rich_deferrari1

Heres what went wrong -you did not pull out the white tab completely {and throw it away} it got dragged back thru the rollers {yes -one turns harder on purpose}and left that impression. Heres how to do it {also great directions are at www.polaroid.com

Take the photo

pull out the white tab COMPLETELY ,throw it in the trash.

now pull out the film tab -slowly,cleanly without stopping or pausing-and then start timing {90" is ok for T89}

Thanks and best regards -RichD - former Polaroid tech spec.

Mark -I have 4 yellow pages ads -running from $24 - $60/month. I find them very useful in getting my phone to ring! I know they are not as popular as the internet with younger folks...but I think they work so well because the Mom's contact me first for info -then hands it off to the bride.Best regards -RichD

ps. almost forgot. Word of mouth is very very good and free of course. I have also "partnered" with a high end dj -we refer each other and this has worked extremely well for both of us. We tell potential clients that we work well together as a "team" I kick back to this dj -he pays for the "big" ads-this defrays the cost of those expensive ads. Best regards -RichD

I am in a mid size area. What has worked best for me is

#1 - yellow pages ads! they are expensive but work well for me.

#2 - my web page -cheap -but effective

#3 - referrals from "happy" vendors

what hasn't worked

#1 - church bulletins

#2 - ep-online {this area is saturated-leads gone as soon as they appear!

#3 - newsprint {although my first ad in years will appear in the local paper this Friday! it targets home portraiture though - not weddings}

#4 I briefly tried the knot and found it full of tire kickers/price shoppers.way too many photographers there advertising also. Very crowded in the Boston area. Best regards -RichD

Me too Melissa -my bookings are down as well . In conversations with my local peers we came to the conclusion that people are booking later than ever. I also agree with digital hurting the wedding business as well. Uncle Bob can shoot 1000 shots and get 200 keepers. Uncle Bob is no longer deterred by film/processing costs with digital. Thank God for my package deal at a local venue -it keeps my cash flow going with appx 40 weddings this year {estimated}. I have also booked more "mini" {2 hour as opposed to 7 hour normal weddings}thank ever before. It's a tight economy. I have not raised my prices in 2 years -I am afraid to.Also I have more summer weddings than ever before...I used to take summers off-no one ever got married around here in the summer -unless they were pregnant. I have 2 March and 3 April weddings so far {1/2 are mini's}. Thankfully I do not rely on just weddings to support my family. If I were just starting out {instead of being very ill and "winding down"} I would rethink my whole business strategy.Best regards -RichD

I too vote for Dave O'Dess -he is a really good repair guy and stands behind his work. He also sells used gear -it might seem higher priced than KEH/the bay but -it is already overhauled. No surprises there! Best of luck -the blad is a great camera! RichD

One last thing I have found Extremely helpful in my travels. Find a GOOD cab driver and tip them REALLY heavy. They will then be at your disposal whenever you need a ride -or help greasing local palms to get into restricted places. That can be invaluable -I have been amazed at the resourcefulness of some of these folks. try to get a good one -get a recommendation from someone {hotel concierge/local you trust}- best regards -RichD

I disagree with the first few posters. I have 3 folks working for me. 2 have 25 years exp. -the other I personally trained from scatch. The first two trained together with me at an old "factory" type studio - we were friends back then -headed in the same direction. I shoot all the weddings at a local venue -plus I have been very ill the past few years. I NEED the back-up. This business model works very well for me. Best regards -RichD

Strange you should mention that - I just had the same conversation this last weekend. {took lots of pix in snow too!} My fun camera -a G-5 Canon has been right on -while my wifes Oly Stylus has also been spot on. No need for exp compensation with either! Amazing. Best regards -RichD

Gentlemen -thank you very much! I will continue to check here -and eb*y as well. Best regards -RichD

If anyone has an extra one -or is willing to sell one please let me know...RDeFerrari@aol.com

I am in need of an AC power supply {not a charger} to run my 500EL.

It won't work with batteries and is not worth fixing{$$}.Does anyone

know the part/model# and their availability. The local pro shop says

they do not exist! Dave O'Dess say's they do. My money is on Dave!

Please help -RichD

RDeFerrari@aol.com

Derek -you need to find out if you can purchase the film down there that you want -or if you need to bring it with you {beware -X-rays are cumulative!}Also need to find out if you can process your film there in a QUALITY lab {dont need prints -just C-41 processing}. You also need a back-up to your backup-theres no one there you can call IF you get stuck. Also -do you need an adapter for charging your flash/camera where you will be staying? Also -lot's of aspirin/rolaids -I find travel to no longer be worth it. I traveled extensively in the 80's/90's and never much enjoyed it. Too much stress and no time to do anything but work very long days!My last photoshoot to Mexico almost ended abruptly when I was trying to get my film hand inspected....two military folks came over with sub machine guns and that was the end of that argument!If you must go -go extra early to get "all your ducks in a row" . Best regards -RichD

I usually find that those who enjoy travel{work related that is} have not done much of it. Prepare,prepare,prepare!!!!! There is no back-up down there.

Thank you all for your answers -I can cut down the larger size papers easily. I shall check out these papers. Thanks again -RichD

Thank you Jonathan -I too either = or overpower the ambient light with my flash. I have sometimes been criticized for "overflashing" but I too like this look. I do not like lots of shadows on my subjects faces. Best regards - RichD

I got a little photoprinter {HP 230} for printing 4x6 images from

my "new" Canon Powershot G5 with the intention of #1 learning more

about digital/workflow and #2 bringing it along at weddings to give

the B&G a nice pix to take on their honeymoon {also one for

each "mother". So far I have not been able to find a paper I like. I

hate glossy and also matte. I am looking for a paper that resembles

the "E" surface {semigloss} that my lab uses. Does anyone have any

suggestions for a paper to try? Thank you in advance! RichD

ps -so far I really like playing with this little camera and printer -

I am really totally amazed at the quality of the images so far{in

auto!!!}. A dslr may yet find its way into this old film shooters

hands. Especially for school photos and senior photos.

Thank you Jonathan -I enjoyed your website immensely. I wished mine {www.richdeferrariphotography.com} looked that good. I liked many of your shots -I got some good ideas from it. Thank you and best regards -RichD

One reason I like your website soooo much is that it is all weddings and lots of pix. It is not trying to be everything to everybody.

Kari -too funny. I used to work alot at the Hilltop in Waltham Ma where they had up to 5 weddings going on at one time -a real wedding factory! This was a common occurence. Back when I was shooting 80 plus weddings a year and one bride blended into the next I used to get very confused....Calling the Bride or groom from the eve wedding by the B or G's name from the daytime wedding. Now I shoot far less -and almost never "doubles" One trick I do now is to write the bride and grooms name on a small slip of paper and tape it to the back of my Lumedyne reflector.When I can't think of the B or G's name I simply refer there. It's so tacky to call them by the wrong name.Glad it worked out and wasn't a 2'nd photog nightmare for you. Best regards -RichD

Hi Scott -I like the business name -it sounds distinctly different . Could not find your web site though...I wanted to see if there was an image there that I liked better. Sorry -I hate to be negative but I didn't like that image -I am too much of a traditionalist I guess. I do like the fact that its in B&W though -I would like to see another image perhaps. When I send out my trifold wedding brochure there are 4 images on it. The thing I don't like about single photo "pieces" is that not every image will resonate with a client.At least with 4 images I have a shot at showing the prospective bride something she will enjoy. I have always found it tough to find one defining image . I guess you can't please all the people all of the time. Sorry for the criticism -just being honest. Would love to see a few more images to choose from. But then again I am a 51 year old traditional male -not a 2o something bride.....Best regards -RichD

Charlotte -I too vote for the metal versions of these classic cameras-my favorites being the 250 and 360 and 450 cameras. I would also check out Kathleen Carrs website and also her book on transfer's. I have appx 50 of these metal cameras which I will be ebaying {$10 each} left over from a project with 4Designs.Email me at RDeFerrari@aol.com if you are interrested. Thank you and good luck! RichD former Polaroid Photog/Tech Spec.

ps -you can't go wrong with a Daylab at around $100 -if you have a lot of slides already!

Hi Melissa -I too am very worried about the whole scanning issue -especially since Kodak/Fuji have anti scanning technology that they choose not to implement. I provide my clients 5x5" previews {which I know are sometimes scanned}. I also give my clients a free 11x14" portrait -IF- they order within 6 weeks of me delivering their previews {within 2 weeks of wedding}.This helps get bigger orders -as they are still excited about the wedding.Nothing much -other than I am considering going to preview magazines-I can/want to do about the scanning issue. I now make more of my money upfront-for shooting the wedding and depend less on "reorders" for my profit. Vety interresting topic for me -thank you ,best regards -RichD

Good Morning Erik -go to www.polaroid.com for detailed instructions and pictures. Also in the states call 1-800-225-1618 -someone from Polaroid will walk you thru it. Best regards -RichD

Todd-I am in a very similar situation as you. Having shot over 1500 weddings over 25 years and a former teacher {adult ed/univ. and on the board of advisors at local photo college}. I was also diagnosed with terminal cancer-6 months to live -17 months ago! LOL -I think they were wrong!With surgeries,radiation,chemo -I was very weak and had a hard time with weddings. I trained an asst. to be with me to shoot when I got tired..... I would start -they would typically finish the wedding. I also shot a lot of family portraits/senior portraits which I did have enough energy for. I have also basically given up commercial photography-too demanding. I am contemplating going back to teaching-I have an offer from the local photo "college". Todd-it is especially hard when weddings are booked 1-2 years out -how will you feel about it then. Hope this helps Todd - but I would go for it. Best regards -RichD

Elliot -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i have a great working one here -in case you can't get yours to work. Make me an offer-speeds all work fine-meter -I think-is dead. I always use handheld meter. Best regards -RichD RDeFerrari@aol.com

 

 

 

 

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Please post a photo of one of the Fuji-roids -

Also make sure you are using it correctly -shoot first -before pulling any of the tabs. Also clean the roller assembly with lots of WATER {yes -you can do this with film in the back without losing any film -as long as you do not remove the film pack}Best regards -RichD -former Polaroid tech spec

Never Ever use anything but water to clean your Polaroid back and roller assembly. The lower roller does not turn as easily as the top roller -this is normal. NPC {do a web search} would be happy to send you a copy of the directions for the back. Call 1-800-225-1618 {Polaroid Tech Support}to get a walk thru of how to use this back or to order a new updated roller assembly for your back {especially if it has been disassembled or cleaned with alcohol!} Best regards -RichD - former Polaroid Tech Spec.