Online Safety Infographics

November 16, 2011 in Business, Motion Graphics

I'd like to share with you two videos RHED Pixel produced for the Family Online Safety Institute. Lot's of information about what kids do online and some fun motion graphics too.

The Impact of the Camera Phone and Citizen Journalism

November 14, 2011 in Business, Photography

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photo – istockphoto

While much justifiable criticism has been levied against the evolution of cellphone cameras, there is a tremendous beneficiary… journalism. We now have a literal global network of camera operators with the ability to capture newsworthy events and transmit usable photos.

Many photographers dismiss this technological shift. After all, how can a point-and-shoot (especially a low quality one at that) take the place of a modern DSLR with a selection of lenses? The answer is easy… speed and mobility.

Let’s accept that a modern smartphone has a camera that is technically capable of producing an image that is usable by most news and editorial outlets. Here’s what smartphones have that most DSLRs do not. Hopefully camera manufacturers and others can push the evolution forward (and yes, evolution these days happens in the consumer space far quicker and more often than the pro equipment segment).

Data network. First and foremost is the ability to publish on demand. First often matters when it comes to news… the ability to shoot and tweet/Facebook/share is the key factor here. Why are WiFi connections in pro cameras so far between and so “stapled-on?”

Geotagging. Photos from mobile devices are tagged with essential metadata right in camera. No need for another adapter plugged into your camera. GPS data as well as relevant date info is automatically captured. This makes it easier to search and discover new images by those interested in finding them. Location-based search is already throughly integrated into both the Google and Bing search engines.

Compelling and optimized software. Nearly every top software company has some amazing offerings in the app space. Whether it’s Adobe Photoshop Express (or the newer Touch), nik’s Snapseed, or Photogene… full-featured editing apps allow for cropping, adjusting, toning, and repairing of digital photos immediately.

Location-aware updates. The fact that those in a breaking news situation can actually read updates is critical. The real-time feedback of services like Twitter help those concerned with documenting events find the story and often interact with others.

Helper applications. From maps, to sun tables, to weather guides… it’s all there. How a modern photographer could shoot without a smartphone is a valid question.

So… will professional digital photography evolve? Why not allow the tethering of your smart phone to your camera. Couldn’t Nikon, Canon and others offer intelligent apps that tie your phone to your camera? Couldn’t journalists and others push to a tablet for basic touchup then publish without having to lug a laptop?

As we move closer and closer to digital only delivery for our news and periodicals… the DSLR may go the way of the designer. The quick and the agile will evolve and survive while the rest become extinct.

Want to see the impact on video journalists? Read this – http://www.theatlanticwire.com/business/2011/11/cnn-photojournalists-lose-jobs-cheaper-better-cameras/44906/

Putting the Fun Back Into Work

November 06, 2011 in Business, Personal

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image by AnthiaCumming/iStockphoto

For most of us, we got into photography or video because it was fun. Sure the prospect of making a living off something we enjoyed was exciting; it was a dream job. But then reality set in… what was once fun increasingly became work.

I liken the entire dynamic to that of a marriage. I started dating my wife almost 15 years ago. What started as young romance, turned into newlywed bliss. Add in two jobs, two kids, and other pressures and its easy to find yourself sleeping next to a stranger.

What we figured out a few years back is that we were better parents the more we were in love with each other. Hence our standing tradition of having our own date night at least every two weeks. We step away from all the parts of the relationship that are work and instead work on our relationship. We’re happy, we’re in sync, and we’re a better family.

What’s the lesson here? Are you married to your job or do you love your job? By taking the time to make photography fun again and giving you a chance to grow and explore that relationship, you will be far better off.

Take on some personal projects. Do something because you want to and not because you have to.

For me, that’s time-lapse photography. Capturing scenic views and letting the passage of time get recorded.

I walk out with two camera bodies and two tripods.
The process of finding the shot (which often involves the quiet of a sunrise or sunset) relaxes me.
I find a good view and set the cameras up.
After carefully composing both shots, I meditate. If I’m not feeling introspective, then I read comic books on my iPad. Both help me relax.
I then get some fun time in Adobe Camera raw and After Effects to make beautiful images that others enjoy.

I’ve started sharing my techniques through Triple Exposure, which has been socially fun and let me meet some great colleagues. I find the end result and the creative process beautiful and rewarding. Photography is fun… the images I’m creating cause a reaction. I am proud of the work, but the only person I need to make happy is me.

Just as my family is stronger because my wife and I love each other… so is my work. I enjoy what I do and on those days when there’s a gap in work it doesn’t seem so depressing and worrisome. Even if I’m busy and I’m on the road for clients, I still find myself getting up early to catch the sunrise. Worst case scenario… I can even just set the camera on a timer to shoot out my hotel window.

But I’m having fun and making time for me… and my client work is all the better for it.

Request for Feedback on New Branding

November 02, 2011 in Business, Personal

We're tweaking the branding at my company… RHED Pixel. Would love to get some feedback on the new look and feel.

The ad below is a sample of the direction we're going. Thanks!

StudioAd_sm

Please post comments below or send me an email.

I've Never Met a Video That Couldn't Be Shorter

October 11, 2011 in Business, Video

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iStockphoto/adventtr

I have never met a video that wouldn’t benefit from some editing. The whole purpose of video is to compress time and distill a message to its essence. It is important that you refine a project by continuing to strip away its unneeded parts. Never have I heard an audience complain that a video was too short. There is a reason to edit and it becomes increasingly clear when you actually watch people as they watch your project. Do your best to strip a project down to its essence and only add what is needed.

You can download the free eBook "From Still to Motion – The Business Manifesto" to get practical advice for professionals working in video and new media

This post sponsored by iStockphoto – Save 10% – Get a Free Audio Track

Delivering Video to Mobile Audiences

October 09, 2011 in Business, Video, Web Video

A presentation I gave on delivering video to mobile audiences. From a recent RHED Pixel open house.

Billing for the Video Industry

October 04, 2011 in Business, Video

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iStockphoto/hillwoman2

Every video project should be split into progress payments. By splitting the financial payments across progress you ensure protection for your financial security. Typically, I recommend the use up to five, equal payments. If project’s have extremely short timelines or do not involve a full-service production (such as shooting only) then adjust your payment schedule.

Project Initiation — Once the project scope and budget is agreed upon, a deposit for 20% of the project should be submitted.
Preproduction — This stage encompasses the bulk of project planning. Tie a progress payment to the delivery of the script or other relevant preproduction tasks. Issue a progress payment upon delivery of final preproduction items to the client.
Production — I recommend the submittal of an invoice once shooting begins. This is typically the most expensive stage of a project. Be sure that you have received some form of payment before production begins. Do not hand off project footage until at least 50% of a project’s budget is in hand.
Postproduction — Once editing begins, another progress payment should be issued. Some choose to watermark projects until at least 66% of a project’s budget is received.
Closeout — A final bill that reflects any change orders should be generated at the completion of a project. Be sure that your agreement states that you retain certain rights to a production until payment is received in full.

You can download the free eBook "From Still to Motion – The Business Manifesto" to get practical advice for professionals working in video and new media

This post sponsored by iStockphoto – Save 10% – Get a Free Audio Track

Rendering Synthetic Objects into Legacy Photographs

October 03, 2011 in Business, Resources

Rendering Synthetic Objects into Legacy Photographs from Kevin Karsch on Vimeo.

Supplementary material video for our 2011 SIGGRAPH Asia paper (see the project page here: http://kevinkarsch.com/publications/sa11.html). 3D objects are rendered using LuxRender (http://www.luxrender.net).

Authors: Kevin Karsch, Varsha Hedau, David Forsyth, Derek Hoiem

Abstract: We propose a method to realistically insert synthetic objects into existing photographs without requiring access to the scene or any additional scene measurements. With a single image and a small amount of annotation, our method creates a physical model of the scene that is suitable for realistically rendering synthetic objects with diffuse, specular, and even glowing materials while accounting for lighting interactions between the objects and the scene. We demonstrate in a user study that synthetic images produced by our method are confusable with real scenes, even for people who believe they are good at telling the difference. Further, our study shows that our method is competitive with other insertion methods while requiring less scene information. We also collected new illumination and reflectance datasets; renderings produced by our system compare well to ground truth. Our system has applications in the movie and gaming industry, as well as home decorating and user content creation, among others.

This is a REALLY cool video and some amazing tech. Be sure to watch and share.