, then step out. Their footprints may remain, such as a hollow Facebook Likes, but they're not really there.

We all love to report great numbers to clients and advertisers. But those numbers should really represent people, not ghosts.

So this brings me back to light leaks and the Sony camera. Much of what we read on the Web is published in the pursuit of numbers. And the collateral damage may be people and brands.  

[Pause and gaze upward for a moment of contemplation.] This reminds me of what my high school woodshop teach used to preach. 

Measure twice and cut once. 

-Derrick

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