daydreamsart

I think it's just a bit too much. Maybe reduce the opacity of that softened layer just a bit to reveal some of the natural skin on the layer below, and use a layer mask to erase all softening on the eyes and lips.

 

I would never remove all lines, spots, etc. Some people would be insulted. I always soften the skin a little, lighten the moles and spots (soft clone brush), and remove blemishes (healing brush). Don't ask the client. Make them look good, but make sure they look like themselves. Even people who don't like how they look, don't want to hear someone say, "That doesn't look like you!" If a woman is a bit heavy, I'll usually drop them a size or two. I've never had anyone complain about that. And if they don't know you did it (I never admit it!), they believe they look better than they thought! It's a nice thing to do.

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I hesitate to go into this area with my customers. I rarely show them the befores, because if I've whitened teeth or cleared complexions, they don't really want to know those things. And if it's of someone else, then it's disrespectful to that person. Also, people then analyze their pictures trying to find out what you might have done, and they come back with strange ideas like "my husband's eye's are crooked!" That happened, and I had never messed with his eyes. If they are worried about a complexion problem, I tell them to not worry. If you're talking about creative effects, seeing the before and after skips over so much work! The person then thinks it was quick and easy and you can just click the "pretty" button and voila! I'm sure there are areas where people like the painterly effect, but they're not where I'm at. I like it, but for me, the painterly images never get chosen. However, Painter does have some wonderful tools that I love. The lighting effects can really add some dramatic lighting and the clone tools with a really big and weak brush have been good for me.

I think you could have a lot of fun with the bleachers. The couple in the middle, shooting from the front, from the side with shallow DOF, etc. Stand in the bleachers and shoot down at them on the field. Maybe some by the backstop, too. Bring a sheet and spread it on the ground and have them lie on it and you could stand in the bleachers on the side and shoot straight down on them. Some famously beautiful wedding pictures have been shot in parking garages (Joe Buisink) and bathrooms (Bambi Cantrell). Not exactly pretty places. Lighting is more important than the scenery. You'll definately need fill flash outdoors (cross your fingers for an overcast day). Try some off camera flash inside and overpower any bad lighting. Instead of looking for pretty, look for angles, lines, and textures. Good luck!

Cindy S - South Central Idaho

You can customize the templates in PS. I went into detail in <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00DvI9">this thread</a> awhile back, and the link is still active to the website I referred to. If the bride is looking for more of a planning site and not just for gallery images, there are many templates on the web you could use.

Wedding photography, or any photography for that matter, is simply not important to everyone. I personally think it's the most important thing in a wedding budget. My clients who agree are the ones I love to work with. They book early, they trust me and are excited to have me be their photographer. I just had a meeting with a couple who were bargain hunters and the bride asked twice for a deal using other photographer's pricing as a bargaining tool. I'm not budging because I feel my pricing is already too low for what I offer. I don't mind if I don't book her. I'd give them more than they expected, but I won't bargain on the price. The one's who are happy with and want budget photography or Uncle Bob are not the one's I want to work with anyway. There have been studies on how many weddings take place, but I wonder what percentage of those don't hire a pro photog at all. I suspect it's pretty high.

 

~CindySingleton-Idaho-daydreamsart.com

I was never happy with the results of the P mode on camera, and after much studying, I found my heroes all used M almost always. I also read how after enough practice, spinning the dials and knowing what settings you wanted would become second nature and the "stop and think" time would be greatly reduced. That's been my goal, but it does take an effort. Tips? Shoot with the camera on M and RAW. It's a pain to learn, but worth it. If you're nervous about missing "the shot", practice when it's not critical.

You can make your own large muslin backdrop for less than $100. WalMart sells muslin 110 inches wide, then buy some latex paint in 3 different shades (I used shades of brown) and a sponge. Ends up nice and thick.

Another method that sometimes works is to select an area (like the lower chin) and paste it onto the upper one, thereby covering up the lower one. Make sure you get enough from below so it will blend in to the neck better. Add a layer mask and with a large feathered brush with light pressure, blend the edges in. You can also adjust (free transform) if needed to make it line up properly. This is the best method that works often for me. It's usually easier to avoid the double chin shots in the first place, but that's not always possible.

I love my 24-70 2.8L and feel it was worth the arm and leg it cost. Great all around lens. Very sharp and fast focusing. But you might want to check out the <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=158047&is=REG&addedTroughType=search"> Tamron 28-200 f4-5.6</a>. It has a lot of range and is supposedly very sharp. It's manual focus, but is under $300. It might be a real good lens.

Much better! I think your "photographer" page is a huge improvement. I also like that when I click on the "portrait" section, the galleries were right there to choose from. But, when I clicked on "weddings" there were no galleries, only a paragraph that filled the viewing area that really didn't tell me anything, then I found the galleries hidden "below the fold." Keep the menu consistent, move your "photographer" link below the gallery links, and I think you'd be real close to being there! Good luck. I'm sure this has been a very frustrating experience, but you certainly have the determination. I'm sure you'll succeed!

Hi Jeffrey, I've been following some of your threads, although I have not responded to any recently. You mentioned in other threads that you feel strongly about leaving your testimony page as is. You also said that if people didn't like it, they could go to elsewhere. That limits your market to those who feel the same way as you. Religion and politics are two subjects that are best left out of business. Being in a small town with a limited market makes this even more important. I respect your testimony. I have one, too, and if someone shows interest, I might share it with them. But it's on a personal level, not a business one. Since you have a strong desire to share your testimony with the world, I would suggest getting another website for promoting your ministry, and use your photography website for promoting your photography, and keep them seperate.

I believe the Feds only want to know when the equipment was placed in use and the cost. Depreciation adds up and it's nice to have. As far as sales tax, Oregon doesn't have any, do they? They might have property tax which includes your equipment. It's been awhile since I lived there though, so I'm not sure anymore. You should get a business account, and maybe a business license if needed. I don't think that's even necessary in at least some parts of Oregon. It wouldn't hurt to contact a CPA so your records will be accurate for tax season next year. That person could answer a lot of questions and be invaluable. BTW, I sent you an email.

I use <a href="http://www.wnsoft.com">Pictures to EXE</a>, (PC only) to create slide shows for web or DVD. For DVD, you save the show as an AVI which easily imports into the program you want to use to burn a DVD with. I import the AVI into ULead DVD Movie Factory which is very easy to use. With a nice label and case, it's very professional. You can see some of the <a href="http://daydreamsart.com/shows.html">shows I've done with PTE here</a>. At the PTE site, you can also download a free trial, and it's very inexpensive to buy, with free upgrades. EXE files unfortunately do not work on Macs, but, the EXE <i>will</i> play without any special software on PC's.

You'll get lots of opinions on this, but it seems to me that if you have a business degree, that's more valuable than anything when starting a business. The experience and portfolio you can build as you go.

 

Inspirational story (or maybe not?): I moved to this small town (population 40,000) 8 years ago. I enjoyed photography and playing around in Photoshop, but never planned on making it a business. But taking pictures of my daughters that were different from what the local studios did spread quickly and I soon had teenage girls lining up challenging me to "make them pretty." Which led to senior portraits, girls soccer teams, cheerleaders, and dance teams. Junior Miss pageants, and then weddings. I certainly did not start with a portfolio, but that is in a constant state of change anyway. It does take a lot of time, and the gear list is never complete I've realized. There are many tax advantages to having a business (at least in the US) and you can write off so much, like depreciating all that gear. You can even write off vacations if you work it right. (I'm trying to talk my husband into a vacation at the WPPI convention in Vegas.) I've never worked with another photographer, never assisted, never took a class. I do have business experience but that was it. I buy a lot of books, magazines, and search the internet for knowledge. This forum has been a great resource for all things photography related. My business is steadily growing and my CPA is impressed every year!

 

And, you're lucky you get CBS! We don't get anything without the satellite Dish and we don't have access to DSL or even wireless internet.

 

My advice? I'd say go for it.

Hi neighbor! I'm just over an hour from Idaho Falls. I looked through your street folder and I would recommend having someone in that area where you're already very good at. Like someone sitting on the steps, or walking down the tracks, maybe someone leaning against a wall. For portraits, start with what you're good at and just add to it. When I approach a shoot, I have some ideas in mind, but the actualy shoot usually goes much different as the subject begins to relax in front of the camera and shows their uniqueness. Sometimes that takes more than a few minutes. If the three portraits you posted are your first and only attempt, practice makes perfect. My advice would be to look through magazines to stir your imagination, like Vogue. Really study what it is you like about the photography like where the light is coming from, the depth of field, the model's stance, etc. Then go out and try to replicate it.

In my experience with portraiture, the person wants to look like a better version of themself. If I do too much, make them look too good, they complain because it "doesn't look like me!" Who wants a picture of themself that looks like someone else? It's a fine line that I've learned not to cross. Yeah, I might drop a couple of sizes on an over-weight woman, but that's usually how she sees herself anyway! Blemishes simply do not define the person, so I remove them. Properly applied make up would have done that anyway. Softening wrinkles slightly is generally welcomed also. No, I don't discuss these things with the client. That could cause discomfort if it's something they are sensitive about. And yes, I touch up the proofs, too. Never has someone complained or even asked if I made them thinner. There are flattering ways to pose people, and I do what can be done there, and do the rest in PS. Fantasy? not really. More like enhanced reality, and since everyone has their own version of reality, wouldn't that be reality?

The groom may have been behind this, in which case I would feel sorry for the bride to be.

Your subject has her chin tight against her neck giving her a double chin, which she may not be happy with. Here's a link to help with your head and shoulders posing. It's a bit dated, but has some good tips that are timeless. http://jzportraits.home.att.net/chapter-07.html Actually, the whole article has some good info that may help you.

Use some of that business creativity to drum up business! It's hard to build any business, and being in a small farming community is really tough. That's where I'm at, too, out in the middle of potato and sugar beet fields with a population of 42,000. But my business is definately growing. Have you tried networking? Go in to the local reception centers, tux and gown shops, even the churches and introduce yourself. Give them samples or something they can give away to potential clients for you.

 

For seniors, get some kids at the local HS to be reps for you. Do their portraits and make it easy for them to show off to their friends with a small album. You can pick one up for under $5. Send a flyer to every team advisor (cheerleaders, dance, sports) at the HS and offer team and individual portraits. These school girls are future brides! Send them to the Jr. Highs, too. When you get a team, be sure to include a photo card with weddings and portraits. Let the families know you're serious.

 

Definately get a new website! There is so much wrong with the one you have. There are many inexpensive templates out there now, there's no reason to not have a good site.

 

This might sound crazy, but pick something in your community to volunteer your services for. I donate my time to a couple of local events (a pageant and a festival), which helps me get some good exposure, and it's fun.

 

That's just a few ideas. There are a million ways to drum up business.

 

Go for it!

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Leave them at zero. I've tested the settings and found the results much better using PS instead of in-camera settings.

I just finished with 2 bridal shows and had 2 large framed prints on display which worked well as people stoppers. The largest was a 20x30 print with a mat and frame which was on a large easle, and the other was a 16x20 print with a mat and frame on a table top easle. A nice portfolio book, business cards, pretty price sheets on fancy paper (that I only gave to potential customers), and a photo card sample with 8 images on a 4x9 card that would stand out amongst the rest of the stuff in their stack. I also had some loose 5x7 engagement pictures on the table they could look through. I've booked 4 weddings so far from these 2 shows! Last year I did one and got nothing. Anyhow, probably the biggest one piece of advice I can give is - do not sit down! Greet them with something like "When is the wedding? Are you in the market for a photographer?" I had a few that had already booked a photographer or were pleased with Uncle Joe. Don't expect people to book on the spot. The one's I booked called me afterwards.

Thanks Paige! Yes, I'm self taught I guess. I spend a lot of time studying books, magazines, the internet, and by taking lots of pictures. I started out taking pictures of my two daughters, then their friends, then school teams which got me into weddings and senior portraits. I'm loving it!