Chris has now received the magical tool to generate photography out of thin air. But OpenAi’s DALL-E 2 is turning out to be quite a learning curve that is very different from actual photography. Topics: [PHOTO, AI] I’m a Generator : I finally got access to DALL-E 2, OpenAi’s image generator. And boy is it … Continue reading "909 Generator Chris"

The post 909 Generator Chris appeared first on PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FROM THE TOP FLOOR.

AI is going to enrich our lives and at the same time it’ll pull the rug out from under some people’s legs. Let’s explore things. Feedback? Reach Chris at voice@tfttf.com, or follow @tfttfphoto on Twitter for show announcements. Topics: [PHOTO, AI] AI in Photography : What will the AI revolution do to your photography? Will … Continue reading "908 AI in Photography"

The post 908 AI in Photography appeared first on PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FROM THE TOP FLOOR.

Hi, it’s Chris. Remember me? Photography Tips from the Top Floor is back and better than ever. I’ll still talk photography, but the show will also branch out into other topics here and there, where I discuss things from my other podcasts The Future of Photography and Happy Shooting as well as my German production … Continue reading "907 Peek-A-Boo"

The post 907 Peek-A-Boo appeared first on PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FROM THE TOP FLOOR.

Chris takes worldwide pinhole day as an excuse to talk a bit about the oldest photography technique. The discussion with director, writer and photographer Jeremiah Chechik takes the two into the depths of the latest tech in Hollywood: virtual production. Links: Watch this on YouTube Jeremiah Chechik – Homepage Worldwide Pinhole Day Download the MP3 … Continue reading "906 Virtual Production"

The post 906 Virtual Production appeared first on PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FROM THE TOP FLOOR.

Today: Starlink, Apple’s new webcams and Don Komarechka. Enjoy! Links: Watch the interview from this episode on video SPONSOR: eneloop pro – get your rechargeable eneloop pros here (Germany) and here (UK) Use code TFTTF to get $5 off of Don Komarechka’s Macro Photography Book Apple’s 95 patents World Pinhole Day Download the MP3 for … Continue reading "905 Starlink"

The post 905 Starlink appeared first on PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FROM THE TOP FLOOR.

Chris talks about a profound realization he had a few years ago. It’s about the way we learn and why we might benefit from a bit of Dunning Kruger Syndrome in the process. Guest on today’s show: Allan Attridge. We talk about our own obsolescence. A fun topic for a weekend for shure ???? Watch … Continue reading "904 Evacuated (Are we obsolete?)"

The post 904 Evacuated (Are we obsolete?) appeared first on PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FROM THE TOP FLOOR.

The Invisible Camera is now 10 years old. Chris and Allan discuss how things were behind the scenes at the time and what came of it. If you don’t know what The Invisible Camera is then please pause the podcast and watch the original video first, link below. SPONSOR: eneloop pro Links: SPONSOR: eneloop pro … Continue reading "903 Ten Years Invisible"

The post 903 Ten Years Invisible appeared first on PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FROM THE TOP FLOOR.

Chris talks about wearing multiple hats, he’s bringing back the MIP, a project that was 10 years in the making, and he talks with his guest Don Komarechka about image theft and about Don’s latest book on macro photography. Check out Don’s Macro Photography book Links: Video: Discussion with don Komarechka Don Komarechka’s homepage Support … Continue reading "902 Wild Service Tree"

The post 902 Wild Service Tree appeared first on PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FROM THE TOP FLOOR.

Chris and Jon discuss the latest in 360 degree video, exemplified by Jon’s latest video series VIRTUAL 360 Everest Trek Links: Watch this episode on video VIRTUAL 360 Everest Trek Podcast: The Future of Photography Download the MP3 for this episode Receive TFTTF updates via email Support the show on Patreon or via SEPA

The post 901 360 Degrees of Freedom appeared first on PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FROM THE TOP FLOOR.

Watch this episode on YouTube UFOs (as the knitting community calls their UnFinished Objects) are projects that you put on hold. And hopefully dig out later, so you have something to go to when the big pandemic hits. Or any other reason you might need some distraction. Chris explains why creating UFOs isn’t a bad … Continue reading "900 UFOs Are Key"

The post 900 UFOs Are Key appeared first on PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FROM THE TOP FLOOR.

Aug 21-23 2020 will bring you an exciting live online photography workshop weekend with 35+ advanced, exciting sessions from world-class photographers (and I still can’t believe that I got accepted to teach with them! Yey! o/) For each session, two photographers will team up to deep-dive into a topic from multiple angles. And I couldn’t … Continue reading "Join me at Out of Chicago IN-DEPTH and GET $50 OFF"

The post Join me at Out of Chicago IN-DEPTH and GET $50 OFF appeared first on PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FROM THE TOP FLOOR.

In this episode Chris looks at creativity, how it often depends on the right puzzle pieces to come together at the right time, and how a little bit (or a lot) of pressure can bring this all together and allow you to make it into something entirely new. Like the new interactive teaching platform that … Continue reading "899 The Future of Photography Education"

The post 899 The Future of Photography Education appeared first on PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FROM THE TOP FLOOR.

video version The world is a crazy place right now.. and I’ve been struggling whether I should say something here, whether I should use this podcast as a platform, because this is a show about photography. But right now, it’s about human beings and about how we treat each other, this is about things being … Continue reading "898b A Few Words, 05-JUN-2020"

The post 898b A Few Words, 05-JUN-2020 appeared first on PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FROM THE TOP FLOOR.

Hello Friends! Please subscribe to the new Beans Not Bambi blog so you don’t miss exciting upcoming content! Beans Not Bambi has a new and improved website located at www.BeansNotBambi.com.  It is no longer hosted by WordPress, so even though you’ll see lots of similarities, it is actually a completely independent site.  This means that […]

Hello Friends! Please subscribe to the new Beans Not Bambi blog so you don’t miss exciting upcoming content! Beans Not Bambi has a new and improved website located at www.BeansNotBambi.com.  It is no longer hosted by WordPress, so even though you’ll see lots of similarities, it is actually a completely independent site.  This means that […]

I created this recipe to be a calorie booster for my toddler, free of all the additives found in most grocery store milks.  It’s full of Omega-3’s, vitamins, and minerals that can be hard to find elsewhere.   Ingredients: 1/2 cup blanched almonds 1/2 cup raw walnuts 1/4 cup rolled oats  1/4 cup shelled hemp […]

In response to my recent success story I’ve been getting a lot of questions about exactly what I’m doing.  What is the Ultimate Weight Loss Program and how do I get started?  The “program”, as I usually refer to it, was originally taught as a multi-day seminar in-person by Chef AJ and John Pierre in Los […]

I have been hinting around the results I have achieved following Chef AJ and John Pierre’s Ultimate Weight Loss Program.  It’s time to pull back the curtain.  Let’s get down to numbers, why I even started this in the first place, and how the program really works, from an insider’s perspective. The China Study started my […]

A dinner party is suddenly just around the corner. You have no idea what to prepare. Just keep it simple, plan in advance, have a few options, and POW! A delightful dinner is served.

Looking for a way to impress that special lady in your life for Mother’s Day?   Try this simple 5 minute recipe for breakfast in bed and she’ll think you slaved all night!   2 ripe bananas  2 cups gluten free oats 1/2 cup oat milk (soy and almond work great too) 1 tsp cinnamon […]

How many times have you gone into a vacation with the best of intentions, only to get derailed by temptation?  Or maybe you give yourself a vacation from healthful living while you’re away and intend to get right back on track afterward.  Did you know the average cruise passenger gains 7-10 lbs on a week […]

Traveling is so much fun but it brings some hefty challenges too.  As a frequent flyer I’ve compiled a short list of tips to help stay on track while away from home.  Some of these are lessons I live by.  Others I’ve learned the hard way and hope to spare you the same pit falls. […]

I have finally solved the great mystery of making healthful choices outside of the house.  As with many great mysteries, the solution was right in front of me the whole time.  It’s advice I’ve given to others over the years but never applied it to this degree before.  Prepare your own food as much as […]

Imagine you’re leading a small organization, but you’re struggling to recruit and afford the senior talent you need to grow. You could hire a part-time executive. So-called “fractional leadership” is common in startups and is spreading to other businesses and nonprofits. But while a fast-growing number of senior leaders seek this work arrangement, many companies are unsure of how to go about it. Tomoko Yokoi and Amy Bonsall are experts on the practice. Yokoi is a researcher at the TONOMUS Global Center for Digital and AI Transformation at IMD Business School. Bonsall is a former executive at IDEO and Old Navy who works as a part-time chief product officer with several organizations. They explain when and how fractional leadership works best—for the individual as well as the organization—and how to do it right. Yokoi and Bonsall wrote the HBR article “How Part-Time Senior Leaders Can Help Your Business.”

With more than $7 billion in annual revenue and 24,000 employees, SAIC provides engineering, digital, AI, and mission support to defense, space, intelligence, and civilian customers. CEO Toni Townes-Whitley took the helm a year ago, after stints as a senior executive at Microsoft, CGI Federal, and Unisys. She discusses her approach to strategic transformation at SAIC through fine tuning and employee upskilling, rather than wholesale change. She also shares how the company is incorporating cutting edge technologies, like generative AI, with appropriate safeguards for government clients.

Around the world, the past few years have been marked by increasing political polarization and public outrage. Like it or not, this spills over into the business world, with employees, customers, and shareholders more willing than ever to challenge companies -- and one another -- on a range of issues. It's hard to know how to lead gracefully in such turbulent times, but Karthik Ramanna, professor at the University of Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government, has some answers. Drawing on his work with government officials and corporate executives, he walks us through the root causes of our current crisis, explains how to effectively navigate through disagreement, and offers practical takeaways for managers at every level. Ramanna is the author of the book The Age of Outrage: How to Lead in a Polarized World.

Reid Hoffman is one of the most prominent and recognizable voices in Silicon Valley, and after predicting some of the biggest trends that have shaped our world in the last 25 years, he is sharing his thoughts on the future of artificial intelligence. In this interview with HBR Editor in Chief Adi Ignatius, Hoffman shares his approach to managing technological change and innovation, explains why he thinks generative AI won't destroy jobs, and imagines how these new tools will transform our world. Spoiler: It's all about managing technological change and innovation the right way. Previously, Hoffman founded or co-founded PayPal, Inflection AI, and LinkedIn, where he served as CEO and is now its executive chairman. He’s also an active early-stage investor at Greylock Partners, host of the Masters of Scale and Possible podcasts, and author of the forthcoming book Superagency.

We live in an age of data. But having powerful tools to gather employee feedback doesn't mean you’ll get powerful results. It’s challenging for executives to turn that feedback into substantive action. New research from Ethan Burris, professor of management at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin, sheds light on how to weed through all the data, make sure workers feel heard, and turn employee insights into real results. Burris is a coauthor of the HBR article "What Companies Get Wrong About the Employee Experience."

Unwelcome employee turnover can create big problems for managers, teams, and organizations, so it's important to understand the real drivers of attrition. New research from Ethan Bernstein, associate professor at Harvard Business School, and Michael Horn, cofounder of the Clayton Christensen Institute, points to a host of push and pull forces that cause workers to jump ship and also outlines better retention strategies. They are the coauthors, along with Bob Moesta, of the HBR article "Why Employees Quit" and the book Job Moves: 9 Steps for Making Progress in Your Career.

Managing is a tough job, sometimes a seemingly thankless one where you can feel squeezed from all sides. But for team leaders who are feeling burnt out or overwhelmed with their job, Daisy Auger-Domínguez has advice on regaining your joy at work. She recommends various techniques to incorporate optimism and well-being into your management role. They include remembering your purpose, embracing a beginner’s mindset, keeping a folder of positive feedback as inspiration, and celebrating the contributions of team members. Auger-Domínguez is a workplace strategist and the author of the HBR article "Finding Joy as a Manager — Even on Bad Days."

There was a time when business leaders and managers didn't worry so much about psychology or other social science research. Malcolm Gladwell's writing played a big role in changing that. His popular exploration of tipping points — the phenomenon where small, incremental actions can suddenly fuse into a full-blown social behavior — brought research insights to life and made them mainstream. Now he's revisiting tipping points, this time looking at how they can be used for damaging results. In this episode, HBR editor in chief Adi Ignatius speaks to Gladwell about how the author’s ideas have changed, the importance of social science and journalism in today's world of virality, and the unexpected ways leaders should consider human behavior. Gladwell is the author of the new book Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering.

Many companies are investing heavily in artificial intelligence right now, hoping to improve both efficiency and innovation. But, as with any technology that sees widespread adoption, AI itself won't be enough to build a long-term advantage over competitors, says Jay Barney, professor at the University of Utah's Eccles School of Business. Yes, leaders need to deploy these new tools, especially those that use GenAI, to stay relevant. But they also need to think about how AI can be applied to their business' differentiating competencies and offerings to truly add value. Barney is the coauthor, along with Martin Reeves of Boston Consulting Group, of the HBR article "AI Won't Give You a New Sustainable Advantage."

We live in a world that seems more divisive and polarized than ever, and it’s common to describe this phenomenon as tribalism. But Michael Morris, professor at Columbia Business School, says that term is often misunderstood and that tribal instincts can in fact be very positive influences in society and at work. He uses the lens of cultural psychology to explain the deep-seated instincts behind the human need to join and identify as a group. And he breaks down how team managers and organizational leaders can leverage tribal instincts in positive ways strengthen workplace culture. Morris is the author of the new book Tribal: How the Cultural Instincts That Divide Us Can Help Bring Us Together.

The worlds of business and politics might seem worlds apart, but executives can learn a lot from the most successful political communicators. Terry Szuplat spent several years on the speechwriting team for President Barack Obama, helping to carefully craft his messages and win over audiences. He has gone on to coach business leaders including Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, and he says that many of the same principles for good speechwriting and delivery apply - whether you’re giving a presentation to your team, pitching a client, or making comments in a moment of crisis. He explains the importance of authenticity and personal stories, structure, language choice and presence. Szuplat is the author of the book Say It Well: Find Your Voice, Speak Your Mind, Inspire Any Audience.

What if the key to efficiency in a world increasingly powered by AI wasn't quantity, but quality? Neuroscientist Mithu Storoni has looked at how and when our brains are the most creative and truly productive at knowledge work. As automation and AI take more rote takes off our plates, she shares how we can train our brains to be more effective at doing work that really matters. She explains how our brains tackle different kinds of work, how we can better schedule our days to align with those states of mind, and what this all means for managers and organizations. Storoni is the author of the new book Hyperefficient: Optimize Your Brain to Transform the Way You Work.

Generative artificial intelligence is here to stay, and that means employees and managers need to think even more carefully about how to make the most effective use of it. Accenture's H. James Wilson, global managing director of technology research and thought leadership, and Paul R. Daugherty, chief technology and innovation officer, argue that we all need to build what they call "fusion skills." They include intelligent interrogation (using research-backed prompting techniques to deliver better results), judgment integration (ensuring there is a human in the loop when necessary), and reciprocal apprenticing (training ChatGPT, Claude, Co-pilot or proprietary tools to improve while we get better at working with them). They offer advice on how to hone all three. Together, they wrote the HBR book Human + Machine: Reimagining Work in the Age of AI, now available in a New and Expanded Edition as well as the HBR article “Embracing Gen AI At Work.”

CEOs get a ton of credit or blame for a company’s performance. But the entire leadership team is vital to success, and any dysfunction is often overlooked. Sometimes the CEOs leading them don’t even see that they’re not working. Thomas Keil, management professor at the University of Zurich, and Marianna Zangrillo, a partner at The Next Advisors, have interviewed more than 100 CEOs and senior executives. Their research identifies three main types of failing leadership teams: shark tanks, petting zoos, and mediocracies. And they identify the pitfalls of each pattern and how to turn those teams around. Keil and Zangrillo wrote the HBR article "Why Leadership Teams Fail."

When a company, division, or product line has been struggling for some time, it can feel nearly impossible to get things back on track. But big turnarounds are possible, provided you have a team willing to work hard, be creative, and embrace change. When he was president and CEO of Marvel, Peter Cuneo oversaw the resurgence and sale of the media company, but even before that he had a long track track for turning around many types of consumer-facing businesses. He shares the strategies that work best for shaking up organizations and teams and boosting their performance. Cuneo is also the managing principal of Cuneo and Company.

We live in an age where we have more data than ever. But most leaders have two strong reactions to new data. Either they rely too heavily on studies or information to make decisions. Or they dismiss outright data that could be very relevant. The better way is learning how to interpret, question, and engage with data and studies, say Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson and Johns Hopkins Carey Business School professor Michael Luca. They break down the essential analytical tools to assess and interrogate data to be able to apply it to business decisions. Edmondson and Luca are coauthors of the HBR article "Where Data-Driven Decision-Making Can Go Wrong."

Are you the sort of person who works really hard, hits your deadlines, runs successful projects, wins over clients... but never seems to get noticed for all that diligence, much less promoted? Especially if you’re on the quieter and more understated side, working in an organization where the loud and showy get the most recognition, this can be frustrating. But there are ways to get noticed while also staying true to yourself, says Jessica Chen. She's a former TV news reporter and the founder of Soulcast Media, a communications consultancy, and she shares lessons about more effective communication and self-promotion. Chen wrote the book Smart, Not Loud: How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reasons.

Many managers don't know what to say when a team member appears angry, frustrated, or sad. They might even feel it is unprofessional to acknowledge those feelings at all. But research shows that avoidance is costly. Doctoral student Christina Bradley and professor Lindy Greer, both of the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, say teams perform better when their leaders respond effectively to members’ emotions. The researchers outline when and how to do that in a way that builds stronger relationships, teams, and organizational culture. Bradley and Greer are coauthors, with Michigan Ross professor Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks, of the HBR article "When Your Employee Feels Angry, Sad, or Dejected."

It's hard to imagine a more challenging work environment than the International Space Station. During her 24 years as a NASA astronaut, including a six-month stint on the ISS, Cady Coleman learned pivotal lessons about everything from managing stress and assessing risk to cross-cultural communication and navigating bias. She shares how the skills she picked up can be applied in all kinds of careers. Coleman is the author of the book Sharing Space: An Astronaut's Guide to Mission Wonder and Making Change.

Many marketers today focus on getting consumers to consciously change their behavior. But that’s a sure path to failure, according to Leslie Zane, founder of Triggers Brand Consulting. She says neuroscience research shows that mastering instinct is far more effective than persuasion. And she shares her key lessons for aligning with the instinctive mind to improve company brands, new products, social campaigns, or your own personal brand. Zane is the author of the book The Power of Instinct: The New Rules of Persuasion in Business and Life.

There's a fine line between pitching in to help your team and taking on too much at the expense of your mental health and performance. Author and coach Hailey Magee walks us through why some of us fall into people-pleasing patterns, the negative impact it can have on our careers, and how to stop. She also offers advice for managers on how to help employees identify and break out of these bad habits. Magee is the author of Stop People Pleasing and Find Your Power.

When news breaks of a CEO succession, much of the attention is given to the new leader and how they will change the company. But new research shows that the leave-taking process of the outgoing chief executive is often mishandled, with negative impacts on succession and the organization. Rebecca Slan Jerusalim, an executive director at Russell Reynolds Associates, and Navio Kwok, a leadership advisor at RRA, say that boards are often surprised when a CEO gives notice, and they often make that person feel excluded during the handoff process. The researchers share stories from the front lines about CEO psychology, best practices for outgoing leaders and their boards, and broader lessons for effective transitions. Jerusalim and Kwok wrote the HBR article "The Vital Role of the Outgoing CEO."

Darius Rucker has reached the top of the music charts in not just one but two genres: first as the lead singer of the 1990s band Hootie and the Blowfish, then in a second act as a solo country star. He shares lessons on following your passion, staying humble, working your way up, and defying stereotypes and expectations. He's the author of a new memoir Life's Too Short.

Many managers struggle with initiating difficult conversations around an individual’s subpar performance. Often, leaders wait way too long to sit down with an employee who isn’t meeting expectations. Leadership coach Jenny Fernandez says that increasing the frequency of feedback and consciously developing better relationships with direct reports help make these conversations easier to start. And she shares how the right preparation, tone, and open-minded approach lead to more effective discussions that improve not just the one-on-one relationship, but also team morale and turnover rates. Fernandez is the author of the HBR article "How to Talk to an Employee Who Isn’t Meeting Expectations."

While most good bosses try to be fair and balanced with their direct reports, it's only human to prefer the company and work styles of some team members over others, and employees are keenly aware of those preferences. They see favorites and non-favorites, ingroups and outgroups -- and when those divisions fester, they can destroy team culture and performance. Ginka Toegel, professor at IMD Business School, explains why even well-intentioned managers succumb to favoritism, how workers on both sides are affected, and what we can do to both avoid and rectify the problem. Toegel is the coauthor of the HBR article "Stop Playing Favorites."

Managing technology has never been more challenging. HBR IdeaCast’s new special series, Tech at Work, offers research, stories, and advice to make technology work for you and your team. This week: how to prepare your company for the future of spatial computing.

After 15 years leading the parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, David Novak wanted to help others become better leaders. He believes the key is to put learning at the center of everything you do, whether you’re an entry-level worker or a multinational executive. Novak outlines three main areas for learning: from your own life experiences, from the people and situations available right now, and from the habit of curiosity. Above all, he says the most effective leaders turn their learnings into action, something that takes insight and practice. Novak’s new book is How Leaders Learn: Master the Habits of the World's Most Successful People.