28 Oct 08 Adobe Creative Suite 4

It is in! Yes I got the new Adobe creative suite 4 on a education license from Adobe. The process was without any problems and accepted on the letter I got from the institute. This alone has paid for the the total course. As I am also in development, my main profession, I opted for the Creative Suite which gives me: InDesign CS4, Photoshop CS4 Extended, Illistrator CS4, Flash CS4 professional, Dreamweaver CS4, Fireworks CS4, Acrobat 9 Pro, Adobe Bridge CS4 and some additional programs like device central and version Cue. As an addition you get a instruction DVD which is really a commercial DVD dor Linda.com.

Get yourself in there with your proof of being a student and work with the latest tools.

Happy shooting

Tags: Acrobat 9 pro, adobe, Bridge CS4, cs4, Dreamweaver CS4, Fireworks CS4, flash cs 4 pro, Illistrator cs4, Indesign CS4, photoshop cs4

13 Oct 08 The new photoshop CS4

Hello,

Just a quick update. I have tried to get the new Photoshop CS4 from adobe under a student license and they are recognize the professional photography course. This means that you can get your adobe software from very low prices. I have pre-ordered the adobe create suite 4 premium, which have a full license price of £1.467.58, for £276,12 which is 19% of the shop price!!!

Ask for an proof of student from the professional photography course and order at : https://store2.adobe.com/cfusion/store/html/index.cfm?store=OLS-EDU-UK&event=displayCatalog&catalogOID=1781053

And the course has already paid for itself.

Happy shooting

Tags: adobe, cs4, photoshop, professional photography course, professional photography diploma, the photo student

03 Oct 08 The legal side of photography

As a photographer you will need to have some knowledge about the legal side of photography, copyrights, model releases, tax you named it. Searching on this through the Internet I came across a little gem on this. a book written by Carolyn Wright, the Photo Attorny. It is US based but very useful for the rest of the world as well. You can read more on the Photo Attorny page of the photo student website.

Happy shooting

Tags: Carolyn wright, freelance, law, legal, photo attorny, the photo student

01 Oct 08 Studio Light kits

There is a new page on the photo student website where we have some information about the Studio Light Kits from Kenro The address is:

http://www.thephotostudent.com/kenrostudio.html

These kit are professional kit for a very reasonable price and worth looking at if you are in need of some Studio lights for your portrait or product photography.

Happy shooting

Tags: flash lights, kenro, portrait, portrait photography, product, product photography, studio lights

23 Sep 08 Assignment 1

Well this is not a course for the fainthearted! The first assignment put you right on the spot. The task is to take photos of a restaurant, easy when you read the assignment in the book, but the tutor tells it a little different. You have to contact the restaurant owner/ manager and get access to the whole restaurant, kitchen included and sell the restaurant through your pictures. They expect a very professional approach on this.

This means that my week is set. Tonight I am visiting some restaurants and see if I can get in and make an appointment for a photoshoot, which will take probably, as I see now, 1 to 1.5 hour. Tomorrow I will tell you how I got on.

If you are reading this and you are a student of this course then please visit the forum and discuss the assignments with me and other to come. I am very interested in you approach and how you have dealt with this.

Happy shooting

Tags: assignment 1, freelance, professional photography course, restaurant photos

22 Sep 08 We have opened the course forum

The course discussion forum is open for everybody to join! The address is: http://www.thephotostudent.com/ppdforum/

Happy shooting

Tags: forum, professional photography, professional photography course, professional photography diploma

19 Sep 08 Module 1 – Photography as a living

Module give a good overview of what it takes to earn a living as a professional photographer, what the top ten of most popular areas of photography is. In there was something that surprised me, on number 10 of the most popular areas is pet photography.

The module goes further on equipment what you need, or more don’t need. they warn NOT to make a big investment now but wait until you start making money with what you got and go from there, or as they say “Think like a business man/woman and stop spending, start earning”. Very sound advice.

Normally I don’t write part of course down in my blogs as it is possible to take it out on context and not right as they publishers want to sell the course not give it away. In this case I make a small exception because this is something that is appropriate throughout your whole life and this is the secret to success and gives you an idea how the course want you to succeed.

How to avoid failure and achive success

There are many ‘secrets’ of success and various books reveal them, so visit a library and read some of those books. For now, though, here are 12 of the best tips from super-successful authors and public speakers:

1. Take 100% responsibility for your life; don’t blame or rely on others.
2. Decide what you want in life and thoroughly prepare for it.
3. Learn everything you can about the new path you’ve chosen.
4. Master your equipment and techniques; read the instructions!
5. Believe in yourself; you’re better than you think.
6. Solicit feedback – but not from nay-sayers – and learn from it.
7. Set step-by-step goals that are reachable and measurable.
8. Don’t be afraid of obstacles; go around, over or through them.
9. Don’t be discouraged by rejection – but correct any mistakes.
10. Embrace change; it’s the only thing that’s guaranteed.
11. Plan for the future, but do more than just plan; take action!
12. Exceed their expectations – deliver more than you promised.

This part of the module goes on further but this is a message you need to take at heart whatever you do.

Till next time,

Theo

Tags: Failure, how to start a business, Module 1, professional photography course, professional photography diploma, success, the photo student

19 Sep 08 The course materials have arrived

Yesterday the material for the course arrived and am I surprised!

What is in the box:

1. a very comprehensive study book, about 2 inches thick.
2. Personal letter with the information you need like the address and email from your tutor
3. An introduction letter for potential clients, explaining that you are a student in photography and that you need the experience asking them to help you in this way.
4. Access to the discussion forum of the institute
5. Biographical details of your tutor.
6. A CD with GIMP photo editing software, photo examples later used in the course and some examples of model releases.
7. Some leaflets on how to start your own business.
8. A quick start study guide
9. A manual, with pricing examples and much more useful information.
10. The possibility to get a press pass, you need to send in two passport photos, which I will do later in the day.
11. and last but not least the book Photos That Sell from Lee Frost, a very good book.

It all looks very professional and aiming to get you on your way in free-lance photography.

Now reading the first chapter.

Happy shooting

Tags: Course, course materials, Frost, GIMP, Lee Frost, professional photography course, professional photography diploma

17 Sep 08 Waiting for the course materials

The Institute of Professional Photography has kindly donated their professional photography course for us to review and Theo van Stratum has enrolled. This blog will describe the his progress through the course over the next two years and if he is able to make money through freelancing.

We will give advice during the course for everybody who wants to enter the course themselves and open an forum for open discussions about the BFP, Freelancing and the course from the institute for freelance photography.

Till next time

Theo

Tags: freelance photography, photography, professional photography course, professional photography diploma, the photo student