I've been a photographer for over 5 years now, and I've found that one of the biggest problems inside the photography community is social media. Many photographers spend so much time on social media, so so much time. Between the Facebook groups, the Instagram comment pods, personal pages, business pages, Pinterest, hashtags and more. There are just so many different ways to spend way too much time on social media, and many of the photographers I know do. Here's my take on social media these days, and my top 3 tips for photographers and content creators using social media. 

Why did you become a photographer? It probably wasn't to spend half your day online. Really, how much time do you spend on social media? Years ago I would catch myself spending all my free time scrolling through Facebook or Instagram. I'd get online to answer a message, or post an image, or such and catch myself 30 or 45 minutes later scrolling and scrolling. The biggest thing I realized one day, was how DEPRESSING it was to scroll through my feeds. There is always some photographer better than you, there is always someone doing something more fun. Always. Get off the internet and get out and create something for yourself. Also, while I'm at it, those feeding frenzy posts (you know the ones, where someone posts a referral and 5000 photographers leave their website) need to stop. Your chances of getting a job off those is like 0.005 percent, and they make you look desperate. Overall, stop spending so much time on social media. There really is nothing good to come from scrolling through your feed. Get outside, get creating. 

The new rave right now is Instagram comment pods. I get it, IG recently changed to an interaction based algorithm like Facebook. Sucks, doesn't it? But not. Now when you create something rad, IG will show it to more and more people. But do you really want to spend hours responding and commenting on others images? I totally understand supporting the photography community and your friends, but wouldn't you rather go out and shoot something with your friends, than comment on social media? Refer to the point above about spending too much time online. Rather than spending an hour of your day commenting on Insta posts for other photographers, use that hour to create something new. Create a portfolio piece. Something cool. Something that will get better comments than 'cool shots' and 'great capture' from a bunch of local pod members. You followers will love the new, unique content! Or, go spend the time with your family. Either way, I've yet to hear a great success story off of a comment pod, and being totally honest, I'm pretty sure a bunch of 'great shot' comments won't get you anywhere. 

If you haven't notice, I'm all about putting great content online. As photographer, film makers and artists we are content creators. We are a huge reason people get online, to look at the cool new content that someone made. Be that someone. If you want to be successful on social media and as a business owner, you need to learn that content is king. Not comments or likes. I don't have 10k followers on any of my accounts, but I still get business off my pages each week. If you're putting out content each week, or more often; content that your followers like, you will get business. Social media is about getting business, not likes and comments. If you want to push you social media, then get out and work on personal projects. 

To wrap things up, if you want to run a successful social media campaign you need to get off the internet and create interesting content. In the past year I have drastically scaled back my energy on social media and put that time towards personal work. I thought I'd get less work off social media, which was fine with me because I'd have less stress in my life. In an interesting turn off events, I have gotten a lot more work off my social media in the past 6 months. If you want less stress and more business online, make your post and leave. You can thank me later. 

"I really enjoyed the lighting class. Mike was very professional and had professional models each week to practice shooting. He was always coming up with new and fresh ideas for different lighting techniques which really helped me to think outside of the box. I would highly recommend the class!" -Kaylin Thompson- "The lighting class taught by Mike Johnson through the CVCA is an amazing class. Mike teaches everything from getting the flash off the camera to color gels, modifiers, and different light set ups. He always had a willing and capable model for the class, he covers the inverse square law and qualities of light. If your ready to take the next step with off camera flash, this is an excellent class." -John Hart- 

It's a pretty simple set up for a shot like this! I was using a simple white backdrop and a small sheet of plexiglass under the bottle. One light above the bottle (a 24x36in softbox), a light on the backdrop and a bare speed light camera left to fill the shadows just a little bit. Thinking back on the shot, I should have grabbed my large softbox out of my trunk to give a softer light (it was cold outside!).  All the lights were on a low power setting to give a short flash duration and freeze the water droplets (1/64th to 1/16th range on the power settings should work). Below is a behind the scenes shot of the set up! Camera settings were 1/200th of a second shutter speed, ISO 100, and f/6.3 on a Canon 5D Mark III and 50mm lens. 

For the splashing shots I held the coke bottle over my fish tank and poured cups of water on it, and used a remote release to trigger my flash. Keep pouring and shooting until you get a good variety of splashes you can use in your final image. 

After you've managed to get a lot of different options of the splash it's time to get a solid shot of the bottle sitting on your plexiglass to composite with the splashing water. I used the same light set up, I just brought the softbox down lower to keep the reflection on the bottle the same, and shot a couple images and you're set! The white paper I'm holding is to keep the liquid from catching too much light off the background and keep it dark and similar looking to the images with the splashes.

This is where it gets fun! To get good water droplets you'll have to shoot a least 50 images, but probably over 100 and then a solid shot of the bottle by itself. From there it's all about merging the images in Photoshop! Personally here is a how I do that:

-Import images to Lightroom

-Color correct the image I want to merge in Lightroom

-Open those images as Layers in Photoshop

-Use Layers masks to merge them and erase the areas you don't want of each image. 

Finish up with a bit of cloning and masking to finish off the image and you're set to go! 

At that point you should have a pretty solid final image!

Thanks for popping by! If you have any questions feel free to contact me!

Mike Johnson 

www.endless.photography

mike@endless.photography

435-764-4241

Merry Christmas from my family to yours! We're offering 25% off any session scheduled before January 1st, 2015! Your shoot must be scheduled before January 1st, but the shoot date can be anytime! To schedule your session, contact Mike for availability at:

435-764-4241

endlessphotography.mj@gmail.com

*Not valid with other offers

*Expires January 1st, 2015

Be sure to watch for the January edition of HomeTown Values and check out my coupon for a discounted shoot as well as the Complete Nutrition Coupon!

Also, don't forget to like my Facebook page and check out my website at www.endless.photography

Merry Christmas,

Mike Johnson

435-764-4241

www.endless.photography

 Part our team of amazing photographers! Including Lindsay and Crystal from LC Photography

 Designer Brandon Perry backstage as his models show off his new collection! 

 Designer Davis Hong

 Check out those AMAZING designs by Nephi Garcia! 

Show stopper right here! I apologize for not knowing this models name, but she walked/dance the whole runway with the most amazing grace and skill, and that dress!  

 The amazing Alexis McKinnon, one of the amazing models for the night!

 Check out these two amazing designs by Bree Wilkins! This girl is going somewhere!

 A huge thanks to Natalie and Bree for putting together such an amazing show and their talent, I'm so excited for the next Provo Fashion Week in March! 

Thanks for coming on by! Don't forget to 'like' Endless Photography on Facebook and follow us on Instagram at @endless.photo