By Sara Nelson

I haven’t participated in a print competition yet, but, I hope to dip my toe in to that water sometime this year. After seeing how it works behind the scenes, I have a little more confidence with checking in my print and having it in the competition. I think that everyone should get an opportunity to help out on competition nights.

I think that the judges did a good job. I did not always agree with what the score was, especially if I knew who the maker of the photo was. I wanted everyone to have a good score. As I’m a new member to the MD PPA, this was only my second print competition that I had ever seen. In comparison to the one in the Fall of 2009, this one had more entries and there was a buzz about the room when a photo would be presented. We were all listening to the judges, especially when a “critique” was requested.

I especially listened to what I could hear when they were reviewing it, even without a critique. It seemed that there were some holding their breaths, I did a few times as they deliberated on a score.

Congratulations to all the winners and to everyone that entered. It takes confidence, courage and faith to enter into a competition with your work. Good job!

Popularity: 34% [?]

by Charity Reed, CPP

I recently received my copy of “Guide to TTL Flash” by TriCoast Photography. I purchased the book back in October 2009. However, did not actually receive the book until February 2010. The reason was because the book has been such a huge hit that they could not keep up with the demand. After waiting so long for the book I was really hoping that it was worth the wait. After reading the book I was not disappointed at all. TriCoast Photography is Mike Fulton & Cody Clinton. You may have heard of them. They are well known for their use of TTL flash photography. They use Canon equipment and the book discussing how to use the Canon speedlight system, but Nikon users don’t fear. You can apply the same techniques with your speedlights. I myself am a Nikon user and had no problems.The book discusses in great detail how to use your speedlight in TTL mode off camera, and how to achieve those amazing glamour type images we have all seen in the PPA magazine. They start you off with the basics and move you forward to learn more advanced techniques.

They discuss using different accessories with your flash, flash compensation and using Radiopoppers with your flash. There are a lot of pictures in the book to give you a visual of what the final image should look like, but they also include pull back images so you can see the set up of how they got the image.

This book is great for someone who is just starting out and would like to learn about using off camera flash. I would suggest they work through the basics first and get a good understanding of that before moving on with the more advanced set ups. This book is really great for someone who already has experience with off camera flash and is looking to move their photography skills to the next level.

I highly recommend the book. You can visit their website at: www.tricoastworkshops.com

Popularity: 29% [?]

by Vanessa Ard, CPP

With April 15^th here, you’ve probably already made time to gather all your receipts and are done scrounging for additional deductions to help offset the taxes on the massive profit you earned last year photographing naturally gorgeous people with perfect hair, great skin and pearly-white teeth. At this point, you’re either patting yourself on your back for another year of stability and growth or you’re still re-working the numbers because you’re convinced that the digits at the bottom of your spreadsheet ought to be black and not red.

Before you put your books away, you might want to take the opportunity to do some analysis so that the rest of 2010 is better for you than last year. Here are a few simple suggestions that can do nothing but help you:

1. Accept the fact that the photography business is just that – a business. The fact that we get to titillate the right side of our brain is just a bonus to what we do to make a living.
2. PPA members: Compare your numbers against PPA’s Benchmark Survey recommendations to see where you stand. http://www.ppa.com/benchmark/ This is a very eye-opening experience if you’ve never done this before.
3. Honestly assess your financial weak points and come up with a plan to turn them into strengths.
4. Using last years figures along with your first quarter tallies, come up with a reasonable budget for the remainder of the year – and stick to it! Carefully consider the ROI (Return On Investment) for every purchase you make in your business. Just because the latest and greatest software or gadget is being shoved in your face does not mean you NEED it to make more money.
5. Brush up on your marketing and sales techniques for increased revenue. I don’t care what people say – your art does not sell itself.

The Maryland Professional Photographers Association mission statement includes advancing photography “in all its branches, as both an art and a profession.” We often indulge our senses with improving the art of our photography while neglecting the professional side of it. Do yourself (and the industry) a favor and spend some time this month to look at your numbers.

Popularity: 30% [?]

The SEPPA Print Competition Results have been announced!Congratulations to all of our Maryland PPA photographers who took advantage of the SEPPA membership that’s included in the price of your MDPPA membership. The SEPPA membership also makes you eligible for the annual Print Competition.

Did you know that when your print merits at our SEPPA District print competition, and you send it on to PPA’s International Print Competition, that it will automatically earn a merit there too? Sweet! In case you were wondering, that’s part of how you earn your Master of Photography degree.

Popularity: 66% [?]