patrick_viebey___orlando__

.... and? What happened?

Since we've said this was a 'technological' discussion, let me share a parellel that occurs to me:

30 years ago, computers occupied special designed rooms, required paid professionals to operate, and required a computer degree to program.

25 years ago, computers started to appear in businesses and homes. Individuals with no training could set them up and operate them, but still required a computer degree to program.

15 years ago, your average teenager got interested in computers and now know quite a bit about programming. It's regularly taught in Jr High...

 

Does that mean 'professional' computer people are out of business? No, but there was a paradign shift companies had to adjust for. Many didn't, and paid a price. Many did recognize the shift, and profited.

 

So, my take is what you're experiencing is a paradigm shift. You can ignore it (and hopefully survive), or find ways to exploit it (and profit).

Well, what does the contract you signed say? Wait, you never signed anything? What about verbal agreements? No verbal agreements? And, if there's no agreement, the photographer was not smart. Well, actually, the word is 'id***', but the forum editor won't let me say it because that's inflammatory.

 

Ummmm. No contract written or verbal. What would they sue for?

 

My bet is they're threatening, to see if they can't get you to roll over and gift them some momey.

 

I'd ask them for a written explanation of exactly what they want, with written documentation. Either they'll supply it or disappear (my bet). If they do send something, a lot of lawyers will provide an initial consultation at a minimal charge - I'd look into that.

 

FWIW, my personal opinion is that if neither you nor your wife signed anything, there's no contract. If she signed something, since you're married now, well, there's a problem. If somebody forged your signature, check into it (lots of times it's pretty easy to spot).

 

But, until you get it exactly in writing, don't freak out just because of threats...

 

And, proving they're due $11,000 sounds like a joke to me in any event. I just don't see it, but there's lots of info missing.

 

Hope this helps and good luck.

 

pat

Using RAW, all the previous comments apply most excellently. I'd also check and make sure you have a good exposure (using the histogram).

 

Yes, digital requires processing just like film. I just don't have to use noxious chemicals in the dark <grin>...

Ummm. That depends on the light source. I'm not sure what light source you're using, but that will do it.

 

Frankly, I just shoot raw and white balance is a moot point (I adjust it in post-processing).

 

Dunno if that helps, but is it always red or always blue? If it is, what kind of light is it? What happens with flash (and flash set)? What happens outdoors with daylight (and it set for daylight?)

Does it do it the same way all the time for each file? Were these files 'known' to be good in the past, but are now (for some reason) damaged? Have you tried different applications to see if they all show the same problem? How 'bout creating a 'known good' picture with your camera and putting it on the hard drive - what happens?

 

I'd personally say there are 3 likely possibilities:

1: Hard drive is dying. Not likely. But if the problem 'shifts' around inconsistent, it would seem to point at read problems with the disk. You also may notice it runs slower, makes a 'clicking' noise. Low likelihood, but possible.

2: View application is somehow hosed. Try different applications and see if the behaviour is consistent (and/or take the files to a different system). Use Windows Viewer, etc. Very low likelihood.

3: Files somehow got damaged without messing anything else on your system. Which leads to the question whether they got messed up coming from the camera or if this is new damage. Could be a bad memory card, or bad card reader that messing up the data as it transfers it. Also, if you're connecting the camera directly, I think folks have had problems, so you might try a card reader. Very possible - but assumes these pictures never were 'good' to start with.

 

Hope this helps.

 

pat

Observation: Don't confuse marketing with reality......

And mini-nano-bots to collect the dead nano-bots.

 

Actually, the ultrasonic 'vibration' way of cleaning seems cool to me and I wish everyone would license it.

 

Or, we could all turn into green goo...

There's no security like physical security; put another way, there's no encryption that hasn't been hacked. (Yes, even that wireless key lock on your car has and is very easy to hack).

 

Actually, losing my lenses and flash and other stuff is dang near as worrisome.

 

Say, how 'bout those exploding dye packets the banks use.... <grin>

I've offered to do it - but would also charge them 100% of what PayPal would cost me.

 

That usually makes them go cash...

Tons of good advice here from experienced folks.

 

Just to toss in a thought, if it helps. I just bought a Pelican 1610 hard case on wheels (for about $150). It has the capability for me to lock it to a fixed object (with a PC lock that has a built in alarm), so if I'm by myself, it can at least be somewhere close by without dragging it around

 

Side advantage is a huge increase in protection when I'm travelling. And, reportedly, folks use them for people to stand on when photographing (don't know if I'm ready for that).

 

Put another way, if I'm by myself, I want a lockable, hard to crack storage container to keep all the bits I don't have on my shoulder (lenses, spare flash, etc etc). The fact it's on wheels is a huge bonus to me.

 

so, my plan is during the ceremony, spare full setup on my shoulder. After the ceremony and formals, I can park the spare in the case for safekeeping (and the case is plenty big enough to drop the camera in with the lens attached).

 

Again, just a thought.

 

pat

Keep in mind that, if there's displays on the electronic products, you're going to have to somehow get the exposure right to get them to show properly.

 

Generally, really, I'd say that unless you have a set of strobes, scrims, wireless lighting control, etc, you're in for an interesting time. For sure, I'd expect to need an exposure meter to get stuff set up.

 

If budget is the issue, I'd at least get somebody to consult and/or maybe barter, or maybe they'd just do it out of goodwill (I would).

 

 

pat

Wholesale pricing implies huge volumns. I'm sure there's folks who buy enough to get that, but I doubt it.

 

Frankly, given costs, I doubt many photographers do large inkjet runs.

 

Otherwise, yep, there's no difference. There may be some slight membership discounts through various professional associations, but not really anything significant.

 

No secret handshake either....

Huh. Do you think your exposures are right?

 

I'd probably set up some tests using the D1X with a static target and a tripod. It would be interesting to see how the exposure data compares.

 

Near as I know, the D200 should do better at this than a D1x.

 

That's my thoughts, FWIW. I'm sure other, more knowledgeable folks will chip in.

Todd:

 

Dunno if this helps, but the 30 day counter is classic marketing - creating a (false) sense of urgency. Nothin new or unique there.

You can hit 30' with USB. You'll need to buy 2 13' powered USB extension cables to amplify the signal. Otherwise, max length (by spec) for USB is 16'.

 

There's even kits out there that will translate USB into a signal you can send over regular telco cable for 100+'. Never tried that one...

 

I've done this with the D2X with a 16' (well, 6'+10'extension), using Nikon Capture Pro (this allows full remote control of the camera with the D2X). Also works with D200... "Take Control of Your Photography-Remotely: Using the included USB or Firewire cable and/or optional WiFi adapters for select models, Nikon Camera Control Pro enables you to capture unique images no matter what the subject."

 

 

Way cool software for $70. Just released real recently (like in the last week). Free eval on Nikon USA. www.nikonusa.com

 

You can fully control every aspect of the camera, and when you tell it to shoot, it automatically downloads the picture. It has a viewer.

 

Far as I'm concerned, this is the way to do static pictures. Now, I'm trying to talk myself out of $600 for the wireless controller.

 

Oh, now, the other thing that'll make you nuts. Where to put that notebook near the camera. Tried a tray table - portable but sucks. CHeck out www.instand.com. Can even put wheels on it...

Interesting. The short version here is that the business needs to capture $xxxx in order to stay in business.

 

They have taken a 'lo-ball' approach, which minimizes their upfront costs, and 'shares' it back to the folks that want prints.

 

Fundamental to me here is that I'm sure nothing deceptive was done. Folks just don't like the way these guys priced it. But, OTOH, the B&G may not have been able to afford it any other way...

 

Todd- I suspect (given the services you offer) that there's no way they could afford you. You give an awesome amount of value from what you say, but that doesn't affect their ability to actually pay...

I try to meet with the folks in advance and ask these questions in time enough to make sure I have a plan.

 

My take on this is that, it'd be much better to have the picture and they don't want it than not have the picture and they ask you about it later...

 

If they're part of the ceremony, I'd definitely do it!

FWIW, also watch your exposure. Pictures with lots of sand/beaches typically don't do well with auto exposure. You may need to adjust...and don't forget to put things back when you leave the beach!

I use Photoshop Elements for 'hands on' editing, and Bibble for general workflow (where I don't need to edit).

 

I tried Capture, but found it to be a pig (real slow). It may be because my 'test' was my notebook (1.7ghz), and maybe would be OK on my 3Ghz editing system. I also think Capture is way clever, maybe too clever for me.

 

So, I'll stick with Bibble for quick copy/paste of general image settings (like I generically cut to 4x5 format for output). It makes it easy to get the settings right on one and c-n-p to others. Looks like Capture does that too, but again, I just like Bibble.

 

And the price ain't bad either.

Ummm. I'd say you don't 'need' backup equipment (I worry more about flash dying than my camera), life insurance, health insurance, or even a contract.

 

Well, actually you don't need them until you NEED them.

 

Picture explaining to anyone why you didn't think it was necessary...

Drat! Found an answer after I submitted this. Honest, I looked!

 

But, this message was just posted, hence hadn't been indexed I guess.

 

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=19495357

 

It looks like it's D200 only, and allows a printing through the computer, or direct, wireless PictBridge printer connections with another gizmo.

 

Stopped thinking when it became apparent it's D200 only....

Anyone know what the WT-3a is supposed to offer? Thinking about a WT-2a, but

since this is already announced, I'm gonna hate buying it and then finding out

the 3a has additional stuff I want...

 

Thanks!

 

pat

There is some 'architecture' that's considered art and therefore copyighted.

 

There's also some VERY interesting wrinkles today about taking pictures of govt buildings, etc related to new security.

 

Or so I recall reading recently in (I think) Pro Photo magazine.

 

Yeah, it's way messy. I just try to avoid to obvious places it can bite me.

Old saying - there's 2 kinds of computer users. Those that lost data and now have backups, and those that haven't lost data yet and don't have backups...yet

 

Making a second copy onto a USB hard drive is so easy today...