033 – The Three Undeniable Truths & Happy Birthday to Us!

Hello again! It looks like we’ve got this weekly schedule thing back under control – and it’s great timing, because this week marks the first birthday of the Make Photography Great Again Podcast. Wow. We’ve talked about a lot of stuff, but there’s still a lot more to cover – so we are looking forward to year two.

As will happen when you have a podcast with two educators, you’re going to learn something today. Ted graciously reviews his Three Undeniable Truths. This is a segment he shares with every class he teaches, so tune in for a little Linczak philosophy.

As always, we toss around some basic truths to being a good photographer, including education, technical excellence and getting it right in camera.

Just for kicks, we discuss this pretty epic photographic coincidence:

Married couple discover photo of them both from 11 years before they met

The photograph of husband and wife Xue and Ye 11 years before they met Photograph: Channel NewsAsia

Don’t forget, Ted and I are both speaking at PhotoBlast 2018, the annual convention of the Professional Photographers of Ohio on April 7 & 8 in Dublin, Ohio. For more information please see http://ppofohio.org/photoblast-info/.


Peace, Love & Birthday Cake,

Christine

032 – FaceBook U and other Peeves of the Week

This week’s focus is a little…unfocused. Ted works up a really good rant (actually I think he is continuing last week’s rant) and we just bebopped from rant to rant until he stopped. But then he started again, so I don’t know how effective that approach is for a cohesive show.

Anyhow – we talked about albums and competition and albums in competition. And then a little bit about WPPI.

Next up, gear. You know how you go to a class and you learn a new technique that requires some gear you don’t have? Some people buy the gear. And some people, well, let’s just say that the DIY, el cheapo route isn’t exactly the way to go.

We do a little chatting about getting rich through eBay sales. Obviously, not a long section of the show, however, Ted related a really cool story, so I dug up the details and here it is:

$10 eBay Photo Turns Out to be Picture of Jesse James Worth $2,000,000+

And finally we get to the meat of the show – an extended rant about FaceBook U and some of the most ridiculous examples of it that we’ve seen. Most of them within the last 24 hours. Hence the rant.

There’s a few more rants in store for our faithful listeners that make it all the way to the goodbyes. There’s even a baby bonus rant about something that almost everyone is guilty of.

We are working hard on getting back to a regular schedule, so thanks for hanging in there!

Love, hugs and tintypes,

Christine

031 – The Hobby Lobby Snobby Episode

Welcome Back! Long time, no see, eh? We’ve had a lot going on and we’ve filled the gap with a few Facebook Live episodes, but here we are, back in the saddle and without missing a beat, we jump in feet first on the new craft store session fad. Oh puleeeeese, don’t make me recap it – it was bad enough to have to talk about it during the episode. Give it a listen and send us some virtual high fives.

© 2018 Deccan Chronicle.

As usual, Ted waxes eloquently on the subject of Valentine’s Day, Ruth Chris and rib eye steaks. Ok, it was just all about the steaks and how he gets deluxe service on a holiday without reservations, but we will let that go.

Also on tap is a discussion about the 2008 film, “The Strangers” and its 2018 sequel, “The Strangers: Prey at Night.’ No spoilers, but Ted has some great insights into both films and the element of suspense.

if you’ve been keeping up with us, you’ve seen the LIVE broadcast recordings over at our Facebook page – if not, check it out, we took some time to check in from both Nashville, TN during IUSA2018 and from an undisclosed, top secret location that we will share later this year. Check out our Facebook page here: Make Photography Great Again.

Peace, love and fake flowers,
Christine

029 – The Copyright & Ethics Episode

I’ll keep it short and sweet this week – listen to the podcast. I go over a copyright incident that rubbed me the wrong way and Ted goes over an ethics issue that rubbed him the wrong way. After you wade through the obligatory introductory section about food, it gets pretty serious.

#StealTedsPhoto

Things aren’t all Grinchy, though – here’s a special challenge for those of you with a sense of humor – below is an image by Ted, who is desperately seeking validation of his work by having it stolen. Steal it and do terrible things to it and then post it on our Facebook page in the special #StealTedsPhoto post. Retouch it, make it into a meme, design an ad around it – I don’t care – just do enough stuff that makes him regret all his whining. Extra points for incorporating a hibachi reference.

I will come up with a real prize for the winner – I promise.

Peace, love & paid invoices,
Christine

From the Non-Event Album, Mugshots. Copyright Ted Linczak.

 

028 – Diagnosing and Curing Suckitude

Boy Howdy time flies when you’re having fun! Welcome back and thank you for joining us once again! Today we review an article that we found quite interesting and pretty much spot on. We went over some of the main points in the podcast, but check out the rest of the article – it’s a good read!

The author, Nicole York, did a great job of taking the (boring) Four Stages of Learning and paralleled them to the learning curve of photographers. Cleverly done!

Check out the article here: Don’t Quit, the Struggle is Normal: The Four Stages of Competence

For a bit, we discuss the latest copyright infringement drama from someone who should know better: Rock Legend Brian May Slams Photog for Protecting Her Copyright

And lastly, we offer up three tips each for improving your photography inside a week. We will even help you with that. Send us a message via our Facebook page to receive the help we offer (you gotta say what it is – which means you have to listen to the episode). Here’s our page: Make Photography Great Again Podcast

PS – Since we are SO into giving back and helping – check out Ted’s Facebook Group From Commodity to Craft – there’s heaps of lessons you’ll find beneficial and it’s a good place to get your questions answered.

Hugs, kisses and light meters,
Christine

027 – Business Tips with Brent Watkins

Today’s Guest, Brent Watkins

 

Boy howdy, call off the PI’s, we didn’t go missing. I’ve just drug my computer parts across the state and back, running a print competition for the Professional Photographers of Ohio. They just ended their fall convention yesterday, so what better time to introduce our next guest interview episode.

Today we are with Business Guru Brent Watkins of Barberton, Ohio (anyone else feeling like this episode is sponsored by the letter B?) Brent owns and operates Sylvart Studios and is the president of The Professional Photographers of Ohio.

We have a candid discussion about business topics and tips that are important to every photographer – we *ARE* in business guys, so let’s listen up. Brent’s been in business for a long while and is a strong advocate for educating our peers so that they may be financially successful and raise the bar in the industry.

It’s a pretty intense hour, with very little time given to frippery – so you serious students will want to check this one out.

During the interview, we discuss the upcoming 2017 Winter Business Summit – more information can be found at this Facebook event.

Peace love and merit prints,

Christine

 

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026 – Professional Organizations – Why not?

This week’s episode is one that defies the short description area in the podcast hosting form.

First, of course, we talk about food, specifically, biscuits from Nashville and creamed corn from Ohio. In fact, we talk about food for so long that I accuse Ted of having skipped lunch before recording. I was half right.

Eventually we get to the meat of the episode…the ongoing issue of professional photography organizations; the locals and state level groups that are smaller than the national organizations. They seem to be struggling across the board and we brainstorm some potential causes and solutions.

For the first time we have a GEAR corner…ok, it’s just Ted complaining about his gear, but hey, it’s a move in that direction, right?

In our talking today, we make some references to Texas School. For those who haven’t heard of them, check them out here: Texas School of Professional Photography

And last but not least, we go off on a crazy tangent and discuss a potential GoFundMe project to help Ted finally acquire some decent gear…

Hugs & 70-200s,
Christine

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025 – Portfolios and the Nikon Debacle

 

 

Yeah, I got on a whining kick this week, or rather, a whining about whiner’s kick, if you want to be technical about it.

First off is an article that featured a complaint/rant by a bride about her photographer. Although the article author did a fairly decent job of answering the bride’s rant, we helped her finish the job MPGA-style.

Is my wedding photographer hiding us from her portfolio?

Next we kick the dead horse, Nikon…oh poor, poor Nikon, what have ‘ye done?

Nikon Slammed for Promoting D850 in Asia with 32 Men and 0 Women

and THEN, we dissect an “open letter” about this situation by Susan Stripling:

Sexism in the Photography Industry – Open Letter from Susan Stripling

Got anything you want to whine about? Comment below or use the contact form in the sidebar over there —–>

Hugs, kisses and binkies,

Christine

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024 – Time Magazine’s IPhone Cover Series & Other Atrocities

One crazy, messed-up episode…Join us as we broadcast just before Hurricane Irma hit Florida; Ted is monitoring the flooding in Charleston and Christine is evacuating a family from Florida to Ohio. In the midst of the flurry of pre-hurricane activities we wade through a few more disasters, namely, the absolute train wreck being coordinated by Time Magazine. I just cant… you’ll have to check it out for yourself, all I can say is “poor, poor, Oprah”:

Time Magazine Covers Shot on IPhone

 

Next up was some conversation, again, about post-IPC whining. This time, because the GIA finalists have been announced. If you aren’t caught up on that topic, check it out here (make sure you look at the images – they’re stunning!)

Grand Imaging Award 2018 Finalists named by the Professional Photographers of America

And last, but certainly not least (ok, yeah, maybe least), the long-awaited resolution to the Monkey Selfie drama:

Monkey Selfie Case Settled

Sometime soon we will be announcing the winner of the Ridiculously Photoshopped Eclipse Photo contest, so even though we’ve extended the deadline about 6 times, I’m sure we will take your entry whenever you get around to sending it in.

Peace, Love and monkey treats,

Christine

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023 – GoFundMe to the (Ridiculous) Rescue

So here’s the deal…we all empathize with fellow photographers that have had a run of bad luck, especially if they’ve been a victim of a crime…HOWEVER…when we are asked to help said photographers because they did not bother to take a basic vital step in protecting their business (ie buy a business  insurance policy) we have to wonder what they’re thinking…

Consider the case of Ohio photographer Brian Kolin…Brian was prepping to shoot a session in Cleveland, Ohio when he was robbed by a one-armed bandit of all of his equipment, valued at $12,000. He has set up a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of $10,000 to replace said equipment (insert head-scratching audio here). Brian’s campaign has a video explaining the event and his request for donations, however the video raises FAR more questions than it answers.

It’s also prudent to note that in the time-lapse between recording this episode and posting it, the title of the campaign has changed from “Camera Gear Was Robbed Today” with an explanation of a “device” in the pocket of the assailant, to “Photographer Robbed at Gunpoint”. I dunno, Brian, we are trying to give you the benefit of the doubt here, but we’d like some more information, m’kay?

Link to the campaign here (caveat: this isn’t to solicit donations – in fact, we caution you against doing that until more information is made available): https://www.gofundme.com/camera-gear-was-robbed-today.

Link to the news article which also notes that the images from the Cleveland Mayoral Debate were lost (ouch, so glad it wasn’t a wedding, thank goodness there were plenty of folks in the audience who could supply images, instead. Sarcasm folks, sarcasm.): http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/08/photographer_at_city_club_of_c.html

Our conversation goes on to explore the topic of GoFundMe being used for other than noble purposes. Causes that historically could be managed by the requester are now being shoved upon the public for their support. I dunno about you, but when I started *my* business, I used funds that I scrimped and saved for years. Just sayin’.

The topic of the day then turns to the immense Powerball prize that was won by a lady in Massachusetts and what in the world *we* would do with such a prize.

Of course, Ted has a reference to a movie/TV show (Amazon Prime members – you can watch this for free) about a man who received everything his little black heart desired, which is here: The Twilight Zone: A Nice Place to Visit.


We are still accepting entries into our Ridiculously Photoshopped Eclipse contest – the winner gets a guest spot on the show. Enter NOW, or forever hold your peace. Amen.

Investigatably yours,

Christine (aka Skully)