Each photo that I post in our photoblog – a new one each weekday – tries to show the original or the base image with minor tweaks from Adobe Lightroom.  This means it has a pretty cool before and after effect that helps you see the changes before your eyes. For the majority of images, I’m using just Perfect Effects from the Suite.  However, I’ve really grown to adore FocalPoint 2 and like to give it a shot in a number of images whenever the spirit moves me.

If you missed the images from this past week, take a look and you’re always welcome to clicking though to see some more content / before and after.  Essentially, I’ve been training myself ( and hopefully you too ) to see the beauty in our surroundings again instead of being obsessed with the mundane.

Ghost Town in London

Store Front in Downtown London

Time Well Spent

 This is Not a Monkey Puzzle

Even as We Age

Reflecting on the Photoblog

Reflecting on week 2 of the photoblog restart has been cool.  Right now I feel the key component has been to not post every single day of the week and restrict the posts to weekdays only.  I am in the works of clearing out Sundays from any work again and making it a Sabbath. You’ll hear more about that eventually ;)

Even if you don’t have any of the onOne Software to edit your photos, I encourage you to try out whatever photo-editing software you do have and play around.

Be cool with the disasters that you create!

It’s out of those disasters that something beautiful will come!

I am happy to say that I was successful in the return of the Photoblog that’s come with the launch of a new website design here. There are still a good number of tweaks that need to be addressed because this is a responsive design – meaning you can check it out on iPhone, iPad, or whatever and it will scale properly.  The reason for the tweaks that I have to do is because I’ve added a number of custom post types and added the jQuery before and after editing effect to the photoblog.   To make the feature responsive as well, it’s taking a little bit of work but it will be addressed :) In fact, it’s pretty much been addressed but I have to now fix up the posts to comply.  I know…I’m rambling. The photoblogneeds to be wrapped up though. The point of doing a wrap up is because it’s another reflection method for me and I encourage you to do as well.  Do I notice anything from these images of the week? Do any unique ideas come up? Did I fail at sharing 5 new images? Why?

What I noticed from my Photoblog this Week

I noticed that I am not getting out enough due to working from home.  I get out to the gym but I’m not getting out for the purpose of building my photography archives and filling my photographic well.   Sure the weather is getting colder, but that’s no excuse.  Okay, I’m not downtown and my wife is taking the car to go to work, but that’s no excuse.  I need to set some dates with my Camera to shoot together ;)  This has been felt with my iPhone photography as well – but I digress. The other thing I noticed was that I really missed the creativity of editing one off images vs the large editing that happens with portrait sessions or wedding photography.   The release of onOne Software Perfect Photo Suite 6has really motivated me to load up an image and have some fun processing.  I encourage anyone to check each of these images out and see what they looked like before editing with Perfect Photo Suite 6 and after!

VW Bug & Fuzzy Dice: See before and after in the photoblog post

Firebird: See before and after in the photoblog post

No Turn on Red: See the Before and After Editing

She Waits: See the before and after editing

Landscape Vs Architecture: See the Before and After Editing

How is your photoblog going? 

A photoblog doesn’t need to be full of photos on a daily basis.  Since it’s your site, you actually do get a say! You get to define the purpose of a photoblog and you get to define the schedule of how often you share photography.  The end of 2011 is imminent and maybe you’ve started and stopped multiple times through out the year, but 2012 gives us all a new fresh slate.  Actually, December might be a good time to start up like I’m attempting to do as well. ###

Today I saw a design for a possible WordPress theme and I became fascinated with what was was chosen to be shown on the mock up. Regardless of the design, I saw the evolution of a website before me – specifically the website for a creative or the creative individual. I saw bloggers changing into artisans.

I mentioned a bit of my own story in the mini review of WooCommerce for Photographers using WordPress.  It starts with getting a website, but then you need a blog too.  You might “need” the blog for a few reasons – ie content generation, news updates, the desire to get your voice out, or easily share your photography on a regular basis. The need may even be driven simply from your new involvement in the space and learning what a blog can do for you.   Now that an integrated blog with any website is pretty standard,  the next step in the evolution is your website is commerce.

For the longest time, you could get a website that’s a shop, or a blog that’s a website but combining them all into one cohesive unit was still a bit of a mystery or just a lot of work, or pure frustration.

A World of Artisans

Most people have always hated the term “blogger.” Not everyone has a blog – which blows my mind still – but to those outside the blogoshere, there is still a view inside that looks a bit nerdy.   Whatever, not everyone is cool with writing about what they love or sharing their specialized knowledge/experiences and the world being able to read it. Little do they know that it takes massively hard work to actually get eyeballs on your blog posts. Anyways, I can start to see a decline in the way we describe our websites.  Perhaps we start referring to ourselves as more as artisans instead of bloggers because of the easy integration of eCommerce and WordPress.   Imagine the description of your work when someone asks you about it now: “Oh, yea I actually own a store that helps people to do such and such! It’s so rewarding and I give out free things and information all the time – you should check it out!”

In 31 Days to Find Your Blogging Mogo, Brian Allain talks about why he believes every person should have a blog and I could not agree with him more.  This is my post on the belief that everyone should be adding an eCommerce plugin or solution into their WordPress site.  Easily you go from Blogger to Artisan. eArtisan.

While at first, integrating e-Commerce into your current WordPress blog seems weird, I believe that it’s definitely going to become accustomed  just like we see blogs now. The big reason for this is that I believe everyone is creative in some way. I believe everyone has some weird, rad, unique bit of awesome they provide to our world – this is why blogging is so big and embraced by so many. Now is the perfect time for a new branch to grow with the masses. Platforms are built and the infrastructure is ready to have the shops built on top of it.

Soon enough, it will be just as odd if someone doesn’t have personal shop in the same way it’s odd that someone doesn’t have a website or blog. For sure, this will still take it’s time as there are many people that don’t have websites yet; however, the way custom homepage designs are being created today, I know it’s what is going to start growing and growing around us.  The way I’ve been watching the growth of WooCommerce, the more I believe in this thought.

Do you see yourself having a shop or store integrated within your WordPress site? Would adding a shop to sell your photography, eBooks, art, or designs give you a new way to approach your website or blog?

Share your thoughts on how we could change from bloggers to a global economy of artisans and customers coming to your door instead of the market.

This isn’t rocket science.  This is just rediscovering and aligning my websites.  I have a number of websites around the interwebs and while I enjoy it, I am looking to align and move forward with heavy focus.  Much of Nuwomb.com is outlined in posts, and pages. I like to repeat the fact of why I started this site. That fact hasn’t changed, but it needs to be emerge in a stronger way here.  I want everything to have a purpose and reason here.  I don’t add things just because it’s what people are doing on other websites.  I’m not falling game to a gazillion social links in hopes of a share just to get 1 more page visit.  I share things around the web even when there is no simple button to click on a website.  I don’t want to simply report on the same generic things that seem to surface on so many blogs.  There needs to be a strong, very well built foundation of intention.

It’s in the works and if you stick around, you can watch it happen before your eyes.  I won’t hit you with a crazy rad design tomorrow. Everything is going to happen over time as I align it.

Hey there! Nuwomb is not dead. Infact, it’s incubating within itself right now and is going to rock out with much more awesomeness.

With that said, you might wonder what’s up. Why has there been no visible activity then?

I’ve been in the trenches! Deep with my head down I’m trying to push out a number of photography sessions, new shoots, trying to gain full time status with a position as a Forum Support Ninja with Woothemes, and more.

These experiences are also about bringing a wealth of knowledge to share here. It’s been hectic but I wanted to let you all know that this place hasn’t been left for dead.

One of the small issues for a lack of updating has been the scope I started to try and give to Nuwomb. I tried to change it up to have larger and longer editorial style articles that were very time consuming for me to produce. I adore using this Editorial WordPress theme for the site, but it’s not the right fit for my content and posting. Realizing this will help for me to make some changes that will entice me to share more.

I’ve been active on Instagram – the image here is one of my recent shots. I’m dying for the iPhone 5 and can’t wait to dive deeper into all of this once I have my hands on one.

Lots more in the future here :)

Seriously? What’s the point?

• To sell prints
• To serve as your portfolio and gain clients
• To experiment
• To serve as a transparency tool
• To start a 365 project
• To achieve a goal or number of goals
• To show you like photography
• To show family and friends your photos

Photoblog Intent

What are you intending to achieve through your photoblog? Anything? I would cringe if you just said there is no intent behind your photo blog.  There should be a reason that you have the urge to show photographs to the world on a photoblog, especially one that’s costing you for a domain or monthly hosting costs [because I assume you're that much more serious about photography].

I visit a bunch of photoblogs everyday and the photography is outstanding but I can’t always leave a comment that says, “GREAT SHOT.”  I love leaving feedback on these photoblogs, but I don’t know if the photographers are really interested in the comments. Like if I leave a short critique, is it looked at positively or in negativity?

Here’s the thing, I have no idea why many people have a photoblog.  This semi-applies to my own photoblog as well.   When I was making use of the before and after feature, the purpose was to share my photography and the difference post-processing can make to an image.  The point was that images take WORK beyond snapping the shutter.  Some photographs require more post-processing than others.   I’ve been slowly moving away from such a purpose to my photo-blog though.

These days, my photoblog has dual purpose for me on a daily basis.  I’ve talked about some of the purpose within my photoblog, but I want to explain it here in more detail.  My hope is that you take a few moments to better define your photo-blog for your viewers.

1. My Photoblog is a playground

The photoblog on Nuwomb is a photography playground and plays into the fact that I view Nuwomb as an incubator for photography. Hopefully we’ll both learn some things as I play, test, push, pull, and stumble thought images that I share in the photoblog.

One day I might post an HDR image.  The next day I may share a macro photo of a flower. The day after that I might share some car photography. There isn’t a single niche focus for the images that will be posted on the photoblog.  This isn’t because I’m secretly hoping to appeal to a general audience.  It’s because I feel the need to explore and see what other forms of photography may lend to another.  Trust me, there are connections between differing types of photography and you probably already know that.

2. My Photoblog is a place for free-form writing

I don’t try and formalize my writing most of the time, but I really let it all slide over in the photoblog.  I do want my images to speak and I believe my 900px emphasis helps to show that.  In providing commentary for the photoblog post, it may relate to the image or it may relate to something else about photography, social media, projects, or even something personal.  I use the space as a way to get some thoughts out of my head – something you do when free writing.  Normally you might place this kind of writing behind a screen – ie 750words.com.  Since my photoblog is a playground, I’m free to rant or ramble.  It’s not a place for perfect writing just in the same that it’s not a place for pixel perfection or one type of photography.

What Having a Purpose Does

Giving a purpose to your photoblog does a lot for you and for your viewership.  There are many times in which I wonder if the purpose is to inflate the photographers ego.  In the past I continually notice issues in the photographs that apparently no one else notices.  I can’t help but question these issues after 20 comments that express a perfect photo.  In my head I’m freaking out.

I have never been one to kiss butt and I’m not exactly saying that all comments are fake.  I have noticed that some photographers do get very uptight when you challenge them on something though.  At the same time, some photographers are very appreciative of constructive feedback and continuing the conversation.

Having a purpose, one that’s clearly defined, will allow viewers to understand what you’re doing.  If you’re looking to improve, perhaps you’ll state that you would love constructive criticism and you appreciate when people point things out that you may have missed.  If you’re using Fotomoto and there are links to buy the photo, I’m going to assume that this is the final copy you’re looking to sell. Perhaps you’ll want someone to point out a processing issue so that the photo is more appealing and may sell some prints.

The point is, I have no idea. Is it for a cheerleading squad and you don’t care about being pushed by other photographers? Is your photoblog directed to art buyers and not photographer critiques? Are you trying to attract a photographer community that high fives?

I honestly get more and more lost everyday.  I love that people share photographs everyday and fill that creative urge.  I’ve been looking further into the future and I’ve lacked the view on many photoblogs.  The photography is hugely inspiring and highly motivational, but I am not sure how I should be commenting as the days go by.

So, does your photoblog have a purpose?

Today is the first day of March. We all remember the old age saying that if March comes in like a lion, it leaves like a lamb or vice-versa. How did your website enter March? Can you making everyday in March as fierce as a lion? If your photography website isn’t exactly how you’d like it, keep reading.

If you entered March like a lamb, make sure you leave March like a Lion

Is your photography website sitting like a lamb right now? When was the last time you published content? Has it been a month or 2?  Is it still sitting as the default style or design (most people do this with DYI Themes Thesis Theme) You’ve definitely got a lamb on your hands. What are you going to do about it? Do you want a photography website that stands out and shows your personality or one blends into the herd?

Ways to Go from Lamb to Lion

I deeply hope your photography website is in a place that you are really proud and has entered March like a lion – strong and full of personality via design elements. The reality is that many photographers are not sure or confident with their websites.

Here are 3 ways to take bring the fury and take hold of your photography website if you’re feeling a bit lambish:

YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITE’S DESIGN

An amazing thing I’ve learned from starting MegaPixeld, a World-Class Photographer Website Directory, is that some photographers are putting off listing their photography business because they are not happy with the way it would appear to the public – the design isn’t great.

Design matters because it’s a way to show personality!

Does that sound familiar?  If you feel any shame towards your website, don’t let it eat you up any longer.  Take control and make the decision to have an awesome photography website that goes out like a Lion! Use this as a springboard to an awesome way to get behind your photography.

I’ve already discussed that I’m not a fan of ProPhoto Blogs because there are way too many photographers already using the WordPress Theme.  To go out like a lion, I would recommend looking for a WordPress Theme that gets you excited and confident.  On my personal blog, I just set up the WooThemes Canvas theme and customized it to look really clean and minimalist.   As a contrast, Nuwomb is also using the WooThemes Canvas Theme proudly.   You’d never really know.  I am certain you can find an amazing theme to suit you and your photography and blogging over at WooThemes or WPBundle.

You’ll have a lot of options and a beautiful website for your photography and business blogging in no time. The themes at WPBundle are gorgeous and a number of them can be used for photography websites and photographers.

Go out like a Lion with website you’re proud of. Design matters because it’s a way to show personality! It’s important to know that people want to connect more with you as a photographer because they can get the same photography from the website they just came from.  Stand out, be you, and make sure your website reflects you.

CREATE AN EDITORIAL CALENDAR

An editorial calendar is one of the most underrated blogging tools known to the internet. This is about mapping out your blog articles or photoblog posts on a calendar.  This feature is about figuring out a schedule and formalizing a consistency for publishing content on your photography website and blog.

The easiest way to keep your photography website in the lamb state is to post infrequently.

There are a number of ways to create your own editorial calendar, but one of the easiest ways is through a WordPress Plugin designed just for it: WordPress Editorial Calendar.   You’ll be able to easily create blog topics on a calendar and see the month mapped out for you.

This WordPress plugin is helping me out so much.  It’s become another place for me to record ideas for blog topics and I can’t help but be reminded of them each time I go into the section of my WordPress admin dashboard.

The simple act of getting on top of your blog content will take your photography website to a new level and you’ll finally be happy each time you look at your analytics (it will grow).  As your confidence grows, more of your personality will come out! You’ll allow your lamb of a website to go out of March like a Lion because you’ll build great momentum with consistent blog content through out the month.

To get the WordPress Editorial Calendar plugin, you can download it from WordPress or search for it in your plugin section and install it.  Grab it and start planning the month now!

HAVE FUN WITH YOUR BLOG POST HEADLINES

Every week I try and make note of great articles that I can share in the free Nuwomb Newsletter.  There are a lot of great articles out there that I probably don’t notice or click on.  To help me find articles, I always am looking at the photography category on Alltop.com.  I’m always blown away by the titles found within the category.   I’m noticing headlines that are safe, boring, bland, and I am not pulled to click on them.  The guest blog post of David E Jackson on Scott Kelby’s blog had a headline of “Guest Post Wednesday…..“

I challenge you to have fun with headlines while still trying to incorporate your search engine optimization.  Remember that SEO will do very little if few people decide to click on the headline. The likelihood of anyone sharing or linking to your post is ZERO if they never check it out.  I get frustrated because I look for content that is both informative, but also takes stance and knows how to be playful.

Simply look to add some of your personality into the title (and then carry it through in the post).

If you’re only blogging portrait sessions, it’s pretty obvious while looking at headlines on a website like Alltop.com. Try and incorporate something into the title that isn’t just the couples name and your location keywords.  There are ways to incorporate the meta data you want to rank for via custom post titles and such.  These custom titles are working for you but not making your website appear sheepish lambish.

Get creative and inject some of YOU into your blog post headlines

Get creative and inject some of YOU into your blog post headlines.  It’s okay if you’re dorky, goofy, or whatever because you’re being you.  Something so simple can totally change your perspective on business blogging and I am certain your viewers will appreciate it.  I know that I love seeing creative headlines because they pull me in.

Go after it. Remember your photography website is yours! Make it yours and make it memorable.

Lamb or Lion?

You have the choice to make your photography website as powerful as a lion or as timid as a Lamb.  You’re the only one that can do anything about it. These 3 ways to improve your photography websites require you to become confident and proud because you’re showing off your personality to viewers, potential clients, and clients.  You’re differentiating yourself from every other photography website out there.

If you’re unhappy or shameful of your website design, lacking blog topic and post consistency, and writing really boring headlines I want you to change.  I hope that by the end of March your website is killing it! If you entered March as a lamb, make sure you leave March like a Lion!!

If you don’t even have a website yet – We NEED to talk – Contact Me

I hardly use Tumblr for posting my own content. I grew tired and frustrated with the we’ll be right back message of the past. Nuwomb has always been powered by WordPress and proud of it. When Tumblr was having some massive problems I opted to move my photoblog back to it’s proper home: here.

I do login to Tumblr because there are blogs that I follow and I do explore searches to find things to share each week.

Recently I ran into the page on Tumblr from which this instagram shot was captured. The Image was pretty cool and then I realized it was telling me that the site is down again. Gotta give it to Tumblr for at least getting a sweet graphic of the situation.

I ran into it again.

I ran into it again just now.

There are a few important services to have set up to protect yourself in the future but for the point of this post, I recommend considering the move to a self-hosted WordPress option.

These Tumbeasts appear to be multiplying like Gremlins in contact with water.

If you’re frustrated enough, let’s talk because I’m happy to help those looking to move to WordPress but hesitant or confused on the process. Just hit up the contact page for all the ways to get in touch.

What I’m about to say may offend some people.  I promise my intentions are good; however, there is an epidemic occurring within photography and photographers websites.  Photography WordPress Themes are often overlooked for one illustrious theme. The best way to illustrate the issue is a cartoon I noticed while reading Evil Plans by Hugh MacLeod – even though it does not specifically refer to the Pro Photo Blogs WordPress Theme for photographers.  Before I start on the offensive, I want you to take a look at this image of the drawing.  You’ll probably get it right away.

Normally you’ll probably read all about how a WordPress theme is ah-mazing and every photographer needs to get it.  However, there will become a time when something good becomes bad. Right now there is an epidemic happening within photographers websites: ProPhoto-itis. The ProPhoto WordPress Theme is spreading like cancer and I can’t stand it anymore.  Much like the Cartoon above, the trouble with a photographers website is that every one of them is using the same source code.

I’ve never used ProPhoto Blogs for any of my photography WordPress websites, but I do understand why photographers gravitate towards it.  I can’t but wonder why photographers want their website to look exactly like every other photographers website.  Before I go over some quick positive aspects of the Pro Photo Theme, I want to ask you:  When creating your business cards for a conference, say WPPI as it’s going on now, do you want your photography business cards to look exactly like everyone elses? You don’t want your photography to look like every other photographers too (okay some do), now do you?

What is it that makes photographers forget about unique presentation when it comes to their online presence, website design, and message they are sending viewers?  I commend NetRiver Inc at their ability to market a professional photographers theme for WordPress as it’s obviously worked.  Remember though, too much of a good thing turns into a really bad thing.

Pro Photo WordPress Theme Positives

ProPhoto WordPress Theme Negatives

A lot of Options Out There

When it comes WordPress, there are so many great themes for photographers.  I’ve shared a number of great options that in the past and I’ve found many many more recently.

A few weeks ago, I caught wind of some photographers I follow talking about WordPress themes.  These photographers currently use ProPhoto Blogs and were trying to find something new for WordPress or go with a completely different CMS.  I was so happy to read their expressed dissatisfaction with PPB after long use.  You’ve got to differentiate yourself with your photography, so why not with your website presentation too?  Check what Brian Matiash said:

…am also leaving PPB template. Getting played out hard core.

This same thing happened with the DIY Themes Thesis Theme but with every blogging niche out there. Great themes, but it sucks not being able to fully customize it like the companies promise.

My biggest concern is that the PPB theme does not differentiate photographers from the next. If a photographer is looking to convert viewers into clients, the photography is very important; however, being able to convey your personality as a photographer is very important. Even in my city, there are so many photographers using this theme! It’s like one copying the other copying the other. No wonder photography is moving in the direction of a commodity – it’s being presented that way to people.

Just like the image at the start of this post, photographers are all using the same source code.

Remember: my intentions are good. The ProPhoto Blog themes do provide elegant, simple looking WordPress websites for photographers but I believe there isn’t near enough ability to customize or Brian Matiash would not be in the market for a change. Instead, he would just spend a little bit of time customizing further and creating a new look with the same theme.

Beware of the marketing hype that plays on a lack of experience. Of course they can say the theme is cheaper than a custom design from a designer/developer but still pretty good. Definitely overpriced still compared to almost all other themes. It’s another website that is far from innovative beyond it’s galleries and slideshows that probably are not optimized for mobile (iPhone or iPad).

Take this article for what it’s worth. I’m clearly not a fan of the ProPhoto Blogs and much prefer a theme company like WooThemes and WPBundle. If you want to follow all the other photographers today, grab ProPhoto! I won’t stop you.

The Nuwomb love for Instagrm continues as we’ve discovered a got to have WordPress plugin: Instagram for WordPress.  Yup! Instagram junkies can now integrate their last 20 instagram iphone photos into their blog sidebar.

The Instagram API isn’t public yet and I’m not sure if Instagram could ask this WordPress Plugin to be removed until the API is public.  An unpublic API is probably not going to be as stable because Instagram would be performing tweaks and changes for a public API.

As I write this, the plugin has less than 600 downloads and it’s been out for a week.  I was curious to check it out because I would have expected the plugin to be more popular (given the popularity of Instagram).

What does Instagram for WordPress Do?

Using the Instagram unPublic API, the WordPress plugin pulls the last 20 instagram images of yours (or an Instagram ID that you know).  If you don’t know your Instagram ID, you simply enter the link of one of your Instagram photos and the widget will find your ID for you.

In essence, you can now place your lastest 20 images as rotating gallery into any widgetized area on your WordPress Blog and you don’t have to worry about any strict image sizing issues.

The plugin gives you 3 options to size your Instagram images for the sidebar:

If these options don’t work with your sidebar or footer widget width, you also have the option to enter a custom size.  I custom sized the Instagram images seen in the sidebar to the right as 290px by 290px.

It couldn’t be easier to  add this feature into your WordPress Blog.

Will It Be the Only Instagram Plugin for WordPress?

No way.  As mentioned, the API isn’t public yet.  Once it’s public, many more developers will release their creations.  I wish that I knew more on the subject but we’ll have to wait and see what comes.  We’re going to use the plugin here on Nuwomb for a little while to see how it goes and to see what else comes into play.

I can see some users not liking the rotating jQuery slide show and wanting a widget similar to the Flickr Widget.  The widget may simply add more clutter to blog sidebars.  For now, it will be here so that viewers can see it in action while reading the article.

What do you think? Is it too distracting or will you find it useful for sharing your Instagram photos on your WordPress site?  Let us know.

If you are liking it, download it here. Or go into your WordPress admin and install it from there.