philip_clarke

I'm almost positive that I've seen a book written by this guy that explains his set-ups, techniques, even his sketched notes. I can't seem to find it on any book sites. This is going to drive me crazy until I remember where I've seen it. Maybe it was someone else...let the hunt begin!

Great site & great photos Carrie. Personally, I love the editorial style of photographing children. It truly shows how they are and what they're thinking...play, play, play! I don't have children yet, but when I do, I want to look back through albums and remember how curious and optimistic they were...not how cute they look in their new outfit, frowning in front of a cheesy Wal-Mart backdrop. I agree with George Otigbah's suggestion about going after a commercial customer, it's almost certain that some marketers would be interested in your work.<p>As for not cropping in post-production...I understand what you mean. It's strange how the mind works, after seeing the standard 35mm dimensions for so long, some people get somewhat confused by a 1x1 crop.<p>I'm sure that you'll do great. Best of luck.

Lightroom & PS. I'm loving the combination.

I agree with you totally Alec. This is what I'm worried about, people being polite. I know that I have some talent (I'm no Anton Corbijn, Helmut Newton, etc) but I'd like for my passion for photography to someday eclipse my day job so I can do that as a profession. Word of mouth has spread since I've posted this and I have two new bookings from "strangers". <p>I should take this as a good sign, no? <p>As for pricing, I think that Craig Gilette's advice is what I'm going to go with, get a portfolio page finished and project a pricing structure of a full-time photographer. Who knows, maybe I'm just assuming that my friends don't want to pay for the sitting.<p>Thanks for all the advice everyone...sincerely appreciated.

Great site Andy. Beautiful navigation and great images.

What Gary Woodard said. <p>Fresh ideas never hurt anyone...well some did, but I'll leave politics to another forum ;)<p>If people always did things they way that's familiar and safe, wouldn't we still be living in caves...?<p>Just a thought.

Peter...go with your instincts. <p>In my opinion, if it's candid shots you're after, tight crops around the face just above the hairline and a little below the chin (shot horizontally) seem to work well since it's the persons mood that you're trying to emphasize...keep doing it! That being said, too close and it starts looking like an abstract and too far away and well, then it begins to look like a point and shoot photo by someone who hasn't figured out what those "w" and "t" buttons are for. Play around with your focal lengths and in you have a zoom lens...even easier.<p>I agree with your aunts that if you're shooting upper body photos keeping their hands attached just looks more natural.

Paste Dieter's reply at the end of mine...that's what I should've said.<p>Well put Dieter.

Sounds like a bus route to me

So far this is helping...a different perspective from everyone. I still haven't been able to understand John H's point, but that's ok...are you for being flexible or firm John? As I understand it, businesses don't do so well (in the first few months) when they don't have anything to sell. Hence, why I'm "building" a portfolio of portraiture. So if I'd like to market myself a little more aggressively in the near future, I can back it up with work other than landscapes and macro work.

 

I don't mean to offend you John, your answer wasn't very clear is all. I appreciate it nonetheless.

 

All of your perspectives so far are much appreciated! Basically, I'm not charging them a sitting fee or for my time, I'm just wondering if charging full price for the actual prints that they may want is being too forward, since I'm only a semi-pro with no extended experience shooting people.

 

Thanks and keep the advice coming,

Phil

 

 

 

p.s.

I'd love to get some of your pricing schedules, so that I can be competitive...there's nothing worse than one dude charging less than 50% of what their peers are charging. You can email me privately if you'd like to keep it confidential.

Hi all,

 

Lately I've been shooting more and more portraits and was wondering what I

should do about selling prints.

 

I'm in the portfolio building stage at the moment, trying to shoot as much and

as quickly as possible. My concern is that most of the people that I'm

photographing are either friends or business colleagues, their children, etc.

From my past experience shooting friends' weddings, etc. I've been put under a

lot of pressure to do the printing for cost or just burn files to CD/DVD for

them to do on their own.

 

Is it too much to ask, since I'm still "building" to charge a normal rate for

prints through Exposure Manager or from a local lab? Or should I continue to

give away my hard work at cost? In a nutshell...at what point does a growing

photographer demand a pro photographer's compensation?

 

ANY advice is good advice,

Phil

Works like a charm! XP & FF

Look at the feedback...that many transactions and still a 99.8% positive rating! I wouldn't even hesitate for a second.

Amen Kent!!!<p>I'm sort of going through the same thing...do I really need a new body or should I go for top end glass and focus on more than the technical aspects of the tools that we use.<p>Are we computer nerds or "artists"?<p>That being said...man do I ever want this camera. I'm jealous of you guys who had a chance to play with it.

This guy is so natural. I was looking at his guest book, and I'm pretty sure that there's an entry saying "I'm jealous" from...........Helmut Newton.

I guess you're right, Bob. Like I mentioned in my first posting...I'm kinda new to the legalities. Maybe I'm thinking to much about the "what-if's" and not doing enough snappy-snappy!

 

Thanks for your insight.

Thanks a million Kimberly, I ended up getting this one.

 

$210 for the template, 1-yr hosting, & domain registration...not too bad at all.

 

...wish me luck.

Thanks for the advice.

Hi all,

 

I'm kinda new to the legalities with regards to property and model releases, but

my main question is:

 

What information do you include on a model release when the subject is homeless?

 

I understand that name, signature, & date will not be an issue, but how about

the rest of the contact info? I do not intend to exploit the people that I

photograph, but if I would like to, for example, post these images on my website

gallery or include in a portfolio, does the address matter or will the city &

province do?

 

 

Thanks in advance for your help

Really cool site Romain. Did you do it yourself? I love the clean look it has...and great images to boot!<p>Great job. Give yourself a pat on the back!

There are soooooo many factors that may affect your outcome.

Check out these links to start;

 

http://www.studiolighting.net/category/photography-video-tutorials/

&

youtube.com (under the How to & DIY categories)

 

The tutorials by Mark Wallace are great, it covers the basics and then some.