jenseay

<p>Oh..and Nadine, it's totally cool! I don't mind the critique at all. If anything is true of this business (and most), it's that it's a bad idea to take anything personally!</p>

<p>Yeah, Gregory... I didn't have such luck yesterday at my wedding. I suggested a few fun shots, and they didn't seem to keen on any of them (including something with jumping, though I don't like to overuse something like that). It's definitely a matter of knowing the bridal party (I met everyone, including the bride & groom, in person for the first time yesterday), and getting a sense of what kind of mood there is.</p>

<p>David, your edit is looking way <em>too </em>contrasty for me - the guys' suits become one big mass of black without much detail left, on my monitor.</p>

<p>Thanks, everyone!</p>

<p>Thank you, William. When my photo was chosen (on my first post here in over a year) I was pretty excited and honored - but then I realized that it was chosen for the purpose of critique. I posted the image to show my favorite work last week, with no idea (didn't read carefully enough, I guess) that one would be chosen to be ripped apart. But I'm enjoying the conversation, too (well, most of it). :-)<br>

Anyway, my point is that I had about one minute to compose the shot without losing the attention of the 20 people in front of me and the other 20 observing behind me. Since then, I've had plenty of time to examine the result and wonder how I'd have done it differently - and so have all of you, now!<br>

David, shooting with the aperture wide open <em>is</em> a significant part of my style. People with point-and-shoot cameras, and even with DSLR's with kit lenses, can't get the same results that I can from shooting wide open; plus, I use it to separate me from the competition around here, many of whom shoot at 5.6 to 8.0 all the time. Also, regarding the cropping, if you'll notice on the original shot, I left room on either side of the subject to allow for cropping. It turns out that it wasn't quite enough for an 8x10, but with a little bit of cloning, I can easily crop it (see below).<br>

As a point of clarification, I didn't shoot the whole set of formals at f/1.6. I shot almost all of it at about 5.6, and opened up the aperture for this particular set of shots with the purpose of closing my DOF. I probably could have done it at 2 or 2.8, but it worked for this shot. I took at least 12 in the series, and that's why I shoot so many - because I know that it might only "work" for one. And that's a lesson on what TO do. :-)<br>

<img src="http://jenseay.smugmug.com/photos/660739251_sGPAp-S.jpg" alt="" width="375" height="300" /><br>

8x10 crop</p>

<p>1. I intentionally didn't arrange anyone, though I could have moved the girls around a bit. I'm not always great at catching things like that - it's something I'm working on. My only concern was that the bride was completely visible. Which leads me to 2...<br>

2. I wanted to exaggerate the shallow depth of field, and I really only wanted the bride completely in focus (which she is, in the original image). This is my style, and people who hire me know this.<br>

3. I've always shot this venue (and this particular patio) with my 24-70, but was trying something new that day (please, nobody go on a tirade about not taking a risk at a wedding). In my first 100 weddings, I'd have carried my whole bag outside, but now I have a better idea of what I like and need. :-)<br>

4. Color is subjective. On my calibrated monitor, the color and exposure both look great to my eyes. I prefer my images cooler, and people who hire me know that as well.<br>

Bottom line, the whole bridal party loved this shot! Thanks to 3 or 4 of you for the tip about cropping tighter at the top - another detail I missed!</p>

<p>Oh, and the groom is one of the guys in the front, so his face is visible, but definitely not in focus.<br>

p.s. To get a group of people like this to all jump at the same time, I always give all the control to one person in the bridal party. In this case, I told the groom that he was to do the count, and was to arrange with all of the guys whether they did "one two three" and jump on three, or "one two three" then jump. LOL Then, I just hold down the shutter button for the whole jump!</p>

<p>Hey Everybody... Wow! Thank you so much! I just figured out that my photo was the photo of the week, and I'm so excited!<br>

A little bit about my thinking with this shot... the bridal party requested a 'jump' shot, but with so many people and a not-so-big space, I didn't want to have everyone in line, jumping. I can't even remember for sure, but someone might have suggested that only the guys jump. Plus, I had my 50 mm 1.2 lens on the camera, and didn't bring anything else outside with me, so I had to do something that would "fit" into 50 mm!<br>

The shot was taken in all natural light (the building was behind me, and part of it is light-colored, thus providing a bit of reflection for the subjects). In fact, I didn't even carry a flash outside for the formals! It was taken at ISO 100, 1/1250 at f/1.6, +1 exposure, on a Canon 5D Mark II with a 50 mm f/1.2 lens.<br>

About the tall girl in front, and not being able to see the other girls, it's funny - that's something I never even paid attention to until that night when I started sorting through the photos. My concentration was solely on getting a shot where all of the guys' feet were off the ground, and it took two jumps (and about 10 shots) to get one or two of those shots. And yes, I also love that even though there's so much action in the shot, MY eyes are also drawn straight to the bride (on whom the camera is focused at f/1.6, so it's no wonder! LOL).<br>

Thanks again, everyone, and I'm posting the original straight-out-of-camera shot here too, for you to see:<br>

<img src="http://jenseay.smugmug.com/photos/659067735_qGyUd-M.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="400" /></p>

<p>p.s. And now that I've put those phrases here, there's a tiny chance that someone will type one of those phrases in google and find THIS page, and maybe just go to my website to check out my work, and give me a call! Nothing like wishful thinking (but it wouldn't be the first time!).<br>

<p>I just have one thing to add: SEO. Search Engine Optimization. I don't really advertise in the traditional sense, but I do blog regularly (well, regularly until the last month). Every time I create a blog entry, I type something like:<br>

Baby Austin | <strong>Eastern Shore of Maryland Newborn Photographer</strong><br>

or<br>

Katie + Mike | <strong>Hershey Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer</strong><br>

Every time someone types "Hershey Wedding Photographer" in google, my blog somes up somewhere in their search. The more often I blog, and the more times I say something like "Salisbury Maryland Child Photographer", and someone types that in google, the more likely it is that I'll end up on the first page.<br>

Okay, I said I'd only say one thing, but here's another - if you have a good portfolio, and have enough to create a sample album for a venue that you like to shoot at, go ahead and do that, and give it to the planners at the venue. If it's a really good quality album, brides will definitely check it out when they're looking to book the venue, and will ask for more information about you - hopefully you're on their preferred vendor list, too! My best publicity comes from partnerships I've made in the business!<br>

Hope this helps!<br>

<p><img src="http://jenseay.smugmug.com/photos/643258833_vHNyh-M.jpg" alt="" /><br>

I like Canvas On Demand (www.canvasondemand.com) - their prices aren't too unreasonable, and if you sign up as a pro photographer they have special prices for studio samples if you order at least three.

 

Jen

The only change I've ever had a client ask for is to remove the clause about using their pictures for my advertising. These are usually pretty private clients who don't want their pictures "out there" for everyone to see.

 

I'd definitely speak to my own attorney about this, if I were you. Remember, no part of your contract can be changed unless both parties agree to it.

 

By the way, regarding "scheduling conflicts," what kind of conflict might arise? Sounds like it could allow you to schedule another wedding for their date and send someone else in your place to this couple's wedding. I wouldn't really want that in my photographer's contract either. Did an attorney write your contract?

 

Jen

Wow...You definitely did them justice. What a great looking couple! I'm sure they appreciated the chance to have these pictures taken, and you did a great job.

 

~Jen

I read that article yesterday in the Washington Post Magazine, and thought it was awesome. I particularly laughed when he mentioned that he knows the date of every Saturday for the next 18 months. I think many of us can relate to that!

You don't need to go as fast as 1/250 go capture the action of people walking around. You can stop action as slow as 1/60 (or probably slower).

 

When you keep the flash at +2 all night, it's really eating up the batteries. I bought myself a battery pack for my canon (I think it's the Canon BP-E3) at B&H for about $200 and have no problems any more with flash recycle time.

 

Make sure you have your AF assist beam on - you can do that under Custom Functions in your camera. That will help you to focus in low light.

 

Jen

It's really bothering me that people keep using the words "copyright release" or "copyright transfer." You are not releasing any of your copyrights when you give someone else the right to reprint your images. How about if you call it "reprint rights" instead?

I bought Kevin Kubota's Action Pack 2, and I'm LOVING it - $99.

 

Jen

check out the op/tech camera strap. it has connectors that can disconnect from the neck strap and attach to each other, turning your neck strap into a hand strap instantly. i keep it as a hand strap most of the time, but can attach the neck strap if i want.

 

here it is a bhphoto: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=170171&is=REG

Here are my fisheye contributions.. I don't really use it as much now that I have my 16-35 2.8L, but it is a great lens (this one's a Sigma).

 

Jen<div></div>

I dropped my camera about ten minutes before a ceremony on June 9th, and broke the hotshoe attachment on the flash. If not for a backup, I'd have been at a wedding BEFORE THE CEREMONY EVEN STARTED with no source of lighting! Scares the crap out of me!!

My new niece Ainslie...and her dog Molly.<div></div>

My 70-200 2.8L IS is my very favorite lens. My next purchase will be the 85 mm 1.2L (for senior portrait season).

 

Jen

Greg said, "For that reason it's a good idea to replace them every year. They are inexpensive enough."

 

I agree. There's no need to buy new ones every "couple of years" and risk them all burning out, when you can replace your set once a year. And that's cheaper than what some people do - which is, buy a new set of regular batteries for every wedding!

 

Jen

September and October are as popular for me as June. If I had to do it again, I'd get married in October (instead of the dead of winter as I actually did!).

 

Jen

I didn't book 07/07/07 until this past spring, but just booked 08/08/08 this week (8 is the groom's "lucky number.").

 

I agree with Andy - I think it's a memory thing. Husbands who were married on 07/07/07 are less likely to forget their anniversaries (wives too!)?!?

 

When my brother got married in Vegas on 05/14/05, we noticed the HUGE premiums on weddings for 05/05/05 (at 5 a.m. or 5 p.m. especially) so I can't even imagine what it costs to get married there on 07/07/07!

 

Jen

The best thing about photographing weddings is that I get to be part of the best day of someone's life almost every weekend. What an amazing opportunity, to document that... and to take great pictures of people who won't always be around. My grandfather died in April, and I'll always treasure the picture my photographer took of us dancing at my wedding.

 

My favorite part of the wedding itself is the first dance. I always tell couples it's my favorite part, and "you'd better look extra cute when you're dancing!" I put the 70-200 lens and capture great images of them singing to each other or smiling at each other. It's great! (Can you tell I love this job?)

 

Jen