Focus on Photography: What’s your favorite lens and why?

We asked a few of your favorite photography instructors about their preferences in lens use. Here’s what they had to say:

“I should choose some cool, funky fisheye, but my students would know I was lying. At the risk of sounding ordinary and old fashioned, I will have to admit that I love the fixed, light-weight, small, inexpensive, plastic (yes, plastic!) 50 mm 1.8 lens. I always have this lens either on the camera or in my camera bag for many reasons: because it doesn’t hurt my lower back, because it is so sharp, because for very little cost I have a very fast, low light lens, because if I drop it in the ocean I can replace it for only $120, and because if I want to get closer to my subject, it forces me to WALK closer to my subject (as I tell my students, “Zoom with your feet!). I bought my first one about 15 years ago to train myself to move around when photographing, and I never did go back to zoom lenses. This lens proves that a photographer doesn’t need all the fancy equipment, but can do just fine with a decent camera body and couple simple, high quality lenses.”

Sarah Meghan Lee

Introduction to Photography in the Digital Age, Fall 2012

 

“I switch lenses depending on the subject I photograph but my nifty 50 F1.4 is my staple for sure. From human eye view I go into wide world because I often shoot landscapes and wide allows me to capture lots of information about a place. Plus I like the perspective distortion that wide angle lenses allow. I enjoy my 85mm F1.8 for capturing portraits. The shallow depth of field with a lower F-stop allows me to concentrate on one part of a busy scene.”

Ellyn Norris

Destination Photography and Digital Camera Basics, Summer 2012

Introduction to Photography in the Digital Age, Fall 2012

 

“My favorite lens is the wonderful Canon EF Zoom lens – 24 mm – 105 mm – F/4.0. (L series). It is excellent quality–to die for and very versatile–but I really want (in addition) the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM- stellar quality, awesome FAST portrait lens.”

Rebecca Webb

Photographing People, Summer 2012

 

So, fellow bloggers and photographers, what’s your favorite lens and why?

 

Hot Careers for College Grads and Returning Students

by Henry DeVries, Sundari Baru,and Josh Shapiro

What constitutes a hot job for a college grad?

In a research study by UC San Diego Extension, that question was examined through an analysis of wage and employment information gathered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Four weighted categories were used to determine the rankings: The number of jobs in the field now, the ten-year projected growth from 2010 to 2020, the median wage, and the work environment. The “work environment” category sums up factors relevant to employee satisfaction. It includes such factors as workplace atmosphere, relative time pressures and on-the-job stress, responsibility for others’ health and safety, and the consequences of mistakes.

Finally, a bridging parameter was added to account for the dilemma faced by so many college graduates struggling to find the right job in the wake of the recent recession: Is the job one for which a college grad can qualify with a minimal amount of continuing education?

The data analysis revealed 18 major career sectors with strong employment potential. There is a clear pattern as to where employment opportunities are growing: ten of the highest demand jobs are in computer-related fields, five are in medical, and three—cost estimators, personal financial advisors, and management analysts—are occupations that process or adapt information generated by computers.

The following is a synopsis of the top five jobs in the report:

1. Software Developers, Systems Software
The hottest of the hot careers is software developers for systems software. Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. They set up the underlying systems that run the devices or control networks. People with different occupational titles develop the applications that permit specific tasks and still others write the programming code and test it. This field is growing at a rate of 32 percent and commands a median salary of $94,180. Successful applicants demonstrate strong programming skills and typically have a degree in computer science or mathematics.

2. Physical Therapists and Assistants
Come 2020, gather all the physical therapists whose jobs did not exist in 2010 and they would overflow San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium. There are expected to be 77,400 new job holders across the United States, greater than the stadium capacity. This occupational field is experiencing an incredible growth rate of 39 percent over ten years, from 198,600 employed in 2010 to 276,000 employed in 2020. The median salary is $76,310.

The therapist assistant category is growing even faster at 46 percent, although in a smaller employment pool with 30,800 new job openings. An assistant performs routine tasks such as cleaning treatment areas, helping people to the site, and assisting patients with insurance forms. They also observe patients, assist with exercise therapy, and educate families on what to do after treatment. A prerequisite to becoming a therapist assistant is an associate’s degree and the median pay is $49,960.

3. Software Developers, Applications
Chances are every college student has been a software applications customer many times over. Download a song, comparison shop, find directions to the weekend party, play a computer game, submit a job application online, or share a photo electronically—all these functions and widespread access to Internet distribution did not exist when they were born. Applications developers, similar to the number-one hot job of systems developers, have their own classification, which can be filled by people who have analytical skills (i.e.: a political science graduate) and also acquire programming skills in such things as Java or C++. Computer science and math grads are also obvious candidates. This is a very large field, 520,800 already employed, and getting larger at a ten-year clip of 28 percent, slightly less than the systems developers’ projected 32 percent increase. Their median pay is comparable at $87,790 a year.

4. Market Research Analysts/Data Miners
Market research analysts and a proliferation of data mining occupational titles are in extremely high demand. These skills are relevant in many parts of the economy and the field leads all others in expected growth at 41 percent (116,800 positions) between 2010 and 2020. The median annual salary is $60,570. Companies rely on these analysts to study market conditions, form sales campaigns, establish customer satisfaction levels and even decide where to locate stores. Market research analysts help financial institutions decide whether to grant loans or credit cards.

5. Cost Estimators
More and more companies are looking for people who are adept at assessing the real costs of business. For example, if a cost estimator for a construction company overestimates the expense of erecting a building, the firm bids too high and probably will not win the project. If a cost estimator underestimates, the firm probably wins the project but may lose money on materials and labor. Cost estimators are also critical to technology developers, manufacturing and defense industries. The median salary is $57,860 and expected growth in positions is 36 percent, an increase of 67,500 new positions by 2020.

These and related careers represent promising opportunities for college grads willing to augment their university degrees with additional training. Continuing education can rapidly bridge specific skill requirements without spending multiple years in costly graduate programs. The diverse range of certificate programs available through UC San Diego Extension are designed for just that purpose. From Accounting, Data Mining, Embedded Computer Engineering, Healthcare Information Technology to Biotechnology Project Management, UC San Diego Extension offers over 100 certificate programs and 600 courses every quarter to help graduates bridge the employment gap.

For the full 2012 report released in June, go to extension.ucsd.edu/specialreports.

Smart Communications Careers. A Smart Bet.

By Henry DeVries

Consider for a moment the humble smart phone. Just how many careers go into your iPhone or Blackberry? Surely more than just the engineers to design the phone and the software programmers to create the apps to power the phone. There are human resources people to hire those technical workers, sales and marketing reps to promote the devices, and website developers to educate consumers. The list goes on and on.

So if you were to bet your career on a local industry trend, where would you wager your time and money? An organization that is intensely interested in the answer is CONNECT, the San Diego nonprofit committed to accelerating the innovation economy.

“When it comes to job creation in San Diego, the big winner is communications technology, which means careers around the Internet, wireless, wireless applications, media, software, and the convergence of some of those solutions,” says Camille Saltman, president of CONNECT.

Her organization serves as a catalyst for the creation of innovative technology and life sciences products in San Diego County by linking inventors and entrepreneurs with the resources they need for success. CONNECT carefully tracks the regional technology trends.

“Careers in communications technology have made a big jump after just a steady climb through the recession,” says Saltman. “As we see growth in communications technology and biotech, we also see growth in jobs related to those industries. The region has almost 140,000 high-tech jobs in total, and our economists project they generate about 225,000 indirect jobs. That is everything from website development to IT support, legal support, accounting, office design, and office furnishings.”

The cybersecurity aspects of the communications technology industry is also a bad news/good news story for the local economy, says Saltman.

First the bad news: “We are way ahead of ourselves,” says Saltman. “We have leapt out and thrown all of this personal and financial information out there without really being able to protect ourselves.”

Now the good news: local companies are working with leading experts and law enforcement to address the vulnerabilities. That means even more career possibilities in communications technology in the years ahead.

CONNECT was originally founded as a part of UC San Diego Extension in 1985 during troubling times for the local economy. Back then traditional industries in the region were on the decline, the attraction of companies to the San Diego region was very difficult, and regional leaders were searching for a path to economic renewal and sustained growth. CONNECT was founded on the scene as innovative high-tech and life sciences companies such as IMED, IVAC, Linkabit, SAIC, Qualcomm, and Hybritech were quietly developing in the San Diego region, fueled in part by technology and scientists at research institutions on the Torrey Pines Mesa.

Saltman with CONNECT Board Member David Hale
and CEO Duane Roth

“By leveraging the various assets within the region, CONNECT focuses its efforts on accelerating the commercialization of new technology and life sciences products,” says CONNECT cofounder and current board member Mary Walshok, Associate Vice Chancellor of Public Programs and Dean of Extension at UC San Diego and the author of an upcoming book on the history of innovation in the region for Stanford University Press. “While that mission has stayed relatively true since its initial creation, the organization and its program offerings have continued to evolve in response to the changes in the region’s economic climate and the demands for a globally competitive talent pool.”

Walshok recalls that at the time that UCSD CONNECT (its original name) was founded, UC San Diego was just beginning to mature as a research institution, and there were a small number of other research institutions in the region. Over the years as San Diego’s technology and life sciences clusters have matured, UC San Diego has continued to grow, as has the entire research base of the region. Today, San Diego has more than 80 research institutions; about two thirds are part of the UC San Diego system, and the rest include private research organizations and a number of other academic-based research institutions such as Salk, TSRI and Sanford Burnham.

In 2005, to better serve the entire research community, CONNECT spun-out of UC San Diego Extension. As a result of spinning-out from UC San Diego, CONNECT has been able to broaden its mandate to include public advocacy work on behalf of its members through the trade organization.

Today, CONNECT is focused on delivering the fundamental programs that the innovation community depends upon. At the same time the organization is creating new services to meet the needs of the evolving economic and policy landscape and the new clusters that are developing within the region. Challenges include attracting investment capital and engineering and experienced management talent. New clusters they are supporting include Biofluels, Clean Tech, and Sports Innovators.

Camille Saltman, President of CONNECT recently was a participant in the Clinton
Global Initiative (CGI) America Meeting, founded by President Clinton to address
economic recovery in the United States.

CONNECT, with an annual budget of around $3 million, is widely regarded as one of the world’s most successful organizations linking inventors and entrepreneurs with the resources they need for commercialization of innovative products. The program has been modeled in more than 50 regions around the world—most recently in New York City, Bogotá, Colombia, and Saudi Arabia.

Continuing Education Publicity Expert to Speak at “Effective Internet Marketing of Seminars and Conferences”

Continuing education publicity expert Henry DeVries will speak on “Free Publicity Secrets for Your Seminars & Conferences so You Get More Buzz, More Blogs and More Registrations” at the annual Effective Internet Marketing of Seminars and Conferences three-day event in Chicago August 26-28, 2012. Registration information is available at www.clemsonconferences.com.

DeVries is an educator, newspaper columnist and author who speaks to thousands of business owners and executives each year. He teaches marketing and is the assistant dean of the continuing education arm of the University of California San Diego.

A former president of a large West Coast advertising and public relations agency, he helped the firm double revenues and earn a spot in the Ad Age 500 by closing deals with companies like Marriott, PETCO and Sunkist. He is a newspaper columnist, TV commentator and is the co-author of How to Close a Deal Like Warren Buffett (McGrw-Hill, Nov. 2012), Self-Marketing Secrets, Pain Killer Marketing and Closing America’s Job Gap. He earned his MBA at San Diego State University and has completed certificate programs at the Harvard Business School.

“Whether you’re a newcomer or a veteran at filling seats at any event – large or small, niche topic, or general interest, high-ticket or low – you’ll come away from this conference with new and effective ways to pack the house and show a healthy profit,” says conference organizer Ralph Elliott of Clemson University.

“This is 15 hours of focused exchanges of ideas with practical examples, shared experiences, and networking experiences,” adds Elliott. “Attendees need to come ready to roll up their sleeves for two three days of learning the ins and outs of promoting their next seminar, workshop, seminar, or full-blown conference.”

Registration includes admission to a complimentary pre-conference workshop, all speaker sessions, two continental breakfasts, two networking socials, special breaks, comprehensive course materials, and all follow-up services. The optional pre-conference workshop begins at 2 pm on Sunday. The conference ends at 5 pm Tuesday.

The event is offered to help companies, associations, trade groups and universities that hold public seminars and conferences. A roster of recognized experts and educators  will cover topics ranging from smart, efficient execution of website marketing to sophisticated social media selling strategies.

Topics to be addressed at the conference include:

• “How to Capitalize on Social Media to Get More Seminar/Conference Attendees”
• “Creating Web Content that Converts Visitors to Registrations”
• “How to Turn Your Unprofitable Seminars into Highly Successful Certificate Programs”
• “Preparing and Mining Data to Boost Seminar and Conference Attendance”
• “How to Negotiate Liability-Free Contracts”
• “How to Combine Email & Social Media Marketing for Maximum Impact”
• “Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing to Get More Traffic & Registrations”
• “How to Use Google Analytics to Maximize Your Multichannel Event Marketing”
• “How to Get More Conversions Using An Online Drip Marketing System that Integrates Video”
• “How to Integrate Mobile Marketing into Your Event Marketing Promotional Mix”

Registration includes admission to a complimentary pre-conference workshop, all speaker sessions, two continental breakfasts, two networking socials, special breaks, comprehensive course materials, and all follow-up services. The optional pre-conference workshop begins at 2 pm on Sunday. The conference ends at 5 pm Tuesday.

Regarding Inspiration: A Few Words on Being an Artist

By Anna Stump

How do we transition from “art student” to “artist?”

An essential component in self-defining as an artist is inspiration.

As art students, we learn skills: to draw, to manipulate the elements of design, to make dynamic compositions, etc. We learn to use media like graphite, gouache, and clay, and to talk about art using accepted vocabulary (the dreaded, but necessary, art-speak). Just as a carpenter requires a full tool-belt to build a house, we need technical skills before we can create art.

Our teachers guide us in carefully programmed projects to build confidence using these skills. The moment comes, however, when we no longer have an assignment. Faced with a blank white paper, canvas, or workspace, what do we say? 

Fine artists need no outside teacher, client, or peers to create. Of course, most seek out criticism from fellow artists, mentors, curators or collectors. We do need input. We keep gaining new skills. But the basic drive to create art is self-generated.

We are inspired. Or driven. Or obsessed. Possessed. Only the work matters—the possible results of money or fame have little bearing. Time spent is not wasted nor regretted.

But how is the artist inspired?

Here are a few of my personal inspirations as an artist:

• I see other art. I go to museums as often as I can, and always pay attention to what moves me. I attend gallery openings, artist lectures, and talk to other artists. Seeing art produces more art in me.
• I notice what irritates or excites me, such as politics, religion, or cultural issues. I think about how art can address problems.
• I pay attention to what is around me, such as the human body, nature, color, texture, and light.
• I keep a sketchbook filled with ideas and images, my own and others.
• I take long walks, ride my bike, or sleep on a small kernel of an idea that intrigues me. I think about art when I’m driving. Sometimes an idea comes suddenly, but usually inspiration is generated in bits and pieces.
• I pay attention to intuition.

Inspiration plays a key part in the creative act. For me, being an artist is feeding this special drive to construct something out of nothing, only to please myself.

Anna Stump, MFA from SDSU and B.A. in art from Occidental College. Skilled in drawing and painting, she also works in performance art, digital imaging, interactive video, and book arts. She has exhibited her work nationally and abroad and has been featured in numerous publications. She also makes public artworks: a children’s sculpture in Turkey and murals in San Diego. She is teaching Drawing: Refining Technique (Intermediate) in Summer and Life Painting in Fall 2012.