ricardovaste

<blockquote>

<p>I think it's inexcusable.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>It's a great shame, and is saddening, but thankfully not life and death.</p>

<p>From what you described, your son & his partner hired someone who wasn't very well regarded. They weren't the best at what they do. People don't rush to get them to photograph their wedding because they do something incredible, but because they do it for very little. So it somehow felt easier for them to spend very little, and leave it aside. They maybe just didn't care so much about the photos at all, seemingly not as much as you and I do anyway.</p>

<p>Inexcusable? If you weigh up all the facts (which only you and your family will have), maybe you'll say it's "expected", given everything. Hypothetically, for a photographer to not photograph the family at a wedding, that doesn't rate highly in my books, nope.</p>

<p>Sounds like all you need to do is move on. Maybe throw a family celebration in a year or two, and hire someone of a higher caliber.</p>

<p>Good afternoon. I'm sort of struggling for ideas so wanted to see if any of you had some suggestions based on your own experiences.<br>

So it'll probably go without saying, I do not like the sun ;). That is not my idea of a nice break away somewhere, but to each their own. We are interested in culture, history, relaxing, exploring. We liked the idea of Canada or Japan, but to do properly would require too much funding right now, so it'll likely be somewhere a little closer (to the UK). Right now, Krakow (Poland) and and St Petersburg (Russia) seem to be an interesting fit for a 5-7 day visit. What do you think? St Petersburg seems to offer a little more based on some initial research, with of course Moscow being relatively easy to travel to as well - a direct flight is also possible!<br>

Jackets, coats, scarfs, they are all great.<br>

Only reluctance with St Petersburg is the language, which apparently few speak English. But we would have a basic translator via our phone, and would acquire a book with some phrases too.<br>

Food doesn't seem great at either for vegetarians, but I'm sure that could be worked out. I love great food but it's not everything if you get other interests.<br>

Anywhere else come to mind for a visit around October sort of time (no earlier, possibly early Nov)? Somewhere of interest?<br>

Thanks :)</p>

<p>Thank you all for your help!</p>

<p>Ray was correct it seems. Doesn't appear to be any issue with the back. To clarify, I took the back off with the slide installed, and then removed the slide (not entirely sure why). You can't attach the back without the slide installed.</p>

<p>Anyway, the pin in the lower corner is all that needs to be pressed. Anyway, I wasn't 100% sure before the session so left it at home and just reloaded on the go, wasn't too bad. That back has always been slightly louder when loading the film in, so I'm not entirely confident with it, but it does actually work fine.</p>

<p>Thankfully no repair needed here, just my own stupidity. Thanks!</p>

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I am needing to use this tomorrow and was just checking over stuff and discovered an issue. I only have 2 backs so really want to get this working...</p>

<p>I took the darkslide out, but it will not go back in. Back removed from body. There is a physical stop of sorts. The darkside off the other back doesn't go in either.</p>

<p>Any ideas, solutions? </p>

<p>Much appreciated!</p>

<blockquote>

<p>After loading the film on the insert (no need to mind the start-mark. Just make sure the leader is firmly attached to the take up spool) and putting that in the shell, you have to open the peep hole on the magazine's back and use the wind key to wind the film on until you see the number 1 on the paper backing appear through the hole. Then close the peep hole, and turn the wind key counterclockwise until the frame counter goes to 1 also. Then you're ready to shoot.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Noted, thank you!</p>

<p>Thank you all for the tips and links too, very helpful. After looking through I think it is going to be worth putting a second test roll through it before I make any judgement and/or send the back for repair.</p>

<p>I'll report back my findings.</p>

<p>BTW, my Dad received this camera yesterday. This morning he told me he loved it, and would treasure it for the rest of his life...</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Empty frames point to an additional problem with the shutter of the 1000F</p>

</blockquote>

<p>You may have misunderstood slightly, probably due to my poor phrasing. The last exposure with the shutter is exactly as expected, only it occurs at frame #6 (noted on the negative), with 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12 being blank, never used by the camera. I took 6 frames <em>before</em> these 6, but I'm wondering what has caused the issue, whether it might relate to how I loaded the film in the first place, or how I started the film.</p>

<p>Does that make sense?</p>

<p>Just looking over the manual:</p>

<p>"Be sure to push the film under the clamps".</p>

<p>Didn't even see these or was aware I needed to... I wonder if this may have effected things a little. </p>

<p>Also, looking at the negatives, I start at #1 and end at #6. I took 12 exposures though. The last 6 are empty.</p>

<p>When I attach the back, how far should I wind the film in? When attaching and winding to the spool, I simply went to the "start" position on the lead, and then attached. I think I then wound it in once more and started.</p>

<p>Much appreciated Ulrik, and I trust your English translation is probably better than my native English, judging by my OP (on an iPad, in my defense). </p>

<p>I took the back off and then pulled open the back part, as if I were putting in the film. I looked at where these two parts connected, and indeed the seals have not been replaced for a long time. However, on the print, the light is coming from the left. So the opposite side on the back if I'm correct. That is a side I cannot open... the side with the frame counter etc.</p>

<p>As for the spacing, perhaps the back needs a full service then. I will investigate options in the UK. </p>

<p>Thanks Ulrik.</p>

<p>I had a pursuit of a perfect camera, but was unable to get/afford one in the end (it is a gift). So the back is a year or two younger off the top of my head. The camera itself works well, apart from the magnifier popping up too far.</p>

<p>Can I replace the foam myself? I do have some spare foam for regular 35mm cameras, is it a similar job?</p>

<p>You don't think this is related to not re-cocking the shutter quickly then? Having looked, the last 4 images were all with the same light reading, so were taken in quick succession. The first has some light leak, but the last 3 doesn't have any (almost pretty acceptable results really).</p>

Hi,

First test roll through camera. I'm getting around a 5% overlap at the top and bottom of each frame! like a light hazy line with some of the

previous /next image on top.

I'm not familiar with these cameras, so I was wondering if anyone could diagnose the cause?

Is it a problem with the winding mechanism in the back?

Also, a few, seem to have light leak from the left hand side... Not really sure why only a few would. I'm thinking this might be down to

technique... Not recycling the shutter quickly enough or?

Thanks :)

<blockquote>

<p> It's pretty darn lousy customer service and there is no excuse for that.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>It is an unfortunate story, and a shame that people do not always fully understand what they are paying for. You would think that as she has hired a wedding planner, she would be well versed in the sort of questions and research you should do to find a great photographer. I would feel a little let down by the planner here to be honest. There is a whole range of turd out there and part of the planners job is to help you avoid the stench. </p>

<blockquote>

<p>Richard, why not enter the Nadine Ohara wedding contest? It's open to all registered members and no need to be a subscriber:</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I did not see that before when I posted Michael, thanks. I'm not really into such competitions but I might make an entry. I was hoping to revive people to sharing their "best of" posts... but perhaps it's just less common on this site? I had absolutely no idea Nadine had passed away, such a great shame. I really don't post here often, but when I do, she was always very helpful and warming. One of my clients from 2013 passed away before the end of the year in similar circumstances... it is a tragedy when such things happen. I guess the silver lining is some sort of perspective it can present, and of course whatever time you <em>did </em>share.</p>

<p>Oh and glad you liked some of the photos. "Afternoon Tea" does seem popular amongst clients <em>and </em>photographers.</p>

<p>I didn't do a "best of" this year, just shared a few stories.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.rharris-images.com/2014/01/09/stories-of-2013/">http://www.rharris-images.com/2014/01/09/stories-of-2013/</a></p>

<p>I hope others share... not sure anyone else did last year! Best of luck for 2014. If there is anyone out there ;-)</p>

<blockquote>

<p>I have never had to shoot a ceremony without flash during the procession, that is usually standard practice</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I've never shot one <em>with</em> flash. Perhaps it's a cultural thing, who knows.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Fiddling around is a direct result of indecision. IMO, no "Cookie Cutter" album template is going to be a substitute for understanding design principles. </p>

</blockquote>

<p>I agree with Marc here. I'd add that this doesn't simply begin with the album designing. You need to see things in real life, translate this into a photo, and how this photo will fit into an album to tell the viewer something important. If you have a bunch of photos and then try to fit them into an album it will make for hard work. Regardless, it still shouldn't take you an hour fiddling with 5 images, indecision can be really cruel.</p>

<p>I know many get on well with photojunction (free). I spend 1-2 hours on an album design.</p>

<p>Besides workflow, consider cutting down on quantity. 150 is lot of images to go in one wedding album, assuming it's from one day. Try being more select, choose the most communicative images, rather than diluting them with mediocre. Of course that does also require you to take single images which tell the viewer a great deal, rather than a series of images which aren't good enough to stand alone, so easier said than done.</p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Whatever your budget is, divide it in half (or, multiply it by two, depending on how you want to look at it). Because your most important piece of equipment is the second piece of equipment you have at hand as a backup</p>

</blockquote>

<p>This.</p>

<p>It doesn't matter in the slightest what you use, just make sure it's reliable, and you have great backup solutions.</p>

<p>I recently saw a photographer say something to this effect, to someone who was looking to get into photography as a career:</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Making it your work will rob you of a significant part of the joy you now relish. At first, being paid for your photography will be a thrill - it will affirm your deepest hopes about your photography (that it matters to someone else and that you are skilled enough to persuade someone to pay you for it). That thrill fades after the challenges of running a legal and compliant business begin to dominate your waking hours.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>For me, I have almost found the opposite. </p>

<p>At the beginning, there were challenges of starting up a business (legal compliance's, making a balance for working hours). I still enjoyed personal photography, but probably fair to say my subject interest changed and perhaps some enthusiasm did fade a little. But not long after starting up, I continued to gather an even greater understanding and love for photography, and my personal work continued to grow... perhaps to a place where it is even more rewarding than those "first thrills" of photography.</p>

<p>A few months ago a friend told me that "personal work is so important for keeping that balance". And I really agreed with what he was saying. </p>

<p>Yet I know so many who basically take no personal photos at all after becoming photographers... not meaning to sound condescending, but I find this really sad. I'm sure you know what I mean? In that the very reason you might do photography and what you do for your clients, is then almost entirely lost on yourself.<br>

- - - - - - - <br>

So, if anyone reads this thread and relates in some way, perhaps it will make them go pick up their camera for a few days next week. And I know, it's big and heavy, so just take something small! I've always loved using my fixed-lens rangefinder camera, so quick, small, light - just a fantastic day-to-day camera. I recently replaced it with something digital... seems to brutal (high contrast) in comparison. I've just sent my last batch of sequences from my film camera (hi-matic) to print, so will look forward to seeing them. Going to try this digital for a while now, but not sure if I'll return ;-)</p>

<p>Happy shooting.</p>

<p><strong>"this is because of the market that I am targeting and no other reason"</strong></p>

<p>We all make our own decisions. You're selling press printed books because you want to.</p>

<p>But sure, I don't think there is any point going into this further, as there are clearly a whole bunch of things at play here, which would only steer us way OT.</p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

<p><blockquote><strong>MODERATOR COMMENT:</strong> </p>

<p>Constructive and cordial, ‘off topic’ but related intercourse is OK and is encouraged.</p>

<p>We are here to discuss and learn, from each other and the discussion might lead to other options directed to the OP </strong></blockquote></p>

Hi Will,

I think there is some good stuff here that should help the OP make some decisions, so all good stuff.

Do you put much of a markup on your books / albums? When I first started, I gauged by someone's advise, and simply

added a little for my time. Felt terrible making them, not even worth the time. Back then, x2, x3, x4 the cost seemed

startling but I now see it a little clearer. I still seem the same amount of albums (almost all have one) but now its higher

quality, and profitable. I should note this isn't anything unique, nor high end or anything like that. I really can't comment

on your own market or pricing choices for obvious reasons.

I could talk at length about you last paragraph, and I do kind of agree. I think people's perceptions are often related to

instant gratification, and the trends that come and go. In my experience, this is mostly with younger couples... No

offence... There are some good exceptions, some who are more traditional / religious. But for me, the my best clients are

more mature, 30-40, are perhaps more grounded through greater life experience (you understand I only speculate) and in

that understand what they're buying is quality. Regardless of product, I find more mature couples seem to understand

what good photography is, what its worth, and what exactly it is I do. So I guess you could call that a positive from people

marrying later in life these days.

Regardless of age or budget, everyone aspires to quality.

I'm not passing judgment, we're all (hopefully) learning and growing all the time. My opinion is simply that blurb are not

good enough for preserving wedding memories - low quality paper (even their best, just press printed), low quality

binding, poor colour consistency, poor quality control. These will fade, fall apart, tear, assuming they even arrive to the

right standard. So from my experience, they are not acceptable for preserving someone's memories.

We all have decisions, choices to make. You set your own standards, you are the expert.

I can't agree that people want a blurb book over something higher quality for anything other than price... And I agree, if they see a blurb book, they shouldnt expect to pay much for it. You don't have to have print inserts or something "old fashioned" to deliver something with longevity. Yes, it will cost more, but if you don't understand the

worth in it yourself you will seriously struggle to show this to your clients.

Best of luck.

"... Do your research..."

So what were you looking for here John, if you've already researched this?

I do not do this. I do what I see as important, which is what people hire me for.