1shot :: photography and journalism

6 Ways To Chose a Great Photographer

2008-02-15T13:10:00.008-05:00

How do you find the right Photographer? This is the burning question most people will ask themselves again and again while hiring a freelancer to complete a job assignment. We all want the best we can get for our marketing dollar -- so how do you know who has actual talent and who is just a schlep with a point-and-shoot?

TOP SIX CHECK-POINTS

1) Portfolio : A Poor Presentation
The presentation of a portfolio can make or break the images. If you see great images but the pages you view them in are lousy -- such as email attachments, boring webpages -- or on a yahoo or similar type account, You can be sure photography doesn't have that photographer's full attention; the photographer in question is part-time, at best, and you really don't want to trust your job in the hands of someone who isn't living, breathing and sleeping photography. A poor portfolio presentation is your first clue to keep shopping.

2) Portfolio : Over-The-Top Presentation
This too can be a warning sign. If you are floored by the 'awesomeness' of the presentation's entail -- make darn sure the work can support the presentation. Some people can wrap it up all nice but really -- who else could make that shot? Maybe even you..

3) Photographer's Education
Does your photographer have a Bio or a CV or a link which tells you where they were educated? Was it in Photography? Most do not show where or what they learned. Now don't you wonder if they participated in an online forum for some tips and tricks from real pro's? Or maybe they just visited a library book or two..

4) The photographs you see 'speak' to you.
When you look at the photographer's work, it makes you pause, react, or meditate. You feel emotion - You become inspired - You get swept away. Some photographs are stories. Those taken by truly gifted professionals are the images that will inspire your client base as well.

5) Portfolio Samples
What do you want your photographer to create for you? Does the photographer have anything like that in their portfolio? If you want someone to shoot your product outdoors and the portfolio only shows studio shots you should immediately eliminate them from your search or risk being unhappy with the results, no matter what the price.

6) Extreme Works
How many people do you know that will battle 35mph in sub-freezing weather winds to make a photograph? (see above). How about someone who will ski down a hill backwards to make the shot? How much training do you need to create underwater photographs?

If you see work in a photographers portfolio that shouts: "This is not an easy shot!" you can bet your photographer will go the extra mile for you too.

You Have the Power to Reshape History

2007-09-16T17:07:00.000-04:00

Jeffrey Feldman, author of "Framing the Debate" dares to speak liberally about the transfer of information in this country... and does a fine job conveying his message.

CNN broadcast a special engagement at Cody's bookstore in Berkeley, California for him while on tour promoting his book. The presentation was an introduction to some and a reawakening for others. Over the years, many of you will have perceived thoughts he presented, but were unable to connect with anything tangible. Hearsay, you might call it.

Jeffrey Feldman owns and plays a magnificent harp on hearsay.. his instrument produces a beautiful sound which is orchestrated in tune with the existing conservative communication machine - only he and his band are marching to a different tune.

Feldman presents the media in their true light, as the Conservatives bitch -- pushing their highly paid hearsay issues. Do not deny yourself what is the truth. Your news is as watered down as that ice-coffee you left in the sun for that important phone call. Friendships, payrolls and favors funded by Conservatives and imported to the media via a multitude of channels place keywords and simplistic ideas to make easy headlines. Soon, everyone is saying the same thing, whether it is right or wrong.

This is not to say that all media is politically incorrect. To say that would taint the very good blogs that do exist; those written with passion and conviction. Those dedicated to preservation of truth and progress. The writing comes from beliefs & values and is not motivated by dollars, but is motivated by sense.

We all have the power to balance the scales but it will not be easy. We all must band together if we are to repair the damage. My first recommendation would be to borrow Jeffrey Feldman's book "Framing the Election" from the library and read it from cover to cover.

Ready for another cup of coffee?
One Hundred percent of the time, 98% of your thoughts are in frames.

From Wikipedia:

“In media studies, sociology and psychology, framing is an unavoidable process of selective control over the individual's perception of the meanings attributed to words or phrases.” Simple Lesson in Framing

George Lakoff, in teaching his Cognitive Science 101 course at the University of California, Berkeley gives his students a directive: "Do not think of an elephant!" - According to Lakoff, it is impossible not to think of an elephant as the mere mention of the word "elephant" provokes an image and an accompanying frame.

So wake up America! Enjoy that coffee and rewrite yourself and history... in frames.

Hillary Clinton visits New Hampshire

2007-08-28T09:33:00.000-04:00

Here are some images taken while in Manchester, NH on 8/23/07 while Hillary spoke to a crowd of about 200 from the front porch of Senator Lou D'Allesandro's home in Manchester, NH.

Can you feel her intent as she listens for ideas and contributions which will help our nation? People ask her to define her platform and she is able to give hope to a very sad nation.

Young and old women.. this is our feminine Leader! Men.. if you have any doubt -- you must educate yourself to what this women (and all the other candidates) are all about; then you can trust your conclusion.

Can you see it? Hillary speaks from the heart.

Hillary and Senator Lou D'Allesandro, D-Manchester, NH.

Hillary and Lou after her speech.

Some things in life are left to chance and some things you work very hard to get control over. By chance, I was able to meet Hillary Clinton and so help me, I will work as hard as I can help this woman get elected!

Hillary is strong with smart ideas. While I listened to her campaign (albeit I was also taking photographs of her), I noticed that she stood tall and proud, and spoke with conviction about bringing America to peace instead of living with war. She was flawless in her overall presentation - I am convinced she has the enthusiasm, energy and solutions to make it real.

Watch and listen to this remarkable woman as much as you can and you will find your own connection to the potential reality she can bring into existence.

May god help us to help her help our country.

FOX 25 makes Nashua a 'Zip Trip' destination

2007-07-13T15:44:00.000-04:00

Many people arrived to cheer on the Zip Trip Crew as they broadcast live from Nashua's Greeley Park bright and early on July 13, 2007. The FOX Website showcases the highlights : FOX 25 Zip Trip in Nashua - be sure to also check out this direct link to some 'real Nashua history' *wink*

And here is my own contribution: Zip Trip Photo Slideshow

The Nashua History Dotcom News

2006-06-19T14:36:00.000-04:00

Working on Nashua History Dotcom News

live@robin-annDotcom

2006-06-14T12:32:00.000-04:00

Onsite today with Robin-Ann.com

'Nashua' Book Presentation

2006-04-22T19:08:00.000-04:00

Please visit blog.nashuahistory.org for details on my first presentation about my newly released book 'Nashua', my home city in New Hampshire USA which was given at the Christa McAullife Planatarium located in Concord, our state capitol.

Detroit Pizza

2006-04-15T03:26:00.000-04:00

Actually - the Pizza was from Windsor, Ontario... from "Sams's" on Wyandotte Street to be more specific - and I am SO FULL because I ate so much of it - but it was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good.

I just stuffed myself silly this whole trip! It has been unbelievable on food. Just So MUCH FOOD - it's like big portions was the theme in all the resturants I've eaten with. I did not order too much I just got so much.

So check out the pizza - onions, peppers, fresh muchrooms, zuccini and sun-dried tomatos.

[image coming soon] (funnier - I ate the image!)

And prior to this wicked indulgence, I was on the Canadian side of the Detroit River which connects Lake Huron to Lake Erie and got this fabulous shot of myself (I mean technically speaking of course - I am actually looking a little rough around the edges but hey - it's Detroit! ) - plus the first shot of Detroit just looks great.

SiteExperts Leaders Meet

2006-03-12T02:59:00.000-05:00

For all my friends at www.siteexperts.com - Here is the OFFICIAL POST for my trip to meet with fellow web-developer Bryan Katz - otherwise known as Holophrastic. We all know him and love or hate him, I hope you enjoy my short blog about him and my visit with him in Toronto.

This is the hotel where I stayed; the Rennaisance in downtown Toronto. "Holo" was waiting for me inside the lobby.

This is Bryan (lounging in a fine chair in my "first" room) with a vase filled with a beautiful arrangement of the "Bird of Paradise" flower which he brought for me. I am so flattered to have such a fine arrival greeting gift :)

"First we MUST go the University" said Bryan - I played along and went. It was tremendous to see the fine architechture. I had Holo take a few shots of me from "the perfect spot" which I had set up the location and said "please stand exactly right here and make sure to get 'that' in the shot" and then I asked him to "press here" (as I pointed to the shutter...) He did so well!

I then made Bryan drive around with me to capture the CN Tower from as many angles within the city as possible in a very short time frame. Will post these shots later!

Now on to in the city. We still have a little time left before our dinner reservation so Holo shows me around town emphasizing the "light pollution" which I am completely intrigued by. Writing this now, after my meeting with the Nashua Astromomers Club meeting I can now appreciate his canderous statement.

Taken from CN Tower

Here is a super cool picture of OLD and NEW Toronto:

Which is right near where we fed our bellies a city street "appetizer" in prelude to the gourmet dinner we would soon be eating...

Guess which hot dog was mine?! (If you guessed the one on the left - you are right!)

Better head to the TOWER to "See the Sites" (robin-ann.com humor)

Before we enter for dinner there is a cheesy setup for "memory shots" for tourists to purchase - the two working looked hip so I protested slightly and then asked the girl with the camera if she would mind just snapping one with my camera... She agreed! and I told Holo the glasses were just too empty to have sitting on the table for the shot "as is" so "tip them upside-down!" I said. It's so dumb that they are empty!" - and viola! A perfect memory of us together. Thank you Holo :)

We did the skypod before eating...

Which if you remember the pic from above - the city goes on for miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiles. (more than I have shown! - get these for facts: Toronto is approx. 7288 sq.km to be exact - including Mississauga so about 84km in either direction - in the US that would be 2814 sqmi. Uh - that's big. )

The wine was yummy

and Holo was a perfect gentleman.

LAST STOP - Tim Horton's

2006-03-11T03:40:00.000-05:00

Here - in the birthplace of THE MAN who started it all... was my introduction... and christening... to YES - TIM HORTON's.

OMG - If you don't know about Tim Hortons well by golly you are not a Canadian! Because EVERYONE in CANADA knows about Tim Horton's. Maybe not the the man and his legacy - but definately the coffee, the donuts, the pastries, the sandwiches, the...

...mega orgasmic fuel oozing from the bowels of this place...

It puts Dunkin Donuts to shame and is a step above Starbucks (Just not in price). And I had the AWESOME privelige to experience THE ONLY LOCATION with pictures of Hockey Legend and Founding Father Tim himself!

Take a look. The young man admiring prints and memorabilia in the first photo is bound to be one of Mr. Horton's greatest fans and was my dedicated guide to Cochrane. I am so lucky! You may recognize him from the photo's in earlier posts.

Just another note about this... You heard me right - this Tim Horton location is THE ONLY ONE with photo's of the hockey star... now we all are wondering - WHY!

What REALLY goes on in Cochrane Ontario

2006-03-11T02:24:00.000-05:00

No Foolin' - This is what you do in Cochrane Ontario... because why else are you there?

Dinner! (and new friends :)

2006-03-11T00:49:00.000-05:00

JR's is THE only place to eat in town if you are in for just one night. Ribs - Fried Munchrooms - and an Irish Coffee that will make you sing on your barstool! Take my word on it. And Mr. John Wayne likes it all the way up here in the Great White North too, big fellah... !

Polar Bears

2006-03-10T18:51:00.000-05:00

This part of my trip was a complete joy. I was fortunate enough to gain access to the Polar Bears in Cochrane, ONTARIO. The first shot here is all three of the bears, Nanook, the large male on the left and his lifemate Arora to his left. Nakita is sitting next to both of them.

In the next picture, Aurora gave us all a surprise when she stood on two paws for us. This is very rare indeed.

And finally, while inside the protective first layer of fencing, I was up close and personal with Nakita who stuck her tongue out at me first, then to my left she gave the 'ol rasberry to Katie, the assistant director of these very special polar bears.

The Cochrane Story - Scene I

2006-03-09T12:53:00.000-05:00

It all began as a trip to Cochrane Canada. I was to photograph a client subject and was given an address and information that Cochrane was near Toronto.

Here is an image of some friends I spied upon while waiting for the gate to open for boarding.

Mr. Decker on the left gave me the "Visual Contract" to begin taking photos of him and his group. And here you can see Mr. LaBelle was pleased to be involved with me on the plane ride. Our Sr. VP of Sales and Marketing was kind enough to take the shot with my camera.

SiteExperts Leaders Meet

2006-03-07T19:30:00.000-05:00

Two members of the SiteExperts Community of Developers will be meeting in the CN Tower. For more details please read: http://www.siteexperts.com/forums/getMessage.asp?m_id=83123

AT LAST - LINKLOAF LIVES!

2006-03-07T19:24:00.000-05:00

Good, Bad and Ugly - My life should all be somewhere so a proper set of memoires can be ascertained for anyone wishing to ascertain them. My life is full of surprises, trips, pitfalls, peaks and plateaus. I will excercise your mind, body and spirit. I love you for loving me - and I love you for hating me too. You are why I am here and now You will live on with a piece of me which I have shared with you.

Live. Love. Laugh.

Robin Ann