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Business
Practice
The
EPNet Community
Part 2 of 2
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Last
month in part one of our two-part series, I discussed the impact
EPNet could have on your business. I introduced and defined the
usage of the original Equine, Pro Equine and Digital Equine Photographers
lists. In this installment, I would like to highlight some of
the other features of the network, which include offerings to
the photography community, potential clients and those features
reserved for Members Only.
Job Board -- This board is open to the public and receives quite
a bit of traffic. If you are, for example, a show manager or
represent a magazine and have a photo need, this is the place
to let us know about it. http://members3.boardhost.com/equinephotos/
Tips
Board -- For those who are not list members, the EPNet offers
the Tips Board as a place to ask your equine photography questions
from preparing for the shoot, to film and equipment. http://members4.boardhost.com/eqphototips/
Equipment
Board -- looking to replace that old lens or sell your old camera
body? If you are a member, this is the place to do it. Everything
from cameras to printers listed at... dare we say, close out
prices? http://members4.boardhost.com/eqphotogear/
(requires password for access)
Okay.
So you're a budding equine photographer trying to figure out which
end is up. You've got a good camera and a couple of lenses and
you're ready to go out and start shooting horses, or maybe you
have already started and everyone around the barn wants you to
shoot the next show. All the stuff we've talked about so far sounds
really nice, but when it gets down to it what's so great about
EPNet? What makes it standout from the rest?
Joining EPNet gives you a place to showcase your work as well
as a Directory Listing so that potential clients can easily contact
you. Membership choices include: directory listing only with contact/bio
information, or a directory listing with a link to one image in
the gallery. The directory allows show managers, secretaries and
other interested parties to find you alphabetically and geographically
and also lists your specialties. The directory is available in
print format and sent upon request. The latest addition to the
directory are Portfolio Pages, available as an upgrade to the
basic directory listing. Potential clients interested in viewing
some of your work can click on "View Portfolio" in the
directory to view as many as 12 photo samples of your work!
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EPNet is rated high in the search engines, receives excellent
traffic and is listed on major horse related Web sites. Because
of this high visibility online, EPNet regularly receives requests
for images and photographer services from all over the world.
Specific photo needs ranging from magazine editorial images to
event coverage are posted to members at least once a week. Members
have access to the "Members Only" message board, where
jobs and other career-related notices are posted. Members also
have access to a lawyer for questions on copyright and other legal
issues, and an Assistant's List that provides contact information
for the photographer to find assistance for a photo shoot. Through
an exciting affiliation with American Horse Publications (AHP,
www.americanhorsepubs.org
), we are able to work closely with the horse publishing industry.
With annual membership renewals, members are provided with promotional
kits that include decals, postcards and stickers with the official
EPNet logo. The current "Members Only" project is a
calendar contracted by Brown Trout featuring images of EPNet photographers.
An equine photography seminar is in the works for February 2003
featuring presentations and photo opportunities in Arizona. And
lest we forget, as a network member you are invited to participate
in and contribute to the official EPNet Newsletter!
On a more personal note, I should mention that anyone who takes
equine photography, this two-part article and this organization
seriously and makes a personal commitment to actually study the
queries and responses posted on the lists and boards, not only
live but via the archives should have no excuse for not making
it in this business. That’s a rather strong statement, but
all the tools are here for the taking. When we first joined in
March this year we had many thousands of dollars invested in not
only photographic equipment but printers, supplies, displays,
etc.. My goal was to have a one year payback on that investment,
which even by today's standards is relatively aggressive. By the
end of July, we were probably three-quarters of the way to reaching
that goal. Things have been kind of slow since then, but by the
end of October we should be in the black. Five months ahead of
schedule.
As a member of the EPNet, I thank you Carien for listening to
that little voice in your head traveling home from an event that
initiated the EPNet Community project. And thanks to all who contribute
to the success of this network. You've touched a lot of lives,
professionally and personally and I'm glad I'm one of them.
Stephen E. Lasko Photography
Specializing in things equine
slasko@bellsouth.net
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Inspirational
Moments . . .
"What
is the recipe for successful achievement? To my mind there are
just four essential ingredients: Choose a career you love...Give
it the best there is in you...Seize your opportunities....And
be a member of the team."
-
Benjamin F. Fairless
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DIGITAL
CONNECTION:
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It’s
Show Time!
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When
first asked to write a piece for the newsletter I thought how
flattering~then wait a minute I’m a photographer not a writer.
What could I possibly share? Upon further thought I figured at
the very least I’ll probably give you all a good chuckle!
I’d
been asked to share how my company operates digitally, so to speak,
at a show and I think the best way for me to do so is to take
you along for the ride!
We
arrive the day before an event starts with our 17 foot production
trailer, scout out the perfect location for set up, and drop anchor!
Once the normal electrical hook ups are complete we sit down at
the main system and begin the task of creating the computer files
basing the number needed upon a combination of the estimated number
of participants, arenas to be used, and classes in each. An average
for us is 200 plus horses, three rings, and 150 classes over the
course of three days. The main file is the event name followed
by the names of the various rings, under which are what we refer
to as the loads~usually a total of ten loads for each ring. Confused
yet? Don’t worry I can do this in my sleep and I still get
dizzy at times!
From
here we begin to prep the proof gallery pages. We have, currently
three (soon to be five) viewing stations that consist of 17”
monitors, which provide clients with the ability to view full
size proofs. My husband/partner has created a software program
that easily adapts for the variety of events we cover and also
allows the client to even view an archive of previous events.
The home page of the viewer gives the participant a listing of
the classes broken down under the appropriate ring name. Once
an individual “clicks” on the class name a gallery box
pops up that contains the proofs of these classes. Each proof
has its own number assigned to it thus making it easier for the
client to ensure correct ordering. We run a complete systems check
to ensure all is functioning properly, upload the new proof page
headings, make sure the fridge is stocked with Mountain Dew, Gatorade
and Krispy Kremes (the staples of survival in Florida heat!) then
head to a good dinner~usually the last one of the weekend.
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Show
Time! Morning of the event’s start, we take one last check
of the schedule of classes and head to our respective rings to
shoot. Being digital has a nice advantage in the fact that I can
shoot upwards of 150 plus images on my micro drives before having
to download. Not to mention the luxury of instant preview so that
I know if the shot was good or needs to be dumped so I can catch
that rider again. Now when the time comes to download, we generally
do so after 110-120 shots, we pop the micro drive into the card
reader and being Nikon pros use Nikon View to inspect, sort, and
transfer images to their proper load categories. From there we
use a combination of Photoshop and a personal software to create
our proof galleries and send them to the viewers. The whole process
takes about ten minutes max. If you’re thinking that’s
a lot of wasted time when we could be shooting, think about this;
we download when either there’s a break or a class that we
know is not a big deal (you do learn which aren’t!) and I
don’t spend a penny in printing out contact sheets with images
so small most folks get frustrated trying to see them and walk
away. Not to mention that most folks know what class they were
in and don’t have to search through hundreds of shots that
give no indication of the class name. Not knocking my fellow pros
using other methods that work for them just sharing what works
for us and giving others a mini tour of our digital world.
Well
now you all have an insight into our corner of the world and a
small slice of our lives on the road. Let me just leave all my
pro buddies with this opinion; I think the bottom line is to work
with what you know, what you’re comfortable with because
the client will appreciate the end result….a beautiful image
you capture for them to cherish always.
Robbi
Meisel
Flashpoint Photography
www.flashpointphotography.com
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The
Vintage Image
It was the Family Class at the annual "Day in the Country"
horse show in Greenwich, CT. It was 1954 probably. We did
it every year. Great fun, and about the only time we ever
got Dad on a horse anymore. He'd practice for a month prior.
We always got a ribbon :-)
Barb Young
www.rainbowfarm.com
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From left-My sister (Margo Chisholm), me (Barbara Chisholm),
my dad (Bill Chisholm) |
Legal
Views
Question:
I
offer digital retouching for my clients and recently
I was asked to change the position of the legs in
one of my images. I know this horse well and he
does move better than my image shows but are there
legal concerns regarding false advertising that
I need to be aware of?
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Answer:
There
are two distinct issues associated with retouching
photographs: (1) ethical and (2) legal. Something
can be unethical and still be legal so it is important
to distinguish between the two.
From the perspective of ethics, a photograph is a
description of something and the main ethical issue
is what is the person trying to represent. Retouching
a photograph to make a horse look better to get a
better price is clearly unethical because it is misrepresenting
a quality to extract more money than is justified
under the circumstances. With regard to retouching
to make the image more attractive solely to please
the client, then the photographer must make a personal
ethical decision. Removing background clutter, slobber,
stains, etc. will cause the photograph to vary from
reality but whether that would be ethical depends
largely on whether the intent of the photographer
is to depict reality. Many people believe that photographs
have an inherent credibility and that it is improper
to alter them in any way Others feel differently.
In other visual arts such as drawing or painting,
most artists wouldn't give a second thought to not
incorporating potato chip bags and telephone lines
in the background of a commissioned portrait of a
stallion. Similarly, some photographers feel that
it is acceptable to remove distracting elements since
their goal is to depict the horse and not its environment.
Since
the ethics of description are so personal, their are
a lot of different opinions about what is proper in
this area (as evidenced by the number of posts). In
a society that values free speech, it important to
respect the person and their right to express their
viewpoint, even if you vehemently disagree with that
viewpoint.
There
is no inherent legal duty to make an image depict
something realistically. While the legal issue also
comes down to what is the person trying to represent,
the duty is basically limited to not harming people
by using an altered image to deceive buyers about
a horse's value and by not defaming people with known
falsehoods. Whether a photographer will be liable
legally when someone else uses the image for an unlawful
purpose is a gray area but it is essentially determined
by the photographer's knowledge of how the image will
be used. For example, if someone tells you that they
want a photograph so they can advertise their gelding
as a stallion and ask you to do some judicious retouching
of the neck and hindquarters, you would likely be
liable for the fraud. Similarly, if someone you intensely
dislike asks you to send a photograph of their champion
mare to a trade publication and you make similar alterations
before sending the image, you would likely be liable
for defamation. If someone asks you to retouch an
image and you have no reason to believe the image
will be used improperly, you are unlikely to incur
liability.
If
you are concerned about potential liability when images
are retouched, you can provide a statement with the
image that it has been altered and should not be used
for advertising or promotion. However, as stated above,
alterations by themselves do not necessarily mean
that the image falsely describes the horse.
Bert P. Krages
Attorney at Law
6665 S.W. Hampton Street, Suite 200
Portland, Oregon 97223
http://www.krages.com/lvaserv.htm
Editor's Note: Bert Krages is an
attorney practicing environmental and intellectual
property law in Portland, Oregon.
He is also the author of the Legal Handbook
for Photographers: The Rights and Liabilities of Making
Images
More information on his book may be found at http://www.krages.com/lhp.htm
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Spotlight:
Behind the Camera
Peter
DeMott
Capturing the Connection Between Horse
and Rider
I've
been taking pictures avidly since before the age of 12.
That's when a family friend helped me pick out a range
finder 35mm camera from a pawn shop. I wore that camera
almost all the time taking pictures for the junior high
school newspaper and then with a Pentax Single lens reflex
for the newspaper and yearbook throughout high school.
Much of my work then was black and white and I did all
of my own film and print processing transforming a bathroom
in our home into a darkroom on a regular basis. Many hours
were spent learning and exploring all aspects of the photographic
creative process.
About
four years after college I started a part time wedding
photography business. I did quite a few weddings and it
was actually gaining momentum when I decided to close
it down. Married and expecting our first child, I decided
it was just too much to have a full time sales career
and at the same time have all of my weekends booked with
wedding photography. Wedding photography tends to be a
bit high on the stress levels too, so I sold my wedding
photography equipment and closed down my business to spend
more time with my expanding family. I now have three wonderful
children, my daughter Sarah and two sons, Jordan and Evan.
As
my daughter and wife currently enjoy Endurance Riding,
it has been the excitement of capturing these events on
film that catapulted me back into the photography business,
but this time with an emphasis on equestrian sports and
equine photography. Being a part of the Equine Photographers
Network has allowed me to discuss issues and learn from
the top photographers in this field. The challenge of
capturing the right moment in time to show beautiful horses,
the relationships between owners and their horses, the
joys, and the excitement of horse sports is very rewarding
to me.
Photography
is also a regular part of my career in advertising sales.
My images have been published in the Dayton and Cincinnati
editions of Housetrends Magazine, REACH Magazine and Val-Pak
Coupons. The September cover shot for our Housetrends
Magazine in Dayton, Ohio is mine. Many ads in each publication
feature my pictures.
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My
Endurance photography has been published in (EARC’s)
Endurance News Magazine with a cover in addition to full
color and black and white photos and articles about various
rides that I've been able to shoot while participating
in this exciting sport with my family. Working freelance
with some of the writers, my images have been used to
illustrate articles about subjects of concern within the
sport. My byline photos have also been published in Endurance
World Magazine with its world wide distribution promoting
and covering endurance riding worldwide.
For
me, my photography business is a balancing act between
family, advertising sales career and keeping up with the
house and horses. Though it is intended as a part-time
pursuit, I pass out business cards and make contacts with
the intent of future growth as my experience and knowledge
increase. A judge here, a person in a truck with a farm
name on it, the hay farm where we get our feed and hay,
anywhere that I see anything to do with horses I pass
out a card or two. My business card is also a mini portfolio
with usually 3 of my current favorite shots on it. After
much work and tweaking, my website is also starting to
pay off. It features my online portfolio and also serves
to proof my photography for clients. As I do not maintain
a studio or business location other than my home, the
site serves as my professional store front. The web site
is a valuable tool in that I want people to make an informed
choice when they choose me as their photographer. By viewing
my online portfolio, they can say, "I would love
to have a picture of me and my horse like that one."
And, they have proper expectations. In my full-time advertising
sales career, repeat sales are almost always based on
setting realistic expectations and building from there.
It's very important for people's expectations to be in
line with the reality of what I can provide.
I
would like to do more horse and rider portrait and farm
calls and less events as this type of shoot fits more
easily into my schedule and family life. I keep this in
mind as I add more examples of these pictures to my web
site, and tell people, "I would love to photograph
you and your horse some time, here is my card."
Peter
DeMott
Equestrian
Sport Photography -
http://www.photosbypdemott.com
pdemott@multi-ad.net
Daytime Phone: 937-478-6222
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Tip . . .
For those photographers worried about spooking horses with
the flash, be observant of the horse, does the horse know
you are there, does he look confident or squirrley? Make
eye contact with the rider to give them a chance to nod
their head 'No' if need be. When possible, try to communicate
beforehand to ease yours and the exhibitors fears. Most
show horses are used to flash, it's quite a necessity for
sharp, colorful, action stopping indoor show photography.
Suzanne
Sturgill
Equine
Photography by Suzanne, Inc.
EquiExpressWear
suzanne@suzannesphoto.com
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"Firewatch and rider Cathy Barrow in action, indoors
with flash."
"Suzanne
Sturgill in action, indoors without flash"
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»This
Just In...«
Brown
Trout Calendar Publishers http://www.browntrout.com/
Has chosen images exclusively from Equine Photographers Network
members for their 2004 weekly engagement calendar. Images by 49
Network members are now being submitted for the final selection.
Congratulations
to all whose photos were chosen!
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The
mission of EPNet News is to inspire, educate and reinforce
the importance of integrity and professionalism in business practice.
As
a publication of the Equine Photographers' Network, the EPNet
News does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy or completeness
of any information presented. One Horse Productions, the staff
of EPNet News, guest authors of the EPNet News and current members
of the Equine Photographers' Network are not responsible for errors,
omissions or for results obtained from the use of such information.
Any reference to specific products, process, or service does not
necessarily constitute or imply endorsement of such. All photographs
and illustrations on newsletter are copyrighted through the respective
photographer/designer and the Equine Photographers Network through
publishing in the EPNet News .These images are not in the public
domain and may not be posted on personal or commercial websites
or correspondence or used in any manner without obtaining permission
of the copyright holder. For more information on images contact
EPNet News Editor.
Editor: rbaucus@chartermi.net
© 2002 Equine Photographers' Network, All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer
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