Blast from the past: Photo Editing in 1946

A fun article from Charles Apple this week with excerpts from a 1946 instruction manual on how to edit photos for newspaper publications. The pages were originally published this week on PetaPixel from the 1946 book “Shortcuts to Photo Retouching For Commercial Use.” by retoucher Raymond Wardell.

Apple explains that although it is interesting to look back on what Photoshopping was back in the day, it can only make modern editors cringe with the thought of breaking all ethical rules. One of the most famous example of a documentary news photo that was edited unethically is from the Kent State shooting where an editor cropped a pole out of the background to make the photo look better.

Publishing photo books now easier than ever

Author Heather Graulich explains in her new article featured on the NPPA website that it is easier than ever for a photographer to publish their own book. Before photo books were thought of coffee table accessories from famous photographers. Now anyone has the ability to publish their own photo book by uploading photos online, adding in captions and checking the mail a week later to see a poorly made scrapbook of memories.

 But Graulich explains that now professional photographers can easily produce their own pro-quality book to help them with their brand. She explains "But for the majority of professional photographers today, publishing books of their work is no longer a lifelong career dream most won’t reach – it’s a very real, active part of how they publicize their brand; yet another important tool in marketing themselves in an increasingly freelance-based industry."

With funding available through donation sites such as Kickstarter and Emphas.is, photographers can receive help with monetary costs as well.

Matt Eich, pictured left, is a Norfolk, Va. photographer that recently published his photo book Carry Me Ohio. The book was well received, winning a people’s choice award in Blurb’s Photography Book Now competition.

Eich spent $5,000 on editing and printing costs for a 100-book digital press run with Edition One – a cost of $50 per book. He decided to price the book at $85 in order to recoup his costs and be able to keep a few of his books. He listed the books for sale on his blog – and sold 75 of them literally overnight. 

Denver Post photograher wins NPPA BOP award

A gunman slipped into a midnight premiere of the new Batman movie through an emergency exit, tossed two hissing gas canisters and then methodically, calmly walked up the aisle firing, killing 12 people and wounding 70. It was among the worst mass shootings in American history. Tom Sullivan, center, embraces family members outside Gateway High School where he has been franticly searching for his son, Alex Sullivan, who saw "The Dark Knight Rises," in the movie theater where a gunman opened fire Friday, July 20, 2012, in Aurora, CO. Photograph by RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post

RJ Sangosti of The Denver Post was named the National Press Photographers Association's Best of Photojournalism 2013 Photojournalist of the Year in the larger market. Sangosti is most known for his photo from the Aurora theatre shooting over the summer.

When Sangosti got the call to learn that he'd won the title, Sangosti said, "It's been a hard year. But this is very flattering and humbling. I look at Tyler [Hicks] and Damon [Winters] work every day. Both of them are amazing."

Sangosti credits the advances the Denver Post has made on their website in terms of photography. "Photography has become really important to the Web site," Sangosti said, "in these days when the print product takes a bow to the Web, and on the Web photographs are really important, maybe it makes the newsroom approach things a little differently now than maybe they did before."

World Press Photo of the Year faked

It was just announced today that the 2013 World Press Photo of the Year is a fake. The World Press Photo has been around for over 50 years and is one the most distinguished photo competitions every year. The World Press Photo has not yet reprimanded the photographer, Paul Hansen, from his award. According to Extreme Tech, however, believes that he will lose his award this week.

The photo is of Palestinians carrying two casualties after an Israeli attack in Gaza City in November 2012. The reason that the photo was not caught earlier was because there were other similar photos by other photographers from the same event. The actual photo is not a fake however. Dr. Neal Krawetz analyzed the photo and found that the shadows of the top left corner were manipulated. The photo was shot at 10:40 a.m. in the winter and the sun would have been lower, creating a more noticeable shadow.




Finally the article brings up an interesting point of whether the photo is fake or just overly enhanced? What is unacceptable when it comes to editing? Can a photographer rotate a photo, burn and dodge, remove dust from the sensor?

From the Pros: How to get the perfect portfolio

Photography consultant Jim Colton recently published part 1 of a 3 part series called "The Perfect Portfolio: A Photographer's Guide." Colton was the photography editor of Sports Illustrated and has previously worked for the Associated Press and Newsweek.

He stressed 10 key points to focus on to achieve the ultimate portfolio. The biggest dilemma is creating a portfolio that is marketable and showcases their "photographic soul."



1. Be original. Show creativity in your thought process to be different from everyone else. Colton stresses that "imitation is NOT the sincerest form of flattery."

2. Content is King. Make sure your content is better than anyone elses. Since nobody wants to buy an inferior product, make sure your work reflects you and is your calling card.

3. Editing. “Your portfolio is only as good as your weakest picture!” With that in mind, keep your emotions out of it and only show your best work.

4. Quality. You need to follow the basic rules and make sure all your photos are appropriately exposed, toned, cropped, and captioned.

5. Personal Project or story. This part of the portfolio is key because it shows the photographer can tell a story all the way through with a beginning, middle, and end. Also it shows that the photographer can shoot a subject with variety of lenses and angles.

6. Portraits. Portraits are a key part of a photographers portfolio. If you are good at all portraits, sports, business, daily life, then it will help you land more freelance opportunities. They should be an equal balance of creativity and newsworthiness.

7. Clips. You should have PDF copies of publications that your photo ran in. It shows what editors think of your work and how they play them on a page. A 6 column photo says more than a 1 inch photo that ran the size of a postal stamp.

8. Promo Cards. Promo cards are an underutilized tool when it comes to promoting your work. Cards should have all of your contact information in an easy to read format.

9. Digital vs. Print Products. Both your hard copy portfolio and website need to be equally strong and impactful. They should both easily convey the strength of your work and be able to get you a job.

10. Keep it Current. Your portfolio should always be changing because ideally you should always be producing better work. Don't become emotionally attached to photos and know when it is time to replace one.

Omaha residents allowed to record police

A frame grab from a video posted on YouTube shows the scene at 33rd and Seward Streets on March 21.

Police officers in Omaha have been told to not interfere with citizens recording police activity, according to an article just published by The Omaha World Herald yesterday. This new department policy comes after four officers were fired last week after their innapropriate actions when they assaulted a citizen videotaping them make an arrest.

“Individuals have a First Amendment right to record police officers in the public discharge of their duties, plain and simple,” said Deputy Chief Greg Gonzalez.

As long as citizens stay behind caution tape and do not interfere with the officers then they are doing nothing wrong.

“If an officer is at a crime scene, and you're recording and cooperating with police, you're well within your legal right,” Gonzalez said.

The Chuck Norris of Military Photography

A feature article was recently published in Peta Pixel on Jeremy Lock, who is called the Chuck Norris of Military Photography. Lock recently won the distinguished Military Photographer of the Year for the seventh time. No other military photographer has come even close.

What makes Lock unique is that he is equally comfortable using his gun and his camera. He can be shooting a conflict and have no hesitation grabbing his gun and jumping in to help his fellow soldiers. Lock is extremely well trained and can shoot from land, air, and under the sea. He has shot in over 40 countries and 6 continents.  He has even earned himself a Bronze Star, which is awarded for acts of heroism in a combat zone.