It’s been too long! In today’s episode Chris brings you a fresh mixture of photo topics that go deep into the changes that we photographers face, as well as a discussion on what determines the value of a photograph. Turns out there are a lot of answers.

Topics:

• [WORKSHOPS] Eastern European Electric Photo Road Trip : Yes, it’s electric! And it’s filling upl Join us now, over half of the spots are already taken. We’ll set off from the vibrant city of Berlin in Germany and embark on an epic 10-day adventure through some great historic destinations in Eastern Europe. From the charming streets of Prague, to the elegant architecture of Vienna, the rich history of Budapest, and the captivating landscapes and history of Transylvania, a trip to remember. Pack your bags, get ready for a unique 10-day experience filled with great memories where you capture the beauty and rich history and culture of Eastern Europe through your lens.
• [AI] ChatGPT Plus is here : Let’s discuss how AI writing assistants such as ChatGPT are highly relevant for photographers. They can be used by professional photographers to handle mundane tasks like client communications, writing emails, contracts, model releases, shot lists, and scheduling. The AI can assist in creating social media posts and promotional materials, as well as generating quick responses to common client questions, freeing up the photographer’s time to focus on creative tasks. While AI can be a useful assistant for mundane tasks, it will not replace the photographer’s role in capturing and creating the final product though. At least not for now.
• [PHOTO, SPACE] Juno Camera Glitch : In photography/space news: During a recent flyby of Jupiter on January 22, much of the photography taken by JunoCam, the visible-light color camera on board NASA’s Juno spacecraft, was unusable due to an anomalous temperature rise after power-up. However, the camera returned to normal operation after the issue resolved itself and the remaining 44 images were usable. The Juno team is evaluating the data to determine the cause of the problem before Juno’s next close flyby on March 1st.
• [OTHER] Darktable needs help : Darktable is an open-source raw developer and asset manager that offers similar functionality to Lightroom and runs on multiple platforms. The software is community-supported and requires checking and packaging for different platforms with each update. The macOS version has been maintained by one person for ten years, and they will soon quit, putting the future of the macOS version in jeopardy. This is a bit of a call to action for those of you with macOS SW DEV experience who might want to contribute to a community project.
• [PHOTO] The Value of a Photo : What happens when an AI-generated picture wins a photo contest? It made me go down a rabbit hole on what makes a photo valuable. Some argue that a photograph’s value is in the difficulty and timing required to capture a moment, while others believe that value is subjective and depends on the relationship between the viewer and the photo’s content. In a commercial context, a photograph’s value can be based on historical significance, rarity, customer relevance, and added value for clients. Meanwhile, personal relevance, such as memories and emotions, will give a photo intangible value. The physical photo itself is virtually irrelevant compared to the content it captures. The debate raises questions about the relationship between speed, equipment, and value, and how commissioned work can flip the sense of value upside down for clients. Also, let’s look at the difference in value between inkjet and giclée prints.
• [PHOTO, ANALOG] Same Sky : Here’s a fun mystery for your weekend: Vox made a video about a photography mystery involving postcards and some detective work. A man who collects postcards notices that many of them have the exact same sky, even though the photos are from different locations. Vox begins researching the postcards and speaks with a postcard historian to uncover the mystery.

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2025 Photo Tours with Chris Marquardt

ONLY 3 SPOTS
May 2025: Eastern European Electric Photo Road Trip, 10 days drive and explore with Chris (Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Transylvania)

German workshops:
» HS Mensch
» HS Licht
» HS Sehwerkstatt
» Großformat (analog)
» Analog Einstieg

» Discover the Top Floor - Photo Tours and Workshops with Chris Marquardt