janet_mootz

I hope some of you are still following this posting :)

 

Thanks for all the input! I am now looking at a Metz 60. I have a question. How does this attach to my camera? Do I have to use it's little bracket or can I connect it to the Stroboframe flash bracket that I already have?

Changing my budget might be an option. What would you recommend?

I am looking to purchase a new flash to use with my Digital Rebel. I have a

flash bracket and a Wein safe sync.

I just started photographing weddings this year after several years of

senior/family photos etc. I have a couple of Vivitar 283s. They work ok, but I

think I could use a little more flash power. I have seen mention of

Quantum Turbo as well as some others. Just wondering what some of you would

recommend. I don't have a huge budget for this, so I am thinking $200.00-

$250.00.

 

I looking forward to reading your input. Thanks! Janet

I just photographed a wedding at a very new church. It was VERY plain and didn't even have one window for natural light. The weather was rainy, cold and dark so going outside was not an option. I did bring a backdrop and I'm glad I did. We used it a lot. I think most churches have enough interest a backdrop isn't necessary, but it wouldn't hurt to have one just in case.

Thanks for your responses so far. I think I will sign up for the SmugMug free trial.

I have a small studio and I am trying to create on easy way for customers to

order their images online(and not cost me a bundle). I use Frontpage for my

website and was trying to use a work around of the customer using the feedback

option when viewing their gallery then listing the items they wanted then I

would email them the total. Needless to say this doesn't work well, mostly

because the email feedback triggers the users browser to bring up their email.

This is not always configured correctly so they usually just end up calling me

and placing the order over the phone.

 

So now I am looking at an inexpensive alternative. Smugmug looks very

reasonable but I am worried about the quality of their prints. Right now I use

MPIX and I am happy with their printing and prices.

 

Can anyone tell me what their experience with SmugMug has been like? If not

what are some good alternatives?

 

 

 

Thanks!

Janet

I had been looking a the picture-mate. Maybe that is the way to go. From the reviews I read it sounded like the HP printers ink stayed wet for a quite a while and it made it a little more difficult to work with.

 

Alistair Windsor: I checked out your images on photo.net. Very nice. Can you tell me what type of light you used for the "gig" images?

I am looking to buy a photo printer for my work. I send most of my

files out for printing, but I would like to get something small and

portable to use when I am on-site. I have done a little research and

it looks like Epson might be the way to go. I don't think I will be

printing larger than 4x6s. Any suggestions?

Thank you for the information. I will look for those resources.

I am trying to use a green chromakey background when taking some

portraits using strobes. My problem is that I always get a green

tinge on my subjects, almost like an outline. I read somewhere that

the chromakey can cast a color reflection and that the subject needs

to be positioned away from the background. I am wondering how

faraway does the subject need to be? Right now I am putting the

subject about 5 feet away from background and the green outline is

still there. I can work around it a little in Photoshop, but I would

like to find an easier way.

I have a small studio in my home. I usually photography groups of 5

or smaller, but I have had some requests to take large groups (10+)

in the studio. Up to this point I have been able to take the

photographs outside or at the clients home, but with winter

approaching I would like to have the option of taking these in my

studio. My thought is to paint a wall a neutral color for these

images. I have a background holder, but I don't think it would

accomodate a large enough backdrop for this purpose. My question is

what would be the best color to paint the wall? Brown, white, some

type of faux painting technique? I think black would be difficult

with a large group of dark haired individuals. What are your

thoughts?

Thank you for your comments.

I am trying to perfect my slide taking skills in the studio. I am

using some Smith Victor strobes (since that is all I have at the

moment). Just wondering if any of you have a favorite slide film to

use. I just shot some Fujichrome Sensia 100. I thought it was pretty

good, but my first client would prefer more contrast and vivid color.

Any thoughts? I have been doing alot of research, but any tips for

photographing artwork would be great.

This has been extremely helpful.

 

The camera kit I can get with the Olympus Evolt would be:

Camera Kit with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6, and Zuiko EZ Zoom Lens and 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5

 

Since I hardly ever use an ISO setting higher than 400 I am thinking this camera may be the answer.

 

The film cameras I still have are an old Minolta x700 with a 50mm lens and a Nikon N50 with a zoom. I never used the Nikon camera much and just got it for a backup off of Ebay.

One last thing. The Minolta Dimage I have now is 5MP so I am looking to get something higher like an 8MP, if I can afford it.

 

Thanks for all the input so far.

I thought I posted a response, but I don't see it. So here it is again.

 

I had heard about an adapter to trigger for strobes. but the Canon salesperson told me the adapter they had would only trigger their flash unit. Maybe she was wrong?

Hello All

 

I started a small home studio a few months ago and things are going

well. I have a few 35mm film cameras and a Minolta Dimage A1 (SLR-

type camera). I think I am ready to upgrade to a digital SLR. I have

mostly been looking at Canon and Oympus. I need to have a PC

terminal on the camera or something that will trigger my Smith

Victor strobes. I'm really not sure how "professional" of a camera I

need. I take portraits and some commercial work for local businesses.

I would like to stay under $1200.

 

The Canon EOS 20D looks great but a bit expensive. The Rebel XT

looks good, but the sales person at Canon said it would not trigger

my flash system. I also had some interest in the Oympus Evolt 300,

but not sure if it has a PC terminal. I have a quesion in to Oympus

now for response about this.

 

If anyone has some input for me I would really appreciate it. I just

can't seem to find the right fit. Thanks- Janet

I have an older version of Photoshop (v5.5) and this may be my

problem, but I thought I would ask anyway. I am using a green

chromakey background to do some portraits. When I try to erase the

background everything erases fine, except for a small green line

around the person, right where the background separates from the

person. Any ideas on how to prevent this. I have tried changing the

tolerance level but it didn't help.

I have read some rather bad reviews about Amvona too. I am now thinking about getting some Alien Bees. I have read only good things about them. I would like to get two B400s with softboxes but the cost is a little high for me. Does anyone know where I might be able to buy some used ones? I checked out ebay but there wasn't much there.

Thank you for the ideas. I will see if I can get a copy of the View Camera.

I am looking to create a home studio. I am on a fairly tight budget.

I have been looking at Dynaphos continuous lighting sold at

amvona.com. The description of the product states that it is a cool

running light so it can be used with models. I have read in the past

that contiuous lighting is to hot for models and some perishable

items, but maybe this one is different? Anyone have experience with

this?

I am looking to purchase a digital camera back for my Bronica ETRS. I

am just beginning the search and not coming up with much. Any advice

would be appreciated.