t_c16

<p>I ended up using set up 1 with 2 reflected umbrellas. The quality of light was soft and beautiful & I got more light out of reflecting the strobe back up at the umbrellas. The exposure was a bit different on each shot (probably because I had the flash set to TTL and not manual - not sure though) on some shots and some shots were darker but nothing drastic that can't be easily fixed in Lightroom. I just adjusted the position of the lights to bring it closer to the subjects or moved it up or down.<br>

Greg-thanks for the advice on keeping the lighstand as as high up as I could - and getting it close to the subjects - it made a HUGE difference.<br>

I also brought the stands and the flash back out for the reception and was able to get some amazing dancefloor shots using the reflected umbrellas technique. Just had to keep an eye on the stand to make sure the guests didn't knock it down LOL :)<br>

You guys have been amazing - thanks for all your advice.</p>

<p>One question: Do you recommend then using the SET UP 1 with shooting up through the umbrellas - (front of umbrellas facing me and hitting the group) as opposed to SET UP 2 with the strobes pointed towards the subjects and shooting through the umbrellas (front of umbrellas pointed at them)</p>

<p>Thanks Matt & Greg, I'm going to be doing test shoots today using the Manual mode on the SB600s. I'll also be out getting more batteries for the strobes. Thanks for all the wisdom guys. I appreciate it very much. Have a great 2009!</p>

<p>I have a question regrading lighting wedding formals in a large church.<br>

Which set up is better between these 3?<br>

<br /> SET UP 1: I tried this set up last night at the church & the lighting looked good and even. I only have 2 lightstands & 2 umbrellas and am planning on using 2 umbrellas both at least 45 degrees in front of the group with the SB600 both shooting up into the umbrellas and both umbrellas are facing me.<br>

<br /> SET UP 2:Same set up as above but with flash pointed at the group and shooting through the white umbrella.Umbrellas facing the group.<br>

SET UP 3: Take away the 2nd lightstand and flash and place the SB600 on camera. Leave the 2nd lightstand with the umbrella to my right.Not even sure if I can set up the SB 600 as a master and the 2nd SB 600 as a slave. I'll have to test this out.<br>

<br /> I'll have to practice SET UP 2 and 3 tomorrow and see which one works better.<br>

Any thoughts? Church is fairly lit up. I may have to gel the flashes to balance ambient light. Using a 17-50 lens and shooting at ISO 400-600 at 3.2 or f4<br>

Thanks for your help and Happy NY 2009!</p>

Hi Nadine, Thanks for responding. As always I appreciate your replies. I created a pre shoot questionnaire for

corporate jobs and included those questions, such as how many people to be photographed, location, preference

and what it wil be used for. Pre planning is important since we don't want to be caught unprepared. I'm assuming that

there will be at least 20 in this group. I'm still planning on using the SB 600's and may also rent out some lights just

in case. Either way, I'm going to need to test it all out a few days before the shoot. I may even go to the location to

assess the lighting.

I had to laugh about your last comment re:the corporaet request to photograph 60 people in blazing sun LOL! What a

nightmare, Thanks again!

I am currently thinking of buying a 2 light set up, either with studio strobes or a continous lighting kit. I will be

shooting an on location group corporate shot. I normally do weddings and just use my SB 600 - on camera or

bouncing it. I've used the SB 600 indoors using the umbrella strobist method and it worked well. However, if I use the

2 SB 600's, will the skyports transmitters work with it? I'm concerned that the SB 600 won't trigger at a certain

distance.

I also have the EZY box softbox I can set up with my SB 600.

Any ideas. I need to buy it in a few days since the shoot is in 10 days and I need some time to set it up and play

around with it.

I'm thinking a 1 or 2 light large softbox system might work well too. Possibly an Elinchrom or something similar. Any

thoughts?

My budget is $250.00-$300.00

I know that its not a Nikon lens but I really have my eye on the Tamron 17-55 2.8 lens. Unfortunately I can't afford the

Nikon 17-55 right now so I am wondering if the Tamron 17-55 2.8 is similar?

 

My 18-135 Nikon's AF went bad and I'd like to get a nice wide angle, all around lens that goes down to at least a 2.8.

 

I am in love with the 50mm 1.8 Nikon lens but that one doesn't zoom in and out. I want a lens that has a zoom

feature but at least can go wide in aperture so I can shoot in low light and get good bokeh.

 

Any thoughts or recommenddations from owners of the Tamron 17-55 and/or the Nikon 17-55? My budget is at least

$450 and under. I shoot primarily weddings, special events and portraits.

 

Thanks!

Thank you for your response Matt! That was very comprehensive. I'm considering buying a Photoflex Q39 litedome for an upcoming wedding. What size would you recommend? I need to light group shots and the reception on a fairly medium sized room. What is the difference between the Photoflex Q39 litedome and the 25-inch Ezybox shown above? Where is the best place to buy the Ezybox? Thanks!

Thanks for responding Nadine. I've always shot with an on camera flash, higher ISO;s , dragging the shutter etc. I just haven't used extra lighting for weddings. The place is dark...very dark...almost like a log cabin with dark brown woods, dark brown walls and dark brown floors. I'm not sure how the place will be lit for the reception. I'll be going there this Friday to check.

I'm thinking of using an umbrella for formals and just shoot with on camera flash for the reception & candids. Any suggestions on what to get for a 1 or 2 umbrella set up for formals? Thank so much for your time.

I need extra lighting for a wedding in a few weeks. I'm a bit confused as to what to get. I'm considering a

simple lighting set-up that's easy to set up. My budget is probably around $150-$200. I have the NIkon SB600 plus

the Fong Lightsphere but the place has dark ceilings so there's nowhere to bounce light from there. I'm

considering buying a monolight with an umbrella and stand. I've never used one of these on location. So sorry if

I ask some stupid questions. Do I need to plug the light into an outlet for these? I think the monopod is a

continuos light system. I really don't need anything fancy or hard to learn since I only have a few weeks to

"practice" the setup. If there is anything you have used or if there's anything you would recommend, it would be

so helpful! Thanks.

This lens hardly leaves my camera. I've gotten incredible photos from this one small lens with my D200.

Go get it!

Wow! That is one amazing photo. Yes I own the 50 1.8 - I loooooove that lens. Now there's reason to love it al lthe more. Will have to go and find those close up lens attachements. Thanks so much!!!

I need some recs for a good but inexpensive macro lens to shoot clouse up of rings, dress, flowers etc. Normal

detail shots for a wedding.Thanks!

Also if anyone can recommend a good wide angle lens for my D200. I already have an 18-135 Nikkor. Thanks!

OK- thanks! Will take the advice given & try to re-think our sales strategy. MOst of our packages have the album already included. I like the idea of showing 3 different styles. Right now, I only have 2 styles available.

HI everyone.

 

I have a quick questions regarding wedding photo sales presentation. We normally schedule a photo viewing with

the couple, show them a pre made DVD photo slideshow with music (with highlights of the wedding images). Then we

give them the DVD with the images.

 

All our wedding packages include the DVD already so there is no need to buy the DVD. Any other sales strategy to

upsell other items such as albums, gallery wraps etc?

 

DO you create pre-sales packages for them to buy - like a suggestion of what else you can buy and create an

exclusive pricing for it?

 

Do you also show them all the wedding photos at the sitting? We usually have more than 900 images & it seems too

time consuming to go over each and every photo so we just tell them to view it at home & let us know which photos

they want.

ANy suggestions or anyone else care to share their post wedding sales workflow? Thanks!

Thanks for the responses. I'll try out ACDSEE Pro 2. I have the older ACDSee version.

Looking to upgrade my photo presentation software. Currently using ACDSEE and the built in MS windows picture editor.

Any suggestions on any other software to use out there? Thanks!

Amanda, I did a bridal shoot using the same lenses - the 50mm 1.8 lens and alos brought along my SB 600 unit. It did overexpose the image when I used it with the lenses but of course I was shooting outdoors - open shade at 1.8. It all depends on where you shoot. I did get amazing clarity without the fill flash, just used natural light at 1.8 and ISO 100. I love that little 50mm 1.8 lens. Just try it out with the flash and if it over exposes, just turn it off. Fairly simple. I'm sure you'll have fun at that shoot using the lens.

I've used both the SB 800 and the SB 600. I've used the SB 800 when I shot indoor weddings - I've used it a lot outdoors too as a fill light. Just bought the SB 600 and used it for a wedding a few weeks ago. It seemed to do the same job that the SB 800 did. I'm not sure about all the different features and comparisons between the 800 and the 600 etc. but for what I needed it to do, the SB 600 worked great... I only used the SB 600 when it got darker outide and as a fill light. I used the TTL BL feature on the flash unit and increased the power as needed. I hope this helps. Perhaps someone else can shed more light on this issue.

I've never used any of these sites. I used photo reflect before but I want a

nicer way to present the images (via a slideshow).

 

Is there another site or resource that others have used to present wedding

images and sell to guests etc.?

 

I'd like to have a slideshow feature with the site.

 

Any thoughts welcome. Just trying to prepare for the busy wedding season ahead.

Thanks much :)

Great answers and thank you for the resources.

I owned an SB 800 and shot with it for a year. I loved it. I shot weddings and portraits. Unfortunately I no loner have it but I still have my sc-28 cord (for my flash bracket).

Will be off to check on the links you had all provided for me.

Any thoughts on the SB 600?

Any other non Nikon flashes you'd recommend that's similar to the SB 800 but a

bit less expensive?

Recommended places to buy?

I'm open to buying used as long as it works :))

Thanks.

Sevigny,

Thank you for your encouraging words. it really means a lot to me. I'll take all these advice to heart and go out there. Will be in touch and post here again once I get something going.

Thanks for the advice. There's a wealth of knowledge here. I'll need to do my own research and plan the work out and go from there. Finding out about the bigger picture is very helpful.

Hi!

I'm a portrait photographer wanting to use my photographic images to convey a

social and/or cultural message.

For instance, I'm thinking of doing a photo documentary about the life of a

migrant farm worker. I'm also thinking of focusing on the children of these

workers etc. I'm thinking of narrowing my story too.

My question is where do I find the market for my project? Who would be

interested in the story I produce?

Would you normally call the newspapers to see if they are interested? Museums,

art galleries? I don't even know where to start.

Also how many photos are normally creted for a series?

Thanks!