How to Geotag your Pictures Using Picasa and Google Earth

Learn how to Geotags your photos and place them on a map quickly and easily using free software.

link here

A Few Tips How to Conserve Battery Power When It’s Almost Gone

Think About Your Shot First
Turn Off Auto Focus
Turn Off The Review Feature
Turn off Image Stabilization
Power Off Your Camera When Not In Use

The Most Important Tip: Relax!

Leaving behind your camera's battery charger, intentionally or
accidentally, can really change how you approach photography while on
location.  Once you get over the initial 'freak out' when it's not
found, remember there are steps you can take to continue using your
camera.  And never forget the most important tip: Relax!!

NOTE: When your battery does finally die with no chance for charging,
be sure to remove the flash card and keep it with other valuables.
Chances are you'll leave your camera behind or unattended far more
than if it was working and it may fall into the wrong hands. Or get
lost in the shuffle of checked baggage.  Keeping your flash card with
you ensures your photos make it back even if the camera goes missing.

Having a sing song!

I had a really fun shoot with a Swedish singer/songwriter today and her manager gave me a really cool old retro style mic! I included one of the images we did today!

Something a bit more editorial..

Here are some cool shots I did the other day. If it's something you like and want to know how to get this effect let me know. Get in touch by following me on http://twitter.com/rvds

Why do we do it?

Today's photographers are curious beings. Cameras are cheap, computers are easy to use, and the Internet makes sharing photos so incredibly easy. So many people are into photography, but I'm willing to bet that over half of us don't know why we do it or what we're after.Seriously, take a step back and look at yourself. How much time do you spend doing photography-related activities? Shooting, processing, drooling, etc.

And why do you do it? Are you making a living from photography? Are you making anything from it? Do you truly enjoy the whole process? Do you actually print your pictures and hang them on your walls? Or do they sit on your hard drive while you tell yourself that you'll need them someday? Why do you do it???

I'm not trying to be a negative with all of this. I'm just wondering what it is that compels us to pursue the art of photography so enthusiastically. As I sit here in front of a computer screen most nights processing images… I'm curious to hear what all of you have to say about this topic..

What compels you?

Recent work..

Here ae just some of the images I shot last week and there is so much more to come!

--
RVDS Photography
www.rvds.net

Assisting Secrets (what makes for a great assistant)

1. Know your place

2. Be really careful with the photographer's stuff

3. Never never be late

4. Be absolutely honest

5. Be an optimist

6. Know when to be quite

7. Don't eat too many donuts

8. Don't hit on the models

9. Don't hit on the clients

10. Never mention another photographer's name

Wacom Intuos4

If you're a photographer and you don't already have a Wacom tablet, then you need one. If you're not sure why, or if you're wondering which one to buy, check out this detailed review .

Free memory card data recovery

Just Tested this myself and it is awesome!

Recuva (pronounced "recover") is a freeware Windows utility to restore files that have been accidentally deleted from your digital camera memory cards. It will even bring back files that have been deleted by bugs, crashes and viruses!

Download Recuva

9 Steps to Start (or Jumpstart) Your Photography Business

If you're an advanced enthusiast serious about making it as a pro, here are nine practical steps you can take to start the transition. These steps will help you break inertia, make your first sales, and establish a solid foundation on which to build.

1. Find your niche and start shooting in it.
2. Develop your website.
3. Develop a list of buyers in your target market.
4. Send out three submissions.
5. Sign up for photo buyer requests.
6. Join a Stock Agency.
7. Start advertising for assignments.
8. Get a local shop to display your images.
9. Order some great photography books and learn more.

Read more

What software apps help you manage your life?

Here are some of the software apps I use on a daily basis to entertain and manage my life.  My favourite by far and most used has to be the following: (and yes they are in order of use and usefulness to me)

Email

Text

Phone

Camera

Twitter

Facebook

Google

Skype

The rest of the apps on my phone are also used but are not essential and I can live without them if I absolutely HAVE to! Some of them are quite cool and does make a difference to have.

"Sky+" lets you set-up and record programs on your home Sky+.

"1Password" remembers passwords for all those on-line sites you go to that requires you to login every time you visit. So no more painful login requests ever again! 

"Flixster" tells you what cinemas are in your current location, then shows you film show times at those cinemas and then you can even see the film trailers and previews! 

My current favourite two games are "iShoot" and "Chess". 

And because I spend on average about 80 hours per month travelling these few applications have made a big difference in my productivity, networking and general keeping in touch with friends and family.