Twitter Tip

Keep Things Relevant!

Twitter is wonderful; very helpful, interesting and I’d say almost crucial. A community to learn from, share with, help out and interact with.

I’ve recently noticed one really huge problem; people mixing up all their various interests, all in one account. As an example, I’ve had several professional photographers follow in the last few weeks. Ordinarily, after checking their Twitter streams, I’d follow them back as being a photographer, we would normally share relevant information. Alas, these individuals use the same account for sharing Tweets about their major passion, in these cases, various football clubs around the country. I need to add that this isn’t a new phenomenon; I’ve had exactly this problem for a very long time. Having to unfollow people because they clog up my timeline with irrelevant to me information, or not follow them from the start.

The chances of finding a photographer on Twitter who is interested in your work and thoughts is one thing; finding one who also shares an interest in X, Y or Z Football Club for example, is much slimmer still. Also, in reverse, these football fan followers will have no interest in the newest, fastest lens, Canon’s new DSLR and probably will never even have heard of Leica or know what OS X means.

My suggestion is to have different Twitter accounts for your photography, football, stamp collecting, cooking and so on. It means you can write to a relevant crowd and not bore those who don’t share all your interests.

Happy Tweeting, from @terakopian

Behind The Scenes At National Geographic, 1992

The Sense Of Sight

A fascinating look at how National Geographic Magazine photographer Joe McNally shoots a story called The Sense of Sight and how the editing process of the 1200 rolls of film takes place, including all the various editorial meetings which result in the 40 page magazine story.

The Huffington Post

Pictures Of The Year 2011

Heavy rain soaks a businessman as he passes an advertising sign saying "Love Your Job". Hammersmith, London. January 14, 2011. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

I’m delighted to say that one of my pictures has made The Huffington Post Pictures of the Year 2011. Interestingly the feature was done by asking photographers to choose their favourite image of the year. I chose mine and I’m delighted it’s in and what’s more, is the front cover image to the slideshow.

This is the one image which really stands out for me from 2011. I’ve been fortunate and had some great press and commercial jobs, both in the UK and the US (New York and Miami), but something keeps bringing me back to this picture taken in a rainy winter’s afternoon in Hammersmith, west London. I was on my way back to my car after visiting an expo at a nearby hotel. The rain was absolutely torrential and people were running for shelter all round. I first spotted the illuminated sign as it was side lighting the rain and giving a surreal look to the entire scene. It was a rolling sign with several adverts, but this particular one was the brightest. It was only then that I realised the message and as luck would have it, after several minutes, a businessman ran across my frame and I managed to get this picture on my Leica M9 and 35mm Summicron ASPH lens. The RAW image was processed in Apple’s Aperture and the black and white work was carried out in Nik Software’s Silver Efex Pro 2.

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For me the image works on several levels. In it’s simplest form, it’s a rainy and great day with a dreary businessman and the message to love your job. It also works on a deeper level of world recession, doom and gloom. The message now taking on a different meaning; love your job as there are no other jobs, or as you may lose it. There’s also a lot of interesting aspects to the image, various figures, interesting light and bucket fills of mood.

Chase Jarvis’ Photo & Video Workflow

“Nessie” Proof Backup Strategy

I’m a big believer in having a good backup strategy; it’s absolutely essential in this day and age of digital everything. My friend and colleague Chase Jarvis has put together a great video showing how he approaches the challenges of photo and video backup workflow; definitely check it out.

Happy Holidays!

Wishing all my readers a very happy holiday season, a merry Christmas and the very best for a wonderful 2012.

Leveson Inquiry Says No To The BPPA

BPPA Refused by Leveson Inquiry

I’m shocked and saddened to find out that the Leveson Inquiry has rejected the BPPA‘s (British Press Photographers’ Association) application to become core participants in the inquiry.

The inquiry which was set up to look into press ethics and working practices following various recent tabloid practices (some of which are now known not to have happened at the hands of the press) took a turn and began attacking the paparazzi and photographers as a whole. The reporting of the inquiry has muddled the distinction of the paparazzi and working press photographers, calling everyone a press or news photographer.

Michelle Heaton from Liberty X is chased by the gathered paparazzi at the invitation only dinner for cast and guests, after the X-Men 2 movie premiere at "Sketch", Conduit Street, London W1. April 24, 2003. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

The BPPA made an application to become a core participant to balance out the extremely one sided evidence which was given, but sadly has been rejected from doing this.

How is the Leveson Inquiry going to be balanced or even accurate if it won’t accept the BPPA?

Related Reading:

The BPPA & The Leveson Inquiry

I’m A Press Photographer & Very Proud Of It