Artistic Action Newsletter June 2004
The HTML version with images place go to
http://www.artisticaction.com/Newsletter6_2004.htm

1. What's New
2. Tips for more great looks from using the same borders/templates
3. Tips for getting started in the youth sports photography business
4. Sports photography tips
5. How to resize your prints and save to post on your website
6. How to correct a hard edge
7. How to add your tips and suggestions for next month's newsletter
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1. What's New
We have added racing border/templates you can find these at
http://www.artisticaction.com/Racing.htm

We have added Outdoor Life borders that can downloaded immediately
at http://www.artisticaction.com/Outdoors.htm

We have 2 sets of trading cards that can downloaded for immediate
use (6 different sports/events are included in each of the

2 available packs) for more info see
http://www.artisticaction.com/TraderPacks.htm

This is the last week to save big on Templates Unlimited for details
see

http://www.artisticaction.com/TemplatesUnlimited.htm
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2. Tips for more great looks from using the same borders/templates

All of these samples use Lacrosse 1 template that you would receive
with your order
Please go to http://www.artisticaction.com/Newsletter6_2004.htm to
see image that we are describing


A. Using original and adding Maroon and Gold color combos
B. This leaves the border in black and white and uses the new layer
styles we have included in orders after 5/24/2004
C. This leaves the border in black and white and uses the new layer
styles we have included in orders after 5/24/2004
D. This adds a lighter color combo of clear and green in the center
and uses the new layer styles we have included in orders

after 5/24/2004

Contact us at chris@artisticaction to have the new layer styles
emailed to you, for those who have purchased templates

before 5/24/2004

How to create B. Make a copy of the Border layer and set the bottom
Border Layer to Overlay (blend mode), set the the top

border layer to Lighten (blend mode) and set Opacity to 90%
Set the layer style (to change layer style double click on layer) of
the School/Team and LastName layers to LoganMaroon
Set the layer style of Mascot, FirstName and Year to LightenWithGold
Your new template is complete, save it as a new template for future
use.

To create C. Make a copy of the Border layer and set the bottom
Border Layer to Overlay (blend mode), set the the top

border layer to Lighten (blend mode) and set Opacity to 90%
Set the layer style (to change layer style double click on layer) of
the School/Team and LastName layers to LightenWithGold
Set the layer style of Mascot, FirstName and Year to AASamll001
Your new template is complete, save it as a new template for future
use.

To create D. On the Color Border layer use the gradient
called "Shiny Sphere" this is a basic one that comes with PS and

set the Opacity to 50%
Set the layer style (to change layer style double click on layer) of
the School/Team and LastName layers to

LightenWithWhite02
Set the layer style of Mascot, FirstName and Year to OutLineWIthBlue
Your new template is complete, save it as a new template for future
use.

Our templates are truly unlimited so please take a couple of ours a
week or when ever you can to play around with them

trying different blend modes, opacity, doubling layers adding
different color combos and different layer style to see what new

and exciting templates you can come up with..
If you would like to share your template ideas with others in this
group then please let us know at chris@...
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3. Tips for getting started in the youth sports photography business
Here is some of the advice we have given to a few others who have
asked for advice.
Hopefully it will be of some help.

Q. I was just looking at your site. You really do good work! How
long have you been photographing? Has the business been

good to you? Also, if you ever want to offer your work as magnets,
let me know. We can work out a deal where it's beneficial

to us both. Right now I do a lot for weddings and parties, but no
sports yet. I think that could be a lucrative market. Check

out our site and let me know if you have questions. And I will be
getting some templates from you. I'm not sure what yet.

Thanks for your time.
A. I have been doing graphic arts for several years but just got
into sports photography in fall 2002. Then I got the idea to put

them together to create some unique and exciting prints. The graphic
arts side has been better to me then the photography

but that is because I volunteer most of my photography work since I
have 4 children (3 in high school) that are active in

sports here in Rockford. I do know some other sports photographers
around here and they do well.

Q. Who buys your work? The players? The schools? The parents? What?
I've been trying to think of how to close the gap

from having great pictures available and actually selling them. All
advice is much appreciated. A. I work with the teams

sometimes but mostly with parents. We purchased a mailing list from
the high school and sent out postcards to kids on the

rosters.

Q. Who did you ask to buy the list?
A. We called the main office

Q. The principal?
A. Yes we meet with him and the AD, but we did this because we are
also parents of students and wanted to work with them

as a fundraiser. We also met with the sports boosters.

Q. The coaches?
A. If we already knew them

Q. How many names are on your list?
A. there are about 600 to 700 per class in grades 9 to 12

Q. Do some parents object to having their names on a "for sale"
list?
A. in Rockford parents can opt out of having their info included on
these lists, but I'm sure their are parents who would not

like this and don't know they can opt out

Q. Do you only shoot for one high school?
A. Yes, Rockford

Q. What's a good price to offer for such a list?
A. here they have a set rate of $10 per class

Q. Who provides the pictures for your posters? Do you mostly take
them too?
A. They can send their own snapshots or Kay or I will come and take
them. We will not use other professional photographers

photos unless they have their written permission. This is the
biggest reason we started offering our services to professional

photographers.

Q. Just wanted to touch base with you to see how the track season is
going. I've been to a couple of track meets myself. It's

been a lot of fun so far. However, I would like to get your ideas of
a couple of issues that I am having:
1. Now that I have all these great pictures, how do I close the gap
and actually present them to the athletes? 2. What's your

approach?
3. Do you sell your prints via the web or in a face to face meeting?

A. I probably have this a bit easier since I know several of the
parents already, being our children have been doing sports

together for several years now. And I only deal with the one school.
I have done both and would recommend doing both --

posting online and letting them (parents and athletes) know in
person. At the meets pass out business cards and/or flyers, if

they have a concession stand ask if you can place some flyers there.
And on the flyers or business card be sure to include a

link to where the photos are posted. See if you can get them to make
an announcement that you are there and photos are

available. You also might want to send a flyer to the AD office. See
if you can find out who the head parent is and put

together a book (of 5"x 7" of actual prints to be sold on the spot)
for them to show around, offer to give them their child's

photos for free or at a reduced rate for helping. In the book
include your flyer, envelopes for collecting money, magnet

samples and your business cards. On the flyer include your info,
your link, prices and what you offer. Your questions are not

trivial they are great questions and show you are serious and want
to be successful at what you do, I wish I had someone to

ask when I started. Not to say that I have all the answers, I still
have a lot to learn

Hi, Chris! My name is Mike and I was wondering if you'd be gracious
enough to offer me some help and advice. My buddy

and I live in Southern California and are avid Canon 10D users and
love action photography. We desperately want to combine

our love for photography with our need to support our families.
We've been thinking of offering our services to local kids

sports... baseball... soccer... basketball... football, etc. I was
checking out a post about a composite sequence shot when I

came across your post about the posters you do. They're gorgeous!!!
I'm a graphic designer who's been in the business for

over 10 years and quite experienced with Photoshop. So I immediately
thought about how my buddy and I could offer the

same services. I was wondering if you'd be willing to offer advice
to my buddy and I as to how we can get this thing off the

ground. How do you go about getting business? Do you approach high
school and junior high school administration? Do you

approach the coaching staff? Or do you target the parents? Do you
set up a booth at registration for youth sports? It would

be such a blessing to us if you'd be willing to take a little time
to offer us some advice from your experience. Thank you so

much for your time! Mike

Sent him the above plus this--
THIS is also a good tip to help you grow your business. Our
photography business has grown 5 fold just because we offer

items that no one else is, i.e. trading cards with the unique
borders, posters and magazine covers.

Hopefully this will help, please let me know if you have any other
questions. Also keep reading forums like this one they are

a great resource. Some other forums that I have found informative
are
http://www.zuga.net/forums/
http://www.robgalbraith.com
http://www.sportsshooter.com
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/

I think is it a great idea to start out offering something different
than just the standard action shots. Be willing to offer unique

and quality work and you will do well. What I mean by unique work is
the custom posters, magazine covers, trading cards,

etc. Be willing to offer something that any mom or dad with a camera
cannot do themselves and something that the larger

photo companies don't offer because they cannot just feed them into
their systems to spit out a run of the mill print.

Something that looks like you put some time and effort into,
something that they will be proud to display in their homes and

offices for years to come.

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4. Sports Photography Tips

Look for the peak moment

Every athletic movement in every sport has a "peak" moment. For
example, when a basketball player takes a jump shot,

there is a point at which he has stopped traveling upward and he has
not yet started to descend. The ball is poised on his

fingertips. A pitcher extends his arm backward in a windup,
momentarily, the action has "stopped" before he begins to move

forward and release the ball. Train your eye to look for this "peak"
moment. It exists in every sport and you will get some

amazing pictures.

Freeze the action

Fast sports call for fast shutter speeds. Shutter speeds 1/500
second and faster will freeze the action. When an athlete is

moving directly towards or away from you, you can use a slightly
slower shutter speed, such as 1/250 second. When in

doubt, use the fastest shutter speed you can.

Anticipate the moment

Sports photographers have an old axiom: If you see the picture in
your viewfinder, you've missed it. Learn to anticipate what's

coming next, and release the shutter early. All sports follow a
predictable pattern - tension, release, and reaction. There is

tension before the movement begins, and all of the energy is held. A
base runner focusing his eyes on the pitcher awaiting

his windup before breaking for second or a basketball player
collecting his thoughts and focusing his mind before he steps to

the free throw line. Then comes the release when the action
explodes - the runner breaks for second in a full sprint, the

free-throw caroms off the rim and five bodies leap for the rebound.
Finally, as the action concludes, there is a reaction. The

base runner is called out at second and leaps to his feat raises his
arms and screams at the umpire, the winning team leaps

in jubilation once the rebound is secure. Pay attention to where and
how the pressure is building. Athletes often let their

feelings be known in dramatic and unexpected ways. A glorious
tumble, an outrageous roar, a fist raised heavenward cursing

the almighty - each makes a memorable photo. Study these patterns.
They occur over and over again in each sport and you

will know which picture to expect when. You won't be right all the
time, but you will be amazed at your results if you practice

and trust your instincts.

Emphasize the athlete

Nothing destroys a great sports photograph more than a cluttered or
noisy background. The power and drama of the athletic

form looks best when it is not competing with other information in
your photos. When working with telephoto lenses, opening

up the aperture to the widest setting will give you a shallow depth
of field. This blurs the background so your subjects seem

to "pop out" of the picture. Focus carefully. With less depth of
field, you also have less margin for focus error.

Choose the best vantage point

The law of forward motion applies to nearly all sports. Whatever the
competition or sport, the bottom line is someone is trying

to get from point A to point B. Position yourself in the path of the
forward motion for great action pictures. Sooner or later, the

action will come your way and you will be ready.

Look for patterns, work with shapes

Not having a press pass that lets you onto the field can actually be
an advantage. From high in the stands, athletic

competition takes on a whole different appearance. Look for patterns
and team formations that enhance your photos. Focus

in on the lines of the track as the runners spring from the blocks -
their uncoiling bodies poised symmetrically. In swimming

the lane markers form a natural boundary and shape to work with in
composing your photograph; the shape of a baseball

diamond with base runners on the and fielders on the move can tell a
powerful story. The possibilities are endless.

Know your sport, study your subject

The more you know about a sport, the more likely you are to know
what's coming next - and be ready with your camera.

Study your favorite athletes. Do they have a particular style
or "trademark" maneuver? When close to the hoop, does a

particular player prefer to back in for the dunk or pivot for a hook
shot? Knowing what to watch for will give you a leg up when

the game begins. Even before lifting your camera, take some time to
study the movements and mannerisms of different

athletes. It will give you a sense of how they respond and ideas
about how to best capture them on film.

Film speed is everything

Fast athletes and dimly lit arenas make photographing indoor and
night sports difficult. To succeed, you will need a

high-speed film. Use an ISO 800 or higher film. It will allow you to
use telephoto lenses and fast shutter speeds, even in dim

lighting. Two good ISO 800 choices are Kodak Max zoom film for the
amateur shooter and Kodak Professional Supra 800

film for the pro.

Feel the movement

There is a natural ebb and flow to athletic activity. Sometimes you
can literally feel the movement just as you would at a

dance or concert. Try to get in synch with the action. Feel its
rhythm and pulse. The pictures will start to flow and will be a

natural extension of your being in synch.

These tips and more are from
http://www.musarium.com/kodak/olympics/shootingsports/sports_tips/spo
rts_tips.html
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5. To save an image to post on a website and resize -

Save it as a JPEG and then close the Photoshop formatted one and
open the JPEG and using the Image Size command

from the Main Menu select Image > Image Size and in the pop menu
with Constrain Proportions check (for the rest use

defaults) then change the Resolutions to between 72 to 100
pixels/inch (I use 100 but standard is 72)
Then change the Width to the size you like (I usually use between
1.75 to 2.00 inches but you may want it larger if you are

showing it to clients) and let the Height fall were it may.

Then click on and Save As > Name it (if you want to change the name)
click on Save then the JPEG Options pop menu will

pop up under Image Options I would set Quality to about 8 or 9, the
rest you can use defaults. Then click OK and you are

ready to post it on your site.

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6. Is a hard edge a problem with your print?
This sometimes happens when the photo is smaller that the size of
the template, we recommend for the best results use a

photo the same size or larger than the template size. But we know
that isn't always possible so...If the photo is smaller and

you can see the edge of the photo or to center it one of 2 of the
edges show then try 1 of 3 methods to fix this, be sure you

have hidden or deleted the "PlacePicHere" layer, sometimes that is
enough to fix this problem....

1. Try feathering the edges. To feather all four edges of the
photo ....
a. Ctrl + Click on the layer the image is on (to make a selection)
b. from the Menu Select > Feather > 20 px
c. Inverse (Ctrl + Shift + I) and delete
If you still see the edge then repeat the steps to feather a bit
more increase it to 40 px.

2. If just one or two edges are showing then try a layer mask using
a large soft brush paint out what you want to remove,

recommend painting instead of erasing since you can always paint
stuff back in.
a. Add a layer mask click on the layer your photo is on then click
on the rectangle with the circle in the center of it at the

bottom of the layers menu (Add A Mask) this will add a white
rectangle linked next to your photo
b. Click on the white rectangle linked next to your photo and then
select a large 100 px or about soft brush by clicking on the

Brush on the Tools Menu (Mode: Normal, Opacity: 100%, Flow: 100%)
c. Be sure your Foreground color is black and background is white
d. Place your brush at the start point of just above the edge you
want to hide and holding the shift (to paint a straight line) go

to the other edge.
If happy with the results you are done or undo and try again either
a little closer to the edge or a little further from the edge of

the photo, repeat for 2nd edge.

3. This works best if the background of the photo were the edge(s)
are showing are of same color i.e. at the edge of the photo

that is showing it is black then
a. Click on the layer just below your photo and click on the half
black half white circle at the bottom of the Layers Menu (this

will add an "Create new fill or adjustment layer", select "Solid
Color" from the drop down menu, this will bring up the Color

Picker, either select the color black or use the eye dropper to
select the color closes to the color at the edge of you photo.
Note: The eye dropper automatically appears when you move your mouse
to the edge of your photo

One of these steps should fix the hard edge problem, if not pleased
contact us for more help.
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7. How to add your tips and suggestions for next month's newsletter
If you have any tips to share in our next newsletter or any
questions you would like addressed please let us know at

newsletters@...

Thank you for reading and the best of luck with your photography
business!

Artistic Action by Chris & Kay
http://www.artisticaction.com