Scott Bideau – Page 3

Deflection, Defined & Measured

On May 5, 2016

What exactly is deflection, and how do we measure it? This is one of the most frequently asked questions I receive from clients.

There is overwhelming evidence that customers want to resolve their own issues via self-service, and doing so is far cheaper for the vendor than assisted service. This is one instance where customer satisfaction aligns perfectly with cost efficiency, meaning everyone from the CFO to the Chief Customer Officer to the customer themselves loves case deflection. If done correctly, that is.

But to measure something, you must first define it. So, let’s look at what constitutes a good deflection event and how success is measured.

When Color Distracts

By Scott Bideau

On March 20, 2016

In Photography

Statue of Liberty (B&W) — Lady Liberty, Framed (B&W)
Canon Rebel XSi
Canon EF 28-135 IS USM
1/250 second at f/11, ISO 200

Color can occasionally distract from the core theme of a photograph. I find that a simple black and white contrast is sometimes the best way to tell a story, and that’s exactly how I prefer to view the Statute of Liberty from the Ellis Island immigration building.

Umbrella Silhouette

By Scott Bideau

On January 23, 2016

In Photography

Umbrella Silhouette
Canon EOS 7D
Canon EF 24-105 f/24L IS USM
Canon 580EX II Speedlite
1/250 second at f/4, ISO 100

Creative lighting is one of my favorite aspects of portrait photography. Here’s how careful control of ambient light combined with a single Speedlite and $25 wireless triggers created this unique silhouette image…

RV Water Hose Storage

By Scott Bideau

On July 1, 2015

In Camping, RV Camping

Here’s a quick tip for a convenient place to store your RV’s freshwater hose. Just take a couple of ball bungees and attach the rolled-up tubing to your spare tire. I recommend connecting the hose inlet/outlet together to keep dust and debris out of the inside. And always remember to use a drinking water-approved hose since standard garden hoses often contain toxic chemicals that you don’t want in your freshwater tank.

How to (Legally) Become a Professional Photographer

By Scott Bideau

On April 30, 2015

In Photography

A common question asked by an amateur photographer looking to turn professional is, “what equipment do I need?” I’ll skip the discussion around skill and experience being more important than equipment, but before you rush out and buy any equipment or start offering your services to others, you should consider the various liability issues and the options for operating as a legal entity that are available for your business and obtain the proper insurance for both your equipment and liability. I’ll cover specific options available in the United States in this article, although similar concepts are available in other countries.

Reflectix Insulation for Popup Campers

By Scott Bideau

On March 30, 2015

In Camping, RV Camping

One of the best upgrades you can make to a popup camper is to install Reflectix. For less than $100 and fifteen minutes of your time, you’ll stay warmer on cold nights and cooler on hot summer days.

Popup Camper Buyer’s Guide

By Scott Bideau

On February 1, 2015

In RV Camping

When I purchased my first RV, a Flagstaff 228 popup camper, the fine folks at Roberts Sales really helped educate me on how to choose the best floorplan for my needs. I have tried to capture a bit of what I learned below for the benefit of others. (RETROACTIVE EDIT: after owning our popup for about 5 years, I revisited this post and appreciated the information even more after enjoying over 100 nights of camping in our popup!)

Hydroller Grey Water Tank for a Popup Camper

By Scott Bideau

On January 15, 2015

In RV Camping

Discharged water from your popup camper’s sink or shower should never be allowed to simply drain out the side and onto the ground. Food particles will attract animals and soap chemicals will damage the landscape. This is particularly important in desert environments where even clean water discharge can cause erosion.

Steamboat School Board Elects 5th Member in Highly Contested Race

By Scott Bideau

On January 9, 2014

In Personal

In one of the biggest candidate pools for an open-seat election the Steamboat Springs School Board has had in recent memory, the panel finally got to full strength Thursday evening. The School Board unanimously elected Scott Bideau to fill the open seat, and for the first time since July, the district knows who its permanent members will be for at least two years.

Myths About Lens Compression

By Scott Bideau

On January 3, 2012

In Photography

One of the first concepts I learned about in portrait photography was “Lens Compression.” The common definition is that a telephoto lens will “compress” the foreground and background together. This produces a more pleasing portrait that doesn’t distort facial features while still drawing attention to your subject (and not the background). In this post, I’ll get into more detail as to what lens compression truly is (and isn’t) and discuss how it applies to other genres of photography, like landscapes.