steve_newberry___northern_

I'm one of the very few who still use film but mostly Fuji or Ilford.

As Bob said they must be desperate to put out this kind of survey.

They'll probably file BK pretty soon since I'm not sure what photographic merchandise they offer in terms of cameras or digital

gear especially for weddings these days. Too bad but life goes on.

Agree with Nadine.

Having the clause is fine and should be respected but who will

enforce it on the wedding day?

If you are a 2 photographer team (husband/wife..main/assistant)

it's a bit easier to block/obscure the other semi-pro's.

If you are single it's probably more challenging.

At many weddings we have at least 3 other photographers who are usually guests but we just work together and make the best of it.

I appreciate your interest but I just don't have the time to devote to your situation which seems very detailed.You deserve the best on your wedding day and I wouldn't want to take on a wedding if my heart isn't totally into it.

Or just say your are booked.

Shoot a shorter lens lens wide open.

The 50 1.4, 85 1.8, 135 2.0 are great ones for that.

I'd say email or call me monday because I need to concentrate on the wedding since the B&G are paying me $400 per hr so now is not the time to discuss this. I'd be polite and friendly especially

if I needed an assistant.

Totally agree with Mary Ball here.

If your client wants pure PJ (un-prompted,coached directed)

then you must deliver the goods if that's what they really want.

Otherwise you can do a nice mix of posed candids where you are directing the action. Often some high end clients who feel comfortable in their surroundings don't need any prompting since for them it's just another party or social gathering.

Others will want you to go beyond just simple reality and deliver artistic images with a romantic flair that shows your style.

The cool thing is that there are plenty of both clients so just be true to your style and what you enjoy doing.

Agree with Anne.

Once someone books you as a courtesy you might hold the date for 5 days pending receipt of their retainer. If it doesn't arrive notify them that you have released the date and it's possible someone else might scoop up her date. And yes never sign a contract first because then they will insert a bunch of conditions,sign it and it's a done deal.

Pretty much the same.

ISO 400 to 800.

Any lower then the flash takes longer to recycle.

I usually take an ambient reading at the aperture I plan to use.

Usually F4.0 or 2.8. If the shutter reading is ridiculously low like

1 full second then I'll shoot at 1/15th and take whatever I can get.

The flash fires at around 1/000 sec so at the moment it fires, it records your subject and freezes it.

The Canon 550 has a diffuser screen which I pull out and tilt the flash forward at 45 deg or use a bracket.

Experiment. Each rig is a little bit different.

I have used the 645N Pentax until recently and also use the EOS 5 (A2)still.

The Canon does great with the L lenses 24-105mm F4.0L

16-35 2.8L even the 50mm 1.4

I assume you have the consumer lens 28-105 which is rather soft compared th the L lenses.

Get the pro lenses and retire the 645.

My humble opinion.

We are film and use Portra 800 VC & 400 Superia (aka Press 400)

and looks great.

We have a local Frontier print it and looks beautiful!

Really depends on the lab as others said.

I've tried other labs (even Miller's) and the results just weren't the same. Look for the right match and stick with it.

We have used the same lab since 2000 with great consistency.

tripod,Av mode F5.6,flash(F.E.C.)dialed down -2

below ambient for a hint of flash to lighten the foreground.

If there is good ambient light coming from windows then use that

also to your advantage. If there is a light surface or ceiling bounce off that.

Not sure if you need fill flash at all.

If you can find good natural light falling

on your subject that could work as well.

In weddings when we do detail shots often we are at F1.8 with the 85mm or 50mm to blur the background and isolate the subject.

"or would I be fine with just a 24-105 and an 85 for portraits"

I've owned and used all the lenses you mentioned and still have them.

IMO the 24-105mm F4.0L IS along with he the 50 1.4 and 85 1.8

cover all the bases. The 24-70MM is a great lens but doesn't have the range of the 24-105mm F4.0L and it's heavier.

I like her smile but the compositioning is

too centered and the gown seems blown on my monitor.

"the couple would like their group shot of all guests to be in the hall, with them all looking up at the platform"

If possible I would explain the lighting challenge and suggest another "close by" location for the group shots. Often couples want to shoot their engagement session at high noon and we try to explain to them about racoon eyes and having to use flash.

It's a touchy subject since we as photographers don't want to

be pushy but there are times when we should share our professional knowledge so they know the options and let them decide.

Agree with Al Kaplan.

I went to your site and it was tough to load.

Maybe make it more simple and efficient to showcase your work.

Also think about cities,towns,areas around Pittsburgh

that you want to target and place those in your website meta tags

title, and content so people will find you.

Hi Allan,

Another thing to consider is that many potential

clients are often meeting with several other photographers

on the same day so anything you can do to fit into

their schedule (within reason) might be helpful.

If I were to meet them at the event location or Starbuck's

I would be sure to get their cellphone and reconfirm on the way that they will be there so you don't waste a trip.

It varies.

The Shot list arrives either Via fax or in person a few days before

the event. Usually the timeline arrives simultaneously with the shot list so it's up to us to educate them on how long it it takes for each grouping. Once they realize it takes 3 to 5 min for each gouping due to the extra time it takes to round everyone up then

they modify the list. But it's our job to educate them.

If Everything is "all white" as you mentioned then the in-camera

meter will want to make everything 18% Grey.

So if you are shooting available light add some exposure

and verify the histogram is where it should be.

Sounds like a fun wedding!

Agree with Nadine.

Couldn't have said it any better.

They do great work.

If I were to have them design a site I'd consider hosting it elsewhere like GoDaddy.com or DogBark.com or anywhere where there

are less issues with email/site being down etc.

Hopefully they can get it together with their hosting/Email issues

as I've heard this problem being discussed quite often over the past few years and it makes me feel hesitant from hiring them.

We get these once in a while usually a week before the wedding.

I have a standard response that I got from Allegra and/or Laura Novak.

Anyway it says something to the effect that if you are reading off a list then we might be missing moments you hired us to capture.

Also since each group shot takes approx 4 to 5 min to

gather all the people together please allow 5 min approx for each group shot. So 30 group shots= approx 2hrs. Once they hear this they trim down the group shots. It's not their fault but it's our job

to educate them.

Timing and lighting are good.

A little wider crop would be nice to add context.

Great job for your first wedding!

Same as Connie except I kneel and then pop up for a few shots.

If I sit it's harder to get up and down quickly! :<)

Also sitting in the front pews near the Parents is a good spot but

it would be polite to let them know first just before the ceremony.

They usually agree. The only thing to avoid is running up and down the center aisle and blocking peoples view or being a distraction.