Changes and Attitude

Condé Nast has been a temple in the publishing industry for as long as anyone can remember. But even it is undergoing some changes with the downturn in the print economy. This article is particularly interesting because, to many “normal” people, the attitude it portrays is shocking.

It reminds me of an interview I saw once with Steve Martin. He was on Letterman, I think, and he was talking about the trappings of fame and how it changes your attitude. It creeps up on you. He said that when he started doing stand up, he would drive himself to the gigs. No problem. Then his manager would drive him more often than not. Okay. Then one day in some city they sent a limo. He said, “No no, I don’t need a limo. Really. Thanks but it’s completely unnecessary.”

His manager said “Shut up and take the limo–they sent it, just enjoy it.” So he did.

The next night, in the next city, Martin headed out of his hotel for the gig. He looked around and said, “Where the hell is my limo?!”

The people at Condé Nast are freaking out because they can’t order lunch at Nobu and don’t have Orangina in their fridges. They’ve gotten used to things that most of the rest of the world would see as unnecessary and expensive frou. Creatives run the same risks. We work in a world where we get regular access to people and places and things that others may never experience in their lives. It’s easy to turn into a bit of an ass about it all. Don’t. Remember that we’re really lucky to get to work in this world. Keep grounded and you will appreciate it more each day rather than get jaded.

In other words enjoy it, but don’t forget that the bells-and-whistles are just the show.

That being said, you can also use that show to build your business. For many of our clients, end-clients in particular, going on a photo-shoot is a bit of Hollywood. There are (often) models and lights and stylists, etc. It may feel normal to us, but for them it is a toe-hold on a world they don’t get to live in like we do. If you can remember that and put on a good show for them, they’ll remember that always and appreciate it. Start with great craft services on your shoot. Wonderful food will wow clients all the time. Comfortable places to sit. Nice drinks. Take care of the basics with flair. Make the shoot an experience, and your clients will love it–the agency people will appreciate how great you are making them look in front of their clients and the end-clients will love you too.

The downside is that the next time, they’ll expect it. The upside, of course, is that there will be a next time.

Some things to read

I’m heavily buried in the last few days of study before exams, so rather than write something that will probably contain way too much about law school and not enough about photography and the creative industries, I thought I’d share some links to other good reads… and a could of must-see vids. Enjoy. (and send good exam mojo, pls)

Doug Menuez on free and its threats.

The post-recession future of advertising?

From advertising to SCTV and back again.

What do fired ad people do? Many change their lives. (Btw, Mark Harmel is a photographer who contributed on this project.)

And the best 6 minutes of advertising goodness. One shot (although reportedly take #40), no edits, and you’ll likely be thirsty after.

Quickie…

Heather Morton has another must read post. This one is on the role of the Art Buyer and really gives us a good look at where the responsibilities lie.

When you read this, make sure to keep in your mind “How can I use this information to improve how I approach/work with Art Buyers?” That way you won’t fall into getting upset or frustrated when you read about the limitations on an AB’s “power” etc. Hopefully you will come away with the understanding that while they aren’t there to be your advocates, they really do want to push their constituents to use the best photographer for the project.

Bad Wacom, worse EclipseDigital

Wacom promotes EclipseDigital and their rip-off of artists. (Thx Mark H for the heads up!)

I think EclipseDigital has all sorts of bad things going on. For example, you can’t get the full T&Cs until after you give them your contact info and, essentially, sign up (although it appears you’d get it before you upload anything). That is smarmy at best and I have to wonder if it doesn’t actually run afoul of some legalities. Also, just who are they? I don’t trust companies that don’t have real people somewhere on the site–like bios of the execs or something.

But the core issue for professional creatives is the unfortunate promotion by Wacom. For any of you who use or are thinking about using their products, take a moment to complain to them about this. The more they know their core users are upset, the less they will do things like this in the future.

Probably slow for a while

I wanted to let everyone know that I will likely not be posting as much here for the next 17 days. My exams for summer term start on the 15th and will finish on the 20th. I have five exams. I really need to study.

I’ve had to read about 300 pages (more or less) a week this term. There are 13+ weeks in the term. That’s about 3900 pages read. 3900 pages of some of the densest, least exciting words ever put in linguistic order on a page. The kind of reading that makes Leviticus look like a romance novel. It’s been a chore even when some of the cases have been interesting.

But I love it. I love it because I know that the work I am doing know will pay off in the future. When I get the most frustrated, like when I just read three pages and have to read them again because they made absolutely no sense on the first read, I think about why am I doing this: to improve myself, my business, and my clients.

In other words, I keep thinking long-term to get me through the tough work of the now. Then the work I’m doing now becomes something I can love doing.

You can do the same. Sure, for most creative people it is no fun to do the work of creating or working a marketing plan and running a business. You want to make your art, your images, and not have to screw with the invoicing and bookkeeping and mailers and planning, etc. But it is in the doing of the tedious that you get the opportunities to do the art (and get paid for it).

So, if I can do it, so can you. While I’m slogging through making outlines of the law and flashcards and learning the details of the rules, you do some of the not so fun work that makes your business, in the long run, better. Research some clients. Plan some mailers and emailers. Catch up on your bookkeeping. Plan your marketing for next year. And remember to love the work, because it is in the doing that you get to do what you really love.

Anti-Piracy gaining mo’!

There is more and more good news globally on the anti-piracy front. Just today comes this news that Pirate Bay is in even more trouble. This time, there’s an injunction against them and a separate one against the group buying the evil company.

By the way, that whole deal may be swirling the bowl anyway.

As a side note, Pirate Bay really are a bunch of weasels. Love the bit in the article about them claiming they never got a summons but there is an electronic trace of someone from their IP accessing it. Talk about being hoisted on your own petard!

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) is going after them as well. Go get ’em!

Most hopefully, and this is not getting the press it should, a judge in the Tannenbaum “filesharing” trial issued a partial summary judgement on the issue of whether a “fair use” defense could be used. The judge said, essentially, “No.” In the ruling she issued (ironically, perhaps, by email) she noted that the defense, if used, would, “shield from liability any person who downloaded copyrighted songs for his or her own private enjoyment” and would “swallow the copyright protections that Congress has created.”

Woo hoo! This is a big deal and a win for creators who have to fight the “everyone does it” rationalization. So good news all over in IP law today.

It’s how you see, damn it!

Over on Heather Morton’s fabulous blog, there is a post by Myles that brings up a really important point: it doesn’t matter what tricks you know in Photoshop, if you start with your own way of seeing, your own great images, you will have much better work.

The comments need to be read as well.

I don’t think that computer tricks and skills are bad, that is not what I am saying. I just think that if you start with strong work, strong images you have made, then add strong post skills, the combination can be devastating (in a good way). But if you just take a picture, then use the same skills in post, meh.

And like Myles was noting, it is too easy to get sucked into trend-following if you aren’t making your own best work first.

Think about it: are you making your work or the work you think that people want? Are you making your work and then turning it into what you think people will want? Or are you making your work, using whatever tools are appropriate, and then finding the right people to show your work to?

Only the last option will bring you lasting success.

The New Creative Lube

The first of the new Creative Lube podcasts is now available. You can purchase it individually or buy a subscription for a whole year’s worth of them. A subscription will save you money as you will get at least 2 episodes free (over buying individually), maybe more if I get inspired and post extras.

The purchase is done via PayPal and the podcasts and system are hosted through PodBean. If you have any issues, please let me know. I want this to work for everyone, of course.

I know some of you will be upset about having to pay for the podcasts now. I’m sorry for that and for those of you who choose not to purchase, I’m sorry to lose you as listeners.

The reality is, much like other service providers, I must charge for this information and effort. There is value in this information. I have always put in a lot of effort to produce Creative Lube and, now that they are costing you money, I will not only keep up that commitment, but plan on increasing the quality of effort and materials.

In the future, I plan on touching on issues of social media, email promotions, new media options, legal issues, and buyer survey results, just to name a few. I am always looking for ideas for topics, so please don’t hesitate to suggest some.

For now, the old Creative Lubes are where they were, and are still available via iTunes as well. At some point they will have to migrate. I suggest getting all of them now. They are still free.

Thanks to all of you who have sent me notes saying how you would be fine paying for CL and telling me how much you get from them. I deeply appreciate your support and hope to exceed your expectations with the new Creative Lube.

What they want

From an Art Producer (aka Art Buyer), here is what she wants photographers to do and how things work for her. It’s pretty straight forward and interesting. Lots of great info.

I still think she is rare in the dumping of the print promo file, however. I know of many who love print promos.

I bet if someone sent her a mini-book or something fun/cool/different in print, she’d keep it.

Biz Card

In case you missed my post on the BAP Facebook page, make sure to check out this augmented reality biz card. Portfolio in a biz card, plus more.

I want to see a photographer do this, smartly. Way cool.