Photo School Guy - Bill Gratton and MAC-On-Campus: Serving the Photographic Educational Community

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August 31, 2012 by Bill Gratton

Introducing the New ILFORD GALERIE Prestige Paper: Buy One, Get One Free!

Over the summer ILFORD rolled out a new series of paper- what they are calling the 5 star ILFORD Galerie Prestige series. For the most part this paper series is the same that they have offered, with a couple of major changes and additions that include:

1) The Prestige series papers are now all a heavy weight paper @ 310 gsm (up from the previous 270 gsm). You will find all of the same surfaces available that were previously available, including the very popular Gold Fibre Silk, Smooth Pearl, Smooth Gloss, Smooth Lustre Duo (double sided), Smooth Fine Art, and Smooth Fine Art Canvas.

2) The addition of the new Smooth High Gloss paper that is an ultra glossy surface comparable to a metallic finish. It is very reminiscent of Ilfochrome prints. This one is sure to please and excite!

Click to check out the complete break down of the new family of products

As a means of introducing these papers to students and educators we’ve come up with a VERY special offer. During the month of September, when you buy any ILFORD GALERIE Prestige sheet-size product at the already-discounted MOC price, you’ll get a second package of the same product at no additional cost (available to eligible students and educators only).

There’s never been a better time to try out ILFORD paper. Whether you like ILFORD’s Gold Fibre Silk, Smooth Pearl, Smooth Gloss, Smooth Luster Duo, Smooth Fine Art, or the new Smooth High Gloss, you can buy one and get one free with this limited-time mail-in offer.

This promotion is only open to individuals. Offer good for sheet paper only; rolls are not eligible. Click here for full details.

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August 29, 2012 by Bill Gratton

KNOW Tour- An Incredbile One Day Filmmaking Workshop Opportunity for Students and Educators

MAC Group is proud to be a sponsor of the new KNOW tour by stillmotion. This tour is perfect one day workshop for the student or emerging filmmaker. They describe KNOW as being about finding your voice as a storyteller – how your light, audio, lenses, composition, and edit shape your story.

We’ve also arranged for those photography and filmmaking students and educators whom are registered on MAC-On-Campus to be able to get a discounted rate. When registering for the workshop, simply enter the discount code EDUKNOW to get $25 off the cost of the workshop. You will also be asked to bring your school ID with you to the workshop to verify your eligibility. Register now.

The workshop has two parts. The first part is on Filmmaking and the second on editing. There are lots of good take away materials available, including their Field Guide to Filmmaking, stillmotion’s very clever App SMAPP, and a DVD of the workshop so that you may review the content after the workshop is over. Get Details!

The tour will cover 36 cities between September 8th and November 20, 2012, Of course the usual stops in places like NY, LA, etc. However they are also including many cities that are often left off of such tours, including places like Milwaukee, Salt Lake City, San Jose, Nashville, Tampa, and more. We hope to see you there!

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August 16, 2012 by Bill Gratton

MAC-On-Campus launches its own YouTube Channel

Ever since learning that YouTube is now the second most used search engine, I have been determined to create a strong YouTube presence- a place where photography and filmmaking students and educators could go to see (and easily find) all of the fabulous educational videos and webinars that the MAC Group and its manufacturers have produced.

Well, we now have our very own MAC-On-Campus YouTube channel and we think it is pretty cool! Check it out! http://www.youtube.com/user/maconcampus/featured

MAC On Campus launches its own YouTube Channel

The New MAC-On-Campus YouTube channel has hundreds of educational videos for photography and filmmaking students.

While we’re still working on it, and it will be an ongoing work-in-progress, I think that you will find it that it is already a pretty incredible resource. We now have more than 220 videos posted, and we’ll continue to add to this. We’re also creating playlists of videos based upon topics (such as lighting, metering, filmmaking, color management, etc…) so that you and your students can easily find videos on the topic(s) of interest.

Please subscribe to the channel so that you’ll know when new videos are posted. Also please feel free to use any of these materials in your classroom and/or to refer your students to this resource.

As always, feedback is always welcome. If you can think of anything that would make this resource better, please let us know. Also, if there is a topic that you think needs to be addressed, please let us know. In the last year we have dramatically ramped up our video production capability and are always looking for topics to create more useful material.

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April 9, 2012 by Bill Gratton

Make Your Voice Heard- and Discover the Trends in Photographic Education

We are again conducting a national survey of post secondary photography educators and we are hoping that you will take a few minutes to complete it for us. It is designed to take a snap shot of photographic education and its trends, and to see how things have changed over the last few years, so that we can all understand how to better serve you and your students.

Please take a couple of minutes to visit to complete the survey:

Simply Click Here

While it is rather thorough, it is mostly multiple choice and should take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete.

Please know that any and all personal information will be kept strictly confidential and will not be sold or shared.

Some of you may recall that we conducted a very similar survey a couple of years ago and were thrilled to get nearly 600 responses and lots of good information. The results of that survey were shared with the participating educators and the Society of Photographic Education, and the Photographic Imaging Education Association. That information was then shared with fellow educators, instructors, and administrators to get a feel for how their programs matched up and in many cases to initiate change. If you would like to get a copy of the previous survey and it results, please email me @ billg@macgroupus.com and I will be more than happy to send it to you.

We are hoping for an even greater response to this year’s survey. We’ve tried to make this year’s survey a little more scientific, and tried to expand upon the previous survey. Our plan is to collect the responses, analyze and summarize them, compare them to the previous survey and generate a report that we would again share with the photo educational community. We hope to have a panel discussion at the 50th Annual SPE Conference in Chicago where would reveal and discuss the results of the survey.

As always, should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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January 16, 2012 by Bill Gratton

Capture One Pro 6- A fabulous tool for professional photographers and educators alike

So recently I began using Phase One’s Capture One Pro 6 RAW converter and image editing software, and while I’m certainly nowhere near being an expert at it yet, I have to say, that it seems to me that it contains all the essential tools and high-end performance in one package to enable you to capture, organize, edit, share and print images in a fast, flexible and efficient workflow.

While it has long been a favorite (some might even argue a “standard”) amongst commercial and fashion photographers, Capture One Pro Software is quickly becoming a preferred software amongst photographers of all sorts. This is one of “THE” software packages that students will encounter upon graduation when they go to work for catalog houses, commercial photographers, or fashion photographers.

It’s compatibility with Canon, Nikon, Mamiya, Leaf, Phase digital backs and other DSLR cameras make it a natural tool for schools and students as well. So now, a school can teach/use a single software, rather than instructors having to be experts in the all of the proprietary software from each of the camera manufacturers.

Capture One Pro has a “street” price of approximately $400. However, students can now buy Capture One Pro (with two licenses- laptop & desktop) for $129 from MAC-On-Campus and its dealers. Of course we also have educational pricing for schools looking to purchase multiple site licenses for the schools’ computer labs and or studios (or for distribution to your students). Schools or educators interested in doing so should contact their regional MAC Group rep. Of course I can help direct you to the right person as well.

Below are just of some of the tools and features of latest version of Capture One Pro: Continue reading →

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January 10, 2012 by Bill Gratton

New MAC-On-Campus Digital Catalog- TOUCH IT, TURN IT, WATCH IT!

January 2012 MAC-On-Campus Digital Flipbook

We just released a new version of our MAC-On-Campus Catalog. It is more of a digital magazine format that is perfectly suited for your laptop, tablet computer, or smart phone!

Check it out! It is a fun way to learn about some of the most prevalent the tools of professional photography.

Watch educational videos and learn more about products from some of your favorite brands.

Whether you experience it on your computer, iPad or smart phone, we promise it’ll be a great experience.

Click. Swipe. Turn. Play. Or, just have fun. May take 30 seconds to load the first time. Promise it will be worth the wait.

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December 9, 2011 by Bill Gratton

Top Ten Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas For The Photo Student In Your Life

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a total gear junkie and tech weenie, and that I already own waaaaay too much photo gear! As a photographer, “gear-head,” an employee of the premiere photo distributor in the US, and someone who spends 200+ days a year visiting with college photography programs, I would like to think that I know what photography students want and need.

Several years ago I gave a photographer friend of mine a set of PocketWizards radio slaves for Christmas. At the time she was a graduate student at one of the premiere photo schools in the country. Upon opening them she burst into tears of happiness and nearly tackled me with a bear hug that I thought would land me in traction!

Anyways, this year I decide that I would come up with a top ten list of photo gear that any photo student would be happy to get. Given the state of economy, I also decided to keep the selections to under $200. I can’t guarantee you that these items will bring tears of joy, but I’m reasonably certain that these items will bring a hearty smile to just about any photo student’s face, without putting a huge hole in your wallet.

So, here they are, in no particular order. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

#1 Sekonic L-308S Flashmate- Limited Edition- Sekonic is celebrating their 60th Anniversary. For this they have come out with a limited edition version of their very popular compact L-308s Meter @ a very special price. This shirt pocket-sized Sekonic L-308S Flashmate is the smallest and lightest digital light meter in the Sekonic line-up. It is designed to read ambient or flash exposures in either reflected or incident modes, and it displays accurate exposure readings in full, half, or third-stop increments to mirror the exposure settings of today’s DSLR and film cameras. They are available in Red (my personal favorite) Light Green, and Pale Blue @ a student price of $165.

#2 X-Rite ColorChecker Passport- The ColorChecker Passport allows you to quickly and easily capture accurate color, instantly enhance portraits and landscapes, and maintain color control and consistency from capture to edit. It fits easily into your workflow to reduce your image processing time and improve quality control in your Raw workflow by working behind the scenes with Adobe’s Photoshop and Lightroom. Student Priced @ $79

#3 Benro Transfunctional Travel Angel- This is the most “usable” tripod I’ve ever used! It is an ultra compact tripod that also allows you to remove one of its leg for use as a monopod. The tripod folds down to under 19″ and weighs only 3.6 lbs, so it isn’t a drag to take this tripod anywhere! It includes a precision ball head and opens up to a maximum height of 63″ (5.25 ft) and will comfortable hold camera and lenses weighing up to 18 lbs. It includes many features and Includes carry case and shoulder strap. Student Priced @ only $189

#4 Tenba Messenger Medium Camera Bag- The Tenba Messenger Camera Bag is my personal favorite. It easily handles a pro type body, at least 2-3 lenses, speedlight, and a LOT of accessories! It is a classic, fast-moving, and body hugging design preferred by the world’s best photojournalists for years. Lightweight yet protective, everything within fast, easy reach. Customizable interior, loads of accessory pockets, and exclusive, innovative features geared to the real-world needs of the working pro. Available in Black, Burnt Orange, and Olive. Student priced @ $105.50

#5 Capture One Software- Capture One Pro 6 is a professional RAW converter and image editing software. Its powerful and intuitive toolset is used by professional photographers to achieve world-class image quality with excellent color and detail. It is extremely versatile- working with Canon, Nikon, Leaf, Mamiya, Phase One and more! It contains all the essential tools and high-end performance in one package to enable you to capture, organize, edit, share and print images in a fast, flexible and efficient workflow. It also allows you to plug in and shoot “tethered” with many Canon and Nikon Cameras and most digital backs. Capture One Pro 6’s powerful and intuitive toolset is used by professional photographers to achieve world-class image quality with excellent color and detail. Student Priced @ $129. Continue reading →

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November 11, 2011 by Bill Gratton

ILFORD Galerie Inkjet. Try it…You’ll Love it! Plus you’ll save 50% OFF!

To reintroduce the ILFORD Galerie Inkjet paper line to the educational market. MAC Group and MAC-On-Campus are introducing an exciting new offer. From November 1^st through November 30^thregistered Photo Students and Educators registered on MAC-On-Campus may receive 50% off of the three most popular ILFORD papers- limited to one of each of the products indicated below:

Eligible ILFORD Galerie Inkjet Papers Reg.Price Sale Price

Gold Fibre Silk 8.5×11 10-sheet pack (cat# 1154038) $16.53 $8.26

Smooth Gloss 8.5×11 25-sheet pack (cat# 1979293) $17.59 $8.79

Smooth Pearl 8.5×11 25-sheet pack (cat# 1979211) $17.59 $8.79

These are papers that I use all of the time. The Smooth Pearl is my “everyday” paper for printing most of my images. I love it. I use the Gold Fibre Silk for printing my black and white images. It is INCREDIBLE! It looks, feels, and smells like the B&W prints that I used to make in the darkroom…only better! These papers are extremely archival. Wilhem Imaging Research, Inc just rated them at 200+ years (read the report). This means that these papers will withstand the test of time and won’t fade or show signs of yellowing for more than 200 years, which should give you the confidence that your images will be enjoyed well into the future.

So here’s your chance to step up to another level of quality at an irresistible price.

You may either download a coupon to take into your favorite local participating dealer, or you can download a discount code to be used on the MAC-On-Campus.com store.

Your purchase also qualifies towards MAC-On-Campus’ new ILFORD Bucks Program, which earns you 20% of your purchase price towards future ILFORD purchases. Since this offer is based on the “full price” value of the paper, it’s like receiving double ILFORD Bucks on these products.

If you’re not yet enrolled in the ILFORD Bucks Program, sign up now at MAC-on-Campus.com/ILFORDBucks.

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November 7, 2011 by Bill Gratton

Seattle Central Creative Academy and The Port Townsend Experience

As you probably know by know I travel around to a great many schools doing countless events every year. The educators at photo programs and their students never cease to amaze me. Often I’m asked what my favorite event is. While I do enjoy them all, I do have one that always seems to stand out.

For the past ten years or so, we have worked with Robbie Milne and Alejandro Tomas on what has come to be called the “Port Townsend Shoot out”. These amazing educators from the two year commercial photography program at Seattle Central Community College (aka Seattle Central Creative Academy) shut down the department for a whole week at the end of April and move it out to Pt. Townsend, WA. There we all take over Ft. Flagler State Park (an old Navy base) and seemingly much of the Olympic Peninsula.

2011 Documentary of the Port Townsend Shoot-Out from Marc Salverda on Vimeo.

The second year students are there to do large productions shots, and to fill the “gaps” in their portfolios before they graduate. Their “shot-sheets” get reviewed by Robbie and Tomas long before they ever get to Pt. Townsed. For the most part, the shoots are very well planned out. Robbie and Tomas preach planning and being prepared. A big of this event is the students learning to problem solve and think on their feet to adjust to circumstances beyond their control- things that they will encounter in the “real world”. Every year there are the usual obstacles to overcome- the failure of models and/or bands to show up when they’ve committed to doing so, and lots of weather related issues causing schedules to be juggled. I remember a couple of years ago we had one day when we had sun, rain, snow, hail, and lighting all in within a few hours!

The first year students are there to do all of the cooking, cleaning, assisting, schlepping of gear, manning the equipment check out room, and to scout for locations for next year when it will be there turn. It is an amazing opportunity for them to learn in a real world application- learning things that they just can’t experience in the classroom Continue reading →

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November 1, 2011 by admin

Save up to $150 on Cinevate – Limited-time Fall Specials

Cinevate recently announced some fall rebates, and while normally education purchase (by students, educators, and institutions) aren’t eligible for consumer rebates these are. You can download a rebate form and check out these great savings you can get as a rebate form Cinevate’s Fall Specials in our interactive flipbook:

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