Steadman Uhlich

This long letter is in response to many questions I have been asked about this site, its origins, its direction, its content (now and in the future), and its goals. This letter is full of information that may help you in various ways either improve your photography, save money, learn more, get more exposure for your photos, or have more fun.

I need to explain some things about what you will see and find and how YOU can best utilize the site while it is in the process of being built.

You will find  unusual opportunities that are open to you via this site.

I have put hundreds of hours into working on something I think may help YOU with your photography.  Frankly speaking, it is something that has been evolving from an idea to a reality after  many man hours of creative thinking and work.  I am excited about it and eager to share it with you.

My Goal for this Site:

It is going to be something that will help others TRANSFORM their way of making photos and increase their satisfaction with their photography and tap into their hidden creativity!

I know that sounds like a bold statement, but it is based on real experience and my proven method of making it happen for others.

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The Goal of PhotoMentors?

The goal is simple: Help photographers learn how to make better photographs.

This site is part of a massive  project I am building as a FREE and public resource for photographers around the world.  This will be devoted to teaching others about some of the best and most noteworthy photographers in the history of photography as well as teaching photographers how to make more memorable and better photographs for themselves.

It is a site that is grounded in the history of photography, but a site that also encourages and supports the new developments of style and methods.  This site will help you make photographs like you may have never considered in the past and may help you tap into and grow and express your innate creativity.

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Real Growth Takes Commitment

I am committed to helping others whenever I can. I think there can be a different and better way to work with people who are new to photography.

IF you read this carefully, you will learn about my latest project and ways YOU can participate and gain benefits!

In a few words, it is a project to create a new website that is focused on helping other photographers learn about photography in a new and fun way.

As of June 1, 2010, there are about 1,500 outstanding classic B&W images shown on the site.

These were made by some of the most world’s most famous photographers, the “Masters of Photography.”

By January 1, 2011, I plan to have a total of 5,000 images on this site from 120 (!) different masters I have personally selected because they are exemplary.

Each image was individually selected by me to illustrate something I want to share or teach about great photography.

You can see these via free access and learn from them for free as part of this site’s Free Lessons.

In Fall 2010, I will begin adding additional thousands of images from contemporary photographers too.

Those will be outstanding photos from amateurs and professionals and photographers of ALL levels photographing ALL subjects.

My plan is to have 5,000 outstanding and inspiring images on the site with easy (two clicks of a mouse) access to LARGE images that can be enjoyed at screen resolution but at much larger sizes than are typically found on blogs or typical photo sites).

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Please take three seconds now to tell others about this site. That will help us help and inspire more photographers.

Just click this share button below.

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Is this just another photoblog?

While there are countless “photoblogs” out there on the net, and there are some places to see classic photography I hope to offer something unique on the net.

PhotoMentors is going to not only show classic photos, but also TEACH photographers ABOUT photography and how THEY can make better photos.

This will be done through FREE lessons.

This site is designed around viewing the BEST examples of photography from 150+ years of history along with outstanding examples from contemporary photographers.

By 2011 there will be 5,000 exemplary classic photos on this site.

PhotoMentors is designed to educate and entertain and inspire you.

Not all of the hundreds of Free Tips or Lessons  are posted yet. I have to edit them for this site in order to coordinate with the posted photos. They will be added as soon as possible. There are hundreds I have already written that are not up yet, but will be posted over time. I encourage you to bookmark this site now using the button below and check back here frequently. New content is added almost every day during this Rapid Construction phase.

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Family Oriented Photography Lessons for Amateurs

IF you are primarily interested in photographing your own family or children, there will be a section and free lessons and tips devoted to that subject and with different styles of photography (i.e. not just posed portraits, not just Studio Style, etc.).

You will find Lessons and Tips that can make a significant difference in how you photograph your family.

The approach is unusual, the advice is based on experience, and the outcome or results you get should be extraordinary!

I recognize that most photographers are never going to be professional photographers and most amateur photographers want to learn how to make better photographs of the people they love.

If learning how to make better photos of your family is  important to you, I encourage you to fully read this entire post.

Also read the Free Lessons & Tips you will find here now and in the future, and also read the pages titled:

• Amateur = Lover
• Newbies Helped Here
• Lessons to Learn
• Deep Portfolio Review

In the near future, there is going to be an entire section of this site devoted to helping you make better photographs of your family.

You will find guidance, tips, lessons, tutorials, resources, and support here.   Those sections are not built on the site yet, but they will be here later in  2010.

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Please take three seconds now to tell others about this site. That will help us help and inspire more photographers.

Just click this share button below.

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Multi-Lingual Communication and Easy Language Translation for a Global Community and Global Visitors

The following is written in English and you may understand every word. If so, please do not be offended by what follows in this section. The internet is global and this site already has people visit here from many countries and they have various levels of understanding written English.

This website has an “automatic Google Translation” ability to translate the pages automatically and quickly into 53 languages!

I can personally help photographers by speaking with them in 18 different languages.

That makes it easier for Global Visitors to learn how to improve their photography.

If you are outside of the USA or if English is not your native language, then you should read the special page for Global Visitors.

To translate a page on this site, simply look for the “Translate” link (in blue) directly below the titles of any page or post or article.  Click that button and the language shown in the article can be translated quickly and automatically to your preferred language from a possible 50 languages!  I put that ability in the site so others around the world can enjoy the articles and the lessons and tips too.

Please tell your friends in your country about this easy translation ability as well as letting them know about this site and its content.

Obviously, some may be hesitant to visit a site that was built in English language if they are not fluent in English. I hope this translation ability will help them.

In addition to the site’s ability to have its pages of information translated for you, I can also help photographers directly (live) in 18+ different languages. That may be hard to believe, but it is true!

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Hundreds of Photography Tips

The Tips Pages on how to have a better experience on a photography forum are going to be just a few of the many that will be on this site.

I also have hundreds of photography method oriented Tips and FREE Lessons that will soon be available on this site.

But, those are not ready for public distribution or viewing just yet. I have to edit some and make them easier to understand for most, and easier to download and search and use. Some of these were originally written for my future books on photography, but I will be posting special edited versions on the new site.

Other unique and valuable tips and lessons and insights will also be available in the future through a series of special books I am writing that are intended to help others improve their photography dramatically and quickly.  Those will be published in 2011.

If you have an interest in a book, let me know via an email and I will put you on my “special notice” list to let you know when they are published and available.

To be clear, this site is NEW and under construction.  The Future Site, will be very different in design and concept and content and much more fun and attractive and loaded with materials, images, lessons, tips, and all kinds of good stuff.

Eventually there is going to be something really beautiful for all to see, and where you will be able to find many helpful free tips, free lessons, videos and valuable resources. I wish it was that way now, but…as the saying goes…”Rome was not built in a day.”

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What is in the Photography Tips section?

There will be hundreds of Tips on this site in the future. At this time, while we are building the site, the first Tips we have uploaded are focused on helping photographers have a better experience on their favorite photography forums.

The Tips Pages on “Photography Forum Posting Tips” are just that. Currently, there are about seven  Posts/Pages focused on having a better experience on a photography forum.  Each post may be several “pages” long (if viewed as a typical book page). I suggest reading them in sequence (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9).  The first Tip page is the most general, so don’t stop there. They get more specific and with practical advice as you read the others.

 

The Tips Pages on “Photography Forum Posting Tips” are my tips for how to post, how to engage others in discussions, and how to get more constructive comments about your photos and have a better time within any photography forum.

 

When you go to the site main page linked below, look on the left column near the top (below the photo strip) and look for the Category “Free Lessons & Tips.”

Don’t miss the special opportunities described below!

I strongly suggest reading further in this post before jumping to those tips pages, otherwise you will miss some important announcements that may be of great interest to you and can help you. Steadman

You will find another link for that category near the bottom of this page.

The easiest way to see the other pages of  Free Lessons and Tips is to look at the bottom of each Tips page.

There you will find blue Related Posts (blue) links to each of the free tips and lessons pages.

Remember, there are currently seven different posts on just the topic of how to post on a photography forum.   This is because some are different issues and suggestions and so you will need to look for those seven post titles to get the complete advice on forum posting. When you view that category, make sure you click on the title of each post as that expands the abstract into a full length article/lesson/post.  Also, not all of these may show on your screen at one time. So look for a link that says Newer Entries or Older Entries  (this link is found  near the bottom of the list of abstracts found in the center column of the site.


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Origin of this Site: What Started This?

Over my years participating on several internet photography forums, I felt there was something missing. I kept seeing new people join the forum, post a few questions or photos and then disappear. I also saw that there are weaknesses in any forum.

Even though I think a photography forum can be a great place to share things, I also see there are some limitations that are inherent in the method people use to communicate, and the atmosphere that can sometimes develop.

In short, I saw that many people came to learn and were turned off because of the frequent hostility that shows in some forums and the harsh comments in others. In many cases, this happened because of how people communicate or don’t communicate on a forum.

I decided to start building a solution to those problems. To better understand that, I invite you to read the Vision of the Future page on this new site. It outlines the vision statement for this site.

IF you have ever felt intimidated or afraid to post either questions, requests for help,  or your photos on a photography forum, then you really should read that page and several others that may help you.

I have put many hundreds of hours into working on something I think may help countless photographers of ALL levels of experience and skill. It is designed to provide a new, more personal channel of communication and discussion of the photography that we all enjoy or love.

Whether you consider yourself an amateur, enthusiast, or professional, you will be able to find something valuable for you in the future. In addition to free learning opportunities, there will be professional level services available to both groups with real mentoring available and world class Tutoring and One-on-One instruction by very skilled photographers.

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This site is designed to help photographers of all levels, including both professionals and amateurs.

While I have been working on this for two years in concept, the first website pages on the new site were just uploaded on November 1st, 2009 as I began construction of it for testing purposes.

So it is “brand new” on the net and I have not even begun to announce it or promote it as I consider it to still be in a design testing phase and under construction. Once the site is tested and populated with more of the content I have, it will be properly launched to the public, later in 2010.

The site you see is not quite finished yet and undergoing Rapid Construction as my original content (that I have been writing for years) is being added as quickly as possible to the structure. In a few months time, it will have much more interesting content to see and read and do. Right now, it is a little rough around the edges. But that will be polished in the future as another completely different site is built to hold the credentials of many experts from around the world.

In 2011, there will be 5,000+ inspirational  classic “Masters of Photography” images of all kinds shown on this site.

This site will show some of the best and most notable photos ever made by some of the best photographers in the world.  While I did not make them, I carefully selected each one to show to my students and contacts and visitors. You won’t see them all now, but the PhotoMentors site will become a visually rich site and more beautiful each day

In addition to photographs, there will be resources of all kinds for photographers of ALL levels. These are going to be the things that will save you time and money.

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The Tip of the Iceberg is All You See Now

In the future, you will be able to read interviews with photographers, in-depth articles about Documentary Photography, Black & White photography, Street Photography, Fine Art Photography, Photographing children, posing, exposure, lens choices, Conflict Photography (war photos), Historical processes, and all kinds of interesting things. There will be many videos that will either entertain or teach.

Right now, the site is only showing about 20% of what it will show in the near future, so just a tip of the iceberg, so to speak.  In the near future, the depth will be revealed as the content is added and the interface changes to reflect the new “Rooms” of the Library.

In the near future, there will be Profiles and Galleries for 120+ different Masters of Photography!

Currently there are about 20 uploaded for viewing.

By 2011, there will be hundreds of pages and 5,000+ exemplary photos to see!

I have many free lessons and tips and interesting videos and tutorials and inspiring images, and articles and lists and stuff of all kinds to upload, edit, tag, place, etc. Of course, the site is going to have many different Levels of interest with some parts devoted to learning, some to entertainment or inspiration, some to technical, some to the art of photography, some to the history of photography, some to Masters of Photography.  So there will be content for photographers of any level of experience and many areas of genre or interest.

When you visit this new site, please overlook the mess in the construction. As with any new construction, there are some things that will appear out of place, but all of that will be improved in appearance and function over time.

In addition, this new website is to provide a temporary home for the development of a new concept for learning photography and increasing skills, profits, and professional satisfaction. You might think of it as the gateway to a new kind of photography school. One part of this new free school that I think will be special is the Library.

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You Can Contribute Knowledge Too!

I could use your help making this Library something special for every photographer on the planet.

My concept is to keep it free and available to everyone.

Inside it will be articles and tips and lessons from which any photographer can learn, with free  access to the material.

If you come across a good tip while you are learning photography, I encourage you to contribute some tips to the mix.

Donations of Knowledge can help people all over the world. The Library is just being founded, so the shelves are being built (so to speak) and the books are not there yet. But, over time I hope to make it something special. You can help.


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What is on the site now?

130+ Different Pages & Posts and 1,500 Classic “Masters of Photography” Images as of June 1, 2010

The first page I recommend reading on my new site is the home/index page or “About PhotoMentors” page.  It has an overview of the site and what it is all about.

Since you probably don’t know who I am, you will find the “About Steadman Uhlich” page informative. I am not recommending this because of my Ego, but rather because I consider knowledge, credibility, experience, and trust, to be important things to consider when seeking advice from anyone.

Whenever taking advice from anyone,I suggest knowing something about their background first.

So often on the internet, such as in a typical photography forum, advice is given, but the person receiving it knows little or nothing about the experience level of the person writing comments on their posted photos.

On my credentials page you will learn about my various experiences with photography as a professional photographer and art gallery owner and consultant.   There you will learn some things that have influenced my Point of View or perspectives on photography.   This has an effect on the other content and advice I am posting on the site. In any event, it is my way of letting you know “from where I am coming” so you can judge for yourself whether the advice and suggestions I give might have merit.

If you want a quick view of the current content of the site, click on the Site Map link on the left column under the Pages listing.

It goes to a Table of Contents with links to all of the current pages.  There you can see consolidated links to each category of posts.  For example there you will find 30+ posts devoted to the Masters of Photography.  That number of pages will grow quickly during  2010.

You might enjoy reading “The Power of WOW” post on the site too. It is short and describes my POV about creativity. I believe it applies to all photographers of ALL levels of experience and skill.

I also recommend “Gear Addiction” too. I recommend this for both beginners and people who have already been badly bitten by the gear buying bug. If the gear buying bug has not bitten you yet, I can assure you, it probably will!  Read this to learn an easy way to start a recovery program that will get you focused on making WOW photos instead of buying WOW gear.


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How to Help Photographers Over the Internet

I assume you visit and post photos on a photography forum because you would either like to improve your images or just get an idea of how others see YOUR photography.

Since year 2000,  I have participated in several photography forums.

In the last two years alone, I helped thousands of photographers on one photography forum alone.

I don’t write that to brag. I simply want you to understand that I speak from some experience in helping other photographers around the world via the internet, using minimal communication and without the full benefit that I intend to offer via PhotoMentors.

You might be thinking: “That is easy to say.  Can you prove it?”

Now it is one thing for me to say that I helped them.  I think I helped them.  But a more important question should be asked: Did THEY think I helped THEM? Read the paragraphs below to find out.

During that time I evaluated and commented on  thousands of photos and helped others with brief critiques and comments and suggestions about their photos.  Those were very limited in scope and time I could spend compared to what I call a True Critique.  Yet my brief critiques and comments helped many photographers learn more about their photos or how better photos are made.  Even photographers who did not post photos themselves learned from those comments and critiques.  How do I know that?

200+ Testimonials

More than 200 photographers (both amateurs and professionals) voluntarily posted 200 Testimonial comments about my distinctive  and valuable critiques and their helpfulness to them.

The important thing to understand here is that those testimonials were based on success in helping people while using a  very limited method to communicate with them on a photography forum.

With the new and different methods I will be using here on PhotoMentors, the future will eclipse those successes.

If you have ever wanted to have your own photographs discussed with truly balanced comments and constructive critiques, you should read some of their testimonial comments.

While I was happy to be helping others this way, I also realized that this method (forum critiques) is a pale comparison to what could be done to help others and I began to see the serious limitations a forum critique has. In fact, I believe they can be detrimental as well as helpful, if they are improperly given or poorly made or without some balance or experience behind them.

My goal here on this site is to help others see beyond what they typically get in a photography forum.

To that end, I have developed a proprietary method of True Balanced Image Critique.  You can learn about this and see if it is something that will help you. I believe it can and will if you try it.

If you are interested in a very quick and low cost but highly valuable professional opinion on one image, consider the Six Minute Solution.  This is designed to give you advice based on a single image of yours.  It may help you overcome a creative block, help you fix a problem, or help you get some objective advice on what you can do to improve your photo and your photography.

If you are an experienced photographer, an emerging professional, or have been active for years, I also suggest reading “Steadman’s Deep Portfolio Review.”

If you have been posting your photos on internet forums seeking constructive comments or critiques, I strongly recommend you read the above mentioned “Deep Portfolio Review” page, the  “Why have a Critique” page, and the Image Critique pages.  My reason is simple, these pages describe what I see as some of the very common pitfalls that photographers fall into when depending upon unbalanced critiques they get from a typical photography forum.  There is a much better way to learn.  I also encourage you to read two Lessons that may help change how you see learning through the internet.

First read “Lesson 8: Too Many Cooks and Golf.”

Then read “Lesson 9: Are Technical Critiques Really Objective?”

Ever felt LOST while learning photography?

If you have ever felt lost in photography and wished you had someone experienced with whom you could talk and from whom you could learn, then consider finding a mentor who can help you.  If you have any interest in how this can help you and what you should look for in a mentor, make sure you read “How to Pick Your Mentor.”

Do you want to become a successful professional photographer?

Dreaming of “Going Pro?”

If you have an interest in being a professional photographer, these pages may start you on the right path to a more successful future. If this applies to you, you should also see the page “Going Pro.”  At this point there is just a single page in that section. In the future, it will contain many pages focused on the issues and suggestions that may help you launch your professional photography career.

If you are an amateur, they may help you overcome some of the obstacles you may have faced for years.

Do you feel overwhelmed about learning ALL there is to learn in photography?

If you want to really break of of a rut you might be in, and you want to make dramatic improvement in your photography, then I recommend reading: Lessons to Learn.  It applies to photographers of ALL levels, from newbies to experienced pros.

If you want to get an idea of what is guiding the development of my site, I also think you might find my vision statement either interesting or amusing. It is “Vision for the Future.”

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What Can Be Learned at PhotoMentors?

Someone recently asked me to provide a list of what they might be able to learn via PhotoMentors. So, I have a draft up called “Lessons to Learn” and it has a LONG list of things you can learn through PhotoMentors now or in the future. That draft page is long and in the process of being edited. But, it will give you an overview. Whether you are an amateur or a professional, there are items on that list that may be important or critical to you.

Speaking of “Overview,” you might want to read that page too.  Yes,  I even wrote a long page called “Overview” that is sort of a guided tour and explains how this site may help someone learn photography in a new and exciting and fun way.

Learn from Masters of Photography!

IF you like to learn more about how real “Masters of Photography” think and work, I suggest you check out the categories called “Masters of Photography.” Those sections of the Library will contain free articles on the thoughts and works of some of the world’s best photographers in many genres.  This will be my personal focus on this site as it is something I have enjoyed for years. There are about 15 Master photographers profiled at this time, but the total number will be 125 different Masters by April 1, 2010!  It simply takes time to upload, code, and edit the content and I have much content waiting to be uploaded. For example, one of my favorite photographers is Henri Cartier-Bresson. I am just now building and uploading the content for that section.  So far I have about 5 videos you can watch, but very shortly will add another 10 videos on his life and work.  I have also transcribed one video I recommend so you can learn from some quotes I plucked from his dialog with the interviewer. The Henri Cartier Bresson VIDEO 3 page is a very good start.  The video on that one is 57 minutes long, but I enjoyed every minute.  I highly recommend watching it.  Watch the video, it has much to teach any photographer! As another example, I  also have another tribute “Masters Gallery” that contains over 170 of another photographer’s (August Sander) most famous portraits (out of 40,000 images in his archive).

I encourage you to visit the Masters Profiles and Galleries and read the quotes and insights from some of the best photographers of the 20th Century.

You will find many quotes from them about photography, and photos made by them too.  These  inspire me and help me better appreciate photography as an art and a means of communicating.  I hope they inspire you too.  If you too find inspiration,  please leave a comment on one of the pages shown here or send me an email with your comments.

There are also books listed on a carousel I made for each of the most famous photographers.  Those are direct links from Amazon.com and will give you a better feel for their images (better than small video clip).  So I recommend those too.  I selected them to complement each profile of the Masters of Photography.  While I have a very extensive personal collection of both art and photography books, there is always a desire to have a new one and to see excellent examples of the art.   You can order those books directly from Amazon.com and their secure interface if you are in the USA. If you are outside of the USA, your local Amazon will perform the transactions. This is merely provided as a convenience so you can learn more about these great photographers.

I have also included some thumbnails that if clicked will open a new window that then allows one to see a photo at a much larger size that are hosted on another site (Art.com).  I have chosen this method because some of the photos were not found anywhere else online and this method allows one to see these images at a size much larger than what is usually seen on the internet or on typical  photoblogs. When I was researching many of the Masters of Photography, I found some “hidden gems” in photos that are on that Art.com site, but not found on photoblogs or other easy access sites. You don’t have to buy anything to learn by looking at those photos.


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Many Experts Found Here in the Future

When you visit this new site, you will no doubt notice that much of the site (as you see it today while it is just being built) is about credentials related to the work I do.  I consider that important, for several reasons, but most importantly, because my own example may inspire others to search for their own creativity and possibly give them some encouragement to pursue their own dreams, if they include photography.

Secondly, because I am in the process of interviewing other experienced “experts” who will become part of my future site,  I want them to know with whom they are dealing, just as I will be looking at their credentials and work while screening experts to add to the group.

As someone who is truly interested in learning, I always have an interest in who is teaching me and what is their background, prior to taking lessons from them or reading their works (books articles etc.). So, I have openly shared my credentials in the “About Steadman Uhlich” page too.

Just keep in mind that this site is undergoing rapid construction and you are seeing it while it is being built (like a sneak peak at a building undergoing construction).  In the future, the next site design (est. 2011) will have many experts listed as part of the PhotoMentors group. At that time, the credentials of many experts will be shown in one place. Today, we start with one. In the future, there will be many experts. If you are interested in serving as one of our experts in the future, contact me now via email and provide me a link to your work and bio. There will be many opportunities for experts from the many facets of photography.

In short, as this site develops, the appearance will evolve, the content will rapidly expand, the number of contributors will increase, and the expertise will broaden.

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Where are the photos?

This  site is designed to show,  with free public access,  outstanding photography in a way that will help the public and photographers learn more about better photography and what makes it better.

Most of the thousands of photos on this site will be found in Masters of Photography Galleries (flash galleries on the Gallery pages) so they can be shown at larger sizes when the Gallery is allowed to fill your screen.

In the Masters of Photography category,  these flash galleries are embedded in the posts or pages and some galleries contain hundreds of photographs by Master Photographers.  Those flash galleries will show the photos at full screen size in some cases (when digital images of that size are available to us), so the details of the images can be enjoyed. You can also watch them as a slide show.

A relatively smaller number of photos will be embedded in the articles and lessons to illustrate points.

Most of the photos are embedded in the various photo galleries.

Hundreds of other photos will be shown as thumbnails that are linked to an affiliated site where you can see large versions of the images with two clicks of your mouse.  I encourage you to see those larger versions, many of them actually will fill a typical computer screen and then you can see the details, expressions, and get “immersed” in the image. This is something I enjoy and I find these larger sizes much more enjoyable than small images typically found on the web.  Just be aware that in order to display those larger sizes of hundreds of rarely seen photos I have personally selected for those galleries, you will be opening a new browser window to a “virtual store” where you also have the option to buy a print if you want to.

You do NOT have to buy anything, to enjoy viewing these large images and learning from them.

At this time, that is the best method I have for providing easy access to hundreds of rarely seen images.  These thumbnail galleries will only represent a small fraction of the total images shown here on this site, but they are photos that are not available elsewhere for free viewing.

You may not immediately see many photos if you click on a typical page. Why?

Most are going to be embedded in a post/page and may be in a flash Gallery.

In the future there will be thousands of excellent photographs shown.

By January 2011, I expect to have uploaded  5,000+  classic B&W photos by Masters of Photography.

In Fall 2010 I will also begin adding outstanding photos from contemporary photographers too.

My goal is to have 5,000+ outstanding photos online and viewable by January 1, 2011.

You will need to open up a post or page to see the photos that fit that topic.  Also look in the “Masters of Photography” category as Masters Galleries of some of their work will be included to educate and inspire the public and photographers.

For example, one Masters Gallery is for Edward S. Curtis as he is one of my favorite photographers.

His Masters Gallery contains 200 beautiful images from his portfolio about the North American Indian.

In the future, articles I write about his work and life will be posted there too. There are hundreds more in the posts that are focused on the various Masters of Photography.  Thousands of other photos of excellent photography will be added as quickly as possible.

As another example, I have collected hundreds of photos by Walker Evans, Alfred Eisenstaedt and dozens of photos from some of the most famous photographers and some who are not as well known by most photographers.  So there will be thousands of good images to see very soon.


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Spread the Word!

I am trying to help as many people as I can to learn how to make better photos and have a better time in photography and photography forums too.   I can use your help too.

I would appreciate it if you would tell other photographers about this new site.

At this point, I am not on Facebook or other social networking sites.

Please use your social networks (like Facebook friends) to tell people about the PhotoMentors site and how it can help others learn about photography in a new way.

Or use DIGG or Delicious or other social bookmarks to spread the word. It only takes about ten seconds to help this way.  Here is a button for you to use right now.

If you have your own site or blog, post a short notice about this  new site and what you saw or learned or enjoyed.

Or post a link to the site on your blog.

Or, if you have your own site or blog and if you want to post a notice or article about this site, let me know and I will help you with something that would be easy to post (cut and paste) after minimal editing or writing or adapting by you.

Buzz is a good thing and the new post or comment on your blog may be very interesting to your readers and visitors who like photography, so it would be Win + Win + Win for all involved. Your friends don’t have to be professionals. Just people who love photography and want to make better pictures. Or people you know who struggle to understand how to use a camera or how to make better photos.

Please tell at least three friends. Spread the word.

There are very easy Social Bookmark Links (Share This buttons) on each page of the site with an easy to use Share This button on the upper right column and at the bottom of each page or post. You need only click a button to add the site to your bookmarks and you can click the same button to leave a comment or to send an email to a friend when you find an interesting article. They are very easy to use, even if you have never used one before. Try it. Here is one of those buttons:

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Open Call to Experts, Writers, Photographers of ALL Levels

I am currently having an OPEN CALL while evaluating original content for the new site.  I will be looking for examples of great photographs of all kinds from photographers of ALL levels (newbies to experienced pros).  I will be considering Guest Posts and Guest Written Articles, Tips, Tutorials, and such.

In addition, some opportunities exist for photographers to contribute content for not only the new site, but also for the future books I am writing.

There are many opportunities for YOU to contribute.

If you are an expert in something related to photography and you would like to tutor others, then I suggest you read the page on the site called “Open Call to Experts.”

If you have an outstanding photo of something or someone, consider that too. I intend to have thousands of photos from contemporary photographers on ALL subjects in future sections of the site and in the books.

The OPEN CALL for Photographers means I am looking for good examples to illustrate future books and the site.

I will post details on this site about submission guidelines and benefits of contributing (e.g. visibility, credentials, discounts, compensation, attribution to you and other benefits).  In the future, look for posts titled “Open Call.”

In addition, there will be a long list of the types of photographs I want to include in the books and site.  These are the very same photos you may have in your own personal archive or portfolio.

You do NOT have to be a professional photographer to participate or contribute a photo.

In fact, for one book and one section of this site,  I will be looking for example photos that are commonly seen on a typical photography forum.

So the opportunity is a good one for you even if you are a newbie, beginner, serious amateur, or professional.


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An Easy Way to Help Newbies

My motto is: Help others whenever you can. That has always been one of my guiding principles in life.

Here is an easy way for YOU to help other newbies too. When you see a newbie join a photography forum you frequent, perhaps you could share the link to the “Tips for Posting on A Photography Forum” there in that forum to help them. Those seven pages of forum posting tips and the additional FREE Lessons and Tips are written to help a newbie have a better time on a photography forum and they are written to encourage them to post more photos and contribute on a forum, instead of just lurking. You will find those tips in the Free Lessons & Tips Category of posts. Just send them to: http://photomentors.com/category/free-lessons-tips/page/2/

Or tell them to look under the category “Free Lessons & Tips.”

Or just remember: www.photomentors.com

Or if you have people ask you in the future if you know of a good place to learn photography or to find free online lessons, please send them to photomentors.com. Who knows? You might know someone at work or church or school who gets a DSLR and needs some help. We can help.



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Discounts on Gear via PhotoMentors

I have also negotiated exclusive discounts for some gear I highly recommend to both students, newbies, or experienced photographers too.

I negotiated these discounts to help my future students, but will extend this to my friends and contacts now too during my Site Building period (while I am still building the site).

So you don’t have to be one of my students to save money. How about that! There is a special link with a code you will need to use in order to get the discount on the gear.  The gear is relatively inexpensive, highly recommended to have, a great value, AND you get a discount too! You might benefit from this gear too. I know I like it because I bought it without any discount.

You will find the discount and the products in two of the first free lessons I have posted (“Lesson Reflectors and Diffusion, Gear to Have Part 1” and “Lesson Reflection and Diffusion Part 2.”

Keep in mind, this is just the beginning and many more FREE lessons, tips and even more discounts will be posted in the near future. I intend to negotiate discounts with many vendors of photographic items.

To help me increase the number of special discounts available here,  make sure you join my mailing list.

As another example,  I am going to offer a significant discount on some very nice portfolios I use to display my own work.  These are priced lower than ANY online retailer, even the ones who promote their deep discounts. Depending upon what you would want to purchase, you could save hundreds of dollars using this exclusive promotional discount.

This is just another example where I am offering my contacts the advantage of purchasing power for great gear and stuff that I consider essential and  useful in my work and helpful to my further success.


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Does long distance mentoring or tutoring work?

Yes.  It definitely does!

There are already several different mentoring testimonial letters on the “Testimonials” pages. Two of those photographers were on the other side of the planet from me (Philippines, France), yet we communicated as if we were in the same room.

Proof One: I had a first mentoring session (that is, our first conversation) with a fine art photographer in France. It lasted an hour, but time flew by as it was wonderful and stimulating Mentoring session.  We had a great time talking on the phone in a true connection.  It was like a chat between close friends, yet it was the first time we have spoken.  It was an hour long, but we were using Skype, so it did not cost either of us anything for the call (no long distance phone charge). We had a perfect communication at a high level and yet we discussed Art, Light, History of Photography, challenges, limitations, styles, Black & White aesthetics, techniques, methods, and much more. This first Session was truly fun and full of creative thinking and discussion. The only thing we did not share, and I regret that, was the nice bottle of wine he had on the other end (he is a connaisseur).

In the first 30 minutes he said what I told him was “Inspirational” to him.

He said this several times regarding my suggestions to him, and he said I helped him have a creative “Breakthrough” and that I have inspired him to look at the world differently.  He is very excited for his future with photography! That is the Power of WOW!” You can read about The Power of WOW (my philosophy or method) on the PhotoMentors page “Power of WOW.”  You can also read a verbatim copy of his testimonial letter to me. It is found near the bottom of the Page titled “About PhotoMentors” found on this site.

Proof Two: Another testimonial with a short case study can be found on the Testimonials page.  Look for the Testimonial called “Sari Trio.”

Proof Three: I had another mentoring session with an emerging professional photographer in the Philippines. It was also a free call using Skype, with a crystal clear connection.  We had a great time, and you can find his testimonial letter to me on the first (home) “Testimonial: Global Understanding” page of my new site. We have had several followup sessions and in each mentoring session he is learning about how to launch his professional photography career for the best chance at making more profits and having more success.

Proof Four: Another mentoring session with a photographer who has lots of gear and wants to know how to use the gear better to create better images resulted in some breakthroughs for him.  He said he learned a lot about composition, BW conversion and many other things.  See his testimonial letter on his Testimonials page.

More Proof: Another mentoring session was with a photographer who is going to be shooting in some very challenging high contrast conditions while on a ski vacation.  He said he learned a great deal during our conversation.

More Proof: Another mentoring session with a photographer who was taught some very simple things to do to be prepared for an important shoot next week involving young children.  I helped that photographer better understand the gear, the best choice of lens, the optimum settings on the camera, the best compositions, and recommended  use of light and white balance etc. Obviously, each case is different, but that is what is helpful! Each case is handled based on what the individual photographer needs and to help them with THEIR goals. ________________________

Special Limited-Time Opportunity for YOU

During this “Rapid Construction” phase of my new site, I am also helping other photographers by serving as a Mentor to them….(yes, there is a fee for this level of service).

Here is a unique opportunity for you:  I am looking for some special “Case Studies” or examples I will be able to use in the future.

During this start-up and building phase, the photographers who decide to start a Mentor relationship with me will be getting very special opportunities (i.e. save money, more time, etc.) while I create these Case Studies. You would be getting in on the “ground floor” so to speak, while the site is under construction. This special offer is also meant to encourage YOU regardless of where you are located. See the linked Testimonial letters for more information on this.

I use Skype to allow free telecommunications with my mentoring proteges around the world. If after reading the site pages and learning about the PhotoMentors approach I describe there, you think it is a learning approach you want to try, then I encourage you to make that first free phone call. There is no cost or commitment for that FREE Introductory Call. If I think we are a good match, you might be surprised at what you can learn.  If you have an interest in this, call me. It is that simple to learn more.



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Books by Steadman Uhlich Published in 2011

Over the last few years, many people have asked me the same question: “Do you have a book I can buy?”

I have avoided writing  a book because I felt there are just too many on the market related to digital photography with very little to differentiate them.  There are countless books on using Photoshop and retouching and such with countless tutorials on the net too.

A few years ago, I had an idea for something that I think will be different and very valuable to photographers.  So, I began working on my book concepts.

Before you buy ANY book, I recommend knowing something about the author and their experience.

So, once again, I recommend reading the “About Steadman Uhlich” page on the new site so you get a sense of my credentials.

In addition, there are some linked Testimonials pages containing comments from 200 photographers and 144 Art Gallery Visitors and other testimonials too.

My series of very special books are designed to help photographers at ALL levels (from newbies to pros) and they are almost completed.  They will be published in 2011.

These two are just two of the series. The other books will focus on Seniors (Teenagers), Adults, and Groups.

These books are written to help photographers create more WOW photographs and will contain many personal insights into what makes a visible difference from ordinary to WOW images.  The books will provide insights into making better photos for children, teens, adults, and groups of people. This first series is about photography of people.

These are the secrets or insights that I find make a difference.

If you would like to learn about these and be one of the first to have one, please let me know via an EMAIL  to the email address shown below or on this site’s Contact page (it is near the bottom of almost every page). I will have some very special opportunities to the first people who purchase the books prior to their launch.

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Links to Free Lessons & Tips

And here is a link directly to the CATEGORY called Free Lessons & Tips: http://photomentors.com/category/free-lessons-tips/page/2/

Remember, there are seven pages (posts) related to “Photography Forum Posting Tips” and several FREE Lessons also up already.

Many more will follow in the coming weeks! I also encourage you to read the “Newbies Helped Here” post (page) too.

It outlines what I intend to do for Newbies via this new site.

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Remember the PhotoMentors Name

Please note, if you tell anyone about the site, there are about 6 different sites with very similar names to mine. After searching to find an available domain name with something close to what I originally wanted (and having been disappointed 150 times to find them all already taken) I settled on “PhotoMentors.”

Make sure you tell people it has an “S” on the end.

There will be MANY (plural) mentors available through my site in the future. Also it is NOT “photography” mentors.  There are others using that name (and variations) that are NOT doing what I am going to do.

Remember: “Photo”  + “Mentors”  =  “PhotoMentors.com”

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Say Hello with a Free Introductory Call to Steadman

One of my personal goals this year is to extend my network of friendly photographers and contacts around the world. If you would like to say hello, feel free to give me a call to say hello at no cost because that First Introduction Call is free.

I am having something of an “open house” during the period while I am still building the site structure and rapidly uploading the content.  During this period,  there will be all kinds of special offers. Did you notice the word “special.”  I mean it. These are special opportunities that won’t be available in the future and some that I will not post on the net, but may tell you over the phone.

I really believe the internet is good and can be great, but interpersonal contact is even better when done by voice instead of email. So call and say “Hello” for free. If I can help you, I will.

If you want to have personal instruction, tutoring, or mentoring by me, that is available too, but certainly not required in order to learn from this site.

But first,  read as much as you can on the site. That will prepare you to learn at a quicker pace. Since this site is new, I am also introducing new concepts in teaching and learning.

Anyone who signs up for a Personal Course of Study, Deep Portfolio Review, or Learning Sessions with me before my books are published will get a very special valuable offer too as I am writing up some Case Studies.

It is not too late for you to take benefit of this.

Say hello via a phone call or email or join my Email Newsletter via the Subscribe Form (the newsletter is FREE and infrequent so don’t worry about being inundated with emails or spam).

If you use Skype, I am on Skype and then it will be FREE to call me wherever you are.

To call me, simply click on the Skype buttons found at the upper right of each page and on the bottom of some pages.

If you don’t use Skype and want to call using your cell phone or land line phone, you will find a direct dial number (my New York number) on the bottom of the website pages or on the Contact Steadman Uhlich page or on the About PhotoMentors page.

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Why You Should Subscribe to the Free Email Newsletter

It only takes a moment but the rewards may be substantial in the future including significant discounts on photo related gear.

This is such an easy way for you to benefit.

It takes about one minute or less to subscribe to the Free Email Newsletter, and yet it may later alert you to discounts and opportunities that are unique and not published anywhere else.

I have already posted several discounts on the site including one that is a discount on studio gear, another is a discount on a portfolio website, another is a significant discount on portfolios for prints. More will come in the future and you will be one of the first notified of these limited and exclusive offers,  IF you subscribe to the Free Email Newsletter.

There is MUCH more than just discounts coming in the future.

There will be outstanding global opportunities of various kinds.

Things you won’t want to miss. These may be very limited offers and opportunities and only a few can take advantage of them. So don’t miss out on this.

NOTE: The PhotoMentors email newsletter is an automated system that requires “Double Opt-In” (you have to use a form to add your name to the list, and then it sends you an email and you MUST REPLY to the email to be added to the list by the automated system.

You will find the Email List subscription form on the “Contact Steadman Uhlich” page or look in the right column of almost every page near the bottom for the Subscribe form.  It only takes a few seconds to fill it in and submit.

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Is this going to duplicate your favorite photography forum?

Someone asked me if I was going to create another site like their favorite photography forum.  My honest answer is a sincere  “No.”

I have in mind something that will go deeper, farther, and provide a better experience for photographers of all levels.  So, I see it as “apples and oranges.”

I have spent several years on a mix of photography forums and enjoyed meeting lots of nice people. I now am going to move on to help others via PhotoMentors.  I wish you the very best of success, fun, and fulfillment. I hope you enjoy your time on this site too.

Finally, if you find this information helpful, or the tips on this new site helpful, then please take a moment and post a positive comment at the bottom of any Post page or via the Contact form or via an email.

If you found the  Photography Forum Posting Tips helpful, or if you liked the Free Lessons that have been posted so far, please say something about that on your favorite photography forum or your blog and give your friends a link back to this site.

Sincerely,
Steadman ( aka Steady)

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Have you seen Steadman’s

Six Minute Solution™ yet?

You should. It could help you.

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Seven ways you can help other photographers and yourself too!

Have you heard of Karma? It is the belief that all deeds can shape the past, present, and future experiences. In the West, this is sometimes expressed by the Christian concept of “you reap what you sow.” In short, do good to others and good may come to you. I truly believe that helping others helps not only them, but also ourselves in ways we often cannot anticipate. Each action of good you do, can make the world a nicer place. Do you believe in the Golden Rule?

1. Tell others about this site. If you frequent photography forums and see a good opportunity to let people there know about this site, please do. Others who read your favorite forums or blogs may be looking for free lessons and inspiring photographs from which they can learn. Or they may be new to photography forum posting and need some guidance on how to learn more from getting critiques of their photos. Just direct them to www.photomentors.com.

This site is written to inspire photographers of all levels and help them have a better experience in photography.

We even have seven pages devoted to tips on how to have a better experience on a photography forum and those tips may help your favorite forum have better posts and more participation.

2. Please tell at least three of your friends in your community or social network about this site. If you are on Facebook for example, you could tell your friends.They could be at any level of photography. Anybody who likes photography can benefit from the free lessons or from seeing the thousands of inspiring photographs from some of the world’s best photographers. PhotoMentors has things designed to be of interest to ALL levels of photographers from Beginners to Advanced Professionals.

3. Click on one of the social bookmarking links in this page and let others know about this post or page or this new site. Tweet your friends. Tell others you DIGG this site. Tell your Facebook friends. Look in the right column of this page and almost all pages on the site for the link that says “Add This” and click on it to go a pop up list of bookmarking links. It is easy and fast. Or you can send an email to a friend through that link too. Here is another link so you can bookmark this page right now in two clicks of your mouse in two seconds.

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Please take three seconds now to tell others about this site. That will help us help and inspire more photographers.

Just click this share button below.

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4. Add a link to PhotoMentors site to your blog or site. Or write a post on your blog about what you saw on this site. Did you see a photo that inspired you when you viewed a Masters of Photography Gallery here? Did you learn something about a photographer you had not known about before? Tell others about the thousands of photos by Masters of Photography found here. Remember, our focus is on providing free access to all kinds of photographs and information that will inspire photographers of all levels.

5. Save yourself time while also helping other photographers. In the future you might come across a newbie or someone new to photography. They may be looking for inspiring examples of great photography or they may want some guidance. This site may help them have a better experience with photography too. You won’t have to type much to help them, all you have to do is simply post a link to this site and that may solve their problem with a couple of clicks of your mouse. Simply tell them to look for the section on Free Lessons and Tips. That helps them, saves you time, and helps me help other photographer learn. So, that is a Win+ Win+ Win.

6. Subscribe to the PhotoMentors mailing list for our FREE Newsletter. Why? Because the more subscribers the newsletter has will help us negotiate special offers and discounts from vendors that can then be passed on to you our readers.

It will only take a moment to add your email to the list. Simply fill in the simple Subscribe Form found on the right column of all page here on the site. Look in the lower right column. The newsletter will keep you informed when we have special offers and opportunities for our friends around the world. You will also learn about exclusive discounts and other nice things.

Don’t worry about receiving too many newsletters or emails from us. We only send out the newsletter infrequently, but when we do, there will be something of value in it for you. There will be many valuable and exclusive things coming in the future, including great opportunities for photographers, so don’t miss this easy way to hear about it first.

7. Look around this site. You might find something else that interests you or helps you. In 2010 we expect there to be hundreds of pages of content, thousands of inspiring photos, and hundreds of free educational videos.

I recommend seeing the Site Map (Table of Contents) so you can easily see the long list of articles, posts, and pages listed by topics.

If you would like to see if I can help you as a mentor, then just give me a call using the Skype button or the phone number at the bottom of each Page.

Finally, do what you can to help others post their photos and also get comments and have a good time doing so. That makes the world a nicer place and gives us all more nice photography to see on the net.

Thank you for your help.

Steadman

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Your First Introductory Call is free, but what you might learn later is priceless!™

If you have Skype, simply click on the “Call Me” button below to make a free Skype-to-Skype call. Before you do, make sure the top button says “I’m Online.”
If you don’t have Skype yet, you can download the free Skype software in minutes via the link below the buttons below.

Or, if you want to call using your own land-line phone or cellular phone, simply dial our Direct Dial number:

(646) 233-1511

Our phones are generally answered during our flexible Global Operating hours of 9:00AM to 9:00PM (2100) EST (New York City Time Zone). Feel free to call anytime within that 12 hour window, 7 days a week.

Call now. It is the first step to a new way of learning and growing in photography.

You will find our service begins with a friendly hello.

If we are not on a call with another photographer, we will be happy to speak with you. If you get our voicemail it means we are on a call with another photographer. In that case, simply leave a detailed message on our voicemail with instructions on how we should contact you. Most voicemail messages receive a call back within two hours, whenever possible. All emails are answered the same day, whenever possible.

If you prefer to send an email you may do that by visiting our Contact Page. Or by using the following email address:

steadman@photomentors.com

Most voicemail messages receive a call back within two hours, whenever possible. All emails are answered the same day, whenever possible.

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© 2010, Steadman Uhlich. All rights reserved.