jzq

<div></div>

<p>How does one access controls on the camera whilst using one of those boxes?!?! I was on a set with a lot of "practical" lighting, and the actors were moving around. So, the light on them kept changing. I got to photograph a few rehearsals and I was constantly changing settings in manual mode. I can't see any way to access the controls on some of those boxes!</p>

<p>Hi everybody,<br>

For the past two days, I've been shooting stills for a short film. I'd never done this kind of work before, so I had no idea that I would need some kind of silencing box for my camera. So far, I've been shooting everything I can between takes, before "action," and right after "cut."<br>

That being said, the cast & crew appear to like my work and I have reason to believe that I may be doing this type of thing again in the future. So... I want to know what the silencing box is <em>called</em> . I've heard it referred to as a photo blimp, a sound reducer, a camera silencer, and a soundbox. Yet, when I try to search for these items on B&H, I come up blank.<br>

If anyone could help me locate what I need, I would be most grateful. FYI, I need one that works with a Canon 40D (and 20D, if possible).<br>

Thanks!</p>

<p>Sorry to the admins... won't happen again. <br>

Here is the link:<br>

http://twilight-movie.site40.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10001/normal_mURI_temp_bac2554f.png</p>

<p>Thanks for the responses. They're very helpful!</p>

<p>I'm completely in love with the look of Peggy Sirota's shots of the <em>Twilight</em> stars for Vanity Fair. I'm wondering if anyone here can enlighten me on how she got this lighting. <br>

<b>Image removed. Per the photo.net Terms of Use, do not post photos that are not yours.</b><br>

From the youtube vids of the shoot, it doesn't look like she was using any lights or flash. In fact, she only occasionally busted out some big white reflectors. Can anyone help me out with how to recreate this? I would think that the lighting on them couldn't be so even and soft given how back-lit they are.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

I think a lot of people use BOTH Lightroom (or something like it) AND Photoshop. That's what I do, although I

find that I spend most of my time in Lightroom. Lightroom is a beautiful little program for editing RAW files.

You can do sharpening, vignetting, white balance, clarification, color management, tone curve and more very

quickly in Lightroom. -- Much more quickly than you can in Photoshop unless you've set up a bunch of Photoshop

actions for yourself. Lightroom also allows you to process multiple images more quickly, and it allows you to

copy adjustments to one image and paste them to another. It's very good for handling large batches of files.

It's also very good for cataloging, which is what you're after.

 

All of that being said, I think Photoshop is still indispensable because it allows for things that you just can't

do in Lightroom: layering, burning & dodging, texturizing, etc.

 

So, my suggestion would be to get Lightroom but don't throw out your Photoshop software.

 

Oh.. and if you do decide to get Lightroom, pick up a copy of Mikkel Aaland's "Photoshop Lightroom Adventure"

along with it. That book really helps with how to do things in Lightroom and it's got really cool "recipes" for

certain effects.

 

Enjoy.

Sorry, I should've mentioned what I have. I have a 580EXII and that's it, in the way of lighting. I have been pretty successful at bouncing and so forth, but I want a very specific look for these shots and I will definitely be needing a light and stand for it.

Hi guys,

 

I've been hired to do a shoot in a family home. They want BW photos of their baby, nude, against a black

background. So, I'm looking for a light and light stand that I can take with me into the clients' home. Should

I get an umbrella too? I've never worked with any studio lighting equipment, but I'm not opposed to getting

something I could grow into -- Ideally something that I can use as just a light for this case, but also a slave

in the future? I have no idea if that's even possible. Any advice on where to start would be most appreciated.

 

Many thanks,

Judith

My sister-in-law recently let me borrow the BBC series "Planet Earth," and I just HAD to post about it here. It

contains some of the most unbelievable, gob-smackingly beautiful, amazing photography I've ever seen. If you

haven't seen it, you should definitely check it out. -- Particularly if you're into nature photography.

Good lord... I'm sorry. That blows! May you have better photographic days ahead!

They're gone. Thanks, Bob, for answering my questions and clarifying how things work. I appreciate it.

While I don't think that a side project about Mr. Willy necessarily makes one less professional, the incriminating photos are, indeed, gone now. Thanks to everyone for all of their help and suggestions.

There are two pictures of penises that I have deleted from my portfolio (along with the folder they were in), but

they keep appearing on my profile/community member page. How do I remove them from there?

 

http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=3898343

 

Many thanks,

Judith

I have gotten some

suggestions on books, and I do plan to get them; however, I would be curious to follow up on some of your

specific marketing book suggestions... if you're willing to give them out again. I have looked into PPA and plan

to join as an aspiring professional. I have some other expenses I need to handle first, but that one is

definitely on my to-do list.

 

David W., what you have said makes complete sense and confirms what I thought. As Richard has suggested, I will

follow up with my webmaster to make sure that I show up on search engines, and I plan to get a sponsored Google

link so that I show up at the top of searches for wedding photographers in LA.

 

I have also hidden the penis photos from view.

 

On a more general note, I completely agree with what David S. and Rosina are saying about genuine relationships

and professionalism. This week, I had another photographer approach me on the street (because I was taking

pictures) and ask me to save his butt this weekend because he booked a wedding and then booked a trip for the

same date. Then, he told me one thing about rates & photo rights, and his partner told me another. Then, his

partner told me he'd get back to me and never did. I can't imagine a more UN-professional way to manage one's

business or forge a potential business relationship.

 

Having worked in the arts industry in the past (administratively), I have learned a lot about professionalism and

the difference it can make. I make every effort and will continue to make every effort to conduct myself and my

fledgling business professionally at all times. Otherwise, I just don't see how ANY potential client could have

confidence in me.

 

Thank you all very much.

Judith.

A few days ago, I posted wondering whether I'm starting my business properly or not. After meeting with my

accountant today, I'm confident that I'm on the right track -- legally, financially, logistically,

organizationally, etc. I'm going to finish getting my business license and hope to launch my business and

website at the same time in about 4-8 weeks (depending on processing times).

 

My question is: how do I get people to visit said site?

 

There are a zillion plus wedding photographers in the Los Angeles area, and when I went to a "Plan your LA

Wedding" site, I was daunted by the plethora of photographer's adverts on there. Does anyone have any advice

regarding how to get site traffic going? I was considering a sponsored Google link to start, but is there

something more? Any LA-based people have thoughts?

 

If there is anything else I should be doing marketing-wise, please let me know. FYI, I have read most of the old

threads here on the topic... so I know about trying to showcase in local bridal shops, give business cards to

everybody and their brother, the pros & cons of bridal fairs, the relative futility of print ads, etc.

Everything I've read leads me to believe that internet, word-of-mouth, and possibly referrals from other

photographers are where it's at now. How do I go about getting those referrals? Is there anything new I should

be thinking about?

I'm not quitting my day job, so it's okay if the business takes off slowly (unless their are insane business costs that I'm unaware of right now). I do not have a business plan, but I know that SCORE counselors will advise me on that, and there's even a workshop through them that I can go to.

 

Anything else?

Hello all,

 

I have a website getting ready to launch, I'm meeting with my accountant tomorrow, and I'm going to set up an

appointment with a free small business counselor through scorela.org. Is there anything else I should be doing

right now? Or will most of my questions be answered by those folks with regard to business licensing, insurance,

taxes, etc.?

 

ANYTHING you can think of that I should be aware of would be most appreciated.

 

Many thanks,

Judith

Thanks for the suggestions and support, Mark. I will certainly follow up on the leads you've given me!

Chris -- I thought some of your photographs were absolutely lovely. I have a soft spot for Boston since I went to college there, and I think some of your night shots of folks along the Charles are truly magical.<br>

<br>

I had never shot fireworks before last night, and I definitely think there's room for improvement; but here are two images I was able to capture. Both were done freehand, as I failed to take a tripod with me. (Definitely room for improvement!)<br>

<br>

The details for the first shot were: Canon 20D, 70-200mm lens at 130mm, ISO 400, 6.0 sec shutter at f/25.<br>

<br>

<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/2640395799_c412e659ac.jpg?v=0"/><br>

<br>

The second was: Canon 20D, 70-200mm lens at 80mm, ISO 400, 6.0 sec shutter at f/25.<br>

<br>

<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/2640397181_90a1e1317b.jpg?v=0"/><br>

Thanks for the responses.

 

Matt -- what you picked up on was my first criticism of myself. My notes to myself were: 1) Go wider! 2) Quicken the shutter speed in low light 3) Learn how to get the flash off the camera body so I can do more vertical shots 4) Practice better flash bouncing technique and FEC.

 

Danielle -- What you hit upon was one of my biggest complaints of the day. The bride & groom were too cold to go out onto the green to take formal shots, and the bridal party was freezing after the two I took. Basically, the clients opted out of the more formal shots, which was disappointing to me as well. I was hoping to have a set of those for my portfolio. Thank you for your input.

As some of you know from my Sunday post, I shot my first wedding that day. Many

thanks to those of you who responded to that post as I managed to buy more

memory cards and batteries before heading off to the event. Overall, I think it

went well. I was asked to post results, and indeed I'd like some critical

feedback from folks here. I have a general idea of things I need to work on for

next time, but I'd like thoughts from other more experienced people.<br>

<br>

If you're so inclined, please follow <a

href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21626011@N05/sets/72157605313728349"> this

link </a> to take a look at my proofs. (Warning: there are 348 of them!) If

you're short on time, I've posted one here.<br>

<br>

Honest, critical, and tactful feedback would be very much appreciated. I think

I have a fairly thick skin.<br>

<br>

*commence holding breath*<br><div></div>

Today's the day. Here's my kit: <br>

<br>

Canon 20D<br>

Canon XTi<br>

24-105mm f/4.0 <br>

17-55mm f/2.8 <br>

70-200mm f/2.8 <br>

10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 <br>

50mm f/1.4 <br>

580EXII <br>

Tripod <br>

Umbrella, rain poncho, camp towel (30% chance of rain at the site) <br>

<br>

Oh... and a whole lot of nervous energy. Is there anything else I should keep

in mind? Any parting kernels of wisdom?<br>

<br>

My heartfelt thanks to all of you who have advised me and given me good,

courteous, honest critique over the past several months. I hope to actualize

some of what you all have said.<br>

<br>

Wish me luck!<br>

Hello all,

 

I have been trying to hone my technique for shooting in low-light, club-like

situations for a <i>while</i>. I've shot at two goth clubs, several parties,

and I took advantage of my school's prom to try again. I think this is the

first half decent shot I've gotten, but I might be biased. What do you all

think? Any thoughts on how I could improve in this arena?

 

FYI -- I've been shooting with a 20D, 800 ISO, 17-55mm lens, f/2.8. Oh, and a

580EX. I just got a 50mm f/1.4, so I'll be trying that soon too.<div></div>

Apparently, something happened to the hosting server right after I posted about

my first freelance publication as writer/photographer on the web. So, I am

trying again... because I'd really like to share it with all of you.

 

Please visit www.sikhchic.net and click on the top right article, "Through My

Eyes... and Lens." It is about my experience at the Los Angeles Sikh Vaisakhi

celebration. It is a very honest piece that should be taken as a reflection of

ME, not of Sikhism. Feel free to comment at the end of it, it you'd like.

 

Enjoy!

Because you have all been such a big part of my growth, I wanted to share this

with you. I've just been published on http://www.sikhchic.net . I'm the top article on

the right, "Through My Eyes ... and Lens." It's a piece I wrote and photographs

I took after attending the Los Angeles Vaisakhi celebration this year. Enjoy!