ruth marie

Teresa, sorry for not answering in an earlier post. This is my second paid wedding, and my third will be in October. :)

I normally use Porta VC for my shoots. This time I decided to go with Porta NC just because I know that the couple likes the softer tones. I was very dissapointed when I got the photos back from the processor. Everything was green. It's going to be a lot of work in PS before I give the couple thier proof albumn. From now on out it's back to VC.

Edward - I wish I had the gall to be so blunt with him, but you spoke my mind. Last year, my father visited for two months during the summer and several times for a week during the spring. It was during that time that he got to know the groom's family. He was invited to the wedding, probably because he expected to be invited as his one week visit this summer fell around the time of the wedding (which he discovered after he made his flight arrangements).

 

If anyone gets a moment, I'd love some feedback on my photos in my gallery!

Ok, I shot a wedding on the 28th. I'd do shoots on evenings and

weekends for suplimental income (and to support my hobby and build a

portfolio). With the rare exception (namely my husband's very

critical eye - which I learn alot from) people are extatic when they

see what I shot.

 

On this particular occasion my father was visiting from abroad and as

he was invited to the wedding, attended. He wore a tux (no one but

the wedding party wore such outfits) and for much of the ceremony

(outdoors) shot photos from behind the bride, groom and minister.

He's a painter, and as I later found out he was planning on doing a

painting for the couple as a wedding gift. He did not tell me this

was what was going on. Later he disappeared when I took the formals.

However during the reception he plopped himself again less than a

foot right behind the bride and groom. There were many pictures that

were ruined because there was the bride, groom, and then my father....

and many that would have been precious, that I didn't take. As he is

my father and not a paying customer, I let him know my frustrations

several times throughout the day.

 

My question is: Was my father out of line, and how does a pro deal

with these kinds of situations when you don't know the individual and

the couple aren't close friends? ADVISE PLEASE!

 

*You can check out some of the photos from the wedding in my D-W

Wedding folder of my gallery. I'd love it if I got some feedback on

the shots - both praise and areas for improvement.

Marc,

 

In response to your note regarding donating services to charity. This October is the second year that I've done outdoor portraits with a background. I offer a 5x7 for $5 that will be mailed. I've had repeat customers this year, a few asked for my business card, and one even emailed me to ask if I had a website (I do, but it's still under construction). Any profit that is made goes straight into funding next year's event - Salem (MA) Children's Day. It's seemed to be a good way to get my name out and to get some more experience in the outdoors and working with models of various ages and attention spans. I get the parents to sign a release so I can use the photos in my portfolio (and on my website).

 

Thank you.

 

Ruth

I understand the use of digital, and maybe the further I go it might be something worth investing in. As it is my husband would like to buy a digital SLR for his own business (landscape consulting). If that was the case, I would have free access to use it to practice and get that immediate feedback.

 

I'm still trying to focus on getting my shots better, I was just given a nice Bogen tripod and a bunch of rolls of various film. I have a friend who is willing to sit for me while I work on posing, composition, framing, lighting, etc. and getting comfortable with the model. It will help me in building my portfolio too.

 

Thanks for the input... I welcome more.

 

Ruth :o)

I know it's been a while since this first posted, but I can completely identify with your experience. I shot my first wedding for a close friend who was on a tight budget. I used Portra 400 VC (Portra is by far my favorite - and I've had nothing but good results with this film - unless of course it was my own stupidity in miscalcuating the light), as it was an Indian (think India)/American wedding, and bright colors were par for the course. Although it was a bright sunny day the church was dimmly lit, and as such all but one (with a 1 sec shutter speed) were all under-exposed. (I was able to do some correction with PhotoShop.) I learned a lot that day, and I'm better prepared next time. Everything else, including the formal portraits in the church turned out great.

 

The one thing that I was very happy with, was I went out and bought a LumniSoft? bounce and diffuse for my flash. Apparently my friend (the bride) has never (I mean never) had a picture taken of her without red eye. Oh, sweet success, her blue eyes were truly blue that day! There was absolutly no red eye.

 

Best of luck in your future endeavors!

 

Ruth

Anyone had experience with Portra 400 B&W film? If so, what did you

like/dislike about it?

According to U.S. law as it currently states: the artist (and in this case the photographer) holds all copyright to his own work. This means the law covers your right to reprint. If you sell the negatives, you sell the copyright, and then you may need a release to use those photographs after such sale. Visit http://www.nicholsongraphics.com/primeview/copyright.html for more information regarding copyright law in the US and UK.

 

As for the release it's too wordy... some simpler more encompassing release for publication may all that is needed (see below), unless you are selling the copyright, and then use a release more like there is above.

 

"I <name> hereby consent that I am of the legal age of majority and give full unlimited permission and hold harmless for photographs and images of me to be taken by and published/used by any designated representitive of <your name/studio> including but not limited to publication on the internet, advertisements, use in portfolio, etc."

 

Ruth

Yves thanks for the big picture. It really confirms that I'm on the right track, and it's just an issue of practice (building more of a portfolio) and marketing myself. I will look into those books you suggested.

 

As I mentioned I'm really getting started in this. I both work and am getting my business degree full time, so I don't plan on investing in studio equipment for a few years, unless things really pick up. Besides the studio lighting, the top of the list seems to be getting a tripod, remote shutter release (no one mentioned, but is INVALUABLE when photographing infants and small children), a few books, reflectors (I already have a small one) and a light meter. Most of these I either have access to or plan on purchasing soon.

 

I like digitial for vacation pictures, but I'm not into it. Technology changes so fast that memory sticks, disks, etc. will change, and I prefer the crispness of an actual photo paper print. I like the permenance of film, it's been around for a long time and has pretty consistant results. Digital cameras seem to do too much correction making photographing almost fool proof - great for photo journalism, but for a portrait - I like the skill and art it takes to make that shot work.

 

Thanks again.

 

Ruth

I've been working for and doing some portrait photography for years

for friends, and have decided to open my own business to earn some

extra income and in a few years, maybe do it full time. Right now I

work with a Nikon 6006 AF SLR with a basic 35 - 150 lens. I've also

just been given my father's old Olympus manual SLR which needs some

careful cleaning. With it I recieved a variety of lenses and filters

that he's accumulated over the years. I have no studio equipment and

actually prefer working with natural lighting (e.g. outdoors).

 

A photographer that I worked for in high school had what seemed to be

a barebones operation. Her studio was four backgrounds and two

umbrella studio lights along with a few props. She worked with two

35mm SLR's and a Mamiya medium format camera (which she used almost

exclusively for wedding formals). She pretty exclusively worked with

a monopod and a handheld light meter.

 

My question is: what is the basic equiptment that I should be getting

sooner rather than later... I have a few ideas, but would like some

other input.

 

Ruth