96) Real Connections
August 26, 2010
Tips on how to connect with people in a genuine manner.
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95) Giving Subconscious a Time To React
August 1, 2010
Good photos get gut reactions and knowing how to get them takes an expert.
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94) Bag-aholic—No Longer Anonymous
July 1, 2010
Confessions of a Bag-aholic.
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93) The catch 22 scenario of flash photography
June 1, 2010
How do you balance your flash with the background when it isn't so bright outside.
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92) Shoot for variety, get more than one shot.
May 17, 2010
Telling a story often takes more than one photo and type of photo.
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91) Get out of your seat.
April 20, 2010
When you take photos at your kids games
these are tips to improve your photos.
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90) Stop Selling Nails.
April 1, 2010
Are you selling a commodity or a service?
Read more ...
89) It's not all about me, but it all depends on me.
March 18, 2010
How to grow your business..
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88) Give yourself an assignment -- you will be glad you did
February 22, 2010
On your next trip there are a few things you can do to improve your pictures.
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87) Finding and keeping clients
February 1, 2010
Where do you find clients and then what do you say?
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86) Effective Visual Presentations for NGOs
January 16, 2010
How can non-profits using photography more effectively?
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85) Tips On Hiring A Photographer
January 1, 2010
Want to know how to get the most for your money out of a photographer?
Read more ...
84) Digital Photography -- A Real Stimulus Package
December 14, 2009
How digital photography can change your photography.
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83) Learning From The Masters
December 1, 2009
What is personal style all about?
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82) Three Useful Doohickeys
November 1, 2009
Here are three gizmos that can make your life easier if you shoot photos for publications.
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81) 300 ppi
October 13, 2009
"The magazine that is going to publish my pictures says the images must be at least 300 ppi. How do I change the resolution to 300 ppi?"
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80) Come Along
October 7, 2009
I guess you just had to be there—is something we say when we fall short of capturing the story in words alone.
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79) Collaboration
October 2009
The difference between two parties who compromise or collaborate is huge.
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78) The Ten-Thousand Rule
September 2009
It's not about talent that determines one success in the arts as much as the Ten-Thousand Rule
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77) Public Speaking for Communicators: How do people learn?
September 2009
Teachers are graded on how well their students do, not on what they know. So to are speakers graded. What will the audience remember from your talk?
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76) Informative or Just Eye Candy?
August 2009
Many professional communicators see the visual as a “hook” for the written story. Using visuals as “eye candy” can make the reader stop and, at least, start to read the article.
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75) Do Your Photos Provide Context For Your Subject?
July 2009
Just because it is a photo, doesn't mean it is worth 10,000 words. Many photos have impact and can get your attention, but they could do even more.
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74) Social Networking
June 2009
Social Networking is big due to a few things happening around the same time.
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73) My Investment Advice
May 2009
Photographers need to invest wisely and I have a thought about it.
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72) What about the audience
April 2009
As professional communicators we usually determined who our audience is, but have we considered how the how they learn.
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71) Teaching is a great way to learn
March 2009
I am reminded each time I teach that this is a great way to get better at this craft.
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70) The Psychology of the Telephoto Lens
February 2009
“What I need is a telephoto lens.” We’ve all said this. The professional photographer reaches for the lens for many reasons.
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69) The Psychology of the Wide-Angle Lens
January 2009
Some folks choose a telephoto lens to see how close a subject can appear to be - to say a bear, for instance. These same people doubtlessly chose a wide-angle lens so they can get-it-all-in the picture, usually a landscape picture.
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68) What kind of photographer are you?
December 2008
You may think I am asking if you shoot weddings, sports, or just make snapshots of your family. While these are one way to define photography there is another way to describe your photos.
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67) Be a Joiner
December 2008
One of the major keys to your success is your network. It is more than just knowing people.
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66) How to improve your flash photography
November 2008
How you use your flash can improve your photography. Other than avoiding red-eye what else is there?
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65) Presidential Politics Teaches Us Something About Marketing Ourselves
October 2008
How is running your business like running for office? For one thing, the candidates are scrutinized for more than just their position on issues.
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64) There can be no words without images
October 2008
More than any other technological innovation, computers are responsible for the explosion in images.
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63) What's a good camera for me?
September 2008
Having the right camera can make the difference between you getting photos you keep and those you delete.
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62) The Digital Communication Age
September 2008
We know Information Technology is paramount to business growth. As a company grows larger, perhaps goes global, it is essential with today’s narrow margins to have systems in place for a controlled sustained growth.
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61) Fine Tuning
August 2008
What can screw up your message might seem insignificant until ...
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60) Photographing Fireworks
August 2008
Good fireworks photos have one thing in common ....
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59) Understanding Culture
July 2008
When we think we fit right in and don’t stand out from the natives is when it’s easy to make some simple mistakes.
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58) Planning for a disaster
June 2008
One day you are working on your computer and it crashes what do you do? Even worse there is a terrible storm that wipes out your home and contents, where are your precious documents and photos?
Read more ...
57) Relationships Help Shape Excellence
June 2008
The company you keep can have a profound affect on your work. It may surprise you who you might need to keep company with to grow.
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56) Are you a joiner?
May 2008
Too many people join associations as if they are buying tickets to a sporting event. They want to sit in their comfortable seats and watch others perform. When considering joining an organization, one of the first questions most people ask is, "What do I get for my membership?" That's a valid question, and most organizations list the benefits their members will receive.
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55) Are all your eggs in one basket?
May 2008
To "put all your eggs in one basket" is to risk losing everything all at one time. For me this applies to two aspects of my business.
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54) Share Your Calendar with Your Clients to Get More Bookings
April 2008
Becoming more efficient with your calendar will help you fill it with business.
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53)
Stanley works to make your job easier
March 2008
There is more than meets-the-eye in Stanley’s photos. Not only has he provided you with the images you need, he has increased their value to you because of the wealth of information he has provided about those images.
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52) Seeing Eye-to-Eye Isn’t Always Best
March 2008
The angle from which you photograph a person sends a message to the viewer about that person. If this is true, we need to be sure what our photos say about others. We need to understand how this principle works.
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51) How Much Do You Cost?
February 2008
So many good photographers I know have to turn to other ways to make a living not due to any lack of photographic skills, but because of poor business practices.
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50) First Person
January 2008
A quote can make or break a story, but today the journalist can use more than quotes to communicate the story.
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49) Macro Photography
January 2008
Nothing can sharpen your understanding about the nuances of photography more than macro photography.
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48) Just a Speck
December 2007
Dust on a sensor can bring your workflow to a crawl. How can you take care of this problem?
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47) The Integrated Photographer
December 2007
When the camera merged with the computer to give us digital photography, the skills to be a successful photographer changed dramatically. Prior to digital photography, the professional photographer only had to know how to use a camera.
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46) Flash or No Flash
December 2007
To flash or not to flash, that is the question - at least for this article. There are two primary issues which are the ying and yang of answering this question - the Technical and the Aesthetic.
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45) Anatomy of a Sports Photography Assignment
November 2007
Covering sports is unique and requires a few elements which make for a good sports photo.
Read more ...
44) Pro Tips for every photographer
2007 Shutterbug’s Annual Expert Photo Techniques
Want to be a full-time freelancer: Tips from a photographer who's traveled that road.
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43) Why is their head chopped?
November 2007
You took the photo and saw everything in the viewfinder but when you got the prints back from the lab their head was missing--what's up with that?
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42) I’m here now where’s my trophy?
October 2007
For many in today’s iGeneration they have experienced playing T-ball, soccer, and dance classes or just about anything you can mention where if you just showed up you got a trophy for participating.
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41) Surprise Me
September 2007
The difference between a good photograph and a great one is often a surprise.
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40) How to Make the Most of a Mentor
August 2007
Mentoring is not an avenue to be
employed by the mentor. It is a way
for professional enhancement,
education and friendship. I do
believe the key is not to use mentors
for only career development, but
seek them out as friends.
Read more ...
39) Flying with a laptop
July 2007
Since 9/11 flying now takes even more time and there are a few tips traveling with a laptop which can make use of your time in the airport and on the plane with it.
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38) Point of View
June 2007
I believe there are two main reasons people make photos: (1) people take pictures to please themselves or (2) people take pictures to
Read more ...
37) Millimeter Can Make The Difference
May 2007
By making plenty of pictures every time we approach a subject we can see for ourselves how even just a millimeter’s change in angle can make the difference between a good and a great photograph.
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36) Shooting Too Little
April 2007
“You need to take more photographs.” This is almost always my number one observation when viewing portfolios of students and emerging professional photographers.
Read more ...
35) Avoiding The Dreaded Red Eye
March 2007
If people in your pictures appear
possessed by an evil being (and
you’re sure they are not) probably the
problem is the Dreaded Red Eye.
Read more ...
34) “There’s clear, then there’s Claritin clear !”
February 2007
This is the ad campaign for a popular allergy drug. They use photography to show what it does for you. The outside scene is pretty, but then they peel back and show your richer colors and greater contrast.
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33) How to create a soft and blurry background
January 2007
Some portraits leap off the page and demand your attention. These compelling portraits are usually tight headshots with simple, non-competing backgrounds.
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32) How to Take a Good Group Photo in 15 Minutes or Less
December 2006
The key to good group photos is all in the planning. How big you plan to use the photo can make a big difference in the planning.
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31) Publishing your own book
November 2006
Now you can publish your own photo book. It is an excellent way to tell your family story, remember your last vacation or preserve family recipes along with photos of the person who originated it.
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30) Framing
October 2006
The right frame enhances an already fine photograph. Framing a picture sets it apart from its surroundings. Think about that for a moment. That’s really what photography is…
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29) Photography is more than the How
September 2006
Today, a good photographer is someone who is no longer satisfied to produce pictures that are merely correctly focused, exposed, developed and printed. Such technicalities are nowadays taken for granted.
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28) Photographing Children
August 2006
Remember standing there in your new clothes, in front of the hedge, squinting into the sun, while dad or mom backed across the yard, pointed the camera and told you to smile?
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27) Understanding Light
July 2006
The Greek word "photography" means "painting with light." The Greeks knew a thing or two, so let’s take a look at this way of creating art.
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26) Photography Ought To Be Fun
June 2006
“Brain research has now proven conclusively that play is essential. It actually restores our intellectual capacities and renews our spirits. It’s essential to good mental health and physical health and to the reductions of tension.”
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25) Now where is that photo?
June 2006
“I know I put that photo in this computer, but WHERE did I put it?” Is finding a filled photo like looking for something in your attic? You know it’s up there, but where did you put it? Sound familiar? Well then, you’re pretty typical for most photographers.
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24) Effective Multimedia Presentations
June 2006
If you develop the habit of telling stories with your photos every where you go and each time you pick up the camera putting together effective multimedia presentations will be easy and fun. With some brief notes and guidelines, you will keep your audiences attention and get your message across.
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23) Indoor Photography
May 19, 2006
Making photographs of people indoors, which are in focus and sharp is a challenge. Here are steps which will ensure your photos are first-rate.
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22) Sports Photography
May 2006
Today the local paper must devote more space to the sports section because of the increased interest in sports and not just professional or college sports, but the local high schools and more. From the Super Bowl to T-Ball at the local park people are watching, playing and photographing sports.
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21) Travel Photography
April 2006
Today’s digital camera makes travel photography easier than ever. You’ll need several digital cards if you plan to take a lot of pictures or you can carry a small device to store and view your digital images. Read more ...
20) Two Best Things About Digital
April 2006
Anyone can see one of the greatest advantages the digital camera has given the photographer whether they are professional or amateur. We can see the picture immediately!
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19) Light: The Photojournalism Of Don Rutledge
March 2006
In 1955, Don Rutledge frequently wrote
letters to the founder of the famous Black Star photo
agency, Howard Chapnick. That was the year Rutledge
graduated from seminary and started working
in two worlds, combining missions and his pastoral
work with photojournalism.
Read more ...
18) Making Photos That POP!
March 2006
People pop out of
photos, backgrounds
recede in a blur and you
made it happen. You
select what pops, what
blurs and what’s or who
fuzzes over.
Read more ...
17) Creating Photos
March 2006
This past week I spent in Kona,
Hawaii teaching college students
about lighting and business
practices.
The class had just spent a week
with photojournalist Louis Deluca
from the Dallas Morning News
working on photo stories.
Read more ...
16) Avoiding Motion Blur
February 2006
Kodak has said the number one
problem people have with their
photos is attributed to camera
movement.
There are a few things you can
do to minimize or eliminate
motion blur.
Read more ...
15) Ideas With Action Plans
January 2006
January is typically the time we pause to look back and forward.
We look back over the past year to see what we have
accomplished. We look forward to see what we want to achieve.
Read more ...
14) Expressions
January 2006
A person’s expression can make the
photograph or break it.
Everyone recognizes and is affected by
people’s expressions of being happy,
sleepy, cheerful, silly... you get the idea.
Read more ...
13) Effective Visual Presentations
December 2005
In the last 20 years research
has shown that before people
will make major changes in their
behavior they must be
adequately informed by a
reliable source, positively
motivated and given
opportunities to put their new
knowledge into practice.
Read more ...
12) How To Improve Visual Placement
November 2005
If you had to guess
what percentage your words,
tone of voice, and body
language contributes to how a
person understands your
message, what would you
say? Most people respond with
the notion that words are the
most important aspect of
communication. However,
research* indicates that your
words only impact 7% of how a
message is understood.
Read more ...
11) What Is The Universal Language?
November 2005
The past three weeks I have
had to overcome language
barrier during my coverage in
West Africa. Burkina Faso is
one of the countries I
covered and they have
around 82 different
languages.
Read more ...
10) A Slice Of Life
October 2005
There are two ways to
approach a photograph where
elements need to line up in time
for the photo to come together.
One waits for a figure—any
figure—to walk into an open
space to fill a “composition,” then
the photographer trips the shutter
and walks away.
Read more ...
9) How Much Is Enough?
September 2005
We have all seen the photo of
too much stuff in a photograph.
Because the photographer
makes no attempt to select one
subject the photograph fails to
communicate. The “run on
sentence” is the written word
comparison to this visual
example.
Read more ...
8) The Creative Photographer
August 2005
We often talk about being either an amateur photographer or a professional photographer. What is the difference between these two? The professional earns a living with their camera.
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7) Finding A Photo
July 2005
For most jobs Stanley provides a CD following your event. The CD has the name of your event, the date of the event and all the contact information should you need it. When you later try to find your images the cover of the CD alone helps clue you as to what is on the CD.
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6) Guidelines For Portraits
July 2005
There are a few do’s and don’ts, which if you know them can help you look your best the next time you have your photo taken.
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5) Education Tips
June 2005
The cry of all the focus groups when they review most educational recruiting pieces seems to always say they want natural looking photos and not setup.
Read more ...
4) Snapshots To Communication
June 2005
Through the years I have been asked to speak to various groups about photography. Many of these groups are photo enthusiasts.
Read more ...
3) Vacation Tips
May 2005
Not using the flash outside is one of the biggest mistakes many people make with their vacation photos. Read more ...
2) Tips When Hiring A Photographer
May 2005
Your results from any photo shoot can be usually measured in how much preparation was done before the shoot.
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1) Three's A Charm
April 2005
Three years ago on April 17th I took the step to be a full-time freelancer. After twenty years of experience as a staff photographer and always having a few freelance assignments it was time to make it on my own.
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Master's Thesis
May 1993
Don Rutledge has worked in 143 countries and all 50 states. His work has included assignments from the world famous Black Star picture agency in New York; to civil rights efforts (including documenting the work of John Howard Griffin for Black Like Me); to photo stories in Associated Press, Life, Look, Time, Newsweek, Forbes, Stern in Germany, and Paris-Match in France; and numerous publications in Canada, South America, Europe, and Asia.
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