derrick_morin___fallon__ne

<p>I have used Lonsprotogo many times (maybe 6-7) for camera and lens rentals and have been very pleased with them. </p>

I have had it with my web site - I need something way more professional looking

and I am not the one to do it! Can anyone recomend an online build-your-own

service (like Gary Fongs instant website, which I am not opposed to if it does

what I want) that A) will allow enough user input for a true custom look, B)

allows for clean/slick/pro display of galleries, C) makes multiple slideshows

easy, and D) is low cost. Flash would be nice. I have hosting - just need a new

site.

 

Am I asking too much? I wish I had a bunch of $$$ to drop on a pro designer to

get it done, but I don't! Please help. Thanks!

 

Derrick

Thank you for setting the record straight! I am evolving from part time to full time wedding photographer and it is unsettling to hear from those who see this as easy money, or only one days work.

No, it's wired. I thought it might be the keyboard too, but the problem is isolated to only the text thing. I may replace it anyway - it's pretty dusty. I was able to use the text tool in PS Image Ready and open the modified file in PSCS2, but that is cumbersome. I am stumped.

Thanks, but that's not it. The cursor will sit there and blink like it's supposed to, but does not respond at all (no movement!) when I type.

 

I was able to use PS Image Ready to modify the text and open it into PSCS2, but this is cumbersome. Any other thoughts?

My text tool isn't working! I am trying to edit text in an existing .psd

document. I select a text layer and get my curser where I want it, to edit

the text and there is no response. I can move the curser around the existing

text with the arrows or mouse, but I can't type anything. Anyone know what

caused this? Did I do something? Please help! Thanks!

Totally worth it! I spent about double what those on the link above cost for a 5x7' flexout and I love it. I only use it once a year for some grad photos and it was worth every penny. I'd think trying to build one would be more trouble than it's worth.

"Seems Gary Fong is getting rich..."

 

...er

"thanks....i tried to hold down shift while in free transform but it dnt help any sugestions?"

 

Jay - the hold the shift key while dragging the corners (free transform) to resize and this will keep the aspect ratio consistant.

 

Colleen - I was not offended by your comment (not sure if you meant me). I just think that beginners (and many not-so beginners) just have to do what will sell. These collages are popular (if cheesy). Your work is beautiful and you do not need what is popular, so I can totally see why you do not find them appealing. That's all I meant.

The composition is a bit crowded. You have some good images - select the best ones, use fewer images on the page, and place them with some space between some of the images. Have a center of focus, and arrange the other images to complement it.

 

Regarding Coleens comment, I believe the reason to do something like this is the same reason to do the cheesy and overdone shot of the B&G kissing behind the veil - because the client will buy it. There is nothing wrong with doing what sells. I also think Coleens work is so good she can do what she wants and it will sell. But I think we can all relate.

 

Keep trying, Jay. I just think the composition needs work.

It definately IS possible to stretch your images in PSCS2 and it looks like you have done that on a few of the images. If you are adjusting a layer using Transform, hold the shift key to keep proportions.

 

I disagree about the number of bride/groom images needing to be equal. It is the brides day and it's more about her than anyone. I would expect to see more photos of the bride than of any other person, as long as it is not overwhelmingly disproportionate. Your selections are fine, IMO.

 

Derrick

Perhaps my market is poorer than Steves, but at about 75% of the weddings I have been specifically hired to shoot, I have observed throw-away cameras purchased by the bride and groom placed out for the guests to use, and often these are the cameras going off while I pose the groups. I think the attitude is usually about covering the bases. While flawed and often counterproductive I think it's just that the happy couple want as many photos as possible and they don't always realize that they can actually impede the pro.

 

As I said before, I don't mind. I proactively manage the shoot. As the pro, you should be willing and able to take control of your shoot! After I have driven how things will go (setup, timeline, etc.) I don't care who snaps photos along the way as long as I hold the groups attention, and I ensure that I do.

 

I don't know - maybe we are all getting to excited about this topic. It's an art, right? Shouldn't we all just do what we do, and let the market sort it out?

"You wouldn't think of standing behind me in my studio taking photos, then why at a wedding?" - because a wedding is a public event, your studio is private and that is a very different situation.

 

Like one (or more) of the other posts suggested, I anticipate lots of "why didn't my pictures turn out like that?" The pro must certainly control the situation and make things happen on time and get people focused. But with a sea of P&S on Full Auto, what's to worry about?

 

Something that occurred to me on Saturday when I was shooting groups outside. My subjects were posed on and around a wagon and hay bails (it was a cowboy wedding) with the sun at their backs at about 6PM. I had to shade my 28mm lens with my hand to prevent some pretty extreme lens flare and the photos were fine. One guest asked me if her pictures would turn out okay with the sun behind the groups (it was actually just above frame); she was also concerned about the flare. It occurred to me that I couldn't have planned it better: many of the guests would come up with unusable images due to flare and wonder why mine turned out good while they typed out their credit card info to order my prints. This isn't my general attitude - I want the guests to have pictures they are happy with, but you see my point?

 

I say bring 'em on. If I can't out perform the guests I shouldn't be in the business.<div></div>

My actions in PSCS2 have disappeared. The menu is there, but it is empty.

I'd love to know how or why this happened, but more importantly - how do I get

them back?!

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Derrick

To get other businesses to work for you, establish relationships with them rather than just dropping off cards. A local DJ refers his clients to me because we have a good rapport and he likes my work. This sort of help can also come from florists, hair salons, bridal shops, wedding planners, caterers, etc. Do a free portrait for a hair stylist's business card in exchange for referals. Offer a florist photos of their flowers to show their clients. Personal relationships will generate better word of mouth for you than any ad or web page. Good luck to you!

I have owned one for about three years and use it for portrait work. It is a specialty lens and does not get a lot of use, but it is also my favorite! Optically, it is superb. Better than the 70-200 2.8L at the long end (a friend of mine has the zoom, and we sometimes compare the images). It focuses extremely fast - very noticably faster than the zoom. I bought it for portrait work along with the 100 f2, and 50 f1.4. The three make up a great portrait kit, but I do more weddings now, so a zoom is looking better.

 

The lens is silent, and very rugged. The hood is expensive to replace, so I have patched mine.

 

The 200 2.8L II was absolutely worth the $700 (I think) I paid for it - The most bang for your buck in the Canon L lineup for sure.

For anyone looking into online proofing/printing services, Pictage has just added a new service to their arsonal called P3 - Pictage Payment Processing. Now I can charge the client 1 to 4 scheduled payments via thier credit card and Pictage takes care of everything, then sends me a check. So, in a situation like this, I would just spend a couple of minutes booking their package through Pictage, the client would get an e-mail instructing them on how to pay w/ credit card, and the payment confirmation would get back to me the day they pay. Then for the balance, Pictage bills the client's credit card according to the schedule you set. Best part: it's completly free to their members (my monthly fee is $50 - totally worth it!) Other companies may have similar services, but I am not aware of them. Just info for those who may be looking.

Lens of choice? Deal! I've been eyeballing that 85 1.2L for a while now...

I took some wakeboarding photos last summer. I used a 100mm lens and had to crop most of the photos - I'd go with the 100-400IS. It's wide enough to capture your subject, and better optically (I think) than your 28-200. This one was 1250, f4, and cropped to about 75% of the original photo.

What are you trying to sell? Fine art, landscapes, portraits, weddings, real estate photos, events, what?

 

It makes a difference.

Good studio shot, except: I find the closed eye distracting.

I definately do not concider Wal Mart or the like to be competition.

 

I shoot location for $100. It's casual, natural, often candid. 30-40 proofs. An hour to shoot, another hour to edit and upload to Pictage and I'm done! (no printing!!) Print orders vary between $50 - $200. Everyone is happy - and no one can get that at Wal Mart!

Ditto. I keep a spare in my bag that has a "use by" date of 2010 (I think). The one in the transmitter is more than a year old - maybe 300 uses so far. Not something I worry about. I don't know of rechargables of this type - probably because they last so long!

I am surprised nobody has mentioned this (or maybe I am just wrong), but is it wise to pitch yourself as four different types of photographer and expect to be taken seriously as a wedding photographer. While you may be good at all of these things, and some of them may be related, I would think that brides are more likely to contact someone who simply calls herself a wedding photographer.

 

I changed my website and business cards from weddings and senior portraits to simply weddings, and business has increased on both fronts. The wedding clients take me more seriously, and strangely, the senior portrait clients seem to think they are getting a better photographer - a 'wedding photographer' who will also do senior portraits if you ask him!

 

That's just me though.

Sounds like the makings of a wedding photojournalist.