“The actual process of creating something from it’s inception to completion in the form of a finished work of art was and still is challenging, and I enjoy the limitations that come with the format and time component of large format film photography.”

Who is Steve Sherman?

Steve Sherman is a large format photographer based in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. His work is currently represented by the Paul Paletti Gallery in Louisville, Kentucky.

While I had met Steve at local PPA gatherings from time to time, it wasn't until I had a question or two that I approached Steve to go over some of the functions of my 4″x5″ field camera.

The truth is, my field camera baffled me. I have a stash of old Polaroid Type55, and I recall playing with it about 15 years ago, but the camera, the shutter release, and the storage box had not seen daylight much. And, to me, that's a travesty. Steve, I'm sure, agrees, though he prefers to use a 5″x7″ field camera instead.

Given how ubiquitous screens are in our lives today, I suspect way too many of us haven't laid our eyes on an actual print produced from a large format negative.

To put it bluntly, a well-exposed negative, dutifully processed in the right developer will yield prints that are nothing short of divine.

And, if you were to walk into Steve's darkroom, you'll see first-hand these gorgeous prints, well, everywhere. It's fair to say that Steve's life revolves around his family and his photography.

When my one question turned into three or five, I had to stop myself from asking more because Steve's responses were immediately actionable.

“Here, let me show ya,” he would say as he embarked on a mini-lesson that I was sure customized on the spot for me. If you were to meet Steve, you'd find him to be patient, observant, and thoughtful.

The Interview

I didn't want him thinking that I was just there to exploit his 35+ years of knowledge on the subject. So, I invited him to what I thought would be a quick chat in his darkroom.

Peter Dylag, who had initially introduced us, was also there, setting up his video cameras to film the entire episode for Steve's YouTube channel.

If you would rather watch the chat, check it out here –

Large Format Environmental Black & White Photography

Here are some examples of Steve's large format photography. Yes, I do fully understand the irony of publishing these small and on your screen for you to see. Let me repeat – if you ever get a chance to view Steve's work in person, do it. Each frame is a wonderful journey.

In addition following Steve's YouTube channel, I recommend you check out his dedicated Facebook page for large format photography.

From one of his recent posts:

“My three part video on the theory and operation of the View Camera will premiere on New Years Day. 34 minutes of Hi Def video is my gift to all who have interest as I take a break from Social Media.”

I do hope you spend a little time away from social media learning something brand new (if it is that) in 2020!

Please subscribe to Tiffincast. Click here for other episodes of Tiffincast.

Holiday deals for photographers? Sure why not!!

I initially wanted to take the whole week off. That's the truth. But I have friends in the business who cajoled me into creating this list of the best Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday & Giving Tuesday Deals!

Just click the links below and please feel free to share this post with your friends on social media.

Every penny that I make as an affiliate from each of these holiday sales will go towards (re) building Tiffinbox AND a percentage will be split between two organizations: Gifts of Love, in Avon, Connecticut and Healing Meals, in Bloomfield, Connecticut.

Buy The Book: 101 Tips for Street Photography

Piet van den Eynde and Willem Wersen's 101 Tips for Street Photography is on sale right now for a very limited time. Order just the PDF here or the Deluxe Edition that includes the PDF and 10 Lightroom Presets.

Get ShootProof: 40% Off!

The one service my business depends on is ShootProof. Day in and day out, I open it up, upload images and sometimes allow my corporate clients to download their images from this streamlined service. It saves me time, and makes me look good. Now through Cyber Monday, sign up for the annual plan and save a whopping 40% (it really does not get any better than this!)

LawTog Contracts

You have got to protect yourself and your business. That's where The LawTog‘s excellent contracts come into play. I've used the commercial contract to great success. A few changes here and a few changes there, to customize it and I was wall set. Again, this is a terrific resource that makes you and your business look professional from day one! Save 15% when you use the code – thanks19.

Photocrati WordPress Themes

Click this link to save on Photocrati. Use code: BF2019, to save big!

Imagely WordPress Plugins

Click this link to save on Imagely. Use code: BF2019, to save on the only WordPress plugin that allows you to integrate with a print lab!

The Mastin Labs Giveaway

Mastin Labs is setting you up for business success in 2020 with their Business Bundle Giveaway!

Enter to win over $5,000 worth of prizes for your photography business! You have 5 chances to win!

Tune in to @mastinlabs on Instagram each day, at 11 am pst starting Saturday, November 30th, to find out who the daily winners are!

WHAT YOU CAN WIN:

Mastin Labs Full Suite ($792 Value)
CaptureOne Pro License (1-year license, $417 value)
ShootProof (1-year license, $360 value)
Tomayia Colvin Education (1-year license, $288 value)
SmartSlides (1 year license, $384 value)
The Jumper by Brevite Backpacks ($119 Value)
Bittersweet Design Boutique Gift Certificate ($100 value)
Tave (1-year license, $264 value)
Flothemes or Squaremuse ($278 value)
QT Albums ($300 gift certificate)
Money Maker Gear ($175 gift certificate)

Rafal Wegiel's Beyond The Art of Headshot Retouching Course

Just a couple of weeks ago, Rafal Wegiel launched his course – “Beyond The Art of Headshot Retouching”. He and I chatted about it in an interview. Use the code: CYBERMONDAY to save 30% of the already low price for this in-depth tutorial!

Build An Irresistible Website

Did you know building a website isn't just about uploading a few images and adding a bunch of text? There is a method to the madness and I know you keep tinkering with your site (just as I do). I lean into what Jenika McDavitt at Psychology For Photographers says about this topic because she has put a lot of thought into her course, Irresistible Website. This new version of her course goes on sale on Black Friday for only $99!

Her other courses, Irresistible Words and Irresistible You are also on sale during this time.

If you add two or more courses and create a bundle, you save a bundle!

F-Stoppers Tutorials

https://youtu.be/BystgO-dFSs

Dylan Patrick's The Cinematic Headshot, one of many courses available at F-Stoppers, has easily garnered me a 60x in return since I bought, watched and applied what I had learned in his course. But there are other gems in the mix and this Black Friday to Cyber Monday, everything is on sale! Use the code: BF2019 when you check out.

Magmod Flash Modifiers + A Giveaway!

Save up to 25% on the very best small flash modifiers in the business – Magmod! Plus, the first two people buy $500 or more using my link, will win one MagShoe. I'll ship this to you directly, but I need proof of purchase from you in the form of a receipt. Please email this receipt to me right away to – seshu at tiffinbox dot org. Please note this is ONLY for the first two people whose order reaches $500 or more. Once they are gone, they are GONE!!

Printmaker's Black Friday Deals

The only way to counter the “give-me-digitals” mentality that is pervasive in this world is by educating your potential clients with appropriate solutions that shows them what their portraits are going to look like in their own home. This is where the Printmaker System comes into play. Their new Mix & Match Gallery Wall Builder is EXACTLY what will help you sell wall art to your clients. Show + sell, baby!

Superfeel, 30% off all Guides!

Here's a secret. I rarely pose people when I photograph them. Here's what I do instead – I use the prompts I have learned from the Superfeel guides to evoke a natural and loving expressions in my clients. If I can do it. So can you. This is a terrific framework for all portrait photographers! For a limited time these guides are 30% off their normal prices. This is a strong buy, if you ask me!

More Resources Will Be Added Here! Please keep coming back to check on this page.

Who is Steve Raymer?

Before Steve Raymer was Professor Emeritus, of Indiana University’s Media School, he spent 25 years at National Geographic Magazine, first as a staff photographer and then later as its director of the news service.

Block quote:

Raymer is author and photographer of Somewhere West of Lonely, My Life In Pictures, a visual memoir published in April 2018 by Indiana University Press. He also is author and photographer of Redeeming Calcutta: A Portrait of India’s Colonial Capital, published in 2012 by Oxford University Press; Images of a Journey: India in Diaspora, published in 2007 by Indiana University Press; Living Faith: Inside the Muslim World of Southeast Asia, published in 2001, and St. Petersburg, a 1994 book about the imperial Russian capital. Raymer is the photographer of several additional books, including The Vietnamese Cookbook, published in 2000 and Land of The Ascending Dragon: Rediscovering Vietnam, published in 1997. Raymer is currently completing a book titled The Public House: An Enduring British Institution — a volume that documents a centuries-old establishment that is threatened by an array of social, cultural, and economic changes.

My Back Story

I pursued a graduate degree at Indiana University in the late 90’s which is when I enrolled in one of Steve’s classes. He was still getting his bearings as a newly installed professor of visual communication (after I. Will Counts’ retirement from that same university), when I popped up with an idea to photograph the Muslim community in Bloomington, Indiana.

Steve was all for it, but as I showed him my contact sheets (this was back when I still shot lots of black and white film), he would take a red grease pencil and circle the frames that “almost” passable. He was a tough teacher, and I had no illusions that as a graduate student he expected more from me. I vividly recall the note he clipped on to the final images from the semester.

In measured sentences he asked me if I had the resolve to continue working as a photographer. I still hold onto that note from him because it fuels my 20+ year obsession in photography and it is one of the reasons I publish this blog. With a few words he lit a bon fire in me to keep at it, and to always feel deep inside that there is a better and stronger photograph to create the next time I am out with my cameras.

For that alone, I owe Steve Raymer a huge debt of gratitude.

The Interview

I had the pleasure of speaking with him some time ago and given that today is his birthday, I figured what more of an appropriate time than today to get this chat with him out into the world?

So here here it is:

Somewhere West of Lonely, The Book

Steve’s book, Somewhere West of Lonely, is one I recommend to all photographers. As you can expect, it is a visual feast. However, it is understanding a photographer’s backstory that makes this book that much more richer for me. And perhaps it will do for you as well.

Christmas is coming and Steve’s book will make for a wonderful gift this holiday season. I highly recommend you buy one for yourself and gift one to a photographer in your family.

Though headshot photography is gaining in popularity, retouching headshot portraits isn't discussed to a great degree in public yet. Only commercial photographers and professional retouchers handle this topic often, because that's been their domain for so long.

Things are, however, changing. There is a growing need for most people to appear professional, confident and approachable. Selfies and random party snaps simply do not cut it on sites like LinkedIn or when most people need to submit project proposals.

Rafal Wegiel a headshot portrait photographer based in Alberta, Canada intends teaching fellow photographers his approach to retouching headshot portraits.

His tips and techniques on Facebook forum and YouTube are simply great. Just a few days ago, he launched a new course called, “Beyond The Art of Headshot Retouching“.

We had a quick chat about the course and why he decided to introduce it to the world:

Learn more about the Headshot Retouching Tutorial here:

At $79.99, I think this is a steal. It's very hard to find a resource that is this in-depth. Across 17 videso, four of those being just retouching, Rafal walks you through just about every scenario that you will encounter as a headshot photographer. As I promised in the podcast above, I invested in this course right away. If you are reading this post and you have read this far or scanned down to this area, consider using the code: SESHU, to save $10 (for a limited time) OR use the code: HEADSHOT (also for a limited time) to save 20% when you check out.

Either way, I do not make an affiliate commission. Just bringing you something that will help you and your photography business!

Still interested in headshot photographers?

Eric Laurits, Perter Hurley and Dylan Patrick are all amazing headshot portrait photographers.

Corey Potter is on a mission to teach photographers all about SEO.

His website, Fuel Your Photos, has gradually become the place to visit for the latest news about site analytics, keyword use, using YouTube, writing blog posts and so much more.

Now, he has just launched a course dedicated to SEO, or search engine optimization, for photographers.

That's where you come in, if you are carefully watching your Google analytics and you aren't moving the needle but want to in terms of attracting the right visitors to your website and converting them into paying clients.

3 Common SEO Myths

Photographers tend to believe three common SEO myths. Corey dispels them all in this interview.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Corey about SEO for Photographers about a week ago. Take a listen and let me know in the comments how you are paying attention to your metrics – bounce rates, site visits or your Google rank.

Corey is one of the most generous people I know. He and his friend Dylan Howell can be found on Facebook Live quite often discussing SEO topics with their followers.

Corey just told me that he was chosen to participate in a special event for web masters hosted at Google.

The Course

So, if you are considering SEO for Photographers, you are in good and secure company. I know for a fact that Corey is going to take good care of you and will not lead you astray. Search engine optimization is what he obsesses about and we are the better for it.

If you are one of the first 25 people to use the code – tiffinbox – when enrolling in SEO for Photographers, Corey has promised the following bonuses:

1. Personal 10-15 minute website review to help you figure out exactly where to start to make the most impact on rankings. $99 value.

2. Lifetime course community access. We do monthly live video chats and release other exclusive content inside the course community FB group. You get lifetime access instead of 1 year access. $99/yr value.

3. Free access to our upcoming blogging course when it is released. $200 value.

The Book

If SEO for Photographers isn't something you can invest in now, do consider Corey's book, “22 SEO Actions You Can Take Today“. Save $5 on the book when using the code – tiffinbox

So, what do you say? Do you pay attention to your search engine stats? Do you know your way around the back end of Google Analytics? Or, are you like me, a photographer who needs help figuring it all out. If you have read this far, you know where to find help. I trust you will consider SEO for Photographers.