May 2006
Monthly Archive
Monday 29 May 2006
How Time Flies
In all my efforts to make managing this site easier, I’ve lagged on updating it.
Things have been super-busy at the studio during the last few weeks. I’m wrapping up on a couple of high-profile projects. Hopefully as that subsides I’ll have more time to make the final few upgrades to the site that I’ve been planning. That will certainly help polish off the site, then I can work on generating quality content once again.
In the mean time, I’ve got quite a few items up for sale on ebay. Anyone needing a few good Nikon Lenses, a Wide Format inkjet printer or a couple of nice wedding dresses (no, they’re not mine, my financeé has three - and swears that the last one she bought is “the one,” so we’re setting the other two free… for a fee), please check out my auctions!
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZchood050QQhtZ-1
-c
Saturday 13 May 2006
Searchables
It’s a small update at best, but worth noting. I’ve added a search bar to each page. The Blog section has had one from the get-go, and the one I’ve added throughout the rest of the site is similar, but runs from a different script. The new search bar will search through the entire site, while the one in the Blog section only searches within that section.
No new picture for this post, sorry. It’s late, I’m tired and I have a 7:00 a.m. photo shoot with a client tomorrow.
I’ve left the original post from my last site launch up at the top of the Studio News section as a sticky for a while now. I’ll probably take that down next month.
Monday 08 May 2006
If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants
Those are impressive words coming from the man who figured out gravity.
Though whether or not Sir Isaac Newton actually coined the phrase has been debated probably since he was known to have said it; it’s a deep thought indeed.
Without those to inspire us and make us aware of our potential, where would we really end up? Certainly there are individuals among us who are born leaders and risk takers and have never thought twice about following a dream, breaking free from the mainstream or marching to their own drum, no matter how loud or obnoxious the rhythym.
Then there’s the rest of us. The timid; the unsure; the “not quite there yet.”
How would we come to get where we are without having someone help show us the way? It could be done, sure. But certainly a lot of dead end trails would be cut while trying to find the right path.
I know without the guidance and inspiration of others, I would never have gotten to where I’m at today. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that I’d be successfully running my own creative services studio - having to regularly turn down work because my workload is constantly at critical mass; publishing my own website; or served as managing editor of a newspaper; participated on three cycling teams - two of which I founded - one I served as team manager (even managed to place as high as 8th in the state for my class)… It’s been a wild ride and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. But I know that without the shoulders of others to perch on just momentarily - to let me see my potential through their line of sight… I would still be hacking at the underbrush, trying to find my way to the main road of success.
Saturday 06 May 2006
One More Down
Tonight I can scratch one more off the list of site improvements. It took me only about four hours of researching PHP and testing, but I’ve managed to add a browser-based file transfer system to the site. This enhancement will allow my clients to easily upload project files to me through their web browser rather than making them have to learn how to use an FTP client or burn, mail or hand-deliver CDs. As long as the client can locate the files on their computer, they can deliver them directly to my site.
The actual delivery of the files was a pretty easy problem to solve, adding security to the process proved to be a little time consuming. I ended up having to piece together three scripts in order to make the whole process work to my liking. But it works, and I’m liking.
Sorry again for no picture on this post. It’s late. The photo shoot this weekend went really great. We had a great turnout, the models all did exceptionally well. In all I took a little more than 1600 photos during the eight hour shoot. Next project is to get the photo galleries up for client proofing!
Friday 05 May 2006
I Wear Many Hats
And it appears I have some growing room left in the one marked “Web Developer.”
Though I’ve made a number of significant improvements to the site in the last few days, somewhere along the way I managed to foul-up the proofing section of the site to the point that neither my clients nor I was able to log in to view and approve proofs. After many hours of pulling out my hair, it turns out I had the name of a folder in my site directory capitalized when it shouldn’t have been. Talk about brainfarts.
Problem solved. Everything is back to normal.
Also newsworthy, I can mark a few more items off my list of planned improvements. As of tonight, even though I’ve yet to record a podcast, I’ve set up a means to broadcast through this site. I’ve also considered doing vodcasts (video podcasts), however, I feel that in order to fully submerge myself into that project as well as to be able to test the ‘casts properly I’d need to invest in a Video iPod.
Darn, new toys.
On the topic of Apple products, those who know me know I’m a hardcore Mac fanatic. My love for these machines runs much deeper than my “Mac Geek” T-Shirt or the black Apple logo onsie I bought for my son. It’s a passion that PC users will just never “get.” But I digress; Apple has released a series of new ”switch” style ads listing the benefits of Macs over PCs, oddly though none of the new commercials mention anything about how their new line of computers sporting the Intel Core Duo chips will run Windows in addition to Mac OS. A breakthrough in Mac technology, yet Apple is relatively quiet about the new feature, for now.
Anyhow, the commercials are absolutely hilarious and spot on, however I still feel that National Association of Photoshop Professionals president Scott Kelby set the bar on benefits of Macs over PCs in his book Macintosh: The Naked Truth. According to study Kebly cites in the book, not only do Mac users tend to be idolized with cult status among IT pros, Mac owners also tend to be better educated and have higher income than PC owners. I own seven Macs… Rich supergenious potential? Time will tell…
Back to legitimate Studio News…
In addition running ‘casts from the site, I’ve also laid the groundwork to incorporate a mailing list that visitors can use through the site to keep current with what’s happening at 3 a.m. Design Studio. I’m not sure if I’ll get all the details ironed out before the caffeine wears off this evening, we’ll see.
I think I’ve also found an suitable option for my online photo gallery. I’ve had my camera for a little less than a month now and have shot over 3,400 photos. Though I haven’t had much time to shoot lately, I’m hoping to increase that number significantly this weekend. I’d also like a way to share the good ones. Look for a link to that section soon.
Speaking of links, I’ve yet to post a links page, however, I would like to thank local artist Eric Wakefield for posting a link to this site from his, ericwakefield.com. I’ve been impressed with Eric’s work since day one. For those who may not know, Eric was recently voted Macon’s Most Talented Young Artist.
Props man.
Tuesday 02 May 2006
iNtercaps are gEtting aNnoying
Just added a feature that will allow visitors to subscribe to email notifications in the event that someone posts a comment to a entry they’ve posted a comment to. Not that I’d expect a million people to be keeping track of what goes on here… Not within the first week of the upgrades anyhow…
Sadly, this post is really nothing more than me testing to make sure it works!
I’m also looking into setting up a way to broadcast podcasts through the site, I’d much rather do that than to go strictly through Apple’s iTunes. I’m really getting sick of the “i” this and “i” that though, we get it already. Let’s move on, there’s four more vowels that are getting left out, and sometimes “y.”
Have a great Tuesday.
-c
Monday 01 May 2006
May I?
It’s a new month once again. With this, normally I would move all the old news from this page to it’s new date-appropriate page in the Studio News Archives, but given that the last post was a major one, and only occurred last night, I’m going to leave it up for a while (at least) and let some of the newness wear off of it before burying it in the morgue.
The updates to the site have gone really well and I’ve received great responses from friends, family and clients. I have to say that I’m really pleased with the direction in which the site is headed.
In efforts to keep this “newsy,” and goal oriented, here’s a rundown of where I’m at with the site overhaul:
Cleaner Look - Done
Easier Navigation - Done
Pictures Everywhere - Done
Online Gallery - In the Works
Reviews - In the Works
Detailed Online Portfolio - In the Works
While working on these original changes, I’ve managed to work up another list of improvements that I’d like to try. While most of these are a ways out on the timeline, I think they would be nice additions. Besides, if I don’t post them here now, I’m sure to forget later…
Podcasts from the site
Shopping cart that will allow visitors to browse and purchase prints of my work
Email listserv to allow visitors to sign up for something like Studio eNews
Web-based FTP file exchange
I’m going to try my best to have the original list of changes for the site completed by the end of this weekend - if not sooner. I’ve got a good bit of work keeping me from working on this project as much as I might like right now, but that’s a good thing.
As always, this site is a work in progress, and as it doesn’t get as much attention as it probably deserves I do miss things from time to time like grammar, typos and bad links. If you happen to run across any problems with the site I would appreciate the heads up! -
Thanks,
-c
