An investment of $40.00 and BAMB! Your in the Custom Frame Business.

LustreColor has added to their diverse collection of products and services with custom framing.  Corner samples can be ordered for $40.00 and frames & matting can be ordered directly though Lab link plus.  You get the richness and quality with corner samples and the ease of ordering with Lab link plus, it doesn’t get any easier than that.

Need some guidance, information and inspiration about framing?
Richard Nolette is the Print n’ Frame Liaison Manager at LustreColor and is highly respected for his 20+ years of experiences in helping Professional Photographers sell frames. Richard is available to assist & consult with any studio that is interested in updating or adding custom framing to their studio’s product line. Speak to Richard about adding or maximizing your studio’s framing potential 1-800-827-7101 ext. #114.  Richard is also available for in-studio consultations in the New England area.

Be Careful what you wish for! It may not matter.

Our industry seems to be caught up with Pixels.  Unfortunately, more pixels means more cards, more storage space, more time opening files, more time uploading files, more time…. well, you get the point.  Put another way “10 pounds of rocks in a 5 pound bag is still a bag of rocks”  At this moment, if you can’t create beautiful images with the equipment available today, then more certainly won’t give you more quality.

More importantly, Excellent technique, top notch optics, lighting, as well as great output(professional printing) is more important than pixels.  Make an investment in you!  Your creativity is more important  than the equipment you use.  Even Ansel Adams created his photographs with cameras and lenses that where older than dirt.

Simply put, technique and creativity out way the need for new cameras(sorry Canon & Nikon). You are better off taking that money you have been putting aside for a new camera, and taking a class, a seminar, buying a book and even creating new sample products to show off to your clients.

And while we are on the subject of samples, If you went to a furniture store, and all they had where  illustrations of couches & chairs, with nothing to sit on or feel the quality of their products, would you buy ?  Of course not!  Give your customers the same benefit by having real samples to show.  Right now is a great time with LustreColor’s annual Studio Sample sale!

Separate Yourself From The Competition!

In our fast paced world of technology, Manufacturers have convinced the masses that photographs should only be viewed from a screen. Many photographers have also been convinced of this too.

Proofing has never been a stronger value than it is today. Back in the days of film, the cost per image was about $1.00 or so when you added up film cost, developing, scanning and proof. Digital has removed a substantial amount of those costs. For example, Wedding proofing in 2006 with film for 630 images was approx. $700.00 including uploading, scanning, and a color corrected DVD.
Today, that same 630 images costs about $280.00 for color correction, proofing, archiving, and Album design and about $170.00 if you do your own color correcting. That’s over a 50%-75% savings without even considering the value of the Album design!!!  People go to professionals for service, as well as a complete product.  I equate a disc to a raw piece of meat, and drugstore printing like a microwave oven.  Would you eat that?   I wouldn’t, why make your customer?

So get retro, give your customers something that other photographers are overlooking, Memories that don’t have to be plugged in, turned on or charged. Most of us look at a computer screen 5+ hours a day. Make the experience different. Proofs are tangible, sentimental and give a tactile experience that nothing else compares to. Not to mention the increased value for your services which translates into $$$$$. So in short, add proofs and add Profits for the new year.

https://www.lustrecolor.com/ProductsAndServices/Proofing/DigitalProofs/

Nikon SB900 and overheating

Much has been discussed regarding the Thermal shut off switch in the SB900′s. There are many things that contribute to this. First is using the dome on the flash at low ISO’s. This causes the flash to dump at full output, requiring the flash to recycle the capacitors back to 100% from 0. If you are using rechargeable batteries with a mah rating of 2650 and higher, those batteries are going to contribute to the unit heating up. Also, shooting outside while it is above 80 degrees will also contribute to the unit overheating.

What to do? first, use the dome when you can bounce off of a ceiling of 12 feet or less. Second, try to use an ISO of 800 or higher for rapid shooting if the ambient light permits. Third, keep the aperture between F5.6-F8.0 if the ambient light and depth of field permit, and fourth, try using 2000mah batteries instead. The lower mah will not heat up as fast and will keep the flash from going into thermal overload. There are other things that may help keep this at bay, but this should give you a start. Also, Sanyo makes a Hybrid battery (Eneloop) that can hold 85% of it’s charge after a year in storage.

Happy shooting!

Mac OS 10.7

Apple has just released the long awaited OS 10.7 AKA Lion. We gear heads like to have the latest and greatest software, but wait!

The last thing you want to do is render software or accessories useless. This latest version does not include Rosetta. What is Rosetta you ask? It was a compatibility software to use Power PC programs with the new Intel based Macs. Unfortunately some programs have not been updated yet. Even more unfortunate is that some won’t.

So, dust off your software boxes and see if they are universal for both PowerPC and Intel, go to the Manufacturers websites and confirm compatibility with OS 10.7. I always try to wait until there is a .1 update at least.

Attention Mac Users

Please be advised that the latest version of FireFox does not have the necessary Java components to upload images via the upload cart. Please use Safari for ordering.

It is always a good Idea to be using the newest OS available, which will reduce software conflicts.

20-Day Senior Summer Specials

	www.LustreColor.com
20-Day Senior Summer Specials! Senior Book Images by David Rosen High Point, NC
The High School Senior Season is Here! We’ve cooked up some Hot Summer Specials to help you kickoff a successful High School Senior Shooting Season! As an Extra Bonus, additional Discounts will be available to all of our Facebook Fans – Be sure to “Like Us” on Facebook for extra discounts!
Our 20-Day Summer Specials are available 6/21/2011 thru 7/11/2011  Note: The discounts listed below cannot be combined with any other discounts or specials offer ends midnight 7/11/2011. Lab Link Plus & Direct Print Orders Only.

	Save 25% on all ChromaLuxe Orders! All ChromaLuxe Products are on sale!  Everything from Dog Tags to Hardboard Panels, Aluminum Prints and License Plates! To order go to: Lab Link Plus or Direct Print > Standard Prints Catalog > ChromaLuxePrints Tab Enter Promo code: CH25P11
	25% Off Mini Mags! Mini Mags are incredibly popular with both High School Seniors and their Mom’s! The Summer Discount Special is available on our Wallet & 5×7 size Mini Mags only. Select either Pro “E” Surface or Metallic Paper. To order go to: Lab Link Plus or Direct Print > Proof Magazine/Mini Mag Catalog > click on the Desire Size Tab Enter Promo code: MM25P11
	Take 25% on All Postcards Promotional Postcards are a terrific way to reach new customers, keep past clients up to date with special offers, or as a incentive to increase a photographic print order! Available on all of our Standard Card Layouts or Design Your Own. Prices are based on quantity and list from $.35/$.17 each. For greater impact, add UV Coating to one side – only $.10 per side. (Enter UV10 in Special  Instructions.) To order go to: Lab Link Plus or Direct Print > Standard Prints Catalog > Press Printed Products Tab > Postcards Tab Enter Promo code: PC25P11
540 Turnpike Street | Canton, MA 02021 Phone:  800-827-7101  Fax: 781-828-2918 kwilson@lustrecolor.com   www.LustreColor.com   Click Here to end LustreColor E-News e-mails  Copyright 2011 LustreColor Inc. All Rights Reserved

Strobes, Malfunction and Service

Every so often a piece of equipment will malfunction and it reminds me of how dangerous the insides of a flash can be. Inside all strobes(flashes) are capacitors.  This the component that stores the energy  to create the current needed to make a strobe fire.  Sometimes that part can fail.  It can be a burning smell, a small pop sound, or in my situation, it blew the side off of the power pack.

The point is, you need to respect your equipment.  Many times there is no warning, it will just fail.  But if something does not sound right, smell right or look right, shut it off and send it in for service.  The stored energy in those capacitors can KILL you.  There is no piece of photographic equipment with more potential for harm than Strobes.  Only let the manufacturer or authorized service center repair your flash equipment.

PPSNYS Lecture Series featuring Steve Sedman

PPSNYS Lecture Series Monday July 11, 2011 4:30 – 6:30 pm Holiday Inn Express 8 Empire Drive Rensselaer, NY 12144 FREE for PPSNYS Members $35 for Non-members  (If a non-member joins PPSNYS within 30 days of the lecture, the $35 will be refunded)    Join PPSNYS, Stephen Sedman andLustreColor this summer to learn how to stay hot in today’s market! The current bride is more visually savvy than ever. To be successful in wedding photography, you need to know what your potential customers want and then exceed their expectations. Learn how to increase, strategize and enhance business.  Stephen will cover shooting for great album design, work flow, Flash (a love/hate relationship), and marketing.  Learn how to maximize your productivity through efficient work flow.    RSVP to this event by emailingheadquarters@ppsnys.com with your name, section (if a member) and contact information (title email: Lecture Series).  Please RSVP by Wednesday, June 27.    Don’t miss this great member benefit! Free to PPSNYS members and only $35 for non-members.  PPSNYS is always working to bring you more educational and networking opportunities to help you and your business grow.     Stephen SedmanStephen Sedman (CPP) is owner of Sedman Photography in Braintree, MAand Technology Manager at LustreColor Inc.  In 2010 he earned Photographer of the Year status at the PPA print competition.  He has also won many Courts of honor, Kodak gallery awards and Fuji masterpiece.  Steve has presented numerous seminars to photographers nationally on digital workflow, ordering systems and wedding photography. Steve’s background of Fine Art (with a BFA at the Swain School of Design), Computer/Internet, and Photographicexperience gives him a unique perspective on the many challenges Professional Photographers face today.

PPSNYS Lecture Series October 17 - Rochester,NY, Tim Riley, RPG Keys. January 9 - Binghamton,NY, Graphic Authority. More details to come.       AccomodationsIf you wish to stay over Sunday, July 10 into Monday, July 11 at the Holiday Inn Express there is a discounted room block available.  Click here to book now.       Directions Interstate 90, get off exit 9.  From East: take right at the end of the ramp, hotel 100 feet on left. From West: Take left at the end of the ramp, hotel 500 feet on left.

Summer heats up, and so do Batteries!

This is something to keep in mind.  When shooting in warmer weather, batteries in a strobe will run hotter and also will loose flashes per charge with the increase in ambient temps.  Also, if you own a flash with an internal thermostat, it can be triggered by the batteries heating up under rapid fire.

What to do?  Try to keep your batteries out of direct sunlight and out of a hot car.  Consider using lower mah batteries,  2000 mah instead of 2500 mah or higher.  These batteries will heat up less and reduce the risk of triggering a flashes internal thermostat.