DAM!

Peter Krough's 2005 version of "The DAM Book"

Not damn, but DAM, as in digital asset management. From the early years during the transition to digital I was fortunate to work around a lot of smart people who really understood workflow and asset management, and even today, I still take pride in my digital workflows even though my asset management could use a bit of refinement.

I bring this up because I was watching TWIT Photo and the guest was Peter Krough who literally wrote "The DAM Book." I didn't recognize the name immediately and actually put off watching the episode for a few days. When I finally got around to watching and realized he was the author (I really only needed to look over at my book shelf to see the 2005 version), I started to pay closer attention.

Remix Alot

Everything is a Remix Part 1 from Kirby Ferguson on Vimeo.

I know I'm late to the game on this one, but I was checking out the blog of Vincent Laforet and his most recent post about Kirby Ferguson's "Everything is a Remix" series of videos. I'm late because Part 4 was released last month.

All that aside, I went back and watched the first four parts and was really amazed by the content and concepts presented. Really thought provoking stuff on copyright, reuse, credit, etc.

"FrankenVideo" is a term I've used for the past couple of years to describe what I sometimes find myself doing in my job with the Office of Naval Research. Much like the Frankenstein monster who was made up of many parts, most of the requests for videos I get are made up of many file formats and come from multiple sources. My job is to rearrange them to tell a coherent story. Additionally, copyright never seems to be an issue until I bring it up. Piecing these videos together is laborious, mostly because of the constraints of government oversight of the computer systems, along with unreasonable time frames. I get the job done, but just like making sausage, you don't want to know how I made it.

PACKING FOR ASSIGNMENT

Porta-Brace video camera case and Think Tank Photo roller bag. 

Planning, research and organization are essential. The first thing I do when given an assignment is start asking questions like, when, where, still, video, deadline.

Next comes the logistics, such as will I fly or drive, be staying at a hotel or aboard a ship at sea, need a rental car or will I use my personal vehicle?

Answers to these questions greatly impact what gear I need and how and what I will pack.

Next begins the research phase of the trip. I start with the writer if one has been assigned and see what research has already been done. Sometimes a draft of the story has already been started. Next I'll contact the program manager or subject matter expert, introducing myself and requesting any and all background information they can provide. I also ask them what I can expect to see and if there are any restrictions when I'm on location. Never want to find out for the first time that cameras aren't allowed or something is classified when I arrive.

Prints on the Wall

Photo taken with a Lego camera and processed in LR4.

As I looked around my apartment recently I realized that the four photos framed and hanging on my walls that were shot by me had been there since I moved in almost seven years ago.

I had heard of Mpix as a member of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals and decided it was time give it a try. I had two photos from my trip to Kodiak that I thought would be a good test.

The first order I placed was for a 11 x 14 inch E-Surface print surrounded by a two inch white mat with a black flat frame and covered with glass. It is a simple online process to upload your photo and make various mat and frame selections. You can also preview what the final product will look like matted and framed before you purchase. Mpix will also color correct for you if desired, however, so far I've not taken them up on that and the results have been spot on.

If you order by 11 a.m. you will have the framed photo in two business days.

BEST NON-PHOTO ACCESSORY

Well I don't know if it is the best non-photo accessory I own, but I can tell you that since I purchased the Polder Ultra light Aluminum 3-Step Ladder in 2006, I have not regretted it.

This ladder is sturdy, only weighs a few pounds, and is easy to carry over a shoulder. And because of the extended top, gives you something to lean against so that you can concentrate on shooting and not balancing.

This piece of equipment seems to come in handy several times a month. The little bit of elevation it provides is nice when taking group shots and if I'm covering a conference, it allows me to see over the crowd from the back of the room or puts me at eye level with a speaker who is on a podium. I have even carried this with me on the Metro when covering events in the Washington D.C. area.

It also comes in handy for its intended use as well since none of the offices in the building I work at allow you to turn off the lights, I have remove the fluorescent light bulbs in order to control the lighting when conducting video interviews.

I have to credit a friend, photographer Johnny Bivera, who I first saw using this ladder when he was the Secretary of the Navy's personal photographer.

For around $60, it's a bargain and will provide you with more than just a height advantage. I noticed a slight difference between the ladder available for sale today and the one I'm using, but I know you won't be disappointed.