kelcihedrick

Sorry for not clarifying. I'll mostly be doing shoots with one or two models, using softboxes. I do want to do some 3/4 to full body shots, but these will primarily be used for headshots. I'm currently shooting 35mm, but I'll soon be going digital. I'm looking at getting two monolights, simply because this gives me a fair amount of versatility with my lighting without draining my bank account. I'm don't have a preferred f-stop yet for studio shoots, simply because I haven't had a chance to experiment with these kind of shoots.

 

And, I fully realize there is no "magic formula," but I was hoping to get input as to what other photographers are using. To those of you who have offered your advice, thank you very much! If anybody has anything else to say, better knowing what I plan to do, I would apprectiate it.

I've been on quite a hiatus from my photography while I finish up my

last year of undergrad school, plan my wedding, and apply for grad

school, but next semester I'm determined to spend more time to shoot!

I'm finally considering buying studio lights, but I want to do my

research before I buy.

 

What's the ideal w/s for studio shoots? There are monolights on B&H

that have as little wattage as 100 w/s, and going up to around

3600w/s. Are two 100 w/s monolights strong enough to get decent shots?

Would 3600 w/s blind my models? Any input is appreciated!

I'm looking at going digital as soon as I can afford to, and since I

can't get my dream camera (Kodak DCS pro SLR/c) at the moment, I was

looking at the Canon Digital Rebel and the Canon d10 (so I can use

the lenses I currently own). They're both in my price range, and the

d10 looked to be more customizable and an overall better camera, but

I was hoping I could get some input from my fellow photo.net

members. Let me know your opinions. Thanks!

LOL, I feel like a moron. Unplugging and replugging the cord from the lid to the scanner worked perfectly; maybe it just didn't register the first time. Thanks a ton!

*cross-posted in Film & Processing and Camera Equipment*

After scouring the Epson Help & Support site and running multiple

Google searches, I find myself turning once again to my photo.net

peers.

 

I purchased an Epson RX500 printer/scanner combo last winter in

order to scan and print my photos. A major perk for this choice was

that it had a negative/slide scanner attachment.

 

I went to use the negative scanning function for the first time

tonight, but for some reason the "Film" option is disabled under

the "document type" category. I downloaded every new driver for the

product on the Epson site, to no avail. Configuration doesn't help

either.

 

I'm writing in hopes that someone else might have had a similar

problem with this, or any other, flatbed/negative scanner combo. If

you have any possible solution for this, please let me know as soon

as possible.

 

Thanks once again!

I've gotten B&H catalogues for a little over a year now, but haven't really price checked backdops against other companies, and haven't had the need or the means to buy much other than a few filters from them yet. Glad to hear that their prices on other things are competitive for things other than filters!

Until the time comes when I can go digital, I've decided to

experiment with films. At the moment I'm shooting 35mm, but I'm

looking for professional-grade color film (negative or slide) with

extrememly vivid color. I've heard Fuji Superia is supposed to have

vivid color, and I'm in the middle of a roll of Kodak E100GX right

now, but I'm looking for a big list of different films to try this

summer. I'll be shooting mostly outdoors, in the mountains, the

woods, and the coast. Please broaden my horizons!

Hello again! Here's a few reviews I've been browsing on CNET.</br>

<a href=http://reviews.cnet.com/Nikon_D70/4505-6501_7-30732134.html?tag=prmo1>Nikon D70</a></br>

<a href=http://reviews.cnet.com/Canon_EOS_Digital_Rebel_EOS_300D/4505-6501_7-30519911.html?tag=txt>Canon Digital Rebel</a></br>

<a href=http://reviews.cnet.com/Nikon_D100_Digital_SLR_Body_Only/4505-6501_7-9666631.html?tag=txt>Nikon D100</a></br>

<a href=http://reviews.cnet.com/Canon_EOS-10D_Digital_SLR/4505-6501_7-20893259.html?tag=txt>Canon 10D</a></br>

</br>

</br>

Hope this helps!

Hey y'all. Didn't know quite where to post this, so I thought this

was as good a place as any.

 

I'm working on setting up a studio, and I'm finally ready to buy

some simple backgrounds. My question is this: Where are the best

places to buy backdrops and frames/stands? I'm searching both in

terms of price and quality-- I don't mind paying a little more for

higher quality.

I'm using a Canon Rebel G right now. The Canon system is easy to maneuver in full auto mode, as well as in full manual mode, and are more or less comparable to Nikon-- in fact, I think I may have gone with Nikon if I hadn't been swayed by my former partner in photography crime. As for using the lenses you already have: I know it's doable, but I've heard using film lenses on a digital SLR can throw the lightmeters and other things off. However, it could be a rumor started just to get people to buy lenses specifically for digital SLR's-- maybe other people can confirm or deny that.

 

Which Canon are you looking at, and what Nikon are you looking at? Or, what is your price range?

Hey y'all. I searched through this forum to make sure I wasn't

posting a repeat question, and couldn't find exactly what I was

looking for, so bear with me. I have been taking my portraits

outdoors using natural lighting, which is often times beautiful, but

is also tricky as the weather is often finicky, and can also be very

harsh for certain moods.

 

I was hoping to begin work on a studio soon, but I'm not sure which

lighting elements I should purchase first. As a college student, I

don't have a lot of money to throw around, so what I buy needs to be

very functional and have many uses, with a range from a very sharp

light to very soft "glowy" lighting.

 

Also, do the elements of the background I use (material, color,

etc.) affect what kind of lighting I need? I'm sure color plays some

sort of role, but I didn't know how different materials would act

under artificial light.

 

As I'm near-clueless about this topic, any advise would be greatly

appreciated. Thanks!

If you're anywhere near a college campus, check the bulletin/message boards around the art buildings. I've seen several postings for models (obviously, mostly college students) looking for work. In fact, as both a model and a photographer, I've posted on those boards a time or two. The benefits for you are that: most of the models posting on these boards are cheaper than models you find through an agency; many I know of work for around $50 an hour, which is very reasonable for nudes. The con: While most describe their height, weight and physique, some do not post their picture with their plea for work, so you have to contact them yourself if you'd like a headshot. Anyway, hope this helps!

Here's a few details that I left out that you guys asked about.

The shots to be submitted will be only two photos: a head shot and a full-body shot, in color-- I am currently using film over digital (although I'd love to go digital in the near future).

 

She would like soft focus because of blemishes, and on her fair skin they tend to stand out.

 

 

Thanks for all the advice so far! Any additional tips/opinions are welcome; from the majority of responses, it seems that y'all agree with me that they are looking for crisp photos, and soft focus would not be appropriate for this, but any additional tips on shooting a plus-size model would be greatly appreciated.

I will soon be taking photos for an aspiring plus-size model for her

portfolio. Of these, two will be sent in to a few agencies, most of

who request that these photos be "in focus." The model would really

like me to use a diffusion (soft focus) filter on the photos to make

the look softer. But my question is this: Is soft focus still "in

focus"? (I personally thought that by "in focus" they were saying

that they wanted crisp, sharply focused photos, but I told my model

I would ask my wonderful fellow photo.net members.)

Thanks for all your advice. I think I've settled on spending a little more money to get a printer/scanner/copier combo; the one I've decided to buy is the Epson Stylus Photo RX500. Your comments definately steered me toward Epson and Canon, without you guys I would've probably settled on an HP or something of that sort. If you've got any comments or tips about the RX500, let me know!

 

Thanks again,

Kelci

I'm in search of a high quality printer that can print out

documents, but mostly photos. I hate when a home-printed photo is

pixelated or linear looking, I want my photos to look close to what

they would look like if I took them to be professionally printed.

The problem is, I'm still in college and can't afford anything more

expensive than $225 or so. Any suggestions on the best printer to

fit my budget?

Everyday makeup should work fine. In fact, I would avoid heavy foundation, because it reflects more light. The result will be that the girls have a very light colored face, while their neck and shoulders will look considerably darker (because un-made up skin absorbs more light).

 

Hope this helps!

Actually my statement "how to produce quality self-portraits" doesn't at all show my lack of direction; it shows my desire not to have blurry, underexposed shots where my head is cut off. My IDEA, or one of them, if you have the need to know, is to do a series of storm-shots. I plan to brave the weather, go out in a major lightning storm, set the camera up under a storm shelter (with telephoto lens, i'm thinking) and shoot semi-long exposures catching myself, as well as the lightning, in the background. That's just one idea. There's a whole series of plans I have, including a session in snow (which I've decided to use with my suitemate), and a REALLY abstract bathtub series with an underwater SLR I'm borrowing. However, if you have any ideas that would be appreciated too.

I'm in need of new portraits of myself, but-- since I'm a

photographer as well as a model -- I'd like to try taking them

myself. Does anyone have suggestions or tips as to how to produce

quality self-portraits?

Photographic babies is tough, especially when they're to the age of constantly running around. I think your best bet to get photos that really captures the essence of who they are is to watch them and take pictures of them naturally, and don't try and pose them. When they get to the age of noticing the camera, that's when it's REALLY tough.<div></div>

Your best bet is probably to find a local photo restoration and print service. By and large, small businesses tend to pay better attention and put in more detailed work than your average film lab. Just specify matte prints, and it is most likely the heavy paper you're referring to. As to the rounded edges, some places will round them for you, but I've always done mine by hand. If you wanted to do that, you could buy a corner rounder at a craft store (Hobby Lobby or Michael's, or whatever store like that is around) -- especially those with sections dedicated to scrapbooking.

 

Hope this helped!