Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal
On of the premier Hindu temple in all of Nepal. Marked by the annual Shivaratri festival it’s the center point for Pilgrims across Nepal and India.
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Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal
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Nightly Celebrations on the Ganges
Travel Photography from India:
Every night along the Ganges river in Varanasi, India there is celebration. Music rings out as you either walk alongside the old riverside buildings, or take a river boat trip.
Incense burns in thick plumes of scented smoke as gentle music chimes to the beat of giving thanks. Tranquil, peaceful and all things that are magical about this place say goodnight to another day.
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Jewelry engraving in India
Travel Photography from India:
Engraving in India is a popular occupation. People work all day using precious and semi precious materials, yet get paid very little.
Here, a man works with near paper thin gems to place on a jewelry box cover.
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The Green Eyed Girl from Nepal
Travel Photography from Nepal
Nepal has many wonders. Amongst the most impressive are the people. Distinctly individual, they are honorable and hard working. Though in these modern times many of the younger generation are exhibiting big city traits.
But step back and trek into the mountains and you will meet some of the nicest most honest people you will find anywhere on earth.
A unique almost Aryan look bestows so many people here. Usually dark eyed, this girl caught my attention due to her green eyes. Something that’s not so unusual in Nepal, but unusual enough not to see everyday.
I genetic trait that’s thousands of years old then Nepal was a haven for great trading routes.
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Man made of salt
Travel Photography from Poland
The Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland is a fascinating place to see what can happen to a mine after it has closed. Miners from its rock salt era carved out depictions of their everyday lives there. From a giant underground cathedral to day to day workers pulling carts.
South Africa is knows as a beautiful tourist destination, but beyond landscapes and wildlife is a thriving land of business opportunities. South African photographer Jurgen Banda-Hansmann has taken up the mantle and is providing some of South Africa’s corporations with stunning images.
What’s more is that Jurgen’s photography business Jurgen’s Photography is expanding and taking him around the world. Let’s find out more from the photographer himself
FotoArk: How long have you been a photographer, and what got you started?
I started my business about 3.5 years ago. I was working in the call center industry as resource planner and analyst. My then my boss resigned. After a long thought process, I decided not to apply for her position. As I achieved everything in the company I could
have, I decided to resign and start my business. Working as photographer was always my dream. It was the right time to do the jump.
FotoArk: You specialize in 3 genre’s, corporate, editorial, and travel. Can you explain the key differences you as a photographer experience in each one?
All photographic genres tell stories. It is what you focus, which makes the difference. Corporate photography tells the story of individual companies. Corporate assignments can vary from on location portrait sessions to photographing all aspects of a company, including headshots, production process, architecture, staff members at work, etc. I love those opportunities of telling stories, especially when my clients have a clear idea of what they expect from the shoot.
Travel and editorial photography are newer additions to my work. Travel photography allows me to tell the story of a location as I experience it, very personally. Often these are assignments, either from overseas or locally that a focus on Cape Town or South Africa. Interesting in between assignments are the photography of incentive events from overseas corporates.
Editorial photography assignments cover stories about specific themes and can range from portraits to photographing landscapes, cityscapes, interviews etc.
FotoArk: What’s the most challenging aspect of corporate photography today, and how have you overcome it?
Finding new clients was a major challenge. I joined a business networking organization (BNI). Since I joined, I learned a lot about networking and presenting myself. A good portion of my work is a direct or indirect result of networking offline and online. Twitter has been one of the most versatile online tools for new contacts and assignments.
FotoArk: Tell us what’s been the most rewarding thing to happen to you through your work?
Most rewarding is the experience of meeting people and learning about them. Earlier this year, I shot a story for a German magazine about people living with disability in Cape Town. The people, I met had incredible stories to tell.
FotoArk: You are currently based in South Africa, does the economy play a huge factor in corporate photography there?
Economy and corporate photography go hand in hand. When the economy growth is slow, I can see that in the number of assignments or size of assignments I receive.
FotoArk: What are the two most important pieces of camera equipment you use in corporate photography, and why?
I don’t want to sound smart, but it is my brain. Even with the best planning, you find yourself sometimes in situations, where you have to think on our feet. Flashlights and my tripod are the most important tools beside camera and lens.
FotoArk: How do you gain new clients in this competitive business? Do proactively advertise, or do you literally knock on doors?
I find a good portion of my clients via business networking (on and offline). Business networking is about creating relationships with other individuals and companies. The focus is on helping each other and not hard selling.
My website in connection with my blog, Twitter and Google ads also brings in some good leads. I spend a good amount of energy on
SEO (search engine optimization) for my website. Proactive inbound marketing describes best on how I find clients.
FotoArk: What advice would you give to someone just starting out who has a passion for corporate photography? Equipment, how to go about it etc.
First of all, you have to be passionate about it and have the patience and resources to go through the tough times. You need to know your photographic techniques inside out. You need to know your lighting and composition. Good camera gear is essential and I believe in keeping things simple. I work mostly with three lenses: 17-55/2.8, 70-200/2.8, 50/1.4
FotoArk: Is there a stigma that a corporate photographer needs a high-end DSLR and equipment to get work? Either way, what’s your take on this?
Good gear is important as a tool, but you don’t need the latest and best camera to get work. Your results count. The gear must be professional and reliable. I work with APS sized sensor DSLRs from Nikon (D90, D200). Bigger sensor cameras are in most cases not required in my field. If I need a full size sensor camera, I rent it.
If there is an equipment I really want to work with for most of my assignments, it is a Leica M9 with corresponding lenses. The camera and lens quality are outstanding and small. The less I have to carry, the better. At this stage, I don’t have enough of international travel assignments to justify the cost of that camera.
FotoArk: What would you answer if a client asked you this: “What makes you different from any other photographer?” (eg, why should we hire you)
Whatever and whoever I photograph, my aim is to reflect the soul of the person or place. What makes this person or place special? What is unique? I aim to dig deeper than just showing the surface. I believe when I understand the core beliefs of a person, a company I can create images that stand out.
Interested in hiring Jurgen for corporate photography? Here’s some more information:
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://www.fotoark.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Jurgen-Banda-Hansmann.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]
- Do you currently sell your photographs: No
- Do you currently offer stock photography: Yes, via my Photoshelter archivesWould you be willing to sell your photographs to an agency? Yes/No – Yes
- Would you accept a contract offer for photoshoot: Yes
- Where are you available to photograph? I live in South Africa, but location is secondary. I photographed an assignment earlier this year in Vancouver, Canada for example. “Have camera can travel”
- Contact details: You can contact me via my website – www.jurgensphotography.com or call my office during working hours (GMT +2) at +27-21-6805211 or contact me via Skype: jurgenphoto Twitter: jurgenphoto
[/author_info] [/author]
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New cameras expected in 2013
What new cameras will be released in 2013?
We are barely into 2013 and already an army of loyal camera owners are salvating at the mouth for long awaited upgrades to cameras and lenses. What can we expect in 2013? Let’s jump in and find out.
New Canon cameras for 2013
EOS 7D Mark II – It’s now the year that it’s due. Expect a new Sensor, possibly 10fps, and ISO upwards of 25600
There is a problem though. Will the 70D take it’s glory?
EOS 70D – Same Sensor as 7D Mark II, possibly 10fps, a 3? flip screen, plus ISO 25600
If we were to hedge a bet it will be either one or the other …
EOS M2 – A brand new mirrorless camera
EOS 1DSx – Canon’s big megapixel camera is due in 2013
New Nixon cameras for 2013
D7200 – will have 39 AF points and ISO range up to 25,600
D9000 – new sensor, 8-10 fps, 51 AF points
V3 – new mirrorless camera will be announced
Nikon did not perform all that well in 2012 … leading into 2013 and it looks like they may have to pull one out of the bag to regain ground in sales.
New Olympus cameras for 2013
We don’t expect much here in terms of pro cameras. PEN and consumer models only.
New Sony cameras for 2013
The Sony Alpha range is becoming the third choice in pro photographers gear bags. Are sales enough to keep them going with development … we think so. With Olympus leaving the pro market Sony has a niche if they can keep up current standards.
What’s a travel blog workflow?
A workflow is the process from beginning to end of a subject. In this case, how I write an article for my travel blog on The Longest Way Home
Why write about my travel blog workflow?
Several reasons –
– I don’t think many people realize just how much work, time and money goes into producing a single blog post.
– It’s something I would really like to read about myself, and learn from.
– My workflow may be very different to others, it may help their own process.
– Comments left by people may offer suggestions on how I can improve my work flow.
– In some circles there’s a veil of near secrecy on this subject, some people even try to make cash out it.
– It’s always nice to see how someone else does something you like.
– It will give you an indication on how I work, and maybe think.
– It will serve as a reminder to me, that in 2010 this is how I was doing things. It’s certainly very different from 2008 e.t.c.
– It’s all part of my learning, and documenting my progress on this journey.
My workflow can help you in putting together your own!
The vastness of a travel blog workflow:
I’m going to break this down into several articles. But the one thing I’d like you and I, to consider is that by the very nature of travel, things change on a whim.
Maybe it’s a rainy day, maybe I don’t have internet, and maybe I need to get something written quickly, or maybe …
And, so it goes on.
But for the main part, I will be documenting and covering an average and not so average travel blog post from beginning to end.
This is all sounding very professional?
Yes, it is.
2 years ago I was writing and photographing on a sub domain. No one knew about it. As in, zero. It was my personal account and record about this journey.
Then a few came across it by accident. Word spread.
Now, several thousand people read about my journey and life every week. And, many more join everyday.
That’s not something I planned. But it is something I’ve had to address.
From hosting issues, to improving my own learning curve in web development and off site publishing. From working on improving my photography and writing skills. To moving ever closer in completing this quest; it’s all been amalgamating and amassing into what we have today.
And, it continues to develop.
New sets of skill have been learned, lessons have been learned and new goals set. The journey is ongoing no matter what people may conclude. It deals with aspects of moving and searching for a life and home that’s not been done anywhere else.
What I write is happening to me. How I go about it, I now wish to share.
Why write about it here?
The Longest Way Home is about my journey, and while some things may overlap. The workflow was meant to be only a single article, but then it moved to 3 then 5 and so on. I don’t think the majority of the readers on The Longest Way Home want to know this.
It will get a mention at some stage, but, for now it is here on FotoArk, a travel & photography magazine. Which makes more sense for this subject mattter!
The series is currently running at 8-9 articles.
Travel Blog Workflow 1: Why?
Travel Blog Workflow 2: Concepts
Travel Blog Workflow 3: Photography
Travel Blog Workflow 4: Photography 2
Travel Blog Workflow 5: Writing & Revisions
Travel Blog Workflow 6: Promotion
Travel Blog Workflow 7: Advertisers, comments, and emails.
Travel Blog Workflow 8: The Cost
Travel Blog Workflow 9: Income Generation
This is by no means an exact episode list! I might double up a few, or add something. But everything here will be mentioned at some stage.
But that’s what’s coming up right here, right now on FotoArk!
Want to get all of these workflows for free? No problem you can either have them delivered to your via email here. Or, just follow FotoArk on Twitter (I suggest you set up a list with just fotoark on it)
WordPress is the world’s most popular blogging software. It’s free, easy to install, and comes pretty much ready in terms of SEO your posts.
For your images and photographs though, you’ll need to add a little bit more.
Here’s how to use SEO for your photographs on WordPress:
- Note the File name: its Tibetan-Monks-Nepal.jpg
Having the file name describe the image, is said to improve it’s SEO.
- Title – Tibetan Monks – Nepal.
Short and sweet, this gives you reference on WordPress to what the image is.
- Alternative Text
This needs to be filled in. If the image does not appear, the text well.
- Caption
This is what will appear beneath the image as it is displayed on you post. It’s a good place to throw in some more references to the image. But, equally so you can write anything you want in here.
- Description
Here is where you will write a longer description of what the image is all about. This is basically the same as describing the image to a friend over the phone. Only in this case, the search engine is the one who is listening / reading.
Five points to remember for SEO on WordPress
These 5 points will all greatly aid in SEO for you photographs. Which will help greatly in getting your images indexed, and searched.
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Streets of Bhaktapur, Nepal
Travel Photography from Nepal:
Bhaktapur street view. It’s like walking in another world, or in another time. Easy to walk, Bhaktapur‘s streets are surprisingly well kept. At least in the old part of town.
Skipping Bhaktapur when visiting Nepal would be a huge mistake!