Thoughtful Thursday Photography Quote: August 29

How do you take great photographs?  You practice.  And practice.  And practice.  We couldn't have said this one any better ourselves.  Life is an adventure - get out there and seize your day!

Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens...
by Richard S - Dakota Visions Photography, LLC

How to use a Light Box [Infographic]

Since one of our most read blog posts is DIY Light Tent: Is It Worth It?, we figured we better include a basic photography tutorial on how to use them.  If you are wanting better product photography and just not sure how to get it, follow along with these simple steps for better light box photography.  We hope you enjoy!

By katlandreth on Pare and Focus Courtesy of Visually.

Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens...
by Richard S - Dakota Visions Photography, LLC

Sneak Peek: Kool Deadwood Nites 2013 Car Show

Stay tuned as more photographs from 2013 Kool Deadwood Nites are featured later this week!  This 1957 Chevy pickup was amazing at the judging on Saturday, and we couldn't help but really turn up the volume during post-processing on for this one.

It was a tough day to take pictures in the bright sun with no clouds, but the cars were amazing.  Keep your eye out for our upcoming feature on this great weekend of cars, music in the streets, and fun, Deadwood, SD style!

Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens...
by Richard S - Dakota Visions Photography, LLC

Thoughtful Thursday Photography Quote: August 22

Photography is about photographers.  Plain and simple.  It's not the latest camera or gadget that you have in your bag.  It's not the latest software on your computer.  It's about the vision and composition brought about from years of practice and execution.  Period.  End of story.  

So drop the camera envy, and get out there an shoot!

Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens...
by Richard S - Dakota Visions Photography, LLC

Photo-finished? The Rise of Smartphones Over Digital Cameras

Smartphones and tablets are in almost every household.  They are often replacing traditional desktops or, even more surprisingly, digital cameras. This trend will only continue to grow and cause problems in the market for companies like Olympus or Cannon unless they can produce products for the diverse marketplace. If you are interested to see how much damage the smartphone manufacturers caused in term of profits for some camera makers, here is a nice infographic that puts things into perspective globally.

Courtesy: Visually and Best Choice Reviews.

Now, as for your own photography business.  Have you thought about how the rise of smartphones is going to affect you?  Have you begun looking into new market niches and diversified your income stream as a photographer?  What are you doing to diversify your income stream and merge into the future superhighway?  Leave a comment below and let us know...

Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens...
by Richard S - Dakota Visions Photography, LLC

Thoughtful Thursday Photography Quote: August 15

Hopefully this photography quote doesn't need much explanation.  The best pictures may not be the ones we set up for hours, but sometimes they come when we least expect them.

 
Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens...
by Richard S - Dakota Visions Photography, LLC

Images from Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 2013: Part II

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has been going on since August 14, 1938 and has grown into one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the world.  The Jackpine Gypsies motorcycle club originally held the event for stunts and races including the first "Black Hills Classic" which consisted of a single race with nine participants and according to legend, not very many more attendees.  Over the years, this motorcycle rally has grown to include a hillclimb and motorcross races.

The event has been held every year with the exception of a year or two during World War II gasoline rationing. The City of Sturgis calculates the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally brings over $800 million to South Dakota annually.  Estimated attendance varies year by year, but can be estimated at somewhere around 400,000 - 500,000 people annually.  The event brought in 633,000 estimated visitors for the 60th anniversary rally in 2000.  The upcoming 75th anniversary in 2015 is expected to be the largest rally yet by most of those involved with the rally.

While many trailer their motorcycles to Sturgis or have them shipped in via trucking companies with large multi-layered semi trailers full of bikes, a large majority of attendees ride their bikes to Sturgis.  How can you tell who rode their bike to Sturgis?  Well, the photo below gives the telling truth!  "I rode mine to Sturgis" is a famous Sturgis T-shirt or patch available for purchase.

While there are many events including large name entertainers like Kid Rock, Toby Keith, and Aerosmith that have played local 'campground cities' around Sturgis, the main attraction is still the motorcycles found parked on Main Street in Sturgis.  After all, it is a motorcycle rally...

So once again, we bid adieu to all of the visitors from around the world who attended the 2013 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and the Black Hills have already started getting ready for the 74th Annual 2014 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.  We hope to see you there, because - "This is Sturgis!  Let's ride!"

Don't miss Part I of the series "Images from Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 2013".  And while you are at it - don't forget to join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next year in Sturgis, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens...
by Richard S - Dakota Visions Photography, LLC

Social Media Cheat Sheet: Twitter

So much of a photographer's business life has now become consumed by social media: increasing brand awareness,  reputation protection, extending your customer service, helping with search engine rankings (SEO) or driving sales & lead generation.  Twitter has become an essential photographer's tool.

To help with getting it right on Twitter, we came across this great infographic by The Online Circle that provides a quick cheat sheet for everything you need to know about Twitter. We hope you enjoy and feel free to share it with others.

Courtesy: The Online Circle and Visually.

Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens...
by Richard S - Dakota Visions Photography, LLC

Images from Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 2013: Part I

The best way to sum up the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is to quote the infamous "Gunny" R Lee Ermey in the Victory Motorcycle TV commercial.

"When we brought the Victory Challenge to the streets, we were not going to do it at some freaking poser parade. No way! This, is Sturgis! Let's ride."

The bikes, the rumble, the people, and the smells of food wafting through the air.  Oh yeah, and the bikes...  There is no real way to describe Sturgis in photographs or words.  From the international guests to the bikes of every shape, color, and brand, Sturgis delivers the motorcycle culture like no other.

You want to get the taste of Sturgis...then come here and ride.  This is Sturgis...

Check out Part II of the series "Images from Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 2013".  And while you are at it - don't forget to join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens...
by Richard S - Dakota Visions Photography, LLC

Sneak Preview: Sturgis - No Photos Will Ever Do It Justice

We just got back from Sturgis, and are setting up an article for those of you who have never been here, or just wish you were here this year!  There are not any photographs or series of words that will ever do justice for the experience of Sturgis.  It's like Vegas - you have to do it at least once in your life!

Here's a sneak peek, and watch for the full length feature later this week.

Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens...
by Richard S - Dakota Visions Photography, LLC

Thoughtful Thursday Photography Quote: August 8

While jumping into the world of fractals and flames via Aphophysis 7x, we realized a little something about ourselves.  We enjoyed the symmetry of the Grand Julian, but really dug the flames, plastics, and asymmetric shapes that we had the opportunity to create.  (Do I see another post coming soon?!)

When reading Jay Maisel's quote on interrupted pattern being more interesting, we realized that more and more of our own photography was headed the same way.  Find the pattern - then find where it's off.  That's where the interest lies!  

We hope you enjoy and feel free to share on social media.  And actually, the quote is set up to match the pixel dimensions for a Facebook cover - so feel free to use.  Just drop us a line in the comments so we can check out your Facebook page.

Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens...
by Richard S - Dakota Visions Photography, LLC

Must Have Photography Infographic: Shooting Modes

Be honest - we've all had a little camera envy now and then!  This great little infographic compares the shooting modes on the Nikon D3100 and the Canon 550D/T2i .  Feel free to bookmark or give it a share on social media so you can review it later.

We appreciate the folks over at NPhotomag.com for putting this together.

Infographic and image courtesy of NPhoto

Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens...
by Richard S - Dakota Visions Photography, LLC

Claire City SD: The Little Town on the Prairie That Could

Claire City, SD celebrated its centennial from June 28-30th this year.  The little town of 76 has since cleared of the hundreds of visitors from that weekend, but the town founded in 1913 continues on.  This saturated shot just stands out to us about the importance of agriculture and the railroad in rural South Dakota.  

I think Senator John Thune said it best in his speech to Congress on June 25, 2013, 

"Located in Roberts County, Claire City possesses a strong sense of community that makes South Dakota an outstanding place to live and work. On August 15, 1913, many people gathered along the treeless prairie to buy lots for $100 to $600 in this new town named after Claire Feeney. Claire City has continued to be a strong reflection of South Dakota's greatest values and traditions. The community of Claire City has much to be proud of and I am confident that Claire City's success will continue well into the future."

Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens...
by Richard S - Dakota Visions Photography, LLC

Thoughtful Thursday Photography Quote: August 1

The artist is nothing without gift, but the gift is nothing without work. - Emile Zola

While this week's Thoughtful Thursday Photography Quote comes from a French writer, we have always liked this quote and applied it to many things in life including our photography.  

Emile Zola was considered one of the prime examples of naturalism and an important contributor to theatrical naturalism. He was a major player in the political liberalization of France and helped exonerate Alfred Dreyfus (yes, of the Dreyfus affair kind...).

We just needed a little reminder that in the end - all the hard work will pay off.  It comes down to this, each of us has our own gifts or natural talents.  But, you will only achieve at the highest level through an enormous amount of hard work put in over many years.  And that work is demanding and sometimes even painful.  In the end, it will all be worth it...

Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC.  Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens...
by Richard S - Dakota Visions Photography, LLC