A Little Perspective

Transform by Atlanta-based music photographer Zack Arias was one of the most talked about video posts in the photo community in 2009 for good reason. It’s deeply honest, heart filled and inspirational. Anyone in a creative field can relate which is likely what made it so popular. It spread like wildfire in the photo community and beyond. Although the video came out almost a year ago, I’ve sent the link to numerous people this week and thought it was worth bringing back into the spotlight. If you haven’t seen it, check it out. Zack does an incredible job of putting things into perspective.

Also worth mentioning are the follow-up posts by Zack on his blog and the responses from his readers almost 6 months after Transform hit the web. If you enjoyed the video above and haven’t done so already, I would highly encourage you to check his related posts here (1st) and here (2nd). Make sure to read the comments as well. Powerful stuff for all.

Like what you read? Please share.

What Matters Now – Insight from 70 Big Thinkers

I am a huge fan of Seth Godin, a forward-thinking, best-selling author and self proclaimed “agent of change”. His daily blog is extremely thought provoking, and I cannot recommend his books enough, especially Tribes, The Dip, and Small is the New Big. This week Seth announced a free e-book he organized with wisdom from over 70 big thinkers. It’s truly insightful, and I recommend it for all who are inspired by a different way of thinking. Check it out (download here). It’s free, inspiring and well worth reading. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

Like what you read? Please share.

Adventure Photography by Michael Clark

I recently found out my good friend Michael Clark’s new book Adventure Photography is now available through Amazon. As a small contributor to the book and a close friend of Michael’s, I had the privilege of getting a sneak peak at the book. It is packed full of information on shooting a variety of adventure sports and life as a freelance photographer. In addition it showcases loads of Michael’s award winning images making it ideal for both aspiring photographers or anyone with a passion for adventure sports.

Here is the book description from the publisher, Lark Books:

This beautifully produced guide by Michael Clark is the newest entry in the Digital Masters series, as well as the first book on a fast-growing photographic genre: shooting today’s popular extreme outdoor sports, from mountain biking and ice climbing to surfing, kayaking, and more.

Clark is one of the world’s most respected adventure photographers, and he offers sage advice—gained from years of hard-earned experience—on equipment, techniques, and the specific skills required to get in on the action. Learn to capture fast-moving subjects and deal with harsh conditions and horrible weather—even when you’re hanging from ropes and riggings in a squall. Of special interest is the Portraiture and Lifestyle chapter, which covers increasingly in-demand techniques.

The book can be ordered through Amazon here.

Like what you read? Please share.

New Blog and Website

Welcome to the new blog. I hope you dig the new look and feel of Mike Tittel Photography. If you haven’t done so already, please check out the new and improved www.miketittel.com as well since new work has been added throughout the site. Finally, if you are a subscriber to this blog please update your RSS readers with the new blog address: blog.miketittel.com. Enjoy!

Like what you read? Please share.

Graphic Design for Photographers – Part 1, The Logo

As I mentioned in my last post, I recently hired Brian Hoff, a freelance graphic designer, to help me refresh the look and feel of Mike Tittel Photography. Up until now I had done all of my design work myself, and, like many photographers, I believed I was qualified since I was a “creative” myself. I realize now the wrongness of my assumption! Brian has taught me so much about good design and opened my eyes to a new way of looking at things. His vision has been so beneficial that it inspired me to share some insight I gained from working with a professional. (And give you a sneak peak at the new logo.)

Before I hired Brian I felt my website looked a bit dated and needed some refreshing. I envisioned a cleaner and more contemporary look. The new logo had to fit well with how I viewed myself as a photographer, as well as the direction I hope to head in. That’s where Brian came in. In addition to discussing these things with him, I also filled out a questionnaire on his website which you can see here. He used my responses as inspiration and got to work.

After a fair bit of bouncing ideas back and forth I chose the following logo, which in the end, turned out to be the very first concept Brian provided.

Although we are still implementing the logo into other projects (more posts on that later) I have already learned a ton of valuable lessons.

First, the font can say a lot. For the base of my new logo we used a font called Knockout by H&FJ font foundry. Brian chose this font based on it’s weight and thickness which play nicely with the adventure and action sports I photograph. It also has an extreme feel which I believe makes it more memorable. After deciding on the font, Brian modified the “M” by creating an implied, yet contemporary-looking camera to give further insight into what it is I do. This subtle element was critical to my logo since I decided to drop the “Photography” that previously had followed my name from my main website. The emphasis now is more on my name. Since most photographers are recognized by their names, my new logo helps make “Mike Tittel” more clear, while still subtly implying the “Photography.” Being this calculated in my logo design was a huge change for me. In the past I simply chose a font that looked pretty.

Second, tone down the color. Logos are a lot like good photographs . . . sometimes less is more. This is especially true when it comes to colors. To bring a modern, fresh feel to my new logo Brian very selectively used a new toned-down burnt orange, replaced the old black background with a lighter, slate grey and introduced white into my new color scheme. Very slick, if you ask me.

Third, versatility is key. As Brian says, a good logo should be extremely flexible. It should look good and remain readable at various sizes and work as well in black and white as it does in color. You should also be able to use it both horizontally and vertically. Again, this was another big change. I had never given the versatility of my logo any real thought before working with Brian.

Finally, a good designer provides more than what you thought you needed. Brian’s professional guidance has encouraged me to think about things I would have never considered. For example – the favicon. It’s small, simple and nice way to add a little something extra, and make my website that much more memorable. Furthermore Brian has provided every possible variation and coloring of my logo. Moving forward I am covered no matter what need may arise.

My refreshed website and the new blog should launch around the end of the month. When it’s live I’ll put up another post with the considerations that went into each of those projects as well. In the meantime pay a visit to Brian’s website, The Design Cubicle. It is an amazing resource for information on graphic design and inspiration. Check it out, and tell him I sent you.

**Update – October 5** Brian just posted his own write up on the design process for my logo from his perspective. Check out the article on his blog here.

Like what you read? Please share.

Changes

Whew. I can hardly believe that summer is almost officially gone. Today is rainy, bluster day here in Salt Lake City, and autumn is definitely in the air. With the turning of the seasons will come some big changes at Mike Tittel Photography. Yup. Last month I hired a great designer, Brian Hoff, to help me refresh the look of MTP – new logo, updated website, new blog, business cards, printed promos . . . the whole ball of wax. We’ll be rolling things out towards the end of the month so make sure you are subscribed to the blog, a fan on Facebook and following me on Twitter for the latest updates.

Like what you read? Please share.