iPad 3 and retouching…

So I have “The All New iPad(c)” lol and I haven’t brought it for the reason that a lot of others may have. Yes I love the games on it, yes I love the films and the music and the instant on and the Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr (where is the native iPad App Tumblr? Sort it out) Apps etc. I do love having new stuff but this is my first iPad for a reason, its an excellent proofing tool for the retoucher.

Simple put, I can have a good look at my work for errors, colour issues, overworked and underworked areas etc with confidence as the screen on the new iPad is phenomenal!

I was using my iPhone till recently to zoom in and examining areas of my work to make sure that it was at my preferred standard but the small screen does make for a difficult viewing area when proofing imagery. The iPad’s 9.7” screen is just right for the job and its already making short work of problem areas.

Not that there have been many to be fair, I have noticed that I must be doing something right because almost all of my 2011 work and most of my 2010 work has passed the iPad test with flying colours and the 2012 work has simply found a better home for presentation!

Clients can now see my work up close and I am beginning to rethink updating this years printed portfolio as the resolution on the iPad is so good that it looks like you have professionally printed image within a rather tidy black frame.

So I will update you with how far I go with it, but I have already found a way to replace my current model release forms with an electronic one so its already beginning to find other uses within my workflow other than critiquing and displaying my pretty pictures. ;)

Till then,

Neil :)

Networking.

So I have finally got my equipment up to effective levels with an addition of a new MacBook Pro to compliment my iMac setup in the office.

Why I am Tumbling this? Well its not for anything more than to express the joy of portable and off site image capture and retouching since loading up the computers with a synced palette of retouching goodies.

I can now go on location and shoot and then take a few minutes in the clients location, office or even the nearest McDonalds and develop some concept ideas ready for client or to feature while I am away from home.

I am hoping that this will improve my workflow as well as help out with some of the workload that has presented itself since I have been back at Uni.

I have spent the last 48 hours doing this and it even created some comedic moments for my friends when they watched me connect-disconnect-reconnect the same cables over and over again as I was trying to make things portable or wireless, but all said I feel like something has come together so thought I would remember it here.

So more pictures coming soon, some new work with new models has been lined up with some impressive new faces I have not worked with and as we reach the summer season you can expect a lot more from my commercial and conceptual commitments.  I am hoping to get permission to release some of the work I have completed for brands in the pass as a lot of the work is locked up in contractual hell but any new stuff I can get online I will.

Anyway, till then, Peace.

Neil :) 

Birthday Done Son.

Well just a small note to say that I have just finished my birthday celebrations and I am enjoying the challenge of another year closer to 40, this being my 35th year on this good planet so I am hoping that I am on the right path.

I think as you get older you really do worry if you are making the right decisions in life and I also think that its difficult because you may not be where you thought you would be at that time.  For me its the fact that I am now a full time pro photographer and that is scary in its own right, no guaranteed pay structure, no sick leave, no real solid indication of anything other than it will be difficult and it will be more than competitive.

I like a challenge (those that know me well can attest to this) but I think that the world of work has given me far too many creature comforts that become difficult to maintain when you are working for yourself.

In addition I am also attending Uni to get my degree in photography as I would like to teach it someday in an educational establishment and it can’t hurt to study a subject you love at degree level.  I find it interesting that already with a vast knowledge of photography, concept and philosophy, I am still picking up bits and pieces that I never knew before and that kinda inspires me to keep moving on with it.

Living like a student is the main challenge but I am trying to make alterations that will support that in time and things seem to be improving ever so slightly at the moment.

So I guess what I am saying is that I am happy that photography is both my passion, my educator and my trade and that in hindsight I realise you are never too old to move forward with something you truly care about and are suitably skilled in.

Just wanted to share that.  Photography is hard but its the hard that makes it great!

Peace,

Neil :)