vallery

Okay - here is the ultimate source with good prices and varying widths for backdrops. Where else but new york and LA for film needs!

www.rosebrand.com

Hey I am glad I checked back. I bought a new muslin 120" wide and 6 yds for 17.95 at a place called Joann's ( i used a 50%) off coupon. That beats $125.00 anyday! I am going back for more and then buying some dye. Check these places they are treasures. If you want to use crushed panne it is 1.99/yd but only 45" wide - good enough for product or headshots.

I would go to a fabric store..there are some great discount places on line and purchase some unbleached muslin [108"] wide. You can use as is or dye it yourself and save thousands of dollars. Sheer is good material to use over a muslin backdrop. YOu can also get good deals on paper backgrounds [on sale] through stores like wolf camera[believe it or not] and other online places. I have a very limited budget and work in different locations shooting portraits and love using my own stuff. Muslin can be painted, dyed, or used as is and there is no need to fold it, etc. It works well if you just store it without careful folding.

Check your local fabric stores like Hancock fabrics for more information. Look around and think about what kind of backdrop you can live with for awhile. It all depends on the type of work you are wanting to do.

Good luck and by all means have fun with it!

vallery b

I was trying to say that if you have any rating system - one of those numbers would represent a below average rating. Any person that "abuses" the ratings system - will use that new assigned number for below average to wreck havoc in the same manner and the so it goes......there needs to be above and below average guidelines in order to gauge[sp] any rating.

I find that the ones with the most toys are the ones who really want to bargain down your price. If you know the square footage you are doing for empty rooms you can charge that way.

I go by square footage, mileage, location,expertise for shooting real estate, and if they will use print as well. I don't want to scare them away from future jobs.

What good does a 4,5,6 or 7 rating hold if there is no 1,2, or 3 rating? Not all photographs deserve an above average rating.

I think the move for a "Utopian" rating system is a very unrealistic proposition. If all photos got the same ratings (or all GOOD ratings) then that would cause ill will as well.

 

What motivates a person to create a better piece of art is different from the next.A passive approach to life never created a masterpiece.

 

I am of the camp that ratings should follow with a comment as to why/why not -AND - this includes the above average ratings as well.

Many above average ratings are based with comments e.g. - "I like your pictures, too". A solid constructive criticism is what we seek here. A good rating can be followed with criticism, a poor rating can be followed with the positive points. If you have time to rate many photos with reckless abandoned, then you have time to make a comment or two along the way.

There are many ways to look at the ratings. Many feel they are too broad (too many numbers!). Less numbers would probably slow us down to really think about the rating we giving the photograph (not the photographer!).

A shorter, succinct number system is easier but we would find fault with that as well.

This discussion will never end on PN. It is interesting to see others opinions on this topic.

Well, the adverts are gone!

As for the new look and typography I find it sterile and unfamiliar.

As for the advertisments I am glad to find the forum ,Lesa ,as I thought my firewall had failed me.

We all know that advertising is a monster that will not go away. Those innane (sp?) commercials on tv pay for the shows we like to watch, those ridiculous fake makeup ads in magazine pay for the press of the magazine,etc.

I am not surprised that this has happened, however, I am surprised that it was just there without knowledge that it was coming.

I keep an ad free website because it is required for some of the graphic and photography jobs I do! I was hoping to get away from paying the fees for it this year but I think i will keep it. I enjoy an ad free website for my hard work.

I am willing to pay more for ad free. Of course, who knows, that may be a tactic that is happening now - to see if we are willing to do that. I am suspicious by nature.

I am a member of several of the photo sites out there but have not paid dues (they are the same if not more than PN)!

I don't care for the look of most of them and have gotten used to PN.

PN seems to be joining the ranks of the mediocre and now the choices are "level".

Ithought that if you did not pay dues to be a member here that you were not allowed certain privileges...Am i wrong? If not, the fact that some people don't pay shouldn't be the issue for "invasion of the advertisers".

Is there a spot where I can read about PN's intentions for the future of this site?

..Now that I have been on PN for a little while I see why people get upset over ratings...It is easy to tell yourself they mean nothing but harder to convince yourself they mean nothing....

besides how do you stop "collusion"......

Another thought:

When we look at ourselves in the mirror we Pose for ourselves in different ways than we show other people. so our expressions may be different enough to keep us from really seeing ourselves as we are.

Pico : Nobody reads it anyway.

 

Sure we do and it creates a lively exchange of ideas (isn't that considered ART?).

 

Art is the pursuit of excellence no matter the cost.

 

Is Photography a form of Art?

I look at a camera as a tool (i.e. pencils, paint, kazoo ) for the Photography medium.

 

if so is it expressed through the Camera, or the PC (Photo editing software)

Some photos are thought out and staged and some are not. The end result [photo]is where we begin to categorize so we can identify the input for the 3% we use of our grey matter. I am trying to impart that I feel that the process begins there and we look for tools that appeal to us for a means of expression.

 

As far as Photo editing software (or what some call the Dry darkroom), it just doesn't matter when the end product is considered Art. Whether someone used wetroom techniques or dry techniques - it is all post production manipulation.

 

Of course, there is that environmental aspect that influences our likes and dislikes of what we consider art.

As a former teacher, I did not grade or rate "anonymously".

I also know that some of us go on "anon" and work through frustrations. That in my experience is a dangerous way to approach rating. I think that makes for a biased view [ whether high or low on the rating scale].

One would think that if we want to keep ourselves hidden then we are not honest -or - truly have no idea how to back up our ratings. That being said, this is a real shame because the rating has no meaning and should not be given. If one does not have a way to back up their "opinion" then just don't rate it.

I personally do not like the anonymous ratings but I signed up knowing that was part of the game played here.

Let's not forget that some us may just give out 5's or 6's with reckless abandon.

Sometimes it is hard to be objective if we know who took the photo or maybe we have an affinity for that photographer. etc. etc.

Psychology has done many studies to show how we are influenced without realization.

I read on a PN page - a photographer was disillusioned by the "mate rating". I am not sure what she means by that phrase by I suspect it is something like, "scratch my back and I'll scratch yours".

No matter, it sounds like a very negative practice indeed and in no way represents a true critique to help one excel in artistic pursuits.

Let's not forget:

Art is the pursuit of excellence - not matter the commerce, opinion, or cost.

I am sure I have vented on this matter before...

vallery b

You have to pay ASCAP and then BMI is not far behind. I am working musician who plays cover and original music and clubs have to pay ASCAP for bands to play cover tunes. It is a negotiable fee for the clubs and can run anywhere from $200 to $700 per year (not dependent on how much is played or how often). It can be negotiated. I suggest finding a indie tune and then ask permission with a byline for the musician/writer. You never know... I have my own music on my website....

In response to flipping the portrait..that makes sense. Exception and this one bugs me....when a guitarist or any instrumentalist is a right handed player and they look off because they are misrepresented as a left-handed player (or vice versa).

Having someone use the opposite hand would make for an uncomfortable shot to begin with and make the player feel awkward.

For a regular headshot the flipping is probably more effective for consumer choice.

I am a musician and published artist. I am using photos as another means of artistic expression, however, I am having to span the bridge between the two. I am not a technician with the camera but want to know more so I can close that gap. The advice in the forum for you is great. But one thing you should know - You have to turn your back on what you are trying so hard to do so that it can come to you. After struggling let it go for a week or so, get back to it and experiment! and then experiment some more. When learning a new technique on bass, i struggle, then I don't pick up the instrument for a week or two. Then I pick it up and it is like magic-it's there! Same is true in art as in photography. You have the technical expertise now let it go and experiment. YOu will be surprised at the results. Logic then creativity....

vallery

i am thinking about the D200 myself. I think down the road at least a year or two because time is short when talking about digital slr's ....th emove is on and th etimes are a'changin' fast. suggestion: In ATL there is a place where you can rent just about any camera you want. Maybe you can find a place to do that where you are or in Dallas. That may help you in your quest for the camera for you. good luck and let me know what you land upon and how it is!

<div></div>

<div></div>

If anyone has ipod capability OR has itunes on their computer you can download great video podacasts of Photoshop tv with Scott Kelby, Dave Cross and MattK. for free! There is also killer tips and Creative Suite so if you have it give it a try... They do help as I really am hands on and prefer someone talking to me and showing me. Books are good reference when in a pinch but the visual is the best -for me.

<div></div>

Portra 160IS0 120 film is great as is portra 400ISO. I like trying out different brands of B&W. Using portra 220 is nice as well - you just have to count 34-38 clicks to get to the next frame for shooting. I also like the ilford brands of B&W for the Holga. It is very cool to modify and use 35mm film.give it a try!

-vallery b

I must say the beauty of a Holga camera shot is the unexpected and it is all about experimenting! Live a little and don't rationalize this too much. three ISO's?? - plenty for my holgaroid !! (I prefer the 84 B&W myself and the 89 for color). I say get several HOlgas and modify them any way you please and see what you get in return. Oh yeah and you may even try double exposures.

vallery b

I have been happily snapping away with my E500 for months and there is no line as you say. Not at all. I just checked to make sure. Every camera has it's own gliche (sp?) so who knows...... vallery b

As a former teacher and [student] I feel we tend to put a value on numbers for our work. It seems to mean something to us. This must be the product of years of public education. I do not see the rankings here as analagous to the A,B,C system. I prefer paying attention to the constructive criticism whether from a professor or fellow photographer. The number system is extremely subjective even if there were rigid and clear-cut standards assigned for these numbers. In art it is hard to judge by numbers alone. Remember you are developing your eye continually and you shouldn't second guess your work based on a number ranking of a photo or two from anonymous sources on the internet. Valuable insight from others is what we seek and although there are 3's given out with wreckless abandon - it won't slow me down!