kiva

<p><strong>Re</strong> -<strong>Print</strong> Rights is what you are allowing, imo. </p>

<p>That's interesting information Nadine ... I'm especially interested in the zooming of a shoemount willl equal a Quantum t5d. </p>

<p>Good info ... thanks.</p>

<p>No use risking wounding a photo when you can use the ultimate fire power for a humane and clean kill. </p>

<p>(Did I just say that!)</p>

<p>RAW always ... they pay us good money so we should give them the best that our equipment can allow. <strong>Not using RAW serves us, the photographer, more than it serves the bride and groom; </strong> why raise the risk factors? Isn't wedding photography risky enough already? </p>

<p>Think of all the products you buy in life and pay good money for ... would you be upset if you found out the supplier had the same product in a higher quality but refused to give you his best quality for the same exact price? Most people would be upset ... <strong>but</strong> , if you've educated the bridal couple on your process then it's a style and product they are ok with so that is the only time I think it's ok ... when you have a <em>fully informed</em> bride and groom.</p>

<p>Heck, the more information you can capture ... the more "creative" you can be with the image file. It even makes cropping a great option as well ... if I later prefer the shot to be in Portrait orientation then a quick crop of the RAW file from Landscape orientation to Portrait orientation still gives me a lovely image file. RAW gives the best image file as well as giving you, the photographer, greater latitude in creating a final product.</p>

<p>The talented jpg shooter is an anomoly ... they are rare; yes, the exist but is it wise? And, imo, they do it because it serves their workflow but it denies the client the best possible image file i.e. size and creative tweaking in post processing which is the "after-the-click" part of the photography process.</p>

<p>Brooke, I don't use a Quantum but I'm considering the Quantum T5d-r unit which is more powerful than your average (Canon / Nikon) speedlite but it fits on a camera and can but used as a great off camera unit for a lot of creative lighting (if you have the time for that at a wedding: they move so fast!).</p>

<p>Here's a link to "technical" information: http://www.google.com/search?q=quantum+t5d-r+flash&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a</p>

<p>But, here's a link to<em> practical and real use</em> of the above unit by an experienced wedding photographer who is Very experienced (so he knows how to use it). He uses the above flash unit for most all of his shots and he uses it mostly as an off camera source. He many times will use more off camera flash units at a reception too. Fires his off camera units via "Freewire". All this equipment is expensive but I understand that it's powerful and give you more light. I'm not sure it fits my hectic style though. His blog is: http://digitalprotalk.blogspot.com/</p>

<p>I think it was yesterday that Kodak announced they will stop making Kodachrome film. Doesn't mean anything beyond the fact that it's interesting, but most likely not Important to those who enjoy their film.</p>

<p>My first thought was that Simon and Garfunkel must be totally upset. <grin></p>

<p> </p>

<p>I'll betcha' anything you paid for your "new" car before they let you drive it home, right?</p>

<p>I ask the bridal couple to pay for their new photos before I let them take 'em home. They've inspected my work and see that I give a quality product in the style they like: so they by my "model" of photography and pay for it and await the delivery since it's not currently on the showroom floor.</p>

<p>smiles... it's a good thing. You order something on-line in dozens of locations with your credit card: you pay for it All ahead of getting the product. Take alook around you in life and you'll see it's actually very very common.</p>

<p>Actually there is a 2850 mAh NiMH AA battery that is very nice and affordable from a reputable company: http://www.thomasdistributingshop.com/ANSMANN-AA-2850mAh-NiMH-Rechargeable-Battery_p_147-794.html</p>

<p>The same company sells a battery charger that is multi-purpose and does not "cook" the batteries http://www.thomasdistributingshop.com/ANSMANN-ENERGY-16-BATTERY-CHARGER-Hi-Tech-Deluxe_p_0-278.html and it's money well spent, imo.</p>

 

<p>What you're granting them is: Re-print Rights ... the right to reprint among thier circle of family and friends. </p>

<p>Note: this is a good time to include an "information" sheet on Caring for thier DVD of image files with tips on how to make a copy and save the master copy of the DVD of image files and how to re-copy it onto new medial ever few years to keep up with technology and to assure good image files over the years.</p>

<p>Email me if you want me to send you the documents I use so you can make your own version to fit what you want to do.</p>

<p>Water and a banana (or two) early in the day to ward off leg cramps; maybe a half a sandwich (to much is not good) before the ceremony (I pack that and it's on ice).</p>

<p>Depending on the energy and flow of the wedding I'll "graze" and continue shooting during dinner (my assistant and second photographer, if I have one, will eat); it's a good time to capture informal table shots. I'll be planning some "creative" shots of the bride and groom for the open time available from the point they finish dinner onward into the next 15 or 20 minutes: valuable time period for fun bride / groom shots.</p>

<p>The "food shots" of people eating are a lot of fun, imo, but they are not for recording the event <em>but more for getting people smiling and having some fun.</em> <em>It's about energizing "the folks"</em> and recording the fact that they attended. So, it can have a purpose and it can be done quickly: no harm and some positive in getting all people in a photo of some kind.</p>

<p>I believe you'll find that all other vendors are paid Prior To the wedding day. The family does not go around passing out checks, in our area, on the wedding day.</p>

<p>The venues are paid ahead.</p>

<p>The food is paid ahead.</p>

<p>The flowers are paid before being delivered.</p>

<p>The cake is paid in advance.</p>

<p>The dj, in our area, are paid ahead.</p>

<p>Why not the photographer? </p>

<p>Couples may, of course, try to get away with not paying in advance ... you gotta' love America: they can ask. But, I can ask to be paid in advance as well; I can put it in my contract and they can hire me or not. Free Enterprise rocks!</p>

<p>Kay ... my immediate feedback is that it's really tough to photograph a wedding if the customer has words like "breech" and "contract" and "lawyer" all in the same sentence mere days before the wedding.</p>

<p>~Who signed the check? </p>

<p>~Is there any way at all of keeping the bride and groom away from this tangled web until it's straightened out?</p>

<p>~I always send out a "reminder" via email on the day before the deadline. I format it to read in a way that is not suspicious or demeaning. I find success with bringing it up as a service to their busy and hectic planning schedule:</p>

<p>*************************************</p>

<p>Hi ___ and ____:<br /> <br /> One last bit of business before the fun starts!<br /> <br /> A quick reminder: <strong>I know things can get hectic</strong> as a wedding day approaches so a quick reminder that the final payment is due two weeks prior to your wedding day celebration (per contractual agreement :-) ). <br /> <br /> If the payment is already on it's way to us in the mail then just discard this reminder; if you've been to busy to think about it then I know you will \ appreciate the reminder.<br /> <br /> Looking forward to your wedding day photography and meeting many of the people in your circle of family and friends!!<br /> Sincerely,<br /> Bill<br /> <br /> ~Amount Due: $ ____.__</p>

<p>****************************************</p>

<p>If the above gets no response within 12 to 24 hours then I place a phone call and say the same thing: I am assuming they have been Incredibly Busy so I'm giving a reminder (as a service to them). This is Not helpful to you at this point; you have a tough situation for sure. </p>

<p><strong>Get "the date" straightened out first: </strong> they might be thinking they dated it in April and are all worried that they've offended you so they back dated it ... you Never Know. Find out "the facts" first which it looks like you're doing but First Approach is of the spirit that you're calling as a "service" to them as you're sure they are Hectic and Busy. They may have actually written the check in April and "forgot" to send it. Just smile.</p>

<p>~Even in the case of having to deal with them after the payment date has passed I'd frame everything in as positive manner as possible. It's rather easy to pleasantly convey your situation without coming across angry or perturbed (which you absolutely have a right to feel right now!).</p>

<p>~Look long term: even if this gets ugly you want to be positive and loving as you turn them down and take needed steps to cover yourself. This approach will serve you well in the long term. Oh, one last tip: make sure you talk to "the right person" only ... don't get several people involved from the family side: less is more if they are the right person. Good Luck! Let us know how it turns out.</p>

<p>I did not read any of the posts above (time limited) but my comment to your question would be: take the time it takes to do the "art" that you do. </p>

<p>Keep it simple.</p>

<p>If that means missing a few weddings per year then you have to make the decision if cutting corners on your Post-processing gives you the style and look your selling. If you start to compromise your look and your style because you're pressured to do more weddings then you're compromising "the art" you are producing.</p>

<p>If you don't see Your Photography as art then just go ahead and Mass Produce weddings and image files. I realize that economics play a part in it ... but, does the passion of "the art" play a part in it for you too? That is a good starting place.</p>

<p>I know your work without needing to go look at it: you're an artist. If you start down the road to post process faster Be Sure that your heart is satisfied with the end product. </p>

<p>My post may not be relevant to the above thread because I couldn't read it, sorry, so just ignore it if it's off topic ... keep up the great work you do and <strong>be careful</strong> of shortcuts that "change" your final product that many have come to enjoy and admire.</p>

<p>Just a wee touch o' the rose ... nice David. Thanks for all your input: it's Valued!</p>

<p>(The did get a black and white version, at no extra cost, on many of their photos as a wedding gift from my wife and I.)</p>

<p>A bit Thank you going out to all who commented in any way ... very insightful and helpful conversation. Nothing more valuable than others' eyes on a photograph to "see" it in a different way. Thank You!</p>

<p>Hi Steve ... you can see several versions in the collages linked to in my post just above.</p>

<p>David S., don't be mad; it's ok to have a client hire me knowing that I may blow out highlights in post processing. You can see versions without the dress blown out if interested. I didn't purposefully go into my edit to blow out the highlights: the fact is that <strong>I didn't care</strong> if they blew out or not for that version. I knew it happened and I enjoyed the look. I smiled.</p>

<p>The rosy tone was the color picked by the bride and groom: the brides name was "Rosie". They enjoyed it a great deal ... yet I do understand that there may be better looking versions. I'll smile as the bride and groom enjoy it knowing that my fellow photographers suggest a different look: the feedback is greatly appreciated!</p>

<p>Note: I was laying on the floor and my body was sandwiched between the two back rows of pews in a crowded balconey ... I was limited in where I could be but the truth is that I really wanted to capture this look. It's a shot I've done before in a different location and the bridal couple loved it ... and I showed both faces in that one. I'll post it if anyone expresses interest. </p>

<p>Thanks everyone. Anyone else have any suggestions or comments I'd enjoy hearing them.</p>

<p>I use a collage program to create a nice collection of photos that will slide into the see-through disc holder cover. I use the thicker disc holders so I can put two discs in the holder.</p>

<p>Inside the holder is a very small sticker with my studio name and my name.</p>

<p>Below is a disc holder cover from a recent engagement session.</p><div></div>

<p>Ed, say more about how you use the 50 differently than the 85. That sounds interesting.</p>

<p>If you want to grow then give her extra time and gift the image files to them and thank them for allowing you to stay and take the extra photos.</p>

<p>Keep it simple at this stage in your photographic development; plenty of time to get serious later.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>It's a special art to be able to respond to critique: My goal and intent is to Not Defend but to steer my responses towards what I do for my bridal couples using my style as well as creating stimulating conversation that's helpful to others who are still searching for "a style".</p>

<p>Thanks going out to <strong>all </strong> that have taken the time to comment; <em>it's a valuable gift</em> and it's <strong>Greatly appreciated.</strong> (note: Tom Anderson: thank you so much for putting your thoughts to words ... that's exactly what I am trying to create; <strong>if a person wants to see more then my "job" as a photographer is done and I've served my clients well!</strong> Marc W touched on it too: pushing the envelop is not the safe way to go but it can open new doors in our process if we're willing to take the time to "play". Thanks for all your inspiration Marc. )</p>

<p>If interested in seeing how I struggled (post processing) with this shot then you can see some evidence of it here: http://www.kivapix.com/#/gallery/wedding-richard-and-rosie/0000-richard-and-rosie-collages-002/ these are a few collages of what I did to "play" with this image.</p>

<p>I am pushing things to a bit of an extreme but I'm ok with that because it was my intent and the couple loved it and one of my rules is that I have to have a good time too with the wedding photography and I tell clients that when they interview me. (yup, I've lost a few potential customers but I've gained the ones I've wanted to be with on a wedding day.)</p>

<p>I have to chuckle about all the comments regarding the bouquet and arm angle: frankly <strong>I agree with every single comment!</strong> The back story on it is that I had just spent a lot of time in pre-formals and post-formals asking her to rearrange the bouquet so it flowed better and I just decided to let it go here as they were nice enough to give me a couple of minutes to capture this image which was top on my list of "must-have" to fulfill my artistic vision of possible shots at this venue. This was taken in a two minute period as they were wanting to get outside where I stole another couple of minutes but I never did get all the shots I wanted to get <em>because of another crunched time line.</em> At every wedding I try to get a few shots that I really find fun and challenging followed by crossing my fingers. Pushing the envelop for a mere few minutes at each wedding is something the bridal couple know I will do (if given the time).</p>

<p>Highlights in the dress: were knowingly pushed to the extreme here in post processing ... see the link above for evidence of the sacred highlights if needed. I have no problem bullying a histogram around for "art". </p>

<p>Seeing the bride's face: I would agree that it's classic but I'm ok with the groom being shown on occasion to amplify and capture his love for his bride. Yeah, that can be a good thing.</p>

<p>One thing about experimenting and "art": if you get a good result occasionally then it's been a successful adventure. My customers Insist that I push the envelop; it's my style: <strong>this is why they hire me</strong> and I make sure that we are talking the same "language" when we meet. I actually ask them to sit down and look at a <strong>huge</strong> stack of prints to see what they like photographically as well as in the post-processing end of the continuum.</p>

<p><strong>Smiling to myself: should have just said "Thank you" to everyone and kept my mouth shut! </strong></p>

<p>Oh, btw, I later got a photo of this bride and groom up in a tree! I won't bore you with the "why" but it fit the storyline of the wedding (hint: the reception as at the bride's home) ... should have seen the families gather around and enjoy that!</p>

 

<p>No critique is necessary, thanks.</p>

<p>Asked the bride and groom to take two minutes for this shot just before leaving the church ... sometimes it only takes a minute to capture the one photo a couple enjoys the most.</p><div></div>

<p>Rent an IS version for your next wedding and see what works for your style.</p>

<p>I've keep a UV filter on this lens all the time but I'm considering taking it off this year because of a few instances of ghosting light that comes into the camera and reflects back out only to bounce off the UV filter and create a small mild ghosting of light on some images .... the angle has to be just right but it does happen.</p>

<p>Thank you Brooke ... I'll take a look at it.</p>

<p>I should have mentioned I don't use Lightroom 2 in my workflow ... I find Capture One to be faster.</p>

<p>The action may be the way to go David, thanks for the feedback ... I just have this persistant feeling that someone here on the forum mentioned a nice little software that worked better than actions and gave more options.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>I am looking for a software (not an action) that will create and process batches of image files so that I end up with a nice gallery mat around the image file as well as the text I want to place around the image file on the surrounding gallery style mat.</p>

<p><strong>What I see that I like is:</strong> a nice gallery mat with text on it that identifies the studio name and/or the photographer's name or whatever ... I want to be able to specify and change text to fit my needs.</p>

<p>I'd like to have the <strong>software be able to do the above to Landscape as well as Portrait oriented image files without blinking.</strong></p>

<p>I'd like to avoid an action that needs my undivided attention <em>but would consider an action if</em> it could handle all the above without a lot of trouble.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Workflow: http://www.photo.net/search/?cx=000753226439295166877%3A0gyn0h9z85o&cof=FORID%3A11&ie=UTF-8&section=all&q=workflow&filter=0&sa.x=0&sa.y=0&sa=Search#1494</p>