garrett_cotham

<p>I've had this situation happen before too. If it's just a couple of quick shots of some friends, I always oblige. If it's an entire family (not the bride or groom's family) then I have to politely tell them that I'm under contract with the bride and groom and I have to focus all of my attention on them, but I'd be happy to set up a portrait session for another time. Most people understand this. I also have had to make it known to the people requesting extra photos that the photos I take at the wedding will belong to the bride and groom, so even if I do take extra shots of another family, I can't guarantee that they will ever see them. </p>

 

<p>San Francisco is good as you can easily take BART right from the airport into the center of the city. If you get off the train at the Powell, Montgomery, or Embarcadero stations, you can easily walk to Union Square, Coit Tower, Chinatown, North Beach, SF MOMA, Yerba Buena Gardens, Ferry Building, AT&T Park (where the Giants play). Also easy to hop on Muni or in a cab and head to Golden Gate Park, the Presidio, Golden Gate Bridge, Chrissy Field, Ocean Beach...</p>

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<p>"Sacramento spends more than that on toilet paper every year"<br>

Really? Where'd you find that statistic? </p>

<p>And @John- putting the blame on Jerry Brown is a bit of a stretch. After all, he inherited this budget deficit and all along he's been saying that the economic recovery is going to be a long, hard road and sacrifices will be necessary to make. As I see it, he's one of the only politicians telling it like it is.</p>

<p>Yosemite does get a little more crowded during spring break but not nearly as much as in the summer. It's still a pretty good time to go. The waterfalls will be gushing and wildflowers may be in bloom (depending on whether or not we get any more storms). Keep in mind that you still won't be able to get up to Tuolumne Meadows as Tioga Pass Road will be closed. Also keep in mind that Yosemite itself may be closed depending on the possible government shutdown. </p>

<p>The valley north of Hood River going into Trout Lake, WA is quite pretty too. Mt. Adams bordering one side and Mt. Hood bordering the other. Also, I recommend hiking along Eagle Creek. There's a whole bunch of great waterfalls along the way. If you have the time, hike all the way out to Tunnel Falls (6 miles from the parking lot, 12 miles round trip, but it's all pretty flat and easy walking). And if you're interested, there's a good brewpub in White Salmon, WA, just across the river from Hood River. </p>

<p>I was there just a month ago. Went in the morning. Light would've been great had it not been overcast, but morning still seemed like the best time. Don't worry about the walk. It's a paved path, not enough to be considered a hike, and there's a wall there to keep you from falling over the edge. </p>

<p>So I'm heading to Paris with my wife and my 4x5 field camera. I'm wanting to do some b&w nightscapes of the city but it's been awhile since I've shot film. Any and all film recommendations are appreciated! Thanks!</p>

<p>So I'm heading to Paris with my wife and my 4x5 field camera and want to do some black and white nightscapes of the city. It's been awhile since I've shot film so I'm looking for any recommendations. Thanks a bunch!</p>

<p>Definitely get up to the North Shore of Oahu. It's only about 45 minutes from downtown Honolulu. During the winter is when the big waves are coming in and if you're lucky enough to be there, there are surfing competitions going on frequently up at Pipeline and Sunset Beach. Also, don't believe Kyle, Matsumoto's is good shave ice, but Aoki's next door is better and you won't have to wait in a huge line behind a busload of tourists. And definitely do go to the shrimp trucks. In addition to the ones between Kaneohe and Haleiwa there are two in Haleiwa. Of the two, go to Honu's, it's much better than Giovanni's.</p>

<p>Sounds like a scam. Run, don't walk away from it, and consider yourself lucky that you didn't get further involved in this dog turd of a situation.</p>

<p>Also if you can hook up with a photographer in the meantime and assist a couple of weddings, that would help you out immensely.</p>

<p>I'd have a lot of reservations about this. If you decide to do it, make sure they know that they are getting a very large favor and that they don't expect the level of photography that thye might get from a $3000 photographer. This is not to say that you aren't capable of getting great shots, but from what I read, your experience, equipment, and shy personality will limit you. You state that <em>"They would have to know going into it that I will be giving them no guarantees about the outcome." </em>It is your job to make sure they know that and should not have extremely high expectations. People tend to think that photography is easy, that the camera does all the work for you, and that belief is devaluing the industry. It never surprises me to hear the stories of somebody being disappointed with the work given to them for free.<br>

Depending on the lighting conditions (day, night, indoor, outdoor...), the camera you have could be fine for shooting this wedding. I've shot weddings solely with available light, but they've been daytime outdoor weddings. The lens you have is a great focal length for most of what you'll shoot. I shoot at least 80% of everything with my 18-50 f/2.8 and it works perfectly for me. If you do buy any equipment, I'd start with an external flash. This would allow you to direct light better (bounce it off ceilings, diffuse...) Maybe you can get these people to buy one for you as payment? You'll want to bring an extra one or two batteries for your camera. Ideally for any wedding, you want backups of everything (camera, lenses, flash, batteries...) but seeing as how you'd be doing this wedding for free, you shouldn't worry about that too much. Just have plenty of memory and battery life. <br>

As far ar your shy personality is concerned, I'm not sure anyone here can help you with that. As long as you stay around the periphery during the ceremony you should be fine. I never travel more than halfway up the aisle, if that far (usually more like one or two rows), and then I try to stay low except to get a certain shot so I don't get in peoples way. Then always walk around the back of the guests. During the reception, don't worry about it. Feel free to go anywhere, just don't walk in between the bride and groom while they are dancing. After all, as the "official" photographer you should have priority to position yourself to get the good shots. And if they are family, it shouldn't be a problem. I recently got roped into photographing a cousins wedding and had to elbow my own grandmother to get a good shot. :)<br>

My last bit of advice is this. Don't spend too much time post processing. This is where your time is really valuable. You could be doing something else that will make you money, whereas I'm guessing you'd probably be attending the wedding anyway. I'd just do some basic color correction and cropping and give them a CD. You'll always have time later to do more post processing if you want to use some of the images for your portfolio.<br>

Good luck with it!</p>

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<p>Bristol, where? Connecticut? New York? Pennsylvania? Tennessee? England? More info is needed please. Might be better to check out folk's websites or community pages and contact them individually. </p>

<p>And don't be surprised if those 2 that you are shooting basically for free wind up being just as demanding and the bride and groom and families having just as many expectations as if you've charged them $1000. In my experience you never can tell with some folks. Also, go ahead and throw business cards around like water on a fire and while you're at it, set up an online gallery so guests can purchase the good photos you post. No reason why you shouldn't be able to make a little money, right?</p>

<p>Wow that's quite some anger. I hope you got that one out of your system before you go kick a puppy or something. I enjoy the Communication Arts annual as well. I think there are plenty of very good, interesting images in there and it is well worth the $16 to buy an issue. I buy the issue every year for the past 7 or 8 years and keep them. I like looking at other peoples work, even if it is something I'd never do myself or if I think it's crap. As far as the $30/photo fee, well, apparently there are enough people who feel that it's worthwhile. I'd enter if I had the extra money. I'd bet if you looked through again, you could find at least one photo with some redeeming qualities. After all, they've been published so, somebody did, right?</p>

<p>In addition to the others I read Photo District News. Great articles and ideas mostly relating to the business aspect of photography. CMYK also has decent photo tips and publishes a photography annual which always has outstanding images.</p>

<p>That would be very interesting. I've also been thinking it would've been great if Obama had chosen an unknown photographer as his White House photographer. Much like Apollo Creed did in "Rocky", only with photography instead of boxing.</p>

<p>I spend at least 2-3 weeks in that area every year photographing, hiking and climbing and to date have seen only one bald eagle. It was at Twin Lakes outside of Bridgeport in August '07. They're out there, but don't be surprised if you don't see any.</p>

<p>Being in North Beach you'll be in easy walking distance to the Marina, Chinatown, Embarcadero, Coit Tower. Chinatown is great. Definitely check it out. SF MOMA and Yerba Buena Gardens are also an easy walk. Good galleries in the building at 49 Geary St, close to Union Square. Walk around the Presidio and Golden Gate Park. There are great restaurants all over town, in all neighborhoods. Spruce, Boulevard, Fish & Farm, One Mission, Zuni Cafe are all very good, if a bit pricey. Great views of the entire city from the bar on top of the Grand Hyatt @ 345 Stockton St, one block off of Union Square. SF is a great city, just walk, explore and have fun.</p>

<p>Jeff- first off I apologize for giving an opinion which apparently wasn't close to being suitable. Hey, it was early on a Sunday morning. Just a case of brain no work. I've done plenty of assignment and stock work for publication and am well aware of licensing agreements within contracts. You are correct, it does depend more on whatever agreements are made in the contract, which is why I asked if she had one with the photographer. But even with a licensing agreement, chances are good that at some point in time it will expire and Angela will could find herself facing the same dilemna.</p>

<p>Patagonia</p>

<p>As far as my understanding goes, whoever owns the copyright to the images has the right to approve usage. Do you have a contract with the photographer stating who the copyright owner would be after the images are created? If so, your answer should be in there. If you or your company owns the images then you have a case there and could get her to stop. If the photographer owns the images, then there's probably not much you can do except ask her nicely to stop using them.</p>

<p>Many of the great photographers have said that you have to see it in your mind before you make the picture. Or something to that effect, I'm just paraphrasing here. You'll probably go through a lot of oranges getting the image you want. I think it's too hard for anyone to say what a good image would be before you begin the shoot. Just experiment and shoot a metric crapload of images (yes, metric crapload is now a quantifiable unit of measurement, I just made it one.) Good luck and have fun with it!</p>

<p>I've been strictly digital for the last 3 years but just recently bought a Wista 4x5 and am now back to film for my landscapes. Commercial work and weddings are still digital though. I just missed film, have always wanted to use large format, and can't afford what could be a down payment on a house for a digital back instead.</p>

<p>Always gets my upper back. I do stretches every day, cardio several times a week so I can keep moving. Also do hand and finger exercises to keep the dexterity and strength. I'm a rock climber as well so it works for both. And of course Vitamin I (ibuprofen).</p>