With as many think that the Economy shrinking is going to be a bad thing. I think that as photographers, it is one of the most positive things that could have happened to digital photography. Im going to use the studio-portrait industry as the main example here, mainly the dreaded “senior-portrait” area of portrait photography.

The good thing about a struggling market is that it’s going to weed out all the bad photographers that are out there shooting professional assignments. I feel that with how fast the Digital Movement came upon photographers that the older generations of studio photographers were focused on learning the technology so intensively that they forgot to take a minute to look at their business plan as well. It is one of the hottest topics among portrait photographers on how the senior business is shrinking and they do not know what they are going to do to get that business back. Everyday there is a new “uncle Jim” and “aunt Doris” or some other acquaintance that gets a digital camera and is INSTANTLY an amazing photographer! Long story short, they end up taking family senior portraits, weddings and all that jazz. “Cutting into the professional market” as everyone is putting it.

Cameras have become SOO good that just about anyone can produce an image that could pass as professional. Aright, maybe not straight out of the camera, but with a little “photoshopping” they could produce an acceptable image. What this time in photography is The Survival of the Fittest Photographer. The photographers that are creating new backgrounds, shooting at different locations, experimenting with new lighting, being actively creative away from and while behind the camera are going to be the ones that succeed. This in-turn will produce a new generation of advanced photographers that will be far ahead of the standard studio photographer that is using all the same lighting, backgrounds – just plopping in a few subject.

As Chase Jarvis explains the photographer that goes out there on a limb and is creating images that have not already been captured before are going to be the photographer that is going to succeed in this current market of photography. The photographers that have grown up with the digital technology already know how it works, they are not using time to think about how it works, like the traditional photographer may be. The latest generation photographer is the busy scouting out new locations, POV’s with kick-ass back-scapes, spending time at Home-Depot looking at the clearance isle for props and DYI light modifiers.

Wrapping it.
So do not use the economy as an excuse like so many others are. (Ah hem, American Auto Industry). This is your time as a Photographer to SHINE! Make the photographs that YOU want to! Do not be afraid to “photoshop” your images, afterall it is a tool that we have to use.

Just think if we had the technology of “the wheel”, and refused to use it…

Ok, heres the deal:

I would like for you to take at most three minutes and take a look at my online portfolio and use the contact form or email me mike[at]michaelwiesman[dot]com and give me some critical feedback on what photo/s you like the most and the one that you like the least. Does not have to be three minutes and please take longer if you would like. What I am going for here is feedback, I want to know and here what each and every one of you think of my portfolio. That is right, it is open season on my photography, shoot away with comments!

If you would be so kind to just state a little bit what you like and dislike about the two, three, four, or as many pictures you feel need to be commented on, that would be excellent. I will promise that I will read each and everyone of your comments and get back to you with a response.

You are also welcome to start up some dialog via comments, I would love to get some banter going.

If you are absolutely pressed for time, if you would be so kind as to quickly let me know what picture you like and dislike, that’s cool too.

VIEW MY ONLINE PORTFOLIO

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On a side note, I felt that a new self-portrait was needed the other night, So I made one. Feel free to comment on that too:

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Last note, If you want your picture taken, know someone that would like their picture taken, or have a need for photography; we need to talk.

Being the huge fan of the barter system that I am and this being the holiday season, along with being fresh off of the Thanksgiving spirit, it seems that the banter of working for free is in the air. Chase Jarvis talks about it, David Hobby over at Strobist is talking about it, Doug Menuez is talking about it and Kenneth Jarecke talks about how it has always been going on. It obviously seems that the holiday season is not the only time of year when photographers are feeling kind.

I have been shooting pro bono photography work for a few years now and I have always looked at it as a time for me to set some challenges for myself and to fill a void in my portfolio. Sometimes it starts with a “Hey Mike, you’re a photographer right?” from someone I know, and other times I have gone out of my way for a person/organization that I feel could benefit from my skills. Yes, this has let to more paying gigs, more exposure, more Web site traffic, more emails, more EVERYTHING! And most important of all, I have filled a spot in my portfolio and the person I did the work for has benefited.

Do you see a downside to this? I sure do not. YOU are the creative director, YOU have complete control over everything. Think of that one image you have always felt is missing from your portfolio, opportunity is knocking, repetitively and loudly. One of the best feelings I have had as a photographer is when I approach someone and ask them if I can take their picture, most everyone is SHOCKED that I want to take their photograph. The day that I shot Skaters in the Park I saw these guys skating and flying through the air and thought to myself, “Man, I don’t have a picture like that in my book” So I asked them. Their initial response was, “What are they for?” A quick explanation later and I was “cool” in their book, and before you know it I had an audience and they were pulling tricks left and right……..everyone wanted their photo taken.

This has actually turned into a great lead for me, I have another shoot with these guys and a few other pro rollerbladers and skateboarders. A little free thing here and there more than likely will come back to you in the future. I promise.

The example that David talks about with the local restaurant, be it any local business, is a great starting point…..if not THE point for all photographers alike to create some outstanding imagery along with building some new personal/business relationships. Hell, it might even be the start of an economic revolution! All starting without a cent being exchanged.

Chase has even taken is so far as asking for readers to submit project proposals for a FREE commercial photo shoot with his ENTIRE crew, start to finish! I cannot think of a better to market oneself.

And in this corner, weighting in at 2 lbs. 11 oz., packing a punch of 24.5 Mega-pixels with a FX CMOS sensor is the Nikon D3x Digital SLR Camera!!!!

Just when I was getting ready to purchase a D3, Nikon officially announced the release of the D3x. While the D3x is not aimed so much at the professional sports photographer like its predecessor D3, this baby still packs a whopping punch.

Nikon has obviously captured the attention of the sports photographer with the release of the D3. Now they have captured the attention of the commercial photographer with the D3x.

“Extreme-resolution photography once meant a sacrifice in mobility, versatility and spontaneity. Now, the Nikon D3X builds upon the world-renowned D3, merging 24.5 megapixels of imaging performance with the speed and handling characteristics that today’s photography demands: exquisite detail and tonal range in an ergonomically superior digital SLR body with comprehensive protection against dust, moisture and electromagnetic interference.” -Nikon D3x pdf

Some of the other key features:

• Exceptional noise control from ISO 100 to ISO 1600
• Near-instantaneous shutter release time lag of approx. 0.04 seconds (based on CIPA Guideline)
• 5-frames-per-second continuous shooting in FX format and 7 fps in DX crop mode (up to 130 frames)
• 51-point Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus system
• Scene Recognition System for more accurate AF, AE, and AWB results
• Active D-Lighting for complete control over highlight and shadow detail
• Picture Control: Standard, Vivid, Neutral and Monochrome (Landscape, Portrait and D2X Modes I, II and III are available free via download)
• Live View mode for shooting handheld and with a tripod
• Highresolution (approx. 920k dots), 3-inch VGA-size LCD monitor with tempered glass
• Durable, lightweight magnesium-alloy construction and comprehensive weather sealing against dust and moisture
• Intelligent power management that lets you shoot up to approx. 4,400 frames on a single battery charge (based on CIPA Guideline)
• Compatibility with the Nikon Total Imaging System

Overall, another very impressive weapon in the Nikon dSLR lineup. With the amazingly fast 51-point autofocus system, the ability to shoot small-end medium format full-frame photographs with the versitality of the 35mm dslr size, the D3x is sure to see success.

Read more at NikonUSA.com