As more professional photographers put a toe in the Fusion waters, the DWF makes a splash by introducing the DWF PRO Fusion Forum. Whether you include video from your DSLR in your client offerings, or are only thinking about it, the DWF Pro Fusion Forum is now live and active for DWF PRO members.We’re honored to introduce our three DWF experts who will be help lead the ongoing Fusion discussion: Canon Explorer of Light Bruce Dorn, NYC Fusion Pro Jason Groupp, and UK-based Filmatographer Peter Rear. Thanks to all three for lending their expertise to our newest forum!

Not a member? Grab a FREE trial and see what other PROS are talking about.

Hi Folks,

Wouldn’t it be great to go to all the major conventions, with your hotel and airfare covered? BONUS: You get paid! If you have the skills to: shoot video, conduct an interview, generate your own story ideas and are ready to be at the center of our industry, you might just be the next Director of DWFU. (DWF Login required)

You’ll attend WPPI, PPA, Expo NY, and make a few other trips during the year. You’ll line-up interviews with industry leaders and educators, conducting them live in-person as well as via the internet. Editing skills are a plus. The DWF produces 2 meaty lessons per week, and if you think it’s a position you’d be interested, charge your HD camera batteries, and tell us why you’d be right for the position.

The ideal candidate has an HD camera and the tools to create quality sound. You have the ability to interview great photographers. You also have an ability to record and work via iChat, Skype or similar program creating editable files.

If you also have the ability to edit finished pieces, we’d like to know that, too.

Email only, direct to me: jeff@digitalweddingforum.com

I can’t wait to hear from you!
Jeff

In her new book Photo Fusion, Jen Bebb takes the Wedding Photographer by the hand on a well-conceived  trip through the unfamiliar worlds of audio and video, carefully pointing out that Fusion is not videography.  In her view, Fusion is photography enhanced.

When digital photography arrived,  the vast majority of shooters were worried and fearful.  Only accustomed to dropping-off film canisters at the lab, most shooters were hoping digital would be a passing fad, and that Photoshop would disappear along with it.  Newer shooters might find it hard to believe, but 10 years ago , a photographer could run a studio without owning a computer.  The similarities are obvious at the dawn of Fusion:  Many professionals worry about having to learn video and audio.  Jen eases the path to familiarity through 240 pages of this well-crafted book.

Wait.  Did you know that you don’t even need video to create multimedia for your brides?

Jen begins the this 240 page journey with less daunting challenge of adding audio to a slideshow of photo stills.   From there Photo Fusion moves quickly on a smooth trip through camera choices, software, and most important what you can do with them to create art that your clients will love.

Since this book focuses on photography enhanced by video, it makes perfect sense that it’s accompanied by a DVD in which Jen and Steve show examples of their Fusion work, and explain how they created it. And yes, the do break the fourth wall-giving you the opportunity to see them shoot.

Warning… Danger… Shameless self promotion about to occur.

DWF and Portraiture. Hello!

What do these changes mean? For now, not a whole heck of a lot. We already have an active DWF Pro Portrait Forum and the DWF Boudoir Forum, as well as other forums where the business of portraiture is discussed—just visit DWF Marketing & Sales, or the Gear Forum! Some of the best portrait shooters are already active on the DWF, like Robert Alvarado and Mark Robert Halper.

Should we call it the DWPF now? We’re not changing the forum’s name or logo. The DWF is an abbreviation given by it’s members, and we want to hold on to it, because we’re proud of our community!

Though the changes will be small, you’ll find a new commitment to portraiture on the DWF. For instance, you’ll find more portrait focused content on DWF U, in convention seminars and we even have a few surprises up our sleeves!

- Jeff Caplan

Want to see what all the fuss is about but you’re not a DWF member? Grab a free-trial today and find out.

In his note to the DWF, mentions that he’s not “forum person,” but wanted to share this note with our community.   The subject is his relationship with the controversial Bella Pictures wedding photography company.

Bob Davis’ note is presented here, without comment:

Hi everyone.  I not a member of DWF, but this thread has been brought to my attention and I wanted present the facts.  I am not nor was I ever an Owner of Bella Pictures, but I was founding member.  My goal in working with Bella Pictures was to help establish the standard of photography that would be acceptable and to help foster creative growth and technical proficiency through photo coaching.

I have always been an advocate for photographers and the photographic community, that does not mean my voice was always heard.  As of March of 2009, I was let go from Bella Pictures, due to financial reasons.  For a long time our core values have been growing in different directions.  For those of you who know me, I have a passion for wedding photography and for helping others improve their craft of photography.  It has never been about the money!  For months I said nothing, but considering recent events, just my opinion, Bella made further mistakes on their part showing lack of respect for the entire wedding industry, I felt it was time publicly divorce myself from Bella Pictures.

I wish them well and hope at some point they can get back on track with the core values we created.

I have always been open and honest with anyone who asked me about Bella Pictures or about my own photography.

Respectfully,

Bob Davis

www.bobanddawndavis.com

bob@bobanddawndavis.com

No, they’re not flourocarbon breathers hellbent on destroying earth.  They’re upset about the terms you have to meet in order to be certified green.

It is THIS part that has them steamed:

• Avoid photographers that refuse to include the digital images in their packages. Photographers that hold on to the originals are using an old outdated way of holding you hostage and getting more money out of you for each print. Truly green photographers have a passion for photography and will include the images for free or for an additional nominal fee. Full list here

One photographer demands the DWF remove the original blog item.   Uh.. no.  

The DWF  doesn’t endorse the Green Certification program.  While Green is a great goal, and certification is a good concept, we find that plank offensive.  Divisive.  Angry.  Rude.

Reporting on this blog about the Green Certification program?

Now we’ve reported why it sucks.

Check the skirmish on the DWF

The DWF has announced the details for its 10th Anniversary convention sponsored by Simply Canvas. 

DWF Covention 2010 will be held at the Loews Vanderbilt luxury hotel in Nashville, January 10-13th, 2010.   The convention will be an in-depth experience featuring the top speakers in our industry.  Attendees will experience a full-day workshop with Jerry Ghionis, plus long-form (5 hour) seminars from Kevin Kubota, Cliff Mautner, and Jim Garner.

All four headline speakers are on the list American Photo Magazine’s Top 10 Wedding Photographers in the world.

Amy Deputy (also Top 10) and Melissa Tirado (Best of Boston) will also offer unique seminars, plus more seminars will be announced in the near future.

The convention includes a trip to the ImagingUSA trade show (transportation provided), mentoring sessions, and the DWF 10th Anniversary Party at BB King’s Blues Club in downtown Nashville.

Save $100 with early bird registration!  For full details on DWF Convention 2010 sponsored by Simply Canvas, click here.

We could argue whether it’s serious gear or Uncle Bob’s next camera.

DP Review has posted one of those incredibly thorough 33 page reviews of Nikon’s new D5000.   The camera has a swivel LCD and does 720p video at a very attractive price point. DP Review concludes ithe D5000 has excellent image quality (good for weddings), but the controls require multiple button presses (bad for weddings).   It’s a very impressive high ISO performer (good for.. ), but contrast detect autofocus is almost useless.  (bad for.. )

Below, you’ll see a shot from a Nikon D5000 which doesn’t really make any major point about the camera.  I post it because (a) my son is so cool in a prom tux that looks like a Yankee uniform, and (b) the framing is horrible: The photo was shot by an Uncle Bob.   Draw your own conclusion.

Check the latest price on the Nikon D5000.

Which cameras stand up to the rigors of wedding work?  Visit the Pro GEAR forum on the DWF.   Not a member? Grab a free trial.

This hit our inbox from Simply Canvas, which is offering a $25 gift certificate to anyone who attends an upcoming webinar..

Increase your sales by selling multiple prints instead of single canvases. Attend our Introduction to Simply Canvas Clusters Webinar. Printing technician Anne Maddox will show you how to download our new cluster templates, insert your own images and show them to your clients as digital clusters to use in selling sessions and marketing materials. She’ll also show you how easy they are to order in ROES!

Join her on Tuesday June 23rd at 2pm EST for a live, detailed video training. All attendees will receive a $25 gift certificate to use on their next order. Register here.

*Images provided by Calotype Photography.

After facing charges of “racism” in its annual photo contest, PDN has quickly offered a response.

PDN confirms that yes, the Photo Annual competition was judged by 24 white people.  But it wasn’t an intentional act. You can read the full response –which notes African Americans have judged in past contests.

Meantime PDNonline  just posted an interview about the lack of diversity in the photography industry.  PDN says the timing is a coincidence.

Of course,  a response spawns .. a response to the response:  The blog that had taken PDN to task, Reciprocity Failure offers its response to the response, singing Kumbaya.  But only one verse.

My fiance and I are very attractive, and we’d like to give you the opportunity to improve your portfolio by shooting our wedding!

While it’s true that we live in a look-ocracy where the pretty people get all the perks, there’s a variation on the email:

We’re ethnic and very attractive, and you don’t have any ethnikian weddings on your website.  We could bring you new business..

You think it’s just poor people?  The DWF is logging stories about doctors flying everyone to Paris, then telling the photographer to work for free for five days because of the incredible opportunity.

I include this for SEO.  Maybe Google will pick it up.  Mark Lutz says use the key word twice in the article:

Hey cheap brides!  You cheap brides always get what you pay for.

Read about some of the unbelievable cheap bride emails that DWF PRO members have been receiving.  Not a DWF member? Grab a free trial

DP Review has just posted a full review of this latest Rebel.  The Canon EOS 500D / Rebel T1i is packed with 15 megapixels, and now, everyone’s favorite uncle can annoy you with 1080p HD video.   DP Review gives the camera a solid review.

If you’re looking for cheap, the answer is “yep.”  $899 (including a 3.5-5.6 lens)

via:  DP Review

Apple has released an update for RAW image compatibility for Aperture 2, iPhoto 08, and iPhoto 09 for the following cameras:

• Canon EOS 500D
• Canon Rebel T1i
• Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3
• Nikon D5000
• Olympus E-30D

Download Apple Raw Compatibility Update 2.6

When you get messy with the Flickr TOS the way John Spaulding did on his blog, you discover that you don’t have to surrender your copyright when you hit the upload button.  It all depends whether you have set your account to give you full copyright of your image.  If you do nothing, you upload under the creative common license, and your images are pluckable. They’re fair game.

In his blog piece, John explains how anyone can advance search for creative common license images on Flickr, and use ‘em at will.  Even yours.   You’re warned.

via: Internet Marketing with John Spaulding

Mouths were flapping when Skip Cohen and WPPI went their separate ways.   No matter which version of the story you heard about the company president’s separation from WPPI, things are apparently nicey-nice.

His first post-WPPI project is Skip’s Summer School.  It’s a mini Vegas convention featuring top wedding and portrait speakers to be held at MGM.  It’ll be held August 16-19th.  MGM rooms will be priced at a summertime group rate of $69 per night.   AND there are indications that if you attend this event, you get a free registration to WPPI 2010.

Skip’s new company is called Marketing Essentials International.

Along comes Keith Olbermann on his MSNBC talk show, countering that lots of people make more money when gays marry.  Like wedding photographers who shoot gay weddings. 

We don’t know if this is the most powerful argument for gay marriage.  Since it was legalized in Massachusetts, we’ve yet to see any hard statistics about the effect gay marriage has had on wedding photography income.  A UCLA Study showed Prop 8 will would have increased California wedding industry income by 684 million dollars over three years.   Olbermann does point-out weddings, gay and straight, add 70-billion dollars a year to the US economy.