Questions for Viscape University's Travel Photography Meet-Up

When Viscape University hosts our travel photography meet-up on Tuesday, August 19, we want to make sure guest speaker Joe McDaniel answers all of your questions. So please post them here, and we’ll make sure he gets them!

Posted: Aug 15, 2008 6:46am

How do I become better at pricing my photos for clients?
Thank you, Felicia Shelton
www.nearandfar.wordpress.com

Posted: Aug 19, 2008 1:48pm

After I return from a gig Seoul, I want to put those photos in a book. This will be my first book of photos published under my name. I’ve already contributed photos to a world-renowned British designer’s book which will be on bookshelves next month. When I come back to the States how can I get my book published?
Thank you,
Felicia Shelton

Posted: Aug 19, 2008 1:54pm

I’m really curious about nature photography. What settings do you put your camera on to capture great animal pictures? Mine always come out either fuzzy or just lackluster. What’s the trick?

Posted: Aug 19, 2008 4:04pm

There is good resource for pricing photos at www.fotoquote.com. There’s also a good book – the bible of the industry, I suspect – “Pickerell’s Negotiating Stock Photo Prices.”

Posted: Aug 20, 2008 4:14pm

Aspiring book publishers may want to look at Blurb. This is a wonderful online book publishing service. I have published nine books including several travelogues for me and for others. The website is worth checking out to see the huge catelog of books in all categories that writers, photographers, artists, poets, etc. have created. Most of them let you page through the first 15 pages of the book.

Posted: Aug 20, 2008 4:19pm

Misty asked about animal photos. To me a critical factor in getting a good wildlife or animal shot is always good light. Early morning or late afternoon is best but a clear sunny day will help anytime. Set the ISO on 100 or no more than 200. Set the camera on “spot focus.” Make sure the shutter speed is at least 1/200th sec. The more light you have the better depth of field you can achieve by raising the F-stop value.
It also helps to know the habits of the animals you are photographing. For example if you watch an elk for a few minutes you will learn that he/she grazes for a minute and then lifts his head and looks at you for about 5 seconds. Be ready for that 5 second opportunity! Zebra will always present their rear ends to you so just be patient. Eventually they will look up and turn theirs heads your way. Be ready!

Posted: Aug 21, 2008 12:12pm

Thanks for the great pointers. I’ll have to try that next time.

Posted: Aug 21, 2008 3:03pm