[John Bennett]

Fantastic Ben.

“But for the grace of god there go I”

[John Bennett]

Never, bracketing it slows down the body too much.

Im either in M or AV 100% of the time. Which, depends alot on how consistant the quantity and direction of the light of is.

For example Sunday the sun was moving in and out of clouds every few seconds. I’m not good enough to constantly dial in more/less SS or change f/stops on the fly like that. Also you can switch from shooting direct front light 1 second, and end up swinging 145 degrees the next to catch something happending over your shoulder, such the light is strong side light or some back lighting.
All of which lead can lead to bad exposures.

Once Im done for the day my first pass is weeding out the poorly exposed and out of focus. Then I weed out the very similiar..say two shots that are almost identical due to the fps but I look for minute differences.

End result is something like this. Its the 1 frame I kept from a 3 frame sequence. I was looking for the motion blur and the moodiness of the enviroment (casting the rain)

ISO 100, 1/320th AV -1/3 ev

Frame 1 the rod tip was still behind his shulder
Frame 2 nailed what I was looking for
Frame 3 the rod tip had extended off frame

I tried two takes. In all 6 or 7 frames and about 1 second worth of shooting.

[John Bennett]

Lol at the last Will, I’m in the same boat. Hence why I’ll never write an article 🙂

If somone who’s starting out, or is thinking about starting out later this year, learns anything either from Phils commentary as an editor, from yours or Zachs as people who have travelled down the road or from my own difficulties navigating some of the potential landmines then it’s served its purpose.

One thing I’ve learned and while *my* experience is limited, it’s that each magazine is subtly different. Some want low res images in large quantities to quickly preview and weed through. Images they keep on file and decide to use at some later unspecified date, they’ll request full res originals once they decide to use them.

Landmine. Dont send anything that isnt printable at atleast .5 page, if not full.

Some want full res’s.
The danger here to me isn’t so much a RAW vs jpeg vs TIFF arguement. Any of those, can be edited beyond what we as originators do and probably rightfully so. An AD will want the ability to crop to fit space, remove something, whatever, or even colour correct . If I send someone a TIFF, I may as well save myself the processing time and send the RAW 🙂

Phil sumed it up best I think. The moment you send anyone a full res image (regardless of format) thats the moment you surrender control.

Again every publication is different. Was I surprised to discover images I sold in April and May werent going to be run until the spring, early summer of 2009? Not really, it makes alot of sense. I cant divulge information but suffice to say, the article is written it’s ready to go. But due to scheduling, the article isnt running until then.

I would imagine every magazine out there is scheduling their fall winter articles now.

Some Magazines need more images than others, simply because they go to print every month, versus every quarter.

But even at that high turn over rate.
12 issues
5 articles per issue
4 to 6 images per article.

Thats only about 300 images per year. Keep in mind the lions shares of published photos are those that are done by the field editors and handed in with their articles. And each and every AD will have deadlines to meet. Theres something to be said for having high res images on hand.

The point Im making is just reinforcing the point that once an image is in their database it could be quite some time before its selected and used.

I could send an editor a million dollar shot of a Musky slamming a duckling or Tailwalking across the water at the end of a line. Until they have article thats relative, its not going to be run, no matter how good it is. How long might they keep it in the “library”?

Dunno.
*****
I sent an editor some wild turkey shots. Got great feedback on them.
Problem, they were taken in the winter with snow on the ground.
Not useable in any “hunting” articel as Turkey Season is May. They want green in the background not snow. They would do nicely in a Pre season scouting article though…best case they get used next January, February…Providing the Editor decides to run a Turkey Scouting article, the AD whom I deal with has little say over that. If they are considering a Turkey pre season scouting article. Dollars to donuts the layout is being done sometime between now and Sept.

Fun stuff this busniess
🙂

[John Bennett]

Chad my main interest (if that the rigt word) are action sequences, call it my “style”.

I shot a 3D archery tournament on Sunday. I shot while I was participating, which really crimped my shooting on both fronts . Not once did I take more than 3 frames. I still came home with just under 300 images.

A morning ( 2 hrs) out with Flanconers or chasing Whie Tails and I can fill 4gig in no time. I rarely take “extended” burst but even a .5 second burst puts 4 frames on the card. The slightest “tap” puts 2 images on the card.

20 seconds of shooting which = 170 images

A morning with alot of action and yeah I fill the 4 gig somewhat regularily.

[John Bennett]

Dunno Corey.
It cant hurt but as this discussion has shown, now that they are out there you need to becareful about future request or using them as part of a promotional cd and or submissions anywhere else, even as a low res.If you do make sure they know they arent the first.

That to may have burned me a bridge (telling someone I may have to say no to images he was interested in) . Dont know for sure on that one but again, better safe than sorry.
**********

If they end up in their library I dont know what to say 🙂
Im trying to muddle my way through that. Thers no limit on how long they can keep them in their data base.

I do know a guy that burned a bridge because some his were cropped and when push came to shove and he had to deliver the full res images,….. I know of a highly repsected paper that got burned by an established photographer doctoring images.

(IMO) only, better to be upfront. A number of my older images from a year ago when I used to crop I wont send and will probably take down in time. Any skill at all in PS can make 1024 x 750s look publishable.
They could still published as smaller prints but again…..

[John Bennett]

Welcome back will.

With regards to “editing”, you know them. Im not worried about thier post, nor would you be. Although I am questioning RAW for no other reason than it might lead to a problem in the odd case where 2 have the same image.

If anything Im being overly careful not to fall into a pitfall
As yet, no two have the same RAW, nor am I talking about “carpet bombing” more than one magazine. Its a few images and not likely to grow anytime soon. In fact, in the case where it has occured the recipient knows they arent the only (disclosure) and it is a low res jpeg. But forewarned is forearmed and Im revisiting the wisdom in sending RAWs. Will depend I guess. But when its one of bigger and better mags and they request it…Kind of hard to step on their toes 🙂

Why might editors want RAW or full res? So they know what they are dealing with. I know somone who burned a bridge by submitting “low res crops” that were sharp to the eye. Too bad the full res’s were unpublishable.

I could send an editor 500 wickedly sharp, low res, down sized images and not a single one would be publishable at more than an insert size.
In fact some images on my website I wont send for that reason. They may pass as 1/4 page prints but not much more. Phil as much as said so, they need to be large enough to know if its suitable.

If I were an editor and under a deadline and liked 5 images from some guy and had to request full res images (instead of having them on hand) that might arrive some time later only to discover none of them were usefull…and then have to scramble to revamp…….

Well that too, might burn some bridges.
Websites, such that we/most of us have are laregly ueless atleast at first blush. Unless I “know” the photographer I often queston..that looks nice at 800 x 500, wonder what the raw/full res looks like. BY sending large files, they know exactly, with no room for doubt if its publishable at any size. The minimum I can send to 1 National is a jpeg at 300 dpi sized to 8 by 10, raw or no.

Anways I digress, theres good and bad in both.

The part Im having”difficulty” with is literally the “libraries” and how long might images be in “limbo”. As I said I know for a fact Ive got some images shot in Aprli and May that wont be run until next May June 2009. Anything I send to one magazine from Bass Openers 2008 that gets added to their library realistically likely wont be run for months due to scheduling and seasons. possibly close to a year

Its the ones they added  and hold “indefinately” that have me “over “analysing.

A lightbox/website is fine and certainly has alot of merit, not sure what might give you the idea Im not taking their advice to heart.
I am, very seriously.

“But”

Any idea how many emails editors at various magazines receive requesting they look over them?
Im guessing a few.

A “promotional” CD to me would be the best bet to gettng “noticed” and then once your foots in the door and something is estabished , yes I can see lightbox/websites working. There are 1,00s of such sites around. The personal touch still has its place.

All else being equal, for someone looking to get their foot in the door a CD Im thinking is worth infinately more than a website with optimised for web images. As an edior Id look at that (a CD), websites from unknowns where you dont know what if anything about the “actual” image/author?

Has it been cropped?
Baked or doctoreed?
Looks sharp on the web…in print?

[John Bennett]

Corey thats what I do.

I only know of a few cases where cards have failed (Sandisk anyways) and even fewer cases of lost/stolen/damaged cards but the thought of losing all the data on an 8gig card to something as simple as dropping it in the river is enough.

If Im heading out for a full day or more I bring upto 10 gig with me.
1 4gig
2 2 gig
2 1 gig.

With my body

[John Bennett]

Not crazy about replying to my own, but more food for thought.

Heres an excerpt from one magazine, with regards to unsolicited submissions.

Photographers interested in sending originals should send a small portfolio of 100 (or less) well-edited images. Naturally, we would expect photographers to send images that are in line with the magazine’s content (ie. fishing, hunting and conservation). Label each frame with your name, and provide details such as species of fish or shot location. We usually do not purchase images in advance, but will solicit images from your library when packaging stories or features. We’ll return them by Express Post as soon as we can after viewing. We also are happy to accept electronic submissions via email.

We are now starting to see an influx of digital work, and will deal with photographers on a one-to-one basis in regards to needs and requirements regarding this medium.

On the surface its not very different than what Phil suggested. Honeslty given fly fishing really just got started here in the last month I couldnt fill a CD for Phil yet 🙂

But, really having 200 images (or more ) out there and in 1 magazines “library” as freelancer, I dont think is all that much relatively speaking. If I were to send 100 images to ABC in January and come May/June had request for some of them from elsewhere or wanted to get a foot in the door with XYZ, then potentionally some potential conflicts arise.

At what point is it safe?
Probably never. Once they are in someone’s library they are likely there for quite some time. Hence my comment about images being held hostage and why Im going to give alot of thought about RAW +Jpegs (although that seems to be becoming more popular)

Case in point.
Bass openers is this coming weekend. I’ll be out Saturday for sure, Sunday possibly. Assuming the fish and weather  co-operate between fish mug shots, enviroment and landscape and filler shots (boat luanches, bass boats zipping by at 100mph, reel shots, etc) I could end up producing 50-100 potentially publishable images. Id probably trim that further but its just a point. Even if its ends up being 50.

If I send those to XYZ (editors like variety) and they get added to the library Atleast up here due to seasonal issues ( typically feature articles run in the months leading upto season openers). Meaning the publications ran their Bass articles in May and are likekly already focusing on their late summer, fall hunting articles. Are they “dead” and shouldnt be sumitted used until next April when publishers will once again be looking at Walleye and Bass openers? Conversely if I do nothing and wait for next winter then they aren working for me and I completely miss any chance of any of them being used before te waters freeze and editors are looking for ice fishing articles and winter hunting articles/images. 6 of one, half dozen of another 🙂

J

[John Bennett]

More to think about, and duly noted 🙂

Trust me, this is something I’ve given alot of thought to. Not only who, but also how much and when. While I think I’m still a ways from getting a cover…who knows, lightning can strike :).

Part of the problem may be a limited number of mags up here that cover hunting/fishing and the Outdors. Theres really only 2 or 3. So to some extent “diversification” is a little more problematic. Take “Fly Fishing”. Up here theres only 2 publications and thats Nationally. Im not as familiar with the States but I can think of 4 easily. Im sure there are alot more, and that just fly fishing. If I selected images that wre well exposed and sharp enough for .5 page or 8 x 10s and deleted the rest I could potentially/easily send 50 to each per month depending on “lucky” I was getting content.

So now that some more doors are opening, diversification is less an issue. So I guess the question I need to resolve for myself is what to do about those images that are in a “library” already, and have been for awhile and how selective to be going forwards…aka how “many” to send out for consideration.

Just want to note though that Phil said he prefers a full cd of low res, so I think thats fairly universal. The difference may be where Phil may keep what he wants and pass on the rest, thus far it seems/appears as though a good number of mine have been kept and I dont know what has/hasnt passed muster
Dunno.

I’ll look into that lightbox suggestion.

[John Bennett]

Thanks Phil.

For someone starting out theres alot to consider, this being but one potential issue. The last thing I’d want is problem of that nature.

With regards to “libraries” and what any one editor may have on hand at any given time. Not delivering RAWs may be a good work around, in so much as it would almost force an editor to request the original file, thereby giving me the opportunity to notify anyone that needs to be notified. Although that does mean delivering images that dont meet their request for RAW + jpeg (where applicable).

As for the number they actually have on hand, it’s hard to say. Maybe its a subtle difference in how the industry works up here. Where Zach and some others have alluded to editors notifying the photogrpaher which they are keeping or passing on as the case may be. With the exception of those that I know are sold/spoken for, to date Ive really just gotten “were adding them to the library under your name” for submissions . I doubt its 100%, but then again, I also doubt its 1, 2 or 5% kept and filed given some communication thats been shared with a few.

Kind of leaves me the dark for a good number of them. So far, my process has been to submit about 50 images at a time. Over 7 months and 2 assignements for “A” thats alot of images that could be held on file indefinately to be used “whenever”, which will only grow as more get submitted. Not counting anyone else.

Anyways, thanks for your input on the matter, its invaluable given its coming from the “horses mouth” so to speak.

J

[John Bennett]

Know the feelling Chad. I haven’t pointed my camera at anything in a week and its gettin to me 🙂

Like the side and strength of light in the first as well as the DoF. It’s likely just me but wouldn’t mind seeing a little less DoF and maybe even in a black and white.

[John Bennett]

I’m being very carefull about that Phil. In the cases where there is duplication its a few images and to two pubs (no more)  and the better part of a year separate them receivng the files. I’ve already informed an editorof a 3rd Pub who asked about some photos that it would depend on the specific images in question as some are already in the hands of another.

Have I blown him of as a resultf?
Possibly

And this is where I’m finding it very difficult. If you send something to  (A) unsolicitated and they presumably add them to your library. Then months later you get request for them or want to offer them to (B), its  a dicey line.

This probably isn’t the right wording but they can’t be held “hostage”.
Meaning the right to use the image hasn’t been paid for by A, and theres litteraly no guarantee they ever will. They are for all intents and purposes in limbo.

I dont think its “right” therefore that as the photographer the original recipient have essentially the rights to them, without ever having notified the photographer that they are going to be run, or paid for 1 time useage rights indefinately. You want to extend every courtesy both persoanlly and prfessionally to them but at the end of the day its business on both ends.

Should I forego potential sales for what may never develop?

To put a litle perspective on it. If I have 200 images on file at A), none of which have been paid for. Thats 200 photos that are dead in the water that could be doing something elsewhere.

At my best guess my A has about that many ( possibly more ) on file some of which I know are spoken for (they will get run) the rest……..

[John Bennett]

Thanks all, between the replies here and more communication with the AD we’re going to try another small sampling of 6 images next week. I’m feeling alot better about it working provided I format the disk with ‘Mastered”. Will just need to pay attention when I insert the blank to find the option to select which method 🙂

Ness, no worries.
Lots of good imformation can come from threads that end up branch off. I dont worry about sidebars. Im pretty sure my next PC will be a Mac, worst case scenario if works still prickly about it, I keep the current one as well instead of passing it to one of the kids.

J

[John Bennett]

Looks nice.

In my experience since following trends in new bodies, most drop significantly 6months to a year after becoming available. That a decent rebate could put it closer.

Coventional wisdom is also not to be a buyer of the first shipments. Let others be the guinea pigs. The Canon MKIII was/is the classic example of that

[John Bennett]

So could it be a hardware fault then?

According to the LFS stuff, and I know this from experience. When I push the button to “eject” the disk, it takes a minute as it finalises the CD/DvD.

Once complete the tray slides out and the disk is accessible. As a habit I always pop it back it in and use “my computer” to ensure the files are there but its beginning to sound like something slipped between the cracks at this stage possibly.

[John Bennett]

Thanks Scott.

From reading the help site I’ve learned that.
LFS allows for multipe files to be “burned” over time
Mastered: One shot batch.

I kind of suspect
LFS: looks like only Vista systems can read, and XP can read with an older version of LFS.

Mastered: should be readable by all….including macs?

is that how you read it or know it to be? Just to be clear.

J

[John Bennett]

Add another black eye to Windows Vista.

The AD just called me to talk about possible work arounds for future reference ( CDs yet to be sent ). The CD I had sent them they have been able to retreive and read the files by having their IT dept, upload to the server and do what ever it is tech guys do.

So the good news is, its not the CD or human error

The bad news is, unless a solution is found ( im praying its the “Mastered” format ) and we going to test that with just a couple images next week, I doubt the AD will want to have to hand any CDs I send over to the IT first, before being able to view images.

[John Bennett]

Not too worry.
When they told me they received it yesterday but it was unreadable due to a conflict I was confused. Burning CDs is just something I took for granted. Plug and Play and all that 🙂

Nor do I want to simply assume it has something to do with LFS, I mean it could just be a bad disk…..But in reading that help system I think Ive created more doubts than resolved. Thought maybe Id check here if theres something Im not aware of.

Re Mac.
When I bought my new box in Sept I strongly considered a Mac, but work insisted it be a Windows Box….sigh

Now, 9 months later I hate Vista.
I have a few problems with CS3 due to permissions, they are small and more annoynaces, than critical, but still…

If the opportuity (or cash

[John Bennett]

Hi Zach and thanks.
Thats what I thought to but like many things Vista may not be the case. I’m beginning to really hate Vista what with permission problems and all

The CD I sent is unreadable due to Windows/Mac formating conflict.

In checking Microsoft Vista Help the only thing I can find is this.

Bascially Vista introduced a new formatting system called Live File System”. It’s only compatible with other Windows XP and later. Depnding on the version of LFS used ( from 1.02 to 2.05) it may not even be compatible with older windows vista OSs.

There is a “formatting” option called “Mastered”.

Bascially rather than use default LFS, change to “Mastered” when formatting the CD that they say under the help section.

To
Burn music or pictures and use the disc in any computer, including versions of Windows earlier than Windows XP, or ordinary CD or DVD players that can play MP3s and digital pictures
Disc: CD-R, DVD-R, or DVD+R.

Use
Format: Mastered

But before trying that I want to be sure. I really dont feel like sending yet another unreadable CD. Really wish that read…..to use in any computer including Apples…….

I’m not sending too many. Just 50 to start ( so thats 50 RAWs and 50 jpegs). It fits on 1 CD.

?edit add
Just for reference and incase someone whos more tech savvy ( Im kind of illiterate 🙂 ) heres the actual Vista link that speaks to formatting blank disks. Its the only solution I can think of as to why its not readable unless theres something else.

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/2af64e60-60aa-4d79-ab6c-3a5db5806cbe1033.mspx

[John Bennett]

John for whats it’s worth here’s what I’ve experienced so far. You might find some of it valuable given it’s a path I’ve just recently (in the last year ) started down.

Identify 1 or 2 publications you’d like to target. Treat it just as you would a job search. Try as much as possible to learn everything you can about them, just as you would a prospective employer. From their content to their submission guidelines.

One thing Ive discovered up here, is that each magazine is different.
Most want jpegs to start. In one case full res, in yet another and like Phil low res.

The magazine I’m primarily dealing with want both the RAW and a high res jpeg from me. Initially that was a low res, my guess is the ADs seen enough of both my raws and jpeg output to know and trust that a) Im capable of processing and b) I dont overdue stuff or manipulate them….Dunno for sure but my guess is if I can save him or his staff time processing, all the better and if he wants to make changes (colour, sharpening, crop even) he has the RAW to do it.

An editor from yet another saw some of my work just this week and has requested a CD of more. He to wants the RAW and full res jpegs.
In his words…”so we dont have to bother you for another file (meaning raw) down the road if/when they select some.

In a nut shell with regards to format, each magazine can be different in their requirements. Read their guidlines and follow them, and further learn everything you can about them. Size, market, content, study some of their past issues for general ideas.
******

Rights.
My understanding is that with regards to submissions “purchased” photos ( they pay you to run them) are for one time useage rights. Should they use the image multiple times you get paid for each reproduction. Comp is dependant on image size printed. It varies to magazine to magazine. As Phil said, once an image is sold, if its in anyone elses hands make sure you dont sell it again before its published.

Exception
Are assignments. Where your paid to go shoot something, regardless of how many (if any) images are used. In this case the rights are 1 year exclusive. Dont even think about uploading any of those for display.

Reselling and multiple submissions.
This is hard part. In large part its a numbers game. The more magazines you get your foot in the door with and start establishing “stock libraries” with, the better your odds of getting published.

Its also a waiting game. I have images that are sold and counted for, but the article wont run until next spring/summer. I also have images in my “stock library” at a publication that they kept but due to scheduling may or may not get used and even if they are it may be 2 years. I wont get paid (if at all ) until the issue/article for which they apply goes to print.

So I wait 2 years before sending elsewhere? 1 yr? 6 months? whe nothing has been “purchased” but only kept for potential use

[Author]

Posts