patrick_viebey___orlando__

FWIW, I'd look into the Alien Bee's. Regarding the earlier comment " The white lightning gear has a control box where you can hookup phone lines to each light, and from the little box, you can vary the brightness of each light without having to get up from your shooting position, which might be nice in this sort of situation.", AB shares the same 'connection' (same company), but takes it a step farther, where you can control each light (modeling and flash) remotely, fire each remote wirelessly, fire all lights, etc, which makes setting exposure way painless.

Don't also forget you also MUST purchase a flash meter, or you'll make yourself nuts.

I'll toss out a thought...

Two of EVERYTHING. If that one camera or flash dies, and you're working from a contract, even if you're not liable in any way, it's sure going to make for an unhappy customer (and no future referals).

If you have the second flash, you can use it with a PC cord or flash trigger to remotely fire it, so you'll have some lighting flexibility.

Depending on the shooting environment for the reception, you may need full scale strobe (monobloc, etc.) to get people out of the shadows.

Assistant? BIG help. Someone to run things down, focus on the details while you shoot, get stuff, carry stuff, get you a drink, provide moral support, etc. Of course, ummm, also increases your expenses (unless your assistant and you share the same income...)

Hope this helps.

I haven't seen anyone volunteer anything, so I'll toss something in.

I doubt you'll find this is possible in Bejing. Frankly, I'd be amazed if they did it without a deposit equal to the price, because you're from out-country, and if it leaves with you, they're stuck.

Unless you have a local to help you out, I just don't see this working.

I wonder if another possibility is to rent 'locally' (whatever that means for you <grin>), and then take it with you. Might be more expensive, but I don't know how important this is for you.

Looking at B&H, looks like it's about $500. Frankly, I dunno what other lenses you have, but if you need to rent this, I'd suggest you probably need to own it anyway...

Just some thoughts. Your mileage may vary. Use what works, ignore the rest...

My big thing is to get the images off that card so I have more than one copy ASAP. The longer I have to wait, the more nervous I get.

So, I'd say viewing directly isn't so bad, but I just prefer to 'save' the images onto my PC first, and then view the copies.

Card readers are (at least in my experience) faster. And, much less annoying if you have a handful of cards. Also avoids having to get camera to talk to PC, and making sure the camera doesn't run out of power...

Really no need to panic. Either the software that came with your camera will do it, or you could use the evaluation version of different to get your pictures converted for this emergency...

I used Adobe Elements for individual pictures, and BibbleLabs Bibble software for mass conversion/correction. Both have evals on their corporate websites.

Here's a link for Bibble... http://www.bibblelabs.com/

Good luck!

This has been beat to death - but I have one litmus test I use. I very seldom ever (well, won't) do business with a company that doesn't have a published address. They publish their address as

BestPriceCameras.com

Brooklyn, NY 11223

That should be a wayyyyyy big hint.

RULE #1: THEY MUST HAVE A PUBLISHED ADDRESS... and I mean a real one. Not a PO box.

RULE #2: Call and play customer. Pretend you have a problem and see if you ever get to a real person.

Frankly, for most camera stuff, for me it's either B&H, Adorama, or Amazon. Sometimes I get off on others looking for other stuff (like a GPS)...

Never ever ever ever give out ANY banking data - including debit card info. Most of the usual protections don't apply (or apply less).

Too late, but something learned. It could have been much worse... like they could have seriously whacked your checking account.

It just smells. Personally, I'd have to be REAL desparate to even have a conversation past the mention of 'Uganda'. I'd suddenly be booked...

Personally, my take is anytime I even have to ask the question, I'm just better off erring on the side of safety. Your first impression is usually right...

Gary's comments caught mine exactly (white balance - and simplify/take out those extraneous info at the top).

It's hard to do (and maybe not relevant, but it's also dead-centered. Maybe that was your intent (after all, it's your photo), but using the rule of thirds or otherwise composing with leading lines or something could make it even more dynamic.

I ain't no expert, these are just my thoughts since you asked. Use what works, lose the rest.

One more vote, especially with a DSLR! YES, ALWAYS USE A COVER (and keep your bag clean/vacuumed out)! (Had multiple exclamations but the forum software told me to calm down <grin>)

I very carefully pop off lens from camera (try to keep camera pointing downish), pop off rear cover put it on lens I removed, then put the new lens on the camera. Not bad with practice. So far, I have been blessed with no dust in the camera (Nikon D2X).

If I'm worried about being slowed down, I either make the time or stick with current lens and compromise. Lenses are wayyyyyyy to expensive to damage...

pat

Wow, this sounds like a lot of work - thanks for doing it.

I'm going to Disneyworld <grin>!

Well, actually, I'm located in Orlando, FL

Go to Help in PSE3. Look in Index under 'Contact sheet - how to print'. Select that. It gives good step-by-step instructions.

Just checked it myself....

Wait a sec here. You may not be getting a salary, but who is benefitting from those seminars, books, etc.? If you weren't doing it, would you be able to afford those 'toys' to extend your skills/toolbox?

So, look at it this way. You ARE getting benefit out of it, you're just not putting the money in your pockey. If you want more money in your pocket, buy only what's ESSENTIAL to your business first (which I bet there isn't much). Or, you can take the tack that you're getting some tax benefits and getting funding for extending your education, buying toys, taking trips (WPPI), etc for forget the money side. And, of course, enjoying the challenge of the work - which is one reason I'd assume you're doing this.

You're gonna get xxxxxx dollars out of a business. You, the owner, are responsible where the 'best' use is. Decide, and be happy.

As a part-timer, at least you know that xxxx doesn't have to pay your rent, car payment, health insurance, etc. I wouldn't be quick to assume you'd have more 'profit' (depending of course on what you do today). Self employment has both benefits and downsides!

Hope this helps.

pat

The last thread on this turned into a real flame exchange.

I'm not an EE, but this link seemed to point out that not all generators are created equal (which is what I thought)... http://www.usadiscountgenerators.com/kleen.html

"Why is a clean sine-wave important? Most voltage sensitive loads such as UPS systems, computers, microprocessors, and all other micro-chip laden equipment, can withstand up to 10% harmonic sine-wave distortion and total 250 TIF without the possibility of in-operative or damaged equipment."

And, this on a Honda website (who'd I guess also know a thing or 2):

http://www.justgenerators.co.uk/pages/HondaEU26i.htm

"This process takes the raw power produced by the generator, passes it through a special microprocessor that provides ultra-clean power that boasts a sine wave equal to or better than the current from your household AC wall outlet. This means that, you can operate a computer or laptop direct from a generator"

My personal take is that it will probably work. How long and how well is really the only question.

Now, I'll stand back and let the experts tell us how I'm all wrong <grin>. Me personally, I'd err on the side of safety.

I think Jim has it. Check out this link, it has a good discussion: http://www.normankoren.com/scanners.html

BTW: Scanning (at least mine) uses a LOT of computer RAM memory during the scan. If you have an older/slower computer (say less than 2.8Ghz with less than 1Gb of RAM on Windows XP), you may need to upgrade the computer or the computer memory. The big thing is memory, the computer speed is less important and could be done without. You also need to have a USB 2.0 connection or it'll be real slow.

Good luck!

I think Nadine hit a good point - recognize what the limitations are on auto focus. Work within them, so you don't surprise yourself with fuzzy pictures.

I think it also depends on how much you trust your camera (and it's capabilities). My trusty (and aged) Canon A1 has no autofocus. I don't much trust the autofocus on my D1X, and fully trust it on D2X (given enough light and objects that work well with af).

There's a lot of stuff I think already out there, on this website and others. I like it's solidity and reliability. Fast shooting speed. Just works reliably and consistently...

I'll offer you one thought - if you're shooting pro, and have NO backup, you're at risk. That WILL bite you someday.

I have the D1X and the D2X. LOVE the D2X. Like the D1X. Maybe consider a D200. Money is no object, go for the D2X.

Good luck!

I think that's how you get better.... The day you're totally satisfied, I think you stop challenging yourself.

I can't think of any picture I've ever done that later I didn't find things I'd do better. Of course, many times no one notices those things but me either...

I take it as a good sign. Keep pushing yourself!

Sure. If you check their owner manual, their battery pack is a battery + digital 300 watt inverter in a bag.

Buy one of those portable 12v car start kits with a 12v outlet. Buy a digital inverter. Connect the inverter to the battery (actually, you could mount it to the case). You're looking for at least 15AH battery, but more is better (but heavier).

Bingo. A lot cheaper, and can power anything.

Here's a link for a nice digital (non-square wave) inverter: http://www.invertersrus.com/inv300ps.html

Here's how I know this will work: "Each CU-150 unit can supply 150 watts of power continuously, or up to 300 watts for periods of up to about 20 minutes. " And, been there, it works.

The danger here is creating the contract that lists specific things - and then changing the terms. You could simply say 'cool, let me reprint the contract without that, and we're good to go'. That's probably what I'd do (shortest path, easy in Word). No harm, no foul, and certainly not worth arguing over!

I'd suggest keeping the contract itself specifically to the tasks related specifically to the task (wedding), and not break stuff out. The more you break out, the more room for requested changes. You purchased package xxxx for yyy, with a deposit of zzz. Keep the 'accessories' separate, non-contractual...

All good suggestions above. Only thing I could possibly add is that if I was using a rental, I'd force it back to mfrs defaults, as you have no idea what they did (like loading custom profiles or whatever).

Maybe not the issue, but at least if you do that, you know you'll be back in the right territory. Then, of course, you need to figure out what settings you really want to use anyway, and adjust. There's a lot of them.

I don't remember how to force it back to defaults out of hand, but I know it's in the manual....

Just don't use it in a thunderstorm or a crowd (you'll put an eye out!)

Uh yeah....but funny!

Not expert enough to say for sure, but I bet there's 3 lights here (left and right I'd guess 1 stop over center, to open it up a little). Left and right more that 45deg - like 60?

That's my guess. I'll be interested to see what the experts say...

I think folks are making this too complicated.

Nicola: How often do you backup? As often as you don't want to run the risk of losing it. For example, spending 5 hours on Photoshop and then having your hard drive die sucks. Happily your RAID helps with that (but it's still not a panacea - memory corruption or a virus could still get you).

I think you're WAYYYY well covered (better than most, IMHO). I would recommend getting a backup offsite, as having a fire would likely lose everything. And, don't forget the 'fun' of recreating your work system if it dies (reinstalling all the apps and everything). YOu might want to consider backing up your entire system to say a USB hard drive and then sending that offsite. Norton Ghost or something...

Just MAKE SURE if you lose a drive in that RAID box, don't mess around replacing it. If another dies, you're dead. People mess around and get bit by that...

Also, not being a lawyer, but unless your contract says something, I don't think you have any particular liability for storing their photos. But I would make it VERY clear to the customer they now hold the only originals and should put them in safe-keeping (like they would all important documents).

PS: Having been in the PC computer industry for almost 30 years, I think I'm pretty qualified to speak here.... I do this for a living....

pat

PPA has a sample contract - and also gives you some insurance coverage...

Just keep in mind that, since it's your contract, anything missed or wrong would be interpreted against YOU if anything legal ever happens. If you have no experience, I'd suggest finding someone who has some experience with contracts to look it over. Maybe not a lawyer, but a paralegal or something. The 'best you can afford' <grin>....

Same thing with liability insurance (like, you fail to show up for some reason, and they sue you to have an entire new wedding - that's where PPA insurance would help).

Just a thought.