evangelos_koutsavdis

Hi:

 

I have done a test shoot with the model and she wanted to pose with a very

expensive purse that she had. The brand of the purse was very visible through

the shoot. The image does look as if it were pulled out of a magazine ad and

the model is fully clothed etc...

 

My question is, will I be getting into any type of trouble with the specific

brand if I were to post the image online and use it for non-commercial reasons?

 

Please let me know and thanks in advance.

 

Regards,

Evangelos

Hello:

 

I recently purchased the EF70-200 f/4 IS after reading all the good things about

it. However, after doing some non-scientific subjective tests I am wondering if

it justifies its reputation. The uploaded pic is a crop from a 100% view and it

was shot at 200mm f/4 at (about) 1/640 with the IS on. I am not happy about the

ghosts that I see on the yellow letters in the street address.

 

The question to you, especially if you have used this reputable lens is the

following: is this the typical performance you see from this lens or do I have

a bad copy and I need to return it? I would appreciate any input here..

 

Thanks in advance.

Evangelos.<div></div>

Derek Stanton:

 

The reason I was asking about flare had to do with a recent shoot that I did, where I lit the model with two silver reflectors and with light reflecting off a white background and I did notice flare with my 50mm f/1.4 at arpertures wider that f/5.6.

 

Evangelos

Hello:

 

I am considering to buy the EF 85mm f/1.2 II for use as a portrait lens in and

outside of the studio. In the studio, you usually shoot at f/8 and smaller.

How is its resistance to flare in the studio at these arpetures? Do you see

improvements in clarity, color and contrast at these arpetures compared with the

f1.8 version?

 

Thanks in advance.

Evangelos.

Hi:

 

I got an email from a frustrated customer today, indicating that the 3 20x20

images that I had shipped him (using USPS priority) arrived damaged and the

shipping tube opened with the images having a 2 inch dent. I will replace them,

however I was wondering how other photogs are shipping images of that size?

Needless to say that I will not be using USPS again.

 

Evangelos

i am charging $100 for sitting fee but i have just started (www.vankou.com). The problem

is to convince people that they will be getting quality images from somebody that has a

studio in his basement.

It looks like Nikon has done an excellent job with D3 and Canon does not have anything in the

horizon that is similar. What do you thing?

Please post your observations/opinions about the Hasselblad 503 CWD.

Thanks,

Evangelos.

Hi:

 

I am considering advertising (print sales) on one of the more specialized art

photography magazines (B&W, focus mag etc...). I was wondering if anyone has done

something similar and what kind of return on their investment have they seen.

I understand that a lot depends on the type of photography that you are doing,

but your experience would be helpful.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

Evangelos

www.vankou.com

Thank you for your reply. You are right, the constitution protects free speech (the book will be published in the US). I think I was overly cautious about it.

Evangelos.

Hi:

 

I was approached by a writer/poet who wants to self publish a small poetry book

and wants one of my images for his cover. Everything is fine so far, however,

he indicated to me that his poetry contains certain words (for those living in

the US the N-word and the F-word) and for that reason he is putting a parental

advisory stamp on the front cover. I must say that the author is an African

American and the words are not used in any sexual or defamatory context, but

they are there. The picture that he wants is not nude but I would say it is

rated R. The model involved in the image is fine with her image being part of

the poetry book.

 

Now, I will be checking with my lawyer on Monday, but I was wondering if you

think that there could be any legal liability for me down the line resulting

from the licensing of the image to this author. Keep in mind that the license

agreement does contain an indemnification term, however for example, if a reader

feels offended by the contents of the book, can he/she, in addition to suing the

author, sue me for licensing the image to him? Do you see any legal dangers here?

Any experienced professionals and any one with legal understanding, please let

me know.

 

Thank you in advance.

Evangelos Koutsavdis

VanKou Photogrpahy, LLC

I am sorry, I meant Michael, not Alex.

Thank you for your answer Alex, but could you elaborate a bit on what do you mean with the quarterly arrangement? Had he printed 10,000 copies, the margin would be 6c, but I cannot work that low.

Thanks

Evangelos

Hello:

 

I have just quoted a customer for a small 4.5x6, 50 page, self-published poetry

book cover image. The circulation will be 500. According to

http://photographersindex.com/stockprice.htm

the fee is $650. I quoted him $600. He is a student and he is not willing to

pay that much. What do you think a fair price would be for something like that?

Was my quote too high? There are no quotes for such low circulation.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Evangelos

www.vankou.com

Hi:

 

I was wondering if any photographers here attempted to market their services to

advertising services using a direct mailing campaign. Has anyone tried that

 

Thanks in advance.

Hi:

 

I am about to do my first show at a local cafe and I would like to ask you for

your comments regarding how marketable my photos are and what would you sell

them for (assuming 11x14 or 12x12 size, digital prints). I shoot film (MF,

4x5LF and 35mm), print digitally.

You can find the pictures are:

http://www.altphotos.com/Gallery.aspx?a=MemberGallery&memberid=5793&orderby=rate

 

Looking forward for your replies and thanks in advance!

Vangelis

I am using a 320Ws Allien Bee's strobe. I was able to get f16 with polaroid type 55 rated at ISO 20, with the light at max output and fairly close (with a medium softbox). If you use ISO 100 film you should be OK. Again, for LF even an ISO 320/400 film should be fine.

Hello:

 

I have recently purchased an Alien Bees strobe (not that the brand has

any relation to the question that I am posing). Power is 320Ws. My

question is that often times I get that obvious flashed look

eventhough I am using a medium softbox. Power setting is between

mostly 1/2 and distance is about 6ft. I get f/8 with ISO 100 and that

is fine, yet I don't like the look. I have found that reducing the

arperture in my camera by about half a stop to a stop, makes things

better but at the expense of grain (with say Agfa APX 100).

Any ideas from the experts here?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

To the experienced studio shooters out there, is it possible to get

f16 for iso 100, with a 300ws monolight and a softbox from 6ft and

possibly 9ft away? If not, what is the f-stop that I should expect?

What power monolight would you choose for that setup (assuming

efficieny remains the same). Is it true that the larger the softbox

the lower the f-stop number?

 

I just want to do some 4x5 full body shots. Right now using natural

light and I get f16 by pushing my film (HP5+) to ISO 800. Would love

to use ISO 100.

 

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Hi:

 

I have had this Canon Elan 7E for about three years right now and

used it without any problems. I have just know noticed that for

slow shutter speeds (like 1/20th and slower) the mirror is not

returning. Mirror lock-up is de-activated. Things work great for

faster shutter speeds. Any ideas would be appreciated!

 

Evangelos

Hi:

 

I am shooting Tri-X (400), 120. Develop with XTOL 1:1 in a Jobo

rotary processor. I am scanning the film using an Epson 2450 and the

Tri-X profile with the Negafix. I am scanning as RGB

 

The problem is that I do not always get that trademark silverish look

of Tri-X. Often times, my scans have a red-ish tint (the film base

has that too, maybe I need more fixing time? fix for about 5:30min).

I can get rid of the tint by using the auto color function of PS CS

and yet that silverish look is not there. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Hi:

 

Has anybody used this lens for 4x5? What are your experiences? Can

you comment on sharpness/contrast? Do you find the coverage

adequate? I was wondering if I should go with this one or an 135mm

of 150mm (Fuji or other). I would like to use it for enviromental

portraits besides landscape.

 

Thank you in advance for your responses.

Vangelis.

I use DD-X

I don't see any increase in grain using DD-X and HP5. Check your time and temperature. You should not use pre-soak for Ilford films.

Hi:

 

This has come up tangentially before in a different post, but I was

not happy with the answers. My question is the following: if you do

digital printing only, does it make any difference if your negative is

Pyro developed? Do you see the effects of staining? Could this be

achieved digitally and avoid the nasty chemicals?

 

Thanks in advance for your input.

Evangelos.