holly mikel

Sorry, forgot to tell you it's in my "First Wedding" folder.<div></div>

Hi, I finally got around to scanning the pictures from my first

wedding in June. Please give me your honest opinions. I noticed the

scanned images were darker than the prints - I'm not sure what type

of scanner the lab used. So ignore that.... Thank you in advance.

I've bought cameras from ebay - great deals on used film slr's, but never a lens. I buy all of my lenses brand new - some from local camera stores, some from B & H. But in my opinion, you don't want to take the chance on scratched glass, loose elements etc. from a used lens. As we all know - the lens is the most important element. (aside from you, of course) The canon eos web site could help you out more -http://consumer.usa.canon.com.

Okay, last weekend, my husband's cousin got married. Since I have

only recently begun pursuing weddings photographically, and we only

see this side of the family about 2 or 3 times a year, we were only

there as guests. (When my husband asked his cousin - the groom - if

they had a photog. - he said he had forgotten that I was doing that

now, and that the bride's cousin wanted to do it anyway, as a gift)

Cut to the wedding: "photographer" shows up with a wal-mart bag full

of Kodak Gold 200 and a single camera, single lens, no external

flash. I had brought my equipment just in case, but I thought they

were getting a professional and I didn't want to step on any toes -or

get in the way so I left my stuff in the car. Well, the wedding

starts and the photog. is sitting down watching!!! Let me tell you,

this bride was stunning - with the most beautiful dress I have ever

seen. The 2 flower girls were adorable - perfection in every way.

And no one was taking pictures!!! I almost got up from my seat to go

get my camera from the car - but I didn't want to disrupt the

service. Now, granted, maybe the bride had requested no pics. during

service (and processional, and recessional) but guests were firing

their digital cams, so I don't think so. I just felt like it was

such a waste. I should have asked in detail about the photog.

beforehand and asked if it was okay for me to take a few, if I gave

them to the b/g (as practice for me). My BIG mistake. Anyone else

been a helpless guest while the photog. did an awful job?

Scott - I was in a similar boat when looking at getting business cards printed. I decided to go the simple route with a white card, black print of the business name (Wilson Photography) and contact info., along with a list of services. Sorry, I don't have an example to show you. Seeing as how I have only shot one wedding (next one is in 2 weeks) I do not have that much to choose from - like you. So I would suggest waiting until you have that one "defining" image that you are proud of and want to show off - not one that just happens to be of the couple dancing. Just my 2 cents....

From Dave Barry:

 

"I argue very well. Ask any of my remaining friends. I can win an argument on any topic, against any opponent. People know this, and steer clear of me at parties. Often, as a sign of their great respect, they don't even invite me."

"Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one."

-- Stella Adler, American actress

 

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."

-- Pablo Picasso

 

"Success is dangerous. One begins to copy oneself, and to copy oneself is more dangerous than to copy others. It leads to sterility."

-- Pablo Picasso

 

"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it."

-- Confucius

Thank you, I guess I'm just paranoid about messing something up - but that sounds simple enough.

Looking through the camera - I see an assortment of black specks. I

hyperventilated at first, thinking it was my new 100/2.8 lens, but

calmed down after realizing the dots show up on every lens I put on

the camera. Is this simply a matter of dust on the mirror - and

should I attempt to clean it myself? Or is this something for a

professional to clean? And if so, what is the typical cost for

cleaning? Yes, I have never had it cleaned (just blown off by my

local pro lab when I first bought it used) Thank you.

I myself moved from a Rebel G to an Elan 7. I love the camera, and have enjoyed honing my skills with it - but I am currently looking to purchase an EOS 3. I still like the Elan enough to use as backup, however. Anyway - the choice is yours. Go to the Canon EOS website, check the equipment reviews here and on other websites (just search for Canon Elan 7N Review) From what I remember seeing when I bought mine - most people do not like the eye control. I wear contacts, so it would not work for me anyway (apparently, the contact gets in the way of the sensor somehow - I was told) Good luck!

SERGEY - USE YOUR 135 AT 3.5 - HAVE BACKGROUND AS FAR AWAY FROM SUBJECT AS POSSIBLE. MAKE SURE BOTH EYES ARE IN FOCUS. YOU PROBABLY WON'T GET THE SAME EFFECT AS THE PICTURE UNLESS YOU USED A LONGER LENS. GOOD LUCK!! I ALSO LOVE THIS EFFECT AND TRY TO ACHIEVE IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE USING 150-200MM LENGTHS. (AND YES- ALL FILM, NO PHOTOSHOP - NO RETOUCHING) GOOD LUCK!

Oh, thanks for the correction, Jim. Sorry about that. I guess I should have specified it worked well for my Canon FILM SLR. I'm so clueless about anything digital - and so far I like it that way. :) thanks.

Check out Canon's 540EZ flash: lower priced than the 550, still a great piece of equipment for the money. And since so many people want the top of the line 550 - or it's replacement - you can find great deals on a used on at EBAY. I was in the same boat - financially and experience wise for my first wedding - and it saved me (on a stroboframe 350 bracket with canon off camera shoe cord #2)

Good luck and post some pics when you are finished!!

Teresa, I hope you brought enough for everybody...I like mine extra crispy ;)

C. Carl and Mathew Kane say it all... Claire, if you are so angry at those beginners for not having knowledge - direct that energy at helping them and answering their questions instead of chastising them for attempting to become better photographers. Yes, Uncle Jed with a brownie and no experience should not be charging $3,000 for his services - but talented photographers who are just trying to get ahead need all the help they can get. And the reason for the rates in my area has nothing to do with talent..these guys are very talented photographers....it's simply relative to the income of the clients. Not all of the "weekend shooters" can afford to move to the larger cities to target the upper class. This DOES NOT mean that their work is inferior to yours.

C. Carl and Mathew Kane say it all... Claire, if you are so angry at those beginners for not having knowledge - direct that energy at helping them and answering their questions instead of chastising them for attempting to become better photographers. Yes, Uncle Jed with a brownie and no experience should not be charging $3,000 for his services - but talented photographers who are just trying to get ahead need all the help they can get. And the reason for the rates in my area has nothing to do with talent..these guys are very talented photographers....it's simply relative to the income of the clients. Not all of the "weekend shooters" can afford to move to the larger cities to target the upper class. This DOES NOT mean that their work is inferior to yours.

Claire wrote "I think the biggest area of concern is the people who are either so stupid or so arrogant that they think because they took a couple of nice snaps at aunt Gladys' birthday party, they can set up as a pro and start charging ?3-5,000 for a days work." Perhaps an even bigger area of concern are those self-defined "elite" who are so arrogant as to forget their own beginnings. Yes, it is better to get practice via assisting. However, if you live in a smaller town, most photographers are not charging enough to include the price of an assistant - or are refusing your help to tag along for free. So beginners like me have to rely on practice, books and on-line advice from all of the great photographers here (most of which are VERY helpful to newcomers - repeating advice over and over again) To the others who garner joy from attacking newcomers: Please be gentle - remember, you were like me once, too.

Thanks for the advice guys, sorry I didn't mention, but yes - I keep the negatives. I am not going to charge them extra - I agree with the positive "word of mouth" and giving more (and in turn - better) than expected pictures. I am debating whether or not to stick to Portraits: easier to control backgrounds/lighting in those "must have" shots and my back/legs/arms/neck still sore 2 days later!! Ya'll really deserve more praise than I have space to write here. Thank you for all your help.

Mary, Sorry about the all-caps

I RECENTLY SHOT MY FIRST WEDDING (WENT WONDERFULLY, BY THE WAY)AND I

HAVE A QUESTION. SINCE IT WAS MY FIRST, I DID IT FOR COST - CONTRACT

STATED 5 ROLLS - AT MY COST ONLY - THAT'S $150.00. I ENDED UP

SHOOTING 12.5 ROLLS (7.5 HOURS, NOT AT THEIR REQUEST, MIND YOU - JUST

FOR MY PRACTICE) NOW I WILL BE PAYING MORE OUT OF POCKET - BUT I

DON'T MIND - IT IS WORTH THE EXPERIENCE TO ME. AND OF COURSE I WILL

GIVE THEM ALL THE ONES THAT TURN OUT WELL - EVEN IF IT IS MORE THAN

WE "AGREED" TO. EVERYONE IS TELLING ME TO CHARGE THEM EXTRA, OR SAY

THEY CAN HAVE THE EXTRA PICTURES FOR A FEE. I DON'T AGREE...BUT WHAT

DO YOU THINK?

One more thing, I revisited the site yesterday about the time the wedding will be. I am worried about a few things. The ceremony will be against the window-covered wall facing the beach at 4:00 p.m. (Sun sets here around 8:30 at this time of year) The room is very poorly lit, and the bride is wanting the group shots to be in front of the altar as well (backs to bright sun). Do you think overexposing by 1 1/2 stops (using flash w/Lumiquest Bouncer) will be enough? For groups I will be using a recently purchased 50/1.8 lens. Shame on me, I have only the camera's built-in light meter to rely on. Help, please!

I agree with Marc - the 2nd shot seems more appropriate. The first (while beautiful) seems more at home on a jeweler's business card. The dance is more emotional. Good luck, and great shot!

Thanks Marc - appreciate the film advice. - I've had good luck in the past over-exposing by one or two stops with strong backlighting and bounced fill flash. Been practicing that more lately, of course. I guess I forgot to say the ceremony will be at 4:00 - which means not ideal lighting situations, but appparently rescheduling the wedding was not an option :) And Thanks, too Steve - although I have tried in the past to assist a photographer acquaintance of mine at weddings, he has yet to allow me to "tag along" (he's actually the one who set this wedding up - he is going to be out of town on the date, and suggested me to the bride, says he loves my other work and is confident I will do a good job)- though I know this would be the best experience, it seems to be an unavailable one to me. Is there any more equipment I need? I know I forgot to mention lenses: Canon 35-80/4.6 and Canon 75-200/4.6-5 (yes, I plan on eventually getting better lenses) Do I need a wide angle for groups?

I am seeking advice for my first wedding. My equipment is as

follows: Canon Elan 7, Canon Rebel G, Canon 550EX Flash, 540 EZ

Flash, OmniBounce for 540, Stroboframe Flash Bracket, and cord. I

plan on shooting both B/W and color, using TMAX 100 for B/W,

undecided on color yet - maybe Portra 400 VC? Ceremony and reception

will be indoors - with windows covering all 4 walls overlooking

beach. We will probably take most of the posed/group shots on the

beach, especially B/G ones, per request. Any ideas? I have

experience with portraits, but this is my first wedding - and while I

am confident in my skill, I am not sure about the whole order of

things, and the "taking charge" aspect of it. I would appreciate any

help.