catherinevankempen

I noticed the return link wasn't working, and I def need to take away the download button, I didn't even know it was there. I'm using iweb,

and am obviously still trying to figure it all out :). Thanks for the feedback.

<p>Hi guys,<br>

I've been out of town and just now got a chance to read over your comments and respond. <br>

First, thank you so much for taking the time to read my post and browse my images. It really means a whole lot.<br>

Second, thank you for being so honest. What Booray said hurt at first and then I realized he is completely right, except I don't open them in photoshop, it's Lightroom :) I think I'm kind of like a kid in a candy store right now. I was so used to shooting film where I either shot color or b&w and where the only choices I had in the darkroom were whether to use a higher or lower filter, or add a little magenta or subtract a little yellow. Sure, I messed around with some non silver processes, did a little bit of cross processing, but now it's just a mouse click away, all these wonderful effects! It's amazing, a little bit too amazing. It took you guys pointing it out to realize I was totally overdoing it. <br>

As to David's comment, I really didn't mean any disrespect. It was just a figure of speech. Believe me, I fully understand the dedication, study, and discipline it takes to become a good photographer. It is a craft, and art, and a passion; which is something that can't be said about many things in life.<br>

And Marcus, you too were spot on. I am missing a lot of my work, something that makes me very sad and until I beef up my portfolio it does look as if I'm only showing the couple of images that happened to turn out well. In my defense, though I do have images that are technically losers, some of the ones I posted look even worse because of the crazy filters I put on them (see response to Booray's comments) and/or because of technical ineptitude in digital scanning and processing. That being said, that still isn't an excuse to post sub par work and I fully realize that now. I was so desperate to have images on a website that I was less discerning than I should have been.<br>

So, now for the battle plan. I am in the process of lining up 10 free shoots. I've posted an appeal on facebook ... I have offered 10 people a session of 1-2 hours, they will receive a cd with 8-10 images. In return I have the right to post these images on my website. I am working on a contract that I will have them sign. After these 10 sessions I am going to reevaluate my work, reevaluate my portfolio, and set prices. <br>

I need to work on technique, getting reacquainted with my equipment, and just finding my own personal style. I guess, in the past, I've been trying to adjust my shooting to the client, when I really need to look at it the other way around. Let clients find me because of MY style. <br>

Thank you all for your insight and help. I'll be sure to keep you posted, and maybe I can run some of the images from the following weeks by you guys.</p>

 

<p>Hey guys,<br>

Once upon a time I was a pretty active member of photo.net. That was before kids, work, mortgage, life, got in the way :) Now I am in need of some good old fashion photo advice, and I immediately thought of you guys.<br>

So, I am wanting to get back into the photo game. I was a photography major in college and shot quite a few wedding during that time, but I was never a "professional". The last wedding I shot was about 4 years ago. I've done some stuff for friends, but nothing huge.<br>

Now I am ready to try my hand at some payed work. I think I would like to mainly do engagement/kids/family stuff. Not sure I'm ready to tackle a wedding just yet. On the other hand, when it comes to experience, I've shot more weddings than any other stuff. Sigh ... what's a girl to do.<br>

So here's my question ... I was hoping some of you would hop over to my website www.lazydaisy.us and take a quick look around. If you have any comments regarding the content, layout, portfolio, ... I'd be so grateful. I am worried, because all of my previous work was shot on film and a lot of it has been lost so I don't have a huge amount of work to show. <br>

My second question is, I don't feel comfortable charging a large amount of money, seeing as I've been out of things for so long. Is it okay to charge less and honestly tell people why the price is so low. I don't like the idea of faking it till I make it. <br>

I guess I need some honest feedback from people who won't be worried about hurting my feelings ... should I even attempt this (no worries, I'm not quitting my day job!) or should I just stick to taking pictures of my kids and move on.<br>

Thanks for any help!</p>

<p>John, I did what you said and yes the lens is stopping down. It seems to be a tad bit slower than my other lenses when I try the same thing so maybe Michael and Shun are right and it's just not stopping down fast enough. <br>

Michael, I haven't had a chance to try to your trick ... kids keep getting in the way, but I'll have some time to myself tomorrow and I will try then.<br>

How much do you think a repair to the aperture mechanism would cost? Where should I send it. I'm assuming Nikon will not have those part anymore since it's an older lens. Does anyone else have experience with Authorized photo service in Chicago? </p>

<p>Yes michael, i suppose it is an exposure problem. I'll mount it on my f100 and see what it does. So, very stupid question, i haven't used this camera in so long ! I tried to fire with the back open but the camera won't let me (f100). Any ideas?</p>

<p>It is closing down though, that's what I don't get either. I did what you just said, looked into the lens as it was exposing and turned the aperture ring and I saw it open and close. I guess it's off to Nikon we go. </p>

<p>1/60 -- 2.8<br>

1/30 -- 4<br>

1/15 -- 5.6<br>

1/8 -- 8<br>

1/4 -- 11<br>

1/2 -- 16<br>

1/1.3 -- 22<br>

All at 200. I just set the camera to Aperture priority and nudged it a stop at a time.<br>

I went into the custom settings and changed it from the dial to aperture ring and did the same test ... ran through all the stops and the effect was the same.<br>

I'm so confused, and like you said, I am worried Nikon will take my money only to say, so sorry, we don't have those parts anymore.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Matt and Juan, tried cleaning the contacts, but no go. <br>

Shun, I tried what you said, and the lens is stopping down ... I'm getting more dof as I change my aperture setting. But help me think this through ... as my aperture gets smaller, my images become more and more over exposed? Shouldn't it be the other way around ? <br>

Lex ... my camera gives me an error reading if it isn't set to the smallest aperture, is that what you were getting at? </p>

<p>Hi guys,<br>

Haven't been on here in a while ... but I have a question for you. I have a great old lens, an 80-200 2.8. Problem is it doesn't meter correctly anymore. The only way I can get a correct exposure is if I use it at 2.8. I am using it on a d700. <br>

Could this be a camera reading problem or more likely to be a lens problem? The aperture closes and opens just fine. I used to use it on my F5 and it worked fine. <br>

I plan on sending it off to Nikon, but I have heard they don't like getting older cameras and lenses and send them back. <br>

Any ideas?<br>

Thanks,<br>

Catherine</p>

<p>And this one ...</p><div></div>

<p>I just had my second little boy 6 weeks ago by c-section. I handed my husband our little Canon point and shoot and our pics came out fine ! There are simply too many things he can mess up with my DSLR. With the Point and shoot all he has to do is take the picture. It's a no-brainer. If you were to go with a DSLR I would just rent the fastest prime you can get, and I would go wide, maybe 24 or even wider.<br>

I realize this wasn't your question, but I wanted my husband to be there for me, not distracted taking pictures. I think the birth of your child is one of those things you really want to experience to the fullest. Pictures are important, but once your baby is there the memories are a lot more important. Maybe you could hire a professional to come to the hospital right after baby is born to do some nice pics once your back in your room. <br>

I'm going to try and post some of the pics my husband took with our P&S, I haven't edited them at all, besides resizing. I think he did a pretty good job, considering he was just aiming the camera over the curtain.<br>

Good luck with your baby !<br>

Cat</p><div></div>

<p><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME~1/CATHER~1/LOCALS~1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png" alt="" /></p>

<p>Hey all,<br>

For those of you in the Cinci area ... Duane Michals is giving a lecture at the University of Cincinnati tonight at 5. Should be interesting ! Here's the link ... <br>

http://daap.uc.edu/stories/Internationally_Renowned_Photographer_Duane_Michals_to_Lecture_at_DAAP_Dec_3<br>

Cat</p>

 

<p>Hey guys, thanks for all the great tips and ideas. I wasn't able to get back to you all before the events but all your advice was very helpful! <br>

I ended up shooting T-ball for about 13 hours and let me tell you ... I'm over T-ball for the moment. It was a blast though and since I had to shoot the same teams at least 2 times I got the safe shots out of the way early on and then just had fun trying different things out. <br>

I did shoot with my 80-200 the entire time, at least during the games, used my shorter lenses for some walk about stuff. One major problem, my 80-200 broke down on me. Would only meter correctly at 2.8 which was okay, just stayed at 2.8 most of the time and underexposed for other f-stops (that was tricky but doable). <br>

I have a little extra question for you all ... the guy I was shooting for said it would be okay for me to use any images I got for my portfolio, website, ... but now I'm worried about releases. I don't know what kind of setup he had going but I obviously did not get my own model release. Some of the shots came out really well and I would love to use them but I don't want to get sued by parents. Should I play it safe and just use shots where you can't see the faces or do you think it would be okay to use one or two as examples of my work? We were shooting as the "offical Photographers of the Games" (sounds snazzy doesn't it) but I don't know if that makes a difference. <br>

Thanks all for your great advice and making this a lot less stressful for me.<br>

Cat</p>

<p>Hey guys,</p>

<p>Quick, or maybe not so quick, question. I'm shooting for a friend this coming weekend. He just opened a studio and is covering something called the bluegrass state games ... a lot of kids playing a lot of different sports. I have no, and I do mean no, experience with this kind of photography. My son's only 2 1/2, so I'm not quite a soccer mom yet, and in all honesty, I have no idea what I'm doing. Since he is just opening shop I want to do the best I can possibly do, plus part of my pay will be based on commissions so there's another incentive. </p>

<p>Do any of you have any advice, tips, pointers, ideas, ... what should I be looking for, some nice techniques, ... you know, the usual crash course that is usually reserved for first time wedding photographers shooting their best friends wedding cause they can't afford a real photographer. </p>

<p>As far as I know, I could be shooting any sport, looks like the days I'm working they have kayaking, soccer, baseball, basketball, golf, cycling, ... you name it, they have it. </p>

<p>As far as equipment goes, I'm sort of limited. My camera is fine (d700), more worried about the lenses (24mm, 50, 80, and my old but trusty 80-200). I'm guessing my long lens will come in handy. I've also got a speedlight but I'm not sure in which scenario that would come in handy unless I'm shooting something inside? But wouldn't that be rude to go flashing all over the place while these poor kids are trying to shoot a basket ? Better to up my ASA right?</p>

<p>Please, any advice is welcome, I'm going to have a talk with my friend tomorrow, hopefully he'll be able to let me know what event I'm covering. Sounds like he wants candid work with some of the medal ceremony which I'm assuming will be more formal. </p>

<p>Thanks guys, can't wait to hear from you all.<br>

Cat</p>

<p>I second the advice to contact your professor ... some basic photography classes still use film and will teach traditional darkroom techniques (that's how my program worked it) and you will need a film camera that can be shot in manual mode.</p>

<p>If you can I would probably wait till the first day of class, I'm assuming the first day will go into a lengthy discussion of the supplies and equipment necessary for the class.</p>

<p>I have bought all my equipment from 3 places<br>

- www.bhphotovideo.com<br>

- www.keh.com (great place for used equipment)<br>

- a small local used camera store in Louisville, KY</p>

<p>Calumet is a good choice also but I've found they are a little bit more expensive.</p>

<p>Have fun and be prepared to spend more and more and even more time with photography, it can get pretty crazy ... in a good way!</p>

<p>Catherine</p>

 

<p>I'm getting in on the tail end of this but I feel pretty strongly about this ...<br>

I would be very careful about trying to convince people to change to something as big as this. If you have to "convince" them it's probably not a great idea to push the pre wedding picture session. <br>

I'm all for giving them the option, but I wouldn't push the matter. I felt very strongly about not seeing my husband till the big moment and if a photographer had tried to talk me into changing that I probably would have walked away, and at the very least I would have felt defensive. Pushing an idea the couple isn't thrilled about can lead to lost clients or clients that agree to your ideas but maybe aren't happy with it, feeling pressured into doing something they don't want to do.<br>

As someone else mentioned, if a couple feels strongly about not seeing each other before the wedding, you can still do at least some of the formals before hand and save the others for after.<br>

Catherine</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I'm a flight attendant and I would be very very surprised if they would stop you at security with a tripod. I see people coming on with fishing poles, tripods, canes, tennis rackets, ... Depending on what kind of plane you'll be on the overheads should be big enough, some of the really small planes that do the little hops may not work out in which case you would have to gate check your tripod. I would just protect the head, important even if you can carry it on with you. Have fun on vacation !</p>

<p>Oooooh, I want in !</p>

<p>Seriously Susanne, simmer down. I thought the images were very nice and had I been the client I would have been very pleased ! There are many amazing photographers out there and I am pretty sure I will never ever reach their level; I guess that means I should just put my camera down huh. </p>

<p>Hey guys,<br>

Just a quick question ... I just lost three folders with quite a bit of files in them while backing them up to my External Harddrive. I had just launched the transfer and cancelled it (I guess not such a good idea!). I didn't think it would be a big deal but now they are all gone ... not on my mac or on the backup. I'm not too worried about it since I had them all on my laptop as well, but I'm sweating bullets right now cause what if my laptop crashes during the transfer ... will I lose everything ? Also, would there be any way to recover those files? <br>

I'm pretty new to this whole digital thing and I guess this is more of a curiosity thing ... Thanks for your help,<br>

Catherine</p>

<p>Personally I think the one with the white mat makes the color pop more than the black. The black one seems to dull the colors down a little bit. Catherine</p>

<p>I always always always use white mats with a black frame. Always. The frames and mats aren't the art, it's the picture and anything that competes with it should be eliminated. And anyone who has ever matted and framed an entire show knows it's anything but cheap or easy. Catherine</p>

<p>I just bought some Pictorio transparency film for inkjet printers. Haven't been able to bust it out yet, but it looks like it is transluscent, as opposed to clear. It comes in a lot of different sizes too. Catherine</p>

<p>Think tank, the little one holds my d700 with a lens attached plus 2 extra lenses and some accesories like chargers or cards or something. Also like the x million dollar bags, i have the 7 million dollar one which is big but they have smaller ones that are nice too.</p>