mrmel

<p>I have this problem with the 40D. I have no idea why it happens but I switch shooting mode and then back which gets the AF working again. Also even though I have it in AF mode I am still able to focus manually to keep things moving along. Good luck.</p>

<p>I feel that the purpose of the password is to prevent the general public from accessing private photos. There are guest at events that do not want their photos made public. Police and Detectives have asked me in the past not to post their photos. Since there are two sides to every coin and unless the MIL dose not have a single friend who attended the wedding, including her son and possibly other children, who will have access to the password someone is sure to give it to her. Personally I always password protect posted photos. However I give out the password and website information printed on a business card during the event. Good luck with whatever you decided to do.</p>

<p>I did a wedding a few years ago that the couple paid for in advance. They also paid an additional fee for a hard copy proof book. They went off on their honeymoon and I would have the book ready when they returned. I got a call from the bride asking me to deliver the proof book to her mom. The mom went on to tell me that when they returned from the honeymoon they went their separate ways and are getting a divorce. They never asked for the Album and amazingly I actually received reprint orders from some of the relatives. That said you really need to get some kind of cash prepayment before the wedding day unless you are prepared to possibly not receive any compensation for your work for any reason. If you plan to post online be sure to take plenty of portraits and family shots of guest without the bride and groom and have information to hand out at the reception of how they can be seen and purchased.</p>

<p>Did this happen more then once for the same type shooting sequence? Getting 2 out of 3 acceptable exposures using flash in P mode sounds fairly normal or even good.. Doubt if anyone could give you an exact reason. If you call Canon they will tell you user error. Don't believe it, it's just not a foolproof system. For more consistent results learn to use the camera in M and the flash in auto.</p>

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<p>Another reason is the slight movement of your trigger finger is enough to get a blink from your subject in anticipation of the flash even if a flash is not being used. Get a bride or groom doing it and you got a long day of post processing ahead. Once I identify a person prone to this I cover up my shooting finger with my other hand and do my best not to let them know when the shot is coming. Another trick is to keep your finger on the opposite hand used for shooting about ½ inch above the camera and most people will think it is the trigger finger. Also using a bracet with a remote shutter release seems to help.</p>

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<p>If this becomes the norm in your area it may be time to start doing something similar and provide it as an extra in your packaging. I think it should be addressed right from the beginning when the contract is being signed. I’m pretty sure this will only lead to lost sales for you if it is aloud. Haven’t seen it yet but I’m sure it’s coming. </p>

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<p>One picture is worth a thousand words and possibly even dollars in this case. I never attempted to print any of the candids or formals the night of. But if you are able to pull off a really great group shot and have a 14x11 sample early in the evening it would incress your sales. I use the Epson 1800. Never done it onsite but have been able to get file to either my own printer at home or to someone I know closer to the job site and have someone bring prints back. Having a 7x5, 10x8 and 14x11 sample and price them something like $18, $25 and $35 and most usually will buy the $25 10x8. Also include a cardboard folder for a <em >cheap professional</em> presentation. The current economy and your local market will pretty much dictate what you charge so impulse buying is the key here. Keep in mind when shooting the group that you will need to pretty much square it up to keep a good 10x8 format. In other words you don’t want a panoramic of 200 people only 4 or 5 deep in the 10x8 format. Be sure the aperture you use will provide enough DOF to pull this off. The new Canon 5DII seems like the idea camera for shots like this (full frame, decent at higher ISO’s and 21mp). If there's anybody who has treid it on a large group please let us know how well it performed for you. Personelly I'm not ready to upgrade to it for wedding work.</p>

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<p >One way to secure your backdrop from others using it efficiently is to place another light facing camera position just above or to one side that is light triggered and set at full power. It should blow out any photos taken by someone using a camera with flash. Make it easy for you to turn it on and off but not obvious. Usually when I do the group shot I do a primary set up of the group that is far from the final one I would like to take. At that point I ask if any of the quests would like to take a shot and give them about 2 minutes. While they play paparazzi I figure out exactly what needs to be done to make it right. I then tell them it is very important for them to put their cameras away and out of sight because their friends will be looking at them and not the official camera and they could be responsible for someone looking stupid or dorkey in the official photo. Have your camera ready on a tripod. Move it to your planned shooting spot after the paparazzi is done. Get the subjects into final position and shot. Depending on the size group and possible language barrier have someone hold up a large smiley face (2-3 foot circle) just behind the camera to get everyone looking at the same time. Avoid the 1, 2, 3 countdown unless you want to post process a lot of closed eyes. Soon as your done be sure to say something like “It’s Miller Time” or “I can use a drink” just to get everybody moving and out of position.</p>

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<p >Personally never made much profit on reunions with the couple candid’s and formal photos. Get a background that will accommodate at least 8 people for small groups of friends. Something that includes the school colors would be good. A good prop to put in the photo is a sweater or jacket with the graduation year. (I’m assuming it’s a high school reunion and someone on the reunion committee should have one). Put up a few samples photos of your style formals. Early on with any luck the class clown may be there. Make friends with him. He could be your best friend to get people to have their photo taken. Any photos you take and are not available same night would be best posted online for purchasing. Be sure everybody gets printed information on how to view the photos online. Put a card with info on every table plus hand out extras to any couples/groups you shoot. It would be great if the info could be printed right on the tickets (may be to late now but keep in mind for future). Not sure how many people are expected to attend but if you can get a group shot with everybody and have 8x10 copies available before the event ends you cold probably get $20 to $25 each for them especially if you are able to add the event info and date on the photo. Have some of the guest help you get the whole group together. The earlier the better! If you do not have enough printed have any others interested in buying put their name and address on a simple 9x12 mailing envelope with their payment enclosed with a guaranteed delivery within 5 days. A plus is offer free mailing with prepaid orders. Some people will tell you they plan to mail you a check or order onlne. Be sure to tell them there will be additional mailing cost if not prepaid or ordered within 3 days or what ever works for you to get them motivated to do it ASAP. Unless the graduation committee is paying you to be there be sure to explain to them how you market your product and get written permission to do it. Good luck.</p>

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<p>If you really want to keep bride happy you may suggest to her the next job you are doing have "Uncle (pain in the as.) Bob" stop by before you start the job and you'll should be able to take a photo of him to put in the album that will look like it belongs.<br>

Good luck,<br>

Mel</p>

Not sure about what tripod to recommend. I use a Bogan 3221. The center rises about 24 inches with a quick release lever. It is fairly heavy duty but there are times when I need to set the camera/tripod off to the side to shoot with a second camera. I'd rather be safe then sorry then with some of the lightweights available when leaving it unattended. I been using the pistol grip for years and would never go back to any other kind. I also use a cable release when using the camera on a tripod, which really helps with kid photos. Would like to hear if anybody is using the wireless remote to trigger camera for portraits.

Online posting of the event is pretty easy. It's a good way for the guest to view the photos and have an oppertunity to order a few. Normally I hand out a business card during the event with information on how to view the photos and password needed printed on the back. I use Eventpix.com which I have been happy with.

Not being a video guy thanks for the heads up about the rolling shutter. Planning on upgrading to the 5DII and the info will be helpful.

You may try emailing her one or two out of focus and bad color balance shots (even if you need to recreate them) and politely explain that the photos need to be professionally processed before they are ready for viewing. Explain the process usually takes a minimum of xx days and will be ready for viewing on xxx. Any thing sooner and she would be disappointed. Also send a copy of the email to the bride.

If your lab uses the ROES system a pretty good looking proof album can be created with very little effort on your part. They usually charge the same price per page and offer 6/9/12/16 images per page. It's not a traditional wedding album but it will give them the opportunity to put a great album together sometime in the future when cost may not be an issue.

Where's a good place to buy gel's from?

I would tell them to contact you when they made up their mind and are ready to sign a contract and make a deposit and you would let them know if you are available. If in the meantime another contract is made I probably would let them know you are no longer available..

I would give them what they want and consider it a lesson learned for future income opportunities. I don't think you have anything to lose. It was only the three of you and more then likely their not going to purchase anything additional from you. Any prints they do make should be the best possible quality and a raw file may be beneficial. They will be showing and giving your work to friends and it would be in your interest to look its best. My only concern would be if they will actually send the balance after getting RAWs. Should have been paid in full before they got the JPEGs, or better yet before shooting the job. Thanks for sharing your experience; it's something that I will consider in the future.

I have a couple of comebacks that usually are good for a laugh. Many events always have the "don't forget to take off the

lens cap" to which I reply "makes no difference, there's no film in the camera". Or "I want

5-8x10's" so I ask him for his credit card and tell them how great these new cameras are and I can scan it right now.

Amazingly, some people think I'm serious and say they where only kidding.

 

Mel

The flash will adjust for the quantity of light reflected back from the subject. But it doesn?t end there. Cameras setting are crucial and perfect focus is a must to get accurate exposure. It doesn?t end there. With bounce (assuming off ceiling) the height and color will need to be considered. To get consistent I would recommend a light modifier. Omni Bounce (very simple} and Lumiquest which has a complete line for most situations are two but there are many more. Also with a modifier a predetermined amount is bounced and some is direct which usually creates a more pleasing photo especially with portraits. One last note TTL (at least with Canon) is far from perfect and Auto and Manual settings should be mastered.